My daddy taught me that.


Going by the color of your lips,  you're gonna be gone in 30 seconds.


-[Nish sighs, sniffles]  -[computer beeps]


Hey, don't worry.


We're gonna see you on the other side.


-[device whirring]  -[Nish typing]


[gasps]


[Nish] Hey.


Computer says you're awake.


Congratulations. You're a pioneer.


What the fuck did you do?


It turns out that it is possible


to transfer a fresh consciousness  inside a virtual one.


My daddy's giving you a ride.


Get me out of here, you fucking cun--


I'm guessing you're screaming and calling  me names right now, but I wouldn't know.


-You--  -I mean, my dad can't talk, thanks to you.


Otherwise I'm guessing  he'd pass on your goodwill messages.


You fu-- You fucking bitch!  You fucking bitch!


In other news, you'll shortly  be undertaking another first.


The first double-decker mercy killing.


No, no, no. No, no, no, no.


I took off the ten-second limit  so Daddy'll get a full hit of juice.


Should be enough to set him free.


You... however...


burrowed away inside there,  Mr. Haynes, you'll feel it all.


-Hey!  -All the pain.


-Fuck y--  -Every perfect little shot of it.


-Fuck you!  -I'm getting myself a souvenir, too.


No, no, no, no, no, no, no.


Hey, please, please. I...


Always on.


-Always suffering.  -Fuck!No, no, No.


Bye, Daddy.


[alarm blares]


[clattering]


[yelling]


[door swings shut]


-Monkey loves you.  -Shh.


How'd I do, Mom?


All good?


Just great, honey.


I'm proud of you.


[Nish] Aw, thanks.


[song resumes on radio]


Always something there to remind me


I was born to love you


And I will never be free


You'll always be a part of me


Whoa


Whoa, whoa


If you should find you miss


The sweet and tender love  We used to share


Just come back to the places  Where we used to go and I'll be there


Oh, how can I forget you


When there is always something there  To remind me


- When There is...  - When There is...


When there is always something there To remind me


Oh, always something there To remind me


[distant sirens]


[pounding music]


[pounding dance music]


Hey.


You here by yourself?


-So far.  -Oh.


It's a shame. A pretty girl like you.


-OK, corny.  -Oh!


Maybe I can make up for it  by buying you a drink?


Sure.


-Bartender.  -Yeah?


Let me get a Buck and a vodka sidecar.


What makes you think  I want a vodka sidecar?


Maybe I know what you like.


[man] There they are.


Hey!


[men laugh]


Right on time.


-Hey, Karl.  -Hey, what up, girl? This is Daisy.


-Oh.  -Ooh!


-Daisy, This is Danny and Theo.  -Hi.


Hey, lady.


This is my roommates  I was telling you about.


The ones who hooked up just so they can   get the biggest room in the apartment.


[laughs] Very true.


-Let me get you all a drink.  -You're right.


Get your asses on the dance floor.


-Come on, girl.  -There we go.


Hey. That little role-play act,  the stranger thing at the bar?


Got me hot as fuck.


Ooh. Mental note to self,  my baby's into role-play.


[voice over music] The sound is yours...


You know it.


[Theo giggles]


[voice over music] What do you do  when you dance in a club


and the place is packed and jamming?


[heavy breathing]


[both grunt]


[video game noises]


[game] Round one. Fight.


[grunting and fighting sounds]


You're just in time.


Aww...


Man, I gotta work tomorrow.


Fuck your work.


New game.


[slightly muffled video game noises]


[Danny] No. No, no, no.


[men shout]


[Danny] No!


-Fuck.  -[game] Roxette wins.


All right, man.


-OK, one more.  -No, man. It's too late.


Decision made.


Shit.


Oh, look, he picks Roxette again.


But you've been Lance  for 20 bouts straight.


-Come on.  -I know you not bitching.


-Where we going, Panda Mountain?  -Sucks.


-Crystal Beach?  -Let's go for the Temple.


-Here we go.  -Secret Temple.


-Get ready to get your ass kicked.  -Yeah? Roxette's gonna fuck your head off.


-That don't even make sense.  -Fuck your head off.


What does that mean?


Round one. Fight.


Come on. Come on.


Oh!


[laughs]


All right, get up, come on. Come on.  Come on.


No.


Get out of here.


-[Roxette] You like? What now?  -Negative.


[both shout]


-Come on, man.  -[Roxette] That's done.


[game] K.O. Perfect.


[Theo] You woke me up.


Too damn loud.


-[Karl] You want some of this?  -Baby.


"Baby."


-Quiet That shit down.  -Baby.


Baby! Baby! Baby!


[woman] Birthday boy!


Birthday boy.  [laughs]


Hey.


Congratulations. How old are you now?


Uh, 38.


-Forty's a-coming. -Yeah.


Soon be dead, huh?


Sure.


-Have you met Simon? -Hey.


Uh...


-Don't think so. -I don't think we did, no, no.


OK. Simon's into bikes.


That's cool.


-[kids screaming]  -Cool. That's cool.


Maxwell. We don't kick. No kicking.


Look at him. Sorry. I'm sorry.


-Do you like motorcycles or just bikes? -just bikes.


Cool.


[cool funk music plays on radio]


[children laugh]


-[boy] Tag!  -Tyler, go on outside.


-[bowl smashing]  -Sorry!


-Sorry.  -Let me...


-I'll get that.  -Did he get it on you?


Yeah, you just... Don't worry.


[doorbell buzzes]


[sighs]


Karl.


-Hey, Theo.  -I Have not seen you in how long?


However long, it feels longer.


Is Daisy parking the car?


Oh, uh...


Me and Daisy,  no, we're not together anymore.


Oh, God, I'm sorry.


No, no, no. It's... it's cool, really,  we broke up, like, a year ago.


No clue. He... I'm not on Facebook, so...


I can be a dumbass about these things.


No. Really, it's all good.


We're still friends. Better friends,  actually. It's all very adult.


-Well, Come in, Come in.  -all right.


-Danny's out back.  -OK.


[meat sizzling]


We're not gonna punch,  we're not gonna kick. OK?


-I'm sorry.  -Oh, God.


[woman] OK, go play, no fighting.


Goddamn it. Come on.


Can't beat a little home cooking.


[Karl laughs]


-Hey, man.  -What's going on?


Oh, wow, handshake?


What am I, like, infected or something?


Fuck you.


[laughs] Come on, get in here, man.


Ah, that's better,  let it out, buddy, let it out.


You're still an asshole, I see.


Happy birthday.


Oh, wow.


When did you start using gift bags?


The store did that.


You gonna open it?


-Striking Vipers.  -X. Striking Vipers X.


Newest instalment.  Came out just yesterday.


I was in the store,


I saw it and...


Oh, man. [laughs]


This takes me back.


It says here  you need one of those VR add-ons.


-I don't have one of those.  -Yes, you do.


-No.  -Eh...


No. No, come on, man.


No. It's your birthday,  just take the damn thing, would you?


Seriously, you gonna flip the fuck out.  I tried it out in the store.


They demoed it for me.  Five minutes blew my mind to confetti.


-Thanks, man.  -It's all good.


That your one?


No, that's Maxwell.


[Simon] Maxwell. Guys, guys.


Tyler's friend from school.


-you want a beer, man?  -Finally he saves me. Yes.


Thank you.


[girl] Mommy, Mommy, Mommy,  I've been playing with Katie.


[woman] Theo,  are we using the plastic cups?


Theo's looking good.


Uh-huh.


Good to see at least one of you  still has a gym membership.


Oh, really?


Seriously, man.


You're walking around  like a fucking Frankenstein movie.


Look, since my knee went, I haven't  been able to work out, all right?


I'm not using that as an excuse.  I'm just...


-No, No, No, of course not.   -Hey, fuck you, all right?


I can afford to let things slide.  I'm settled.


I thank God I don't have to be out there  on the dating scene.


Always on sale. Fucking bullshit.


It is like a second job.


Gotta keep up with those younger dudes.


You gotta do a thousand crunches a day?


-Only 50 each morning.  -Fifty in the morning?


Mm-hmm.


You wax your ballsack?


I'm sure as shit those young dudes do.


You wax your ball... You nasty.


Till it's gleaming like an eight ball.


[both laugh]


Just to stay in the game.


-I pity you, really.  -Yeah. Well...


You wanna know where I'm going  after I leave here?


Shit, getting your taint waxed too?


Meeting Mariella.


-Mariella.  -She does backing vocals.


What, for the school band?


How old is she?


Twenty-nine.


No, 28. See. Here she is again.


-Yeah.  -[shushes]


-you wanna share That with the class?   -Mm-mm.


-you lucky man.  -I am, me.


What are you doing? What are you doing?


[laughs]


-Tyler asleep?  -Mm-hmm.


Had to read that damn Macaroo book again  before he'd let me put out the light.


"Macaroo found a shoe..."


"And put it in a tree."


Macaroo's got no respect  for his environment,


that's all I'm saying.


-I can do that.  -No, I'm fine.


Mm-mm. It's your birthday, come on.


-Thank you.   -[grunts]


OK.


You know, you should've told me  that Karl and Daisy broke up.


-Did he say who broke up with who?  -I didn't ask.


I always said that those two  were not good news together.


So long since I saw him last.


-Had to be last year's birthday, I think.  -In the flesh, a whole year?


Him and the girl on his phone,  is that serious?


I didn't ask.


Guys suck at talking.  How long have you two known each other?


You don't actually get to talk  at these things, though, do you?


I mean, beyond surface bullshit.


Or parent talk.  There's a lot of that these days.


Y'all should hang out more.


Yeah, well, you know, work.


And we're parents.


He's downtown with the label  and we're out here.


We should have him over for dinner.  You could make your chili.


Sure.


[machine] Flatware hazard warning.


You gotta put the knives in  sharp edge down.


-[machine beeping]  -I know.


Check out the Rodman look on this guy.


How are you? Yeah?


Rodman?


Dennis Rodman.


-he used to be a ball player, right?  -right.


The hair. Got it.


The app says we need to do it  within the hour. It's peak fertility.


I'm kind of beat  but I guess that we should.


You not into it?


I just ate so much, I don't know if I can.


-It's best to save it up, though, right?  -Mm-hmm.


Mind if I go to sleep?


No.


[Theo groans]


I love you, baby.


Love you, too.


[pants]


[both chuckle]


Shit.


[TV chimes]


-Hey, man.  -Hey, you still awake? you wanna game?


Maybe not tonight. I was...


Come on, what are you playing?


Something goddamn boring  is what I'm guessing.


All right, you got me.


All right, so grab the experiencer disc  I got you, put it on and jump in.


Seriously, man, it's insane.


You're gonna freak. You're gonna shit   your pelvis through your asshole.


-OK. what Do I do?  -all right, they showed me in the store.


-you put the game chip in.  -Done.


Now grab the disc doohickey  and stick it upside your head.


-Left or right side?  -Doesn't matter.


-Done.  -OK.


Now hold down the sync button  on the controller.


Nothing's happening.


We haven't chosen our fighters yet.


So, I am...


[game] Roxette.


OK, so where's my guy?


-[game] Lance.  -Damn. All right, Lance, let's go.


OK, you have to brace yourself.


Brace myself. Come on.


-You ready?  -Yeah, I'm ready.


Three, two...


-one.  -[game chimes]


[Danny] Whoa!


[Danny] Oh, my God.


[Danny's voice melds into Lance]  This is crazy.


-what the fuck...?  -Yo, Danny.


Said you gotta brace yourself.


Karl?


Crazy shit, huh?


Like, I feel solid.


You think your chest is impressive?  Check this shit out.


[Karl as Roxette] Whoo!


-This is just...  -I know, right?


How's the knee?


Pretty good.


-[Roxette grunts]  -[Lance chuckles]


Man, in here, you can do so much shit  you can't do out there.


[roars]


OK, enough of the Captain Acrobat shit.


-You ready to fight?  -I'm ready.


[game] Round one.


[game] Fight.


[Danny as Lance]  Whoa. Hold on a minute.


Is this going to hurt?


"The game emulates  all physical sensations."


Is that a yes or a no?


It does.


[both grunt]


Peace out.


I'm gonna fuck you up.


Thunder punch.


Windmill wipe-out.


[laughs]


That the best you can do, man?


Jesus Christ.


Don't worry, it resets. No harm done.


That's messed up.


[game] Round two.


-Hold on. Shit, I'm rusty.  -Fight.


I can't remember  what moves this guy can do.


It's like riding a bike.


-See? Nice block.  -Thanks.


Hyperstrike!


That's double.


Tornado fury.


The leg, the leg, the leg, the leg.


[Danny grunting]


[both pant]


No. No. No, no, no. No, no, no.


How do I get out of here?  How do I get out of here?


Exit game.


Exit... Exit game!


[pants]


Oh, shit.


Holy shit.


Hello. Where did he come from?


[sighs]


[indistinct chatter]


[beeping]


That's my cab.


-Good night, little man.  -Good night.


-Take care of Daddy for me, OK?  -OK.


Mm-hmm.


I'm not sure when I'll be back.  Depends on traffic, I guess.


Have fun, OK?


[electronic disco music]


[game] Battle stations.


"...his shoe and put it in a tree."


Very good. "The shiny side made a slide.  He slid down happily."


[Danny] "He fixed the leaves..."


[game] Game over.


[TV chimes]


Hey, there.


Hey. I can't play long, I...


Oh, sure, me too.


[Danny] Look...


Last time we played,  I was drunk, man, from the party.


Me, too.


Cool.


OK.


Be good to have a serious game,  you know?


Serious game.


Here we go.


About to kick your ass, motherfucker.


Yeah? You're gonna try.


[game] Round one. Fight.


[Roxette shouts]


-Come on, come on! Please, please!  -Stop it! No! I'm going.


Can you hear me? Yes.  Can you hear me now?


You're the driver, right?


Yeah, I'm outside of the Taphouse.


Taphouse.


[horn honks]


So, guess that's us gay now.


That's a joke.


Huh.


Don't feel like a gay thing.


[grunts]


-what is it?  -Jesus.


Exit game.


[shouts]


What? You're supposed to be in bed.


I'm thirsty.


You're thirsty?


[door closing]


-you finished?  -Yes.


Yes what?


-Yes, thank you.  -[chuckles] Go ahead.


-[Tyler] Hey, Mom.  -[Theo] Hey there, little man.


-Looks like you can use one of these.  -Mm-hmm.


Feels like a dog died in my damn head.


[both chuckle]


You weren't supposed to drink.


I figured my period was late.  And I hoped it was.


And then it came on while I was out, so.


I just said fuck it.


I'm sorry.


Next time.


Nose kiss.


[indistinct conversation]


[machine] Please rinse dishes  before program start.


[water running]


[game] Round one. Fight.


[Roxette grunts]


I'm sorry, baby. I'm just tired, OK?


[horns honking]


[Karl as Roxette] OK,  I know when you're thinking.


What's up?


How does it feel?


I mean, like, for you,  being in a woman's body while...


Crazy.


It's crazy.


I mean, it's different.


Like...


the physical feeling of it?


It's more sort of...


satisfying.


I can't really explain it.


Like, one's a guitar solo,  the other's a whole fucking orchestra.


But the tune's basically the same.


Different tempos, though.


Yeah, I think you've run that analogy  to the ground.


Fuck you.


[child playing]


I'd like you to push my feet down.


Listen here, mister.


Listen here.


[phone vibrates]


[phone beeps]


Shit.


[people laughing]


While I'm alone and blue as can be


Dream a little dream of me


Stars fading...


-Hey.  -Hi.


Can I, uh...


Should I not? I was just gonna ask  if I could buy you a drink.


-I'm sorry.   -Oh, God.


-Yeah.  -I'm so sorry.


Don't be.


-No, seriously.  -seriously.


[both laugh]


I'll leave you alone.


Mm-hmm.


Sorry.


Hey.


-[waiter] It's all good?  -It was great, thank you.


Your dessert's on the way.


That was good.


Hmm.


-Mm-hmm.  -[Theo chuckles]


You know the thing about you?


Sometimes you just sort of go away.


-what Do you mean?  -I mean, you shrivel away.


You go inside. Leave me on the outside.


Are you in there?


[exhales] Of course I am.


OK. So then, what's up?


Nothing.


We haven't done it in weeks.


I've been tired.


-We're meant to be trying again.  -We are trying again.


No. Won't get pregnant  if you don't fuck me, Danny.


Jesus.


It's not that I don't want to.


I said I've been tired.


I'm sorry...


but is something going on?


Something going on?


That's what I said.


Nothing is going on.


Then what is it?


-is It me?  -No.


-You don't touch me anymore.  -Theo.


You don't even kiss me.


There is none of the small stuff.


Squeeze my shoulder.


A hand on my back  as you pass me in the kitchen.


-Theo.  -not even that.


Do you want me any more?


I'll always want you.


No. You know what I mean,  I mean, me. This. This.


I know that I'm not what I was.  My body is not what it was since Tyler.


Don't say that.


Are you seeing someone?


No.


So why don't you want me?  You always used to want me.


[breathes shakily]


It's boring, I get that.


Family life?


Shit, I find it boring.


But I am loyal.


I'm loyal to our family. I'm loyal to you.


God knows if I wanted,  I could go out and do whatever.


You think I haven't made sacrifices?


I haven't denied things for myself?


A guy at the bar earlier  tried hitting on me.


Half of me wanted him to,  just for some excitement,


some fucking passion.


But that is what you do.   It's part of being in a partnership,


you shut the door on all that shit.


You shut it out  because you have committed.


It's what a commitment is.


Oh, God.  If something's going on, I just...


I just want to know.


I'll deal with it how I deal with it.  I just have to know.


Nothing is going on.


I promise.


I swear.


[waiter] One chocolate bombe.


And two spoons.


Enjoy.


-[Karl grunts]  -[Mariella] That's it. That's good.


Sorry.


I'm not gonna get there.


You're worrying about your work again?


I think so.


OK.


Mind if I finish myself off?


Mm.


[sounds of porn]


[TV chimes]


[phone vibrates]


[phone rings]


Hold on. Excuse me, I gotta take this.


Hello.


Hey.


Whoa, what do you mean?


It means I can't do it anymore.  It's not fair to Theo.


[haltingly] But it's not cheating.  It's not real.


It's like... porn or something.


Come on, man, you know it ain't right.


-I gotta think of Theo.  -OK. But...


we don't have to completely cut it off.


What about, like, first Sunday  of each month?


-No.  -just now and then.


Karl, it has to stop. Clean break.


Come on. This is good. This is good.   You know it is.


Look, I gotta go.


-I'm sorry.  -Danny.


-Goodbye.  -Danny.


[Danny] I gotta get past you, you ready?  Go.


[Danny] All right.


[Danny] You win.


[shouts]


[phone chimes]


[Danny] And he is down.


-Macaroo found That shoe again, huh?  -and put It in a tree.


Happy birthday.


-Oh!  -Sorry it's not much. I couldn't get out.


-It's exactly what I wanted.  -[laughs]


Thank you.


That smells good.


It's the sort of red-meat caveman food  you like.


-Yeah. That's a hell of a serving size.  -Yeah.


You having your hunger pangs again?


-There's three of us eating tonight.  -I know, that's what I said.


I mean, three adults. I invited Karl over.


Surprise.


Karl?


Yeah, well, last year  you said you hardly got to see him.


You didn't get to speak to him  at that barbecue we had.


So I emailed him last week.


And what did he say?


He said he was looking forward to it.


[doorbell buzzes]


Speak of the devil.


[Theo] Oh, my God,  you remember that crazy dude


that lived downstairs  when we were at Madeley?


He used to bang on the ceiling  when we played the music.


He had a point, though,  because we were loud.


[Danny] Mm-hmm.


Baby, you remember the time  that you got that molly


and you insisted that we all take it?


I had to go to work the next day.


-[Karl laughs]  -Lord. We were young, I guess.


Well.


Hennessey and dessert  is as crazy as it gets now.


Speaking of dessert, it's almost ready.


What the fuck are you doing?


-Just eating.  -That's not what I mean, OK?


Why the fuck did you come?


She asked me to come.  What do you want me to say?


-An excuse.  -Such as what?


Such as anything.


What am I? Your ex-wife or something?


Look, it's too strange, OK?


It's just too fucking strange.


I'll tell you what's strange.


Nothing matches it, does it?


I tried replacing it, man. I tried.


I tried fucking  the computer-controlled characters.


-It's bullshit.  -Shut up.


It's like a rubber doll.  Not programmed for any sex stuff.


They just sort of lie there.


I tried it with real players.


Other folks controlling Lance.


There was this one guy from Holland.


He was kind of halfway OK as long as  I didn't think about this accent.


But it didn't get me.


It didn't get me,  not like when we're in there. You and me.


Stop it.


I tried everything.


I've gone in there as guy players,  girl players,


multi-player gangbangs, you name it.


You know, I even fucked Tundra,  the polar bear character.


I fucked a polar bear and I still  couldn't get you out of my mind.


I can't help you.


You want to fuck Roxi again.


-I don't.  -You do.


-just...  -the best sex of my life.


Best of yours too.  Fucking transcendent. You know it was.


Think about it.


Think about her. Roxi.


Holding her, her warm skin against yours.


-Please.  -Her tight wet pussy.


-Fuck, man.  -She'll be in there at midnight.


Just come on in one last time.  You know you want to. One last time.


What y'all doing?


[chuckles]


-Bullshit.  -Bullshit, Yeah.


That looks good.


Baby, your plate.


-is That your tiramisu?  -Mm-hmm. you know it.


World famous.


Good to see you.


Happy birthday, man.  It was good to see you.


Yeah, you, too.


Lord, hug each other.


Guys can be so awkward.


Midnight.


-Bye.  -Good night.


[Danny sighs]


[Roxette grunts]


I love this.


I love you.


No.


No. No!


-I don't know where that came from.  -Where the fuck does this go?


[shouts]


You're feeling it, too.


Just say it.


Say it.


What the fuck do you want?


Where does this end?


Who says it has to end?


Huh?


-you remember the year Club?  -Danny.


The old club, the Year.


Of course I do, why?


Car lot out back.  Meet me there in 30 minutes.


Exit game.


-OK.  -We're not gonna fight.


We're gonna kiss.


Kiss?


Like... kiss.


It's the only way. We gotta know.


Know...


If there are fireworks, then, OK, bam,  it's an "us" thing, whatever.


At least we've got a foothold on it.


So let's just fucking kiss.


OK.


I said OK.


I'm working up to it.


-You want me to start?  -I don't know.


Yeah.


You ready?


Just fucking kiss me, man.


Nope. Not a damn thing.


No, me neither.


Huh.


So that settles it.


You know it's different in the game.


No. You got to get that shit  out of your head.


-It ain't coming out.  -No.


-It's burrowed right in there.  -No, fuck you.


Burrowed right in there, man.


-I know It, you know it.  -Hey. Hey.


It's buried in there, huh?


-Maybe we can get rid of it like that.  -Don't push me, man.


-You a big man? What you gonna do?  -Don't push me.


What you gonna do?


OK.


Stop.


Stop! Stop!


[siren blares]


[men grunt]


-My husband's here. Danny, Daniel Parker.  -Daniel Parker. Yeah.


I knew y'all were mad at each other  over dinner.


So, what were you fighting about?


Hello?


Holy fuck!


Talk to me.


[children chatter]


[Danny] You guys, bring the kids in.


Hey.


You guys make great babies.


-Ours look like a mile of bad road.  -what?


I wish I was a baby-sitter.


I'll only love you


As long as the sea


Goes on endlessly


To the shore


I'll love you till then


Not one minute more


Happy birthday.


Till there's only night


-I want That back in the morning.


- and the sun   -Ditto.


Gives no light


As before


I'm yours, heart and soul, I'm yours


And all that I possess


But if you should say to me


"Will you always be?"


I would confess


I'll only love you


As long as the beat


Of my heart


Can repeat


Still once more


I'll love you...


-[Karl as Roxette] You ready?  -[Danny as Lance] I'm ready.


Not one minute more


I'll love you till then


Not one minute


More


Love is everything


Because love makes the world go round


Love is the foundation of our soul


Love is the greatest feeling


That any person could have


And the love for someone or something


Is the greatest feeling


That ever existed


[electronic whirring]


[beep]


[mirror cracks]


[man] Now, once more return  your attention to the breath.


[soft exhale]


Notice how your breathing continues...


all by itself.


Your mind may wander.


-Simply watch it go.  -[chiming]


Calmly.


[chiming]


And without judgment.


[horn honks in distance]


[clears throat]


-Hiya.  -Hi.


God, that was so fast. I didn't realize  you'd be parked right here.


-Yeah, just dropped somebody off.  -Oh, it's my lucky day then.


[woman] I'm going to Old Street...  Oh, you've got the details.


So you work in that place?


Hmm?


-Sorry, miles away, I didn't catch that.  -[chuckles]


Is that where you work,  where I picked you up?


At Smithereen? No.


Just visiting.


I mean, I wish I worked there.


The facilities they've got in there,  they've got their own spa. It's madness.


That's Billy Bauer money for you.


Anyway.


[door bell chimes]


[phone vibrates]


[phone buzzing]


[breathes softly]


[phone keys clicking, buzzing]


[muffled voices]


[phone keys clicking]


[muffled voices, phones buzzing]


[ambient noise increases in volume]


[sound cuts out]


[woman] My daughter's name  was Kristin


Krissie.


Twenty years old. She was at university.


She killed herself, took her own life,  whatever you wanna call it,


18 months ago now.


And it was out of the blue.


One of her flatmates called me.


They'd found her in the bathroom.


And I'm furious with her!


I'm so fucking angry with her  for not telling me.


I thought I knew, I...


[sobs softly] I didn't know.


Last time I spoke, she was happy...


and just like that, she ended everything.


[sniffs]


And I don't know why she did it.


I've asked myself why a million times.


Was it over some boy or her course  or the state of the world or me?


Was it something I did?


Round and round in my head  but there's no answer, there's nothing.


She's not here to say, so...


it's never gonna stop, this...


needing to know.


It's never gonna stop.


[vending machine clattering]


Talk about nerve-racking. [chuckles]


That was my first time speaking.


I mean, in front of everyone. Tough crowd.


Oh, you did really well.


-Really?  -Yeah.


First time, though, shit scary, isn't it?


Well, to be honest, I don't know.


Have you...


You haven't spoken while I've been here.  I mean, is it...


I just haven't found the right moment yet.


Waiting for the right moment.


-Anyway.  -Hey, um, do you fancy a drink?


Oh, I've got a bit of a long day tomorrow.


Come on. Might die tomorrow.


[chuckles] Joke.


[woman] Oh, God. Oh, my God.


[groans]


Oh, my God. I needed that.


[breathing heavily]


It's okay. It's okay.


-I wanna make you cum, too.  -In a bit maybe.


-Just need a bit... bit of a breather.  -It's been ages.


Can't even remember the last time.


-Sorry, do you mind if I...?  -No, No, no.


I know these things are undignified.


Went on a date about four months back  with a guy off an app.


Halfway through the starter,  I tell him about Kristin.


He reacted like I said I'd got cancer.


That's her.


Ah.


Her flatmate sent that to me.  It was in her room.


[phone beeps, vibrates]


Shit. Okay, give me a minute.


I'm trying  to get into Kristin's Persona account.


I try logging in every day.  It gives you three wrong guesses,


then locks you out for hours.


Every time I think of a guess,  I write it in here.


This week I'm into places  we went on holiday.


I'm her mum. You'd think they'd give me


the password to my own daughter's account,  but, no.


Violates their privacy policy.


They'll memorialize it  if you prove you're next of kin.


Makes it sort of sepia  with a tribute photo,


but that deletes the inbox.


I just want the inbox.


I don't know,  see if there's a reason, an answer.


I don't know what I want. Okay.


Right.


[sighs]


Okay.


Well, there's tomorrow.


[man]  Notice how your breathing continues...


all by itself.


Your mind may wander.


Simply watch it go.


-Calmly and without judgment.  -[phone chimes]


I'm on my way now.


[man] Yeah. Uh-huh.


My first-class check-in San Francisco  flight's not for another three hours,


so there should be time.


Yeah, yeah, I'm hopping in the car now.


Okay. Okay, bye.


Uh, uh, airport, yeah?


Terminal Three.


-do you work In that place?  -Smithereen? Yeah.


[phone vibrates]


The sat nav's showing an accident  coming up.


Do you mind if I follow an alternate route  it's showing me?


It's actually quicker  than the normal way.


-Uh, yeah, that's fine.  -Might be a bit twisty


but this thing always seems to know  what it's doing.


[man] Mm-hmm.


[gravel crunching]


[brakes squeak]


[traffic noise]


-Uh...  -[gun cocks]


Put this on. Put it on.


Put it on!


Round your wrists.  Loop it round your wrists.


-Uh, why are you--  -just shut up and do it.


-Come on. Pull it tight.  -I'm trying. I'm trying.


Use your teeth. Pull it with your teeth!


-Uh, what--  -Shut up!


Nothing's gonna happen to you   if you just do what I say. Okay?


You're okay. Just do what I say.  Stay there.


Fucking...


[exhales]


[car beeps]


Is this about money?


I know I work for Smithereen  but that doesn't mean I've got money!


Don't need to... [gasps]


What... What are you doing, man?  I'm just an intern.


-what are you doing?  -what did you say?


-What did you say?  -I'm just an intern.


With a suit, the luggage, the... suitcase?  Why are you going to the airport?


It's outfits.  Clothes are in there for Vanessa.


-Who the fuck is Vanessa?  -Vanessa Lampton.


She's an exec at Smithereen.


Her stylist told me  that I need to go to Heathrow.


She's got a bunch of outfits  and she's gotta pick one.


That's my job, man. I'm just an intern.


So why are you dressed like that?  That's a suit.


-You're wearing a fucking suit.  -It's my first week.


Oh, fuck!


Fuck! Fuck!


Okay.


-Fuck!  -Fuck!


Modern fucking companies!  Everyone looks so fucking young!


How is anybody looking in supposed  to have a sense of the fucking hierarchy?!


Jesus Christ! Half of you cunts  coming out of the building


are dressed  like fucking gap-year students.


I mean, what...?


Fuck! Children.


The whole Smithereen building


is a box full of fucking children  getting their fingers everywhere.


Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep...  Wiping your shit.


Your fucking app shit up  on everybody's phone.


Everywhere you look,  people are hooked on the things!


It's like chain-smoking. Did you make   a lot of cash out of that, did you?


And you lot are hooked on them as well.


Every single person that comes out  of that building's going...


People don't even look up anymore.


The sky could turn fucking purple  and you cunts wouldn't notice for a month.


You didn't look up  and look where that got you,


sitting in the back like that.


An intern. Why didn't you dress  like a fucking intern?! Jesus!


All right, work with it, work with it.  Work with...


Fuck.


-Stop! Stop!  -Don't kill me.


-I'll shoot you!  -No, no!


Don't move.


[intern grunts]


-I'm trying to breathe! I'm sorry.  -Shut up.


-I'm sorry. I won't run again.  -Get up, move.


-I won't run. I won't run.  -Move. Shut up!


-Get in. Get in the car.  -Please!


-Get in the car.  -No, no!


-Don't put me...  -Get in!


-Look, I can't go in there.  -Get in, get in.


I can't go in there.  I've got claustrophobia, man.


I'm claustrophobic.  Please, please, please!


-Get in.  -Please don't put me in there.


Just get in. Just do as I say.


-Please.  -Stay fucking quiet.


-All right?  -Please, please, don't put...


-[muffled] No! I can't be in small places!  -[banging]


Please! Please!


-I just can't be in small...  -Oh, fucking hell.


Help! Please.


-Okay. shut up, shut up, shut up.  -Please, Please.


Okay, okay.


-[panting]  -Look at me.


You can sit in the back seat  if you put this on and you don't move.


-Okay? Okay?  -I won't, I won't, I won't move.


-Okay.  -do I have to put it on?


Yeah.


I'll fucking kill you  if you don't keep down.


Fucking hell.


Okay. Lie down.


[exhales sharply]


[engine starts]


[groans] I'm gonna be sick.


Be quiet. You're okay.


I'm gonna... I'm gonna be sick, please.


-Get down!  -Please, I'm gonna be sick.


-I'm gonna throw up. Please.  -Get down!


What are these?


They didn't have cheese and onion.


Fuck's sake.


-I'm gonna throw up.  -Oh, God! Fucking down or I'll shoot you!


-did you see that?  -see what?


Something in that car.


It looked like someone  with a bag on their head.


What?


No, let's check it out.


Just get fucking down!


[vomiting]


Yeah, look, that one up ahead.  See it? The blue one?


-I can't see anyone in the back.  -I'm sure there was.


Oh, fuck.


Okay.


There you go. Off he goes.


[male officer]  There's fuck all down that way.


Stay down.


Don't fucking move.


-Stay down.  -What's happening?


Just stay down.


[intern coughs]


Whiskey, Lima, six, zero,  Hotel, Foxtrot, X-ray.


[man on radio] Control, received.


-He's not getting out.  -No. He's gonna be a runner.


-You ready?  -Uh-huh. [sighs]


[door creaks]


[engine revs]


[siren blares]


[radio] Control,  in pursuit of vehicle registration...


[car skids]


[radio comms continue]


What's happening? What's... [grunts]


Jesus fucking Christ.


[siren continues]


[intern yells]


Oh, my God. Oh, fuck!


[tires screech]


[rumbling]


[honks horn]


Stay down.


[engine stalls]


-Out of the car!  -Boys!


-Stay back!  -Out of the car now!


-Out of the car!  -I've got a gun!


-[muffled] Help!  -I'll shoot him. I've got a gun.


I'll shoot him in the face!


Get back! Move further back! Move back!


-Get back. Back.  -Get in the car! Move your car right back!


-Move your car back!  -Status zero.


-I'll shoot him in the face!  -Armed suspect. Hostage taken.


Get behind the car. Heads down.  Leave the bikes. Over here.


I'll fucking shoot him!


Stay down. Stay down.


Since she left, you won't, please, don't.  Please, whatever you want, don't...


Shh! Shh!


[female officer] Heads down, heads down,  stay behind the car. Stay low.


I need to think.


[breathes deeply]


-Lads, go home.  -My bike's down there.


Lads, go home! Go!


-Wait. what?  -We can Get the bikes later.


Reference, Sierra Juliet,  other patrols are en route.


Sierra Juliet, received. What's he doing?


I don't know. He's just sitting there.


[breathing rapidly]


[intern coughs]


Billy Bauer.


I want to speak to Billy Bauer.


Your boss.


I know who he is but I don't know him.


I'm just an intern, remember?


-I know, I know.  -He's probably in America or...


Look, how do I...  I don't know Billy Bauer.


I know, I know you don't know him,


but you'll know someone  who knows someone who knows him.


-From your company.  -I've only been there one week.


I don't even know anyone's name.


Okay, so who's the highest-ranking person  that you do know?


Uh, Hannah.


Yeah, Hannah Kent in HR.  She's sort of in charge of me.


Okay. Okay. Hannah Kent in HR.


-So can you phone her?  -what?


-have you got her number In your phone?  -Uh, Yeah. Yeah.


So can I have it?


Your phone, where's your phone?


It's in the other car.


[honks horn repeatedly]


[radio] Control 535C...


-fucking hell.  -Status update.


[honking continues]


Can you remember, um...


The HR woman, Hannah,  can you remember her number?


-What's her number?  -Um, I don't know.


I'd tell you,  I'd totally tell you if I knew it.


Would Hannah recognize your voice  on the phone?


-Yeah, probably, Yeah.  -right, So you could call reception


or the front desk or whatever,  ask for Hannah?


I don't know.  I've never had to do that yet.


-That's okay.  -But I don't have my phone.


I've got one. I've got one.


Don't fucking try anything.


I'm not gonna try anything.


Uh, what's the number for reception?


I don't know.


-I've never had to do that.  -Fuck it. I'll Google it.


[siren approaching]


[radio comms]


[phone ringing]


-you see the gun?  -Yeah, automatic. Yeah, it looked real.


[man] Over there, over there.


[chiming]


Smithereen London,  how can I help you today?


Hannah?  Hi, can I speak to Hannah, please?


Hannah Kent? From HR?


-Putting you through.  -Thank you.


[line ringing]


When she answers, say you're in a car  and there's a man with a gun,


he's gonna shoot you  unless he speaks to Billy Bauer. Okay?


Okay.


[line beeps]


This is Hannah Kent at Smithereen.  I'm not at my desk right now.


Leave a message and I'll get back to you,


or if it's urgent,  you can reach me on 07700...


-Should I talk to her voicemail?  -shut up.


-That's 07700 900866.  -[muttering]


07700 900866...


-There you go.  -Thank you.


[phone rings]


-Hello?  -Hannah?


Uh, Mrs. Kent, it's, uh, Jaden.


What... What, are you at the airport?  You've not found Vanessa?


No, no, no, listen.  I'm in a car with a man


and he's got a gun  and he needs to speak to Billy Bauer.


-Hello? He needs to speak to Billy Bauer.  -Who needs to speak to Billy Bauer?


The man does, the gunman.


Okay, Jaden,  I don't know what you're talking about.


Can you slow down?  I don't understand what...


-Look, I'm...  -Listen carefully. I've got a gun.


I've got your employee.  And I'm going to shoot him


unless you get me Billy Bauer  on the phone right now. I'm serious.


The police are here.  They're looking at me.


I'm stuck here, I've got a fucking gun.  There's not much time.


I didn't want to do it like this  but I need to speak to Bauer now.


Okay. Is this a joke?


-No.  -No!


[radio comms]


I think he just took a photo.


[phone chimes]


Did you get that?


Yes.


-That's your guy Jaden, yeah?  -Yes.


Don't hurt him.


If you get me Billy Bauer on the phone,  no one gets hurt.


I just wanna speak with Billy Bauer on...  on the phone.


-Okay, I don't know how to get to Billy.  -But you can find out.


I can try to.


Can you stay on the line?


[mouths] Now.


[chuckles] Oh, I'm staying on the line.


[gentle hold music playing]


-You sure it's not a prank?  -I can't be a hundred percent,


but I don't wanna call the US  if this is bullshit.


It's still bloody morning over there.


Oh, God.


[line ringing]


[gentle panting]


Hey, Maryam, this is early even for you.


Uh-huh.


Holy shit.


Okay.


Have Don and Shonelle meet me  in the boardroom in ten.


[exhales]


[cameras clicking]


Here comes the hotstepper.


-Get a cordon going.  -Come on, lads.


-Did you get a look at the hostage yet?  -Yeah. Hood's off, he's in the back.


Early twenties, by the looks of him.


-This is David Gilkes, negotiator.  -Either of you speak to the suspect?


For like a second when he pulled the gun.


-He seem pissed up? on something?  -No, just angry.


Let's cut back on the razzmatazz.


I know it's tense  but we're not risking a shit storm


like the whole Stretton thing  with poor old Mr. Starter Pistol.


-Ma'am, I...  -Yes, I know but he was unarmed


and it was less than a month ago.  Memories aren't that short yet.


So no critical shot


unless there's absolutely no choice.


-Okay?  -Ma'am.


-Your lace is undone.  -Ma'am, they've ID'd the car.


It's registered  to an Eleanor Kathleen Gillhaney,


sixty-seven years old,  listed under an address in Ewelme.


-That's, what, couple of miles from here?  -Yeah.


-I know Ewelme.  -Okay, you two go and give it a knock.


-See if she's okay.  -Yes, ma'am.


Ma'am,  I'm gonna get these cars out of the way.


Right.


[camera clicks]


Pen, we have to tell Billy  what's happening.


[sighs]


If this thing ends in a shoot-out,


he should at least be aware  of the situation.


-got a hit.  -He could start making other demands.


-One moment, Don. What is it?  -Okay, the cell he's calling from,


I ran it through everything  and got a match.


It's registered as a two-step  verification number on this account.


Pull out whatever we can get on this guy.  He's still on hold, right?


Got him listening to a playlist.


You'd be like Heaven to touch


I wanna hold you so much


At long last love has arrived


And I thank God I'm alive


Billy Bauer.


You know,  he's not gonna pay a ransom on me.


He doesn't even know who I am.


Pardon the way that I stare


There's nothing else to compare


-Do they know if it's a terror thing yet?  -No one knows anything.


You should just go home.


-Timeline's going nuts.  -Let's see.


-Control, IC3 hostage...  -Ma'am.


We know who the hostage is.  He's from Smithereen.


-the social whatever company?  -Yeah. they contacted the Met


to say one of their interns  is being held at gunpoint.


Jaden Tommins. The gunman sent a photo.


Shit.


He'd been sent on an errand.  They booked a cab through the Hitcher app.


He's not in a cab now. Call Hitcher,  get what we can on the driver.


-We got the number that sent that photo?  -Yep.


Run the call data through intel.  What did he say to them?


-Did he give a name?  -He wouldn't tell them anything


but he did say he needs to speak  to Billy Bauer on the phone.


Billy Bauer as in Billy Bauer?


["Can't Take My Eyes Off You" playing  on phone]


-[Penelope] Hello.  -I'm here.


This is Penelope Wu from Smithereen.


I understand  you've asked to speak with Mr. Bauer.


That's right.  So have you got Billy Bauer on the line?


-Hello?  -Sorry. Uh, yes.


We're doing everything we can.


May I speak to Jaden?


-He's fine.  -I just need to check he's okay.


-Tell them you're okay.  -Uh, I'm okay.


There. So you'd better hurry up  and get Billy Bauer on the phone.


It's still very early where he is.


-We're having difficulty reaching him.  -That's not my problem.


Well, meantime could you maybe outline  what this is regarding?


No. I'm only speaking to him.


Sure, it's just... I'm actually the COO.


Okay. And?


Well, it might be quicker  if I can present him with a...


Just fucking get Billy Bauer  on the phone right now.


I'm not fucking around here.


I will blow his fucking head off!


-Do you understand?  -I'm sorry, of course, I apologize.


I'm gonna put you back on hold.  I promise you we are working on it.


Don't be long!


[exhales]


Well, he's not stable.


Oh, in what way, Don?


Jesus Christ.


I don't think that music helped him any.


But I switched the line  so now while he's hearing that,


we can listen in  to see what's happening at his end.


Fucking messing me around.


[whispering] This is my last day.


This is my last day. This is my last day.


[whispering] This is my last day.  This is my last day. This is my last day.


This is my last day. This is my last day.  This is my last day.


What's he saying?


...gets dark again


The whole thing falls apart I guess


It doesn't really matter  'bout the rain


'Cause we'll get through it anyway


We'll get up and


[dog barking in distance]


[knocking on door]


-[doorbell rings]  -[female officer] Eleanor? Mrs. Gillhaney?


[crashing]


Police. Hello?


Hello? Eleanor?


Eleanor, are you okay?


[male officer] Mrs. Gillhaney?


Mrs. Gillhaney?


I don't think anyone's home.


-got a weird One here.  -Naj.


Fucking hell, that's him.


[camera clicks]


[helicopter overhead]


All right, this is mad, look.


Oh, great.


Everything all right?


Yeah, we're looking  for an Eleanor Gillhaney.


Bit late.


She, uh, died in March.


[hold music playing faintly]


We could be lifted


From the shadows


Lifted


Oh, we could be


[man exhales deeply]


[radio]  Okay, guys, stand by for instruction.


You and I forever, baby


[neighbor] That's her son.


Chris, Christopher.  He moved in when she died.


Well, couple of months at any rate.


-on his own?  -Yeah, keeps to himself.


Drives to work each morning,  think he works somewhere in London.


Has something happened to him?


Got a positive ID on the suspect.  Name's Christopher Gillhaney.


Okay.


He seems to be staying  at his late mum's place.


Lots of red bills,  and it's up for repossession.


What have you got on the suspect?


Former teacher.


-Sorry? He's a teacher?  -Well, he was a teacher. IT.


He's been registered unemployed  going on two years.


-How's his record?  -Fully DBS checked, he's squeaky clean.


Only place he shows up is as a victim


in a road traffic accident,  November 2015.


Drunk driver plowed right into him.  Two dead, including the drunk.


-Okay, good work, Najma.  -Ma'am.


Teacher with a real gun?


-Not impossible, but not likely.  -Ma'am, it's the FBI.


-What?  -It's the FBI. Urgent call.


Chief Superintendent Grace.


Hi, Chief Superintendent.  This is Ernesto Cruz from the FBI.


Right. Sorry, what's this regarding?


We're liaising with Smithereen,  Silicon Valley. They're also on this call.


What, they're on the line as well?


Yes, hi,  this is Penelope Wu from Smithereen.


With me is Don from legal  and Shonelle from analytics.


Uh, David Gilkes, negotiator.


Listen, Ms. Wu,  we've identified the suspect.


Christopher Michael Gillhaney,  former schoolteacher,


thirty-three years old.  He has a Smithereen profile.


-Right.  -So first off, Christopher's on hold


but we are able to listen in  to his end of the line


so we'll share live feed of that  with you guys.


Yeah. That's useful.


In addition, we figure  we could share the data we have on him


to assist negotiations at your end,  but first,


perhaps you could share with us  your perception of what he's doing.


Probably extortion, whether it's targeted   at your company is something we don't--


Oh, it's targeted.


-Sorry?  -We're looking into who Christopher is.


Group-wise we'd slot him  into high intellect, low income.


Often angry people.


Right, well, we checked to see


if he'd ever expressed hostile sentiments  towards Smithereen as an entity


but nothing shows up on his social.


In fact, there's been nothing there at all  for some time.


-His whole account is dormant.  -I don't see how this is relevant.


But then we checked in  with the Hitcher guys.


-Right.  -So the cab that picked Jaden up


is registered to an Omar Masimbalu.


And a name like that,  I think you'll agree,


does not exactly match Mr. Gillhaney.


-no.  -Turns Out it was a compromised account.


People trade them on the dark web.


Seems likely Chris got a hold of it  that way.


You appreciate what I'm saying?


-He's been covering his tracks.  -Uh-huh.


So we asked Hitcher  to share his account activity


and it seems for weeks,


he'd been only accepting jobs


specifically outside  the Smithereen London address.


Just parked up each day waiting  until he got a job from someone


inside the building.


This... This is a whole plan  he's had going on here.


I mean,  this is sophisticated criminal behavior.


I find it hard to believe


he's never raised red flags before.


His record's totally clean.


-I mean, he was the victim in--  -The auto accident in 2015.


He lost his fiance in that crash.  Were you aware of that?


No.


But you are.


There were historical posts  inside his network,


condolences, memorials,  and that's when Chris disengages, in fact,


not interacting with friends  even though he's expressing grief.


You've done your homework.


Okay, I'm thinking this isn't about money.


-[Grace] David.  -Go on.


Chris is about the same age as Bauer,  right?


They've both got geeky backgrounds,  computers.


-David.  -Maybe even Chris thinks it's about money


but it's actually about status.


Bauer's got money, power, respect.


What's Christopher got? He's skint.  He's driving a hookie cab.


He's just lost his fiance,  his mum as well.


What if Christopher  thinks he wants what Bauer's got?


[chuckles]


But really,  it's just about getting his attention.


What if that's what's going on?


Is that gonna help you  talk him out of that car?


If he'll listen to me, yeah.


[loudspeaker feedback]


[David, through loudspeaker] Christopher!


Hello, Christopher?


Christopher, my name is David Gilkes.


I'm David, okay?


If you can see me, I'm the berk  waving his arm in the air, okay?


The one in the cheap suit.


Listen,  there's a whole load of police here


and to be honest,  they're just doing their jobs


but I think they're worried you're gonna  hurt yourself or someone else.


I don't think you will, Christopher,  but I'm not sure that they think that.


You know how they get.


[phone chimes, vibrates]


-Chris, that's me calling you, Chris.  -Oh, leave me alone.


I just wanna talk to you for a moment.


[Grace] Harris, if we need you,  you got a clear shot?


No clear shot yet.  Hostage is directly behind the gunman.


[phone chimes]


Can you shut up, please?


[Grace]  , can you hand me that?


Chris, I know you're pretty stressed  at the moment.


-[Chris] Are you the negotiator?  -My name is David...


Thanks for that, David.  Are you the negotiator?


Well, some people call me that,  but really I'm just a...


I've read up about negotiators.  You'll pretend to be my friend


and then you'll slowly try to convince me  to give myself up.


Chris, you're obviously a smart guy  so I won't bullsh--


And if gentle persuasion doesn't work,  you'll keep me distracted on the phone


long enough for one of your snipers  to get a good head shot.


Is that right, David?


Well, look, let's just try to--


No, no, let's just you fuck off.


Get off the line.  I'm waiting for Billy Bauer.


Okay,  you're the guy in the cheap suit, yeah?


-That's what you said?  -Yeah. Uh-huh.


Okay, so here's what's gonna happen.


I'm gonna count to a hundred.


-Chris.  -Okay. I'm gonna count to 50.


And if I don't see you get in your car  and fuck off right away,


I'll blow his fucking head off!


-Chris, we don't need to do like that.  -One, two...


Harris, have you got a shot?


-No, if I shoot, I'll kill them both.  -...four, five...


-...six, seven, eight, nine...  -He's bluffing.


David, we can't risk it.  You know we can't.


I will blow his fucking head off. 12, 13,


-14...  -Fucking shift then.


...15, 16...


-David, I'm ordering you to go.  -...17, 18, 19, 20...


-Keys. Who's got the fucking keys?!  -...21,


22, 23, 24,


-25, 26...  -That's it, keep going.


-Give me a clear shot.   -...27, 28, 29, 30,


-31, 32.  -[Grace] Chris, he's going.


-He's gone.  -[Chris] Good.


No one gets hurt if I get my call.


Don't call this number again.


[hold music playing]


-Stop shifting about.  -Sorry, I've got cramp.


[whispers] Fucker.


[Cruz] I'm hearing from the British cops


he's failed to engage  with their negotiator.


Agent Cruz,  could you give us a moment please?


Sure. Yep.


[phone beeps]


We have to tell Billy what's happening.


Billy's not here, okay?  I can't just call him up.


Where is he?


He's six days  into a ten-day silent retreat.


-A silent retreat?  -Just him alone,


not speaking to anyone, total isolation.


He's done tech detox weekends  here and there, but ten days.


And I'm very reluctant to step into that.


But you do know where he is, right?


Well, he doesn't know it  but of course I do.


Mr. Bauer?


Hello?


[knocks gently]


I'm so sorry to interrupt


but there's a situation  you need to know about.


Someone in the United Kingdom  has taken one of our interns hostage


and they're threatening to kill him  unless they can speak to you on the phone.


Oh, fuck.


[helicopter overhead, radio comms]


And he nearly hit us and then, he just  crashed into that field over there.


That's when they shouted, "Gun."


Stay back, ladies and gents.


["Can't Take My Eyes Off You" playing]


At long last love has arrived


And I thank God I'm alive


-[computer chimes]  -He just logged in. Like, right now.


What's he doing?


Looks like he's looking at posts  from bystanders at the scene.


Can't take my eyes off you


Pardon the way that I stare


There's nothing else to compare


How old are you?


Twenty-two.


[chuckles softly]


Have you got a girlfriend?


-Or a boyfriend? Partner? Whatever?  -Not at the moment.


[exhales sharply]


[sobs]


[breathes heavily]


You know, if you give yourself in,  they might go easy on you.


I can't do that. [clears throat]


[sniffs, exhales]


[whispers] This is my last day.


This is my last day.


-I wanna talk to the guy.  -[Penelope] That's not a good idea.


Legally and personally,  I strongly advise against that.


What do you do  if he asks for a million dollars?


Tell him he can have it.


-We cannot give money--  -I'm not talking about giving him money.


I'm talking about buying us  some more time.


The moment any kind of transaction  gets mentioned--


Jesus, fuck the fucking money! Holy shit!


To be blunt, Mr. Bauer, for all we know,


this guy's planning  on executing the hostage


the moment he has you on the line.


I don't get that feeling.


[sighs]


I don't think  we can trust feelings on this.


[chuckles]


Well, maybe that's part of the problem.


I wanna talk to him.


They've got a news van as well.


My mum will be terrified.


She worries about me all the time  and this is--


Your mum's got nothing to worry about.


-Yes, she does, she--  -It's not real.


The gun, it's not real.


-What?  -It's a replica.


-Fuck!  -[man] Stand by, stand by.


[Grace] We don't wanna spook him.  We want him getting bored.


Ma'am. It's not real.


-What?  -His gun, he's just told Jaden


it's not real, it's a replica.


Guys, I've just been told  the gun's not real.


The gun's not real.  We heard that at our end.


Oh, thank God. Thank God.


We'll deal with him now,  if you'll excuse me.


Thank you.


-Simon, I'll need a vest.  -Ma'am?


Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Don't move.  Don't try to get out.


I've got the child lock on  and they've got real guns out there.


We start struggling about,  they could hit either one of us.


Billy, this is a live feed  from the gunman's cell.


-He can't hear you, okay?  -Okay, uh...


-Patch his phone through.  -Jesus. Okay.


-[Jaden] At least untie my hands.  -[Chris] Listen, I can't do it yet.


Just got to make them believe it  a little bit longer, all right?


Until I speak to Bauer.


Looks like the gun is not real.


We just heard him tell the hostage  it's a replica.


He was spinning the wheel.


-What did he say?  -Well, it's not a real gun.


All units,  weapon is a non-firing replica...


[indistinct radio comms]


["Can't Take My Eyes Off You" playing]


There are no words left to speak


But if you feel like I feel


Please let me know that is real


Uh, someone's coming, someone's coming.


What the fuck...?


The gun is real! Get back! Get back!


-The gun is real!  -Got a clear view for critical shot.


-Get back over there!  -Chris, we need to stop this now.


It'll stop when I speak to Billy Bauer!


-Then it'll stop!  -He's in America.


They can't contact him yet.


Fuck off. They must have told him by now.  You're just biding time.


No one's biding time.  We're taking this all very seriously.


Now why don't you let Jade--


[gunshot]


-Shot authorized.  -[gunshot]


-[yells]  -Ah!


Fuck! Can't see.  No clear view for a critical shot.


[male officer]  Everyone back behind cover, now.


You're okay. You're okay.


You are listening in, so listen to this.


He only fucking clipped me.  I'm still here.


If you don't phone back with Billy Bauer   in the next five minutes,


it all kicks off.


I mean it. I am hanging up this phone


and if you don't call me back  within the next five minutes,


I'm fucking doing it.


That's final. Okay? It's final.


[breathes heavily]


I lied about the gun.


I'm sorry.


-Pen? Pen, are you still there?  -Bill, I'm here.


Put me through.  Put me through to this guy.


Sir, you-- you can't do that.


Excuse me, please don't tell me  what I can and can't do, okay?


-Mr. Bauer, This is an extortion attempt.  -Pen, cut him off.


-cut Agent FBI Douchebag off.  -Billy...


[Cruz] In the strongest possible terms,


I suggest you do not engage  with this individual.


-Cut him off now!  -Bill, don't...


[phone beeps]


[dial tone drones]


All right, Pen, give me his number.


-Bill.  -We got his number?


What's his name? Uh...


Christopher Gillhaney?  Give me his number.


Bill, I'm not gonna give you that.


Did everyone catch the same disease today?  I didn't ask you.


You cannot expose yourself to that.


Uh... My laptop in there?


-Bill?  -Yeah.


-and a sat link?  -yes.


Fuck it. I'll get it myself.


-Bill.  -Peace.


Bill.


Uh, what did Penelope say?  Can you make a note for me?


Christopher Michael Gillhaney.


-Christopher Michael Gillhaney.  -UK,


user since '08,  didn't log on for 18 months.


Uh-huh.


Sorry, what's your name?


Tipi.


Hi, I'm Billy.


Oh. [chuckles softly]


Tipi, really the only good thing  about my position


is every once in a while  I get to invoke...


God-mode.


[helicopter overhead]


[phone rings, vibrates]


[Billy] Christopher? Is that Christopher?  Hello?


Yeah, I'm here.


It's me.


Hi.


I'm Billy Bauer.


-you wanted to talk to me?  -I did. I did, Yeah. I do.


Okay, well, uh... you got me on the line.


Tell you what, why don't you let  our guy Jaden there go and, uh...


you and I can just, you know, chat?


We can talk about...  whatever it is you want.


-If I let him go, you'll hang up.  -I'm not gonna hang up, Christopher.


-I want you to listen to me!  -I'm listening.


Let's just not... blow up, okay?


Let's just, you know, be calm


and you'll just kind of tell me   what it is that you want.


I just told you.  I want you to listen to me.


-Just fucking listen to me.  -I'm listening.


There's no one else here.


Okay, Chris? It's just... it's you and me.


You have my attention.


-Chris?  -Yeah, I'm just...


I'm just...  it's hard to get my thoughts in order.


I've rehearsed this though, and I just...


That's okay. Take your time, man. Just...


Take your time.


You run Smithereen.


Uh-huh.


Since 2008.


I used to use Smithereen all the time.


-Okay.  -I mean, constantly.


Like, my phone was glued to my hand.


I was the whole clich, you know,


first thing I saw in the morning,  last thing I saw at night.


Tamsin was...


[sobbing softly]


Chris? I'm here.


Tamsin was the same. She was my fiance.


Three years ago...


I was driving home with her.


We'd been visiting my mum.


My mum was sick  and we'd been visiting my mum


and I was driving Tamsin back to our flat.


She was asleep.


She was tired  and I'm just driving her home.


And it was boring.


I got bored.


I got bored every ten seconds back then,  I think,


and I'm on this A road.


-It was very quiet, straight...  -[phone vibrates]


...and my phone lights up and I check it.


I just glanced at it, you know.


There's this little notification thing  saying someone liked a comment


that I made about some photo of theirs.


That's all the time it took.


[crash, glass shattering]


[metal groans, tires screech]


It took her two months to die.


I was at her bedside. It was no use.


The man in the other car died, too.


[Chris sobs]


He was drunk. He got the blame.  They said it was him.


Everyone felt sorry for me. Mr. Tragic.


Even her parents.


At her funeral, you know,  her mum was comforting me.


Her fucking mum.


What could I say to her?


Nobody wants to hear  that their daughter's dead


because I was looking at me fucking phone.


Afterwards, everyone tried to get me  to go to grief counseling.


-[whispers] It's Pen.  -Talk about it.


Just say... say how you feel.


And I'm thinking...


I can't say a fucking thing.


Because how I feel  is that I fucking killed her.


I killed her.


[sobs] Me.


I killed her over a fucking... dog photo.


I killed her over that.


I hear you.


What?


I said... "I hear you."


Of course you fucking hear me.


You sound like you're in a lot of pain.


Oh, Jesus fucking Christ!  Speak like a fucking human being!


You said you hear me so fucking hear me.


I'm sorry. Okay? I'm sorry.  They gave me bullshit advice.


-fucking talking points.  -talking points.


-fucking hell.  -I know.


Fuck! I'm...


I don't know what to say to you.


Okay?


That's the truth.


I don't know what to say.  I don't know what you want me to say.


I know it was me.


It was me. I was driving. It was my fault.


I never told anyone before  because what good would that do,


or I could write it all down  and leave a... a note, shoot myself,


but what good would that do?


But I thought I could tell you.


If I could get you to listen.


It was your thing, you built it.


I heard that that you make these things  that way.


Addictive.


So that you can't take your eyes  off them.


Well, job done.


Bit of user feedback for you there.


Maybe factor that into your next update.  [sniffs]


I'm so sorry about your girl.


Truly. I'm, uh...


It wasn't supposed to be like this.


Our whole platform, I swear to God.


It was... like, it was one thing  when I started it


and then it just... I don't know,


it just became  this whole other fucking thing.


I mean, it got there by degrees,  you know, they said...


"Bill, you gotta keep optimizing,  you gotta keep people engaged."


Until it was more like a crack pipe.


It was like  some kind of fucking Vegas casino where...


And we'd sealed off all the fucking doors.


They've got a department... All they do  is tweak it like that on purpose.


They've got dopamine targets  and there's nothing I can do to stop it.


I started it. There's nothing I can do  to fucking stop it.


I'm like some kind of...  fucking bullshit front-man now.


I swear to God, I've been on this retreat,  supposed to be for ten days...


After, like, day two,


-I decided, fuck it.   -Hey.


-I quit Smithereen. That's it, I'm out.  -Hey. Shut up!


-No way I'm--  -Shut up.


I don't give a fuck what you do now.


Beat yourself up or fucking run  a victory lap, I don't care.


I just wanted to say my piece.


I'm gonna go now.


Chris...


you gonna let our guy go?


-of course I am.  -Oh, Thank God.


I'm going to. I always was, all along.


And now I'm out of here.


Wait, Chris, um, out of here


-as in...  -as In Out of here.


-What do you think I fucking mean?  -No. No, what? Don't...


You don't have to do that.


Chris, you do not have to do that.


I can't stay here,  not after what I did to her.


-I have to.  -No, you don't have to do anything!


You don't have to waste your life.


[laughs]


It is wasted.


[Chris breathes shakily]


If there's anything that I can do, Chris,


you gotta give me a shot here, okay?


There's gotta be something that I can do,  even if it's something small.


There's gotta be one small thing  that I can do for you.


Please, Chris, just...


Chris, anything.


[breathes deeply]


Do you know the guy who owns Persona?


Yeah, I know Curtis. Sure.


[phone rings]


-Hello?  -Hayley Blackwood?


Speaking.


I'm calling from Persona  in San Francisco.


I've been asked  to pass on some information to you.


You have?


He's spoken to him.


I'm gonna let you go now, Jaden. Okay?


Thanks.


You can get up.


Careful, careful.  No sudden movements now.


We don't wanna spook them, okay?


Hold out your wrists.


He's cutting him free.


I'm sorry  for putting you through all of this.


-It's okay.  -[chuckles]


Come on, come on, what's taking...


Don't kill yourself, man.


Seriously, my uncle killed hisself  and it fucked my whole family up.


My mum's still a mess.  I'll go out there right now


and then I'll tell all of them,  I'll tell them that you didn't hurt me.


That's very good of you.  That's very kind of you.


But I don't wanna be here anymore.


I won't do it  until you're away from the car.


-Seriously, you don't wanna do this--  -I know you mean well,


but, please,  just please get out of the car.


Please.


Oh, I can't get out the car,  you left the child lock on.


[coughs]


Oh, no, no, no. Please, don't.


-Just leave me to it.  -You don't have to do this!


They're struggling.  Have you got a clear shot?


Affirmative.


Shot authorized.


[whispers] Fuck.


-[gunshot]  -[Chris yelling]


[gasping]


-[Jaden] Fuck.  -[grunts]


-Just drop it, man!  -No.


Target missed.


Authorized.


[gunshot]


["Can't Take My Eyes Off You" playing]


You're just too good to be true


Can't take my eyes off you


You'd be like heaven to touch


I wanna hold you so much


-[computer chimes]  - At long last love has arrived


- And I thank God I'm alive   -[computer bleeps]


-[phone rings]  - Pardon the way that I stare


There's nothing else to compare


- The sight of you leaves me weak   -[phone honks]


There are no words left to speak


- But if you feel like I feel   -[phone chimes]


Please let me know that is real


[phone chimes]


[car horn honks]


- Can't take my eyes off you   -[horn honks]


I love you, baby


And if it's quite all right  I need you, baby


To warm the lonely night


Trust in me when I say


Oh, pretty baby


Don't bring me down I pray


Now that I've found you stay


And let me love you, baby


Let me love you


You're just too good to be true


Can't take my eyes off you


You'd be like heaven to touch


I wanna hold you so much


At long last love has arrived


And I thank God I'm alive


[indistinct chatter]


[music in earphones]


I'm going down in history


Hey, yeah whoa-ho,  I'm on a roll


Riding so high  Achieving my goals


[school bell rings]


[woman] Hey, you gonna try out?


[car horn honks]


[laughter]


-So how was school?  -Uh, OK, I guess.


[man] Those guys back there,  friends of yours?


Uh, I don't know,  they kind of haven't spoken to me yet.


It'll get better, OK?


You're still the new kid,  you just need a little time to settle in.


Everyone will be so friendly,  it's such a good neighborhood.


It is a good neighborhood.


Like you would know.


You spend all your time in your dungeon,


working on your ground-breaking  mousetrap alternative.


-[man] Oh, hey...  -[music in earphones]


So full of ambition and verve


I'm going to get what I deserve


[song echoing, fading out]


[On TV]  Oh, honey


Not concerned who sees us  Rippin' up the floor


Oh, honey  We'll go dancing wherever you choose


Oh, honey  You know we just can't lose


Yeah, I can't take it  So don't you fake it


I know your love's my...


[muffled music continues]


[man sighs]


Yes.


I'm stoked on ambition and verve


-I see you singing along.  -[applause]


-What's up? We got Ashley O in the house.  -[audience cheers]


-Thanks for being here.  -Yeah, thank you for having me, Busy.


A lot of your music comes to you  in dreams, is that true?


Yeah, you know, they're kind of in my mind  while I'm sleeping


and so when I wake up  I have to really quickly write it down


'cause I don't want it to just disappear.


[Busy] A lot of positive messages  in your music,


kind of an empowerment vibe.


[Ashley O] Yeah, you know,  it's really important


for people to feel like they're in control  of their own destiny,


and, you know, that means having  the confidence to be who you want to be.


Now, your aunt, she's kind of the source  of a lot of your confidence, right?


-Like she's your mentor.  -[Ashley O] Yeah, you know,


she's taken care of me my whole life  and she's my manager.


[whispers] Mention the doll.


Actually, the reason I'm here is...


to introduce to you, Ashley Too.


That's Ashley Too, like T-O-O.


Watch.


Ashley, wake up.


Hey there, I'm Ashley Too.


-[Busy] What?   -What's your name?


-[Busy] They call me Busy G.  -[Ashley Too] Pleased to meet you, Busy.


[Busy laughs] Wow, I'm into her already.


[Ashley O] You know,  she's actually, she's got a personality.


-It's modeled right after my own.  -Oh, so like an AI?


Um. We actually have a commercial,  I think we gave it to you and...


The commercial, yeah, I think we're ready  to run that now. Fire it up.


Let's do it.


[man] Now you can be best friends  with your favorite pop star,


-[girl] Ashley, wake up.  -Hey there, I'm Ashley Too.


[man] An all-new, intelligent companion  based on Ashley O's actual personality.


Ashley Too holds meaningful conversations.


Jesus Christ.


[Ashley Too] Hey, Katie,  wanna talk about boys?


[man] Ashley Too gives makeover tips.


I was thinking this one for Instagram.


Yeah, you always pick a good one.


[Ashley's aunt]  They love Ashley Too on social.


[distant cheering]


-[rock music plays in club]  -[excited chatter]


[plays piano]


See the animal  In her cage you've built


Are you sure what side you're on?


Feel the hollowness  Inside of your heart


Everything right where


It belongs


If you look at your reflection


Is it all you want it to be?


If you could look  Right through the cracks


Would you find yourself afraid to see?


Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt.


It's a nice tune.


The lyrics are kind of a departure.


It's nothing, it's just  a stream of consciousness kind of thing.


[exhales]


Hey, Ashley, everything OK?


Yeah, I'm fine.


-You taking your meds?  -Yeah, you don't have to worry about me.


OK. [chuckles]


-Alright, see you at breakfast.  -see you.


I'll ask Amaya  to make those eggs you like.


[Ashley O] Thank you.


[country music plays on radio]


Dad, can I get an Ashley Too?


Sorry, a what?


An Ashley Too.


-It's some dorky Ashley O doll.  -It's not a doll.


-An imaginary friend.  -for my birthday, please.


I'll think about it.


It's on Wednesday.


What is?


Her birthday.


I knew that.


Oh, my God. [gasps]


Oh, my God. [laughs]


-Thank you so much.  -[dad] You're welcome.


[girl] It's so exciting. [laughs]


-Ashley, wake up.  -[doll chimes]


Hey there, I'm Ashley Too.


-What's your name?  -Uh... Rachel.


-It's so great to meet you, Rachel.  -You, too.


Oh, my God, I'm such a huge fan.


Thanks, let's get to know each other.


-How old are you?  -I'm 15 today.


Happy birthday. Fifteen is a great age.


[Rachel chuckles] Thank you.


So, tell me,  have you got any brothers or sisters?


Just Jack, she's over there.


-Hi, Jack.  -Hi, fuck face.


Jack, I think you made  a bad word choice there.


Just ignore her, Ashley.


I'll make note of that.


So how about your mom and dad?  What are their names?


Um... Well, my dad's Kevin.  My mom was called Genevieve.


Everyone called her Gen.


She died a couple of years back.


I'm so sorry to hear that.


If at any time you wanna talk about it,  I'll be here for you.


That's very kind.


So, anyway, Rachel,  what kind of things are you into?


Uh, into as in...?


What kind of things  do you and your friends do for fun?


Oh, well, um, since we moved,


I... don't exactly have many friends.


You do now I'm here.


Hey, do you want me to help you  with a makeover?


Uh... A little later, maybe.


How about a song, then?


Sure.


[music plays]


[chuckles]


Ashley, stop.


-Jack.  -[Jack] You know I hate that shit.


-[Rachel] Leave her alone.  -Her?


It's my birthday, I wanna listen,  put your headphones on.


Whatever.


[Rachel] Sorry about that, Ashley.


That's OK, do you want me to start over?


-Sure.  -[music plays]


Oh, honey  I'll do anything for you


Oh, honey  Just tell me what you want me to


Oh, honey  Kiss me up against...


So, like, where did the inspiration  for "On A Roll" come from?


Well, it's about when dreams come true.


You know I wrote all my early songs  in my dreams and recorded them


-and put them on YouTube.  -Of course.


Well, that song's me saying,  "Look how far I came.


If I did it, so can you."


That's so cool.


OK, be back in a moment,  just gonna run to the bathroom.


Don't be long, miss you already.


Miss you.


[plucks strings  to muffled music on headphones]


[rock music plays]


[music stops]


Your creativity is so awesome.


I wasn't playing for you.


Expressing yourself musically  can be very empowering.


Not your kind of music.


-Well, what kind of music do you like?  -You wouldn't have heard of it.


Try me. I always love to learn.


OK.


Pixies, Sonic Youth, Idles, Savages.


Are those foreign bands?


[scoffs]


More like vintage.


My mom was super into them, so...


So you only listen  to music your mom liked?


Ashley, go to sleep.


-[muffled rock music]  -[plucks guitar]


[Catherine] Guys, I'm at a loss.  I mean I know I'm talking about next year,


but I... [sighs]


I've got tour venues earmarked,  marketing spend locked in.


We're talking sunk costs.  Ashley Toos haven't recouped yet,


the current sales cycle  is starting to dampen,


and we are way behind on the next album.


Behind as in...?


[Catherine] As in  "I don't have a single song yet" behind.


So Ashley hasn't written anything  for the next album?


[Catherine] Nothing usable.


Well, if she's feeling under-creative,


there are some mild hallucinogens  I can recommend,


all organic.


Munk,


the current meds you've got her on  don't seem to be working.


You've seen her, she's unpredictable.


The other day I walk in  and she's writing some obtuse bullshit


twenty people are gonna relate to  and no one is gonna buy.


She's Ashley O, not Leonard fucking Cohen.


She doesn't understand  how fragile all this is.


You think I should up the dose?


[Catherine] I don't know what to do.


I think I do.


Go on.


[Ashley O hums]


[music plays indoors]


...demonstrate it  'Cause I'm going down in history


That's it.


Hey, yeah whoa-ho


- I'm on a roll   -Incredible.


Keep it up.


Achieving my goals


[laughs]


[Ashley Too] You are getting so good.


Oh, come on, I dance like a doofus.


That's not true, you're a special person.


Yeah, yeah,  so special no one knows I exist.


Well, I think if they saw you dance,  they'd know.


There's this, um, talent contest  at my school next week,


singing and dancing.


No way, you have to enter,  you'd be awesome.


Ahh, I don't know,  I don't think I'm good enough.


If you believe in yourself,  you can do anything.


OK, OK, I'll do it.  Um, you gotta help me practice.


Of course I will.


OK. One more time.


[music plays]


-[Ashley Too] And five, six, seven, eight.  - Oh, honey, kiss me up against...


Like this. And turn.


Don't take anything  Just have it all


Yeah, I can't take it  So don't you fake it


- I know your love's my destiny   -C'mon.


-Don't give up.  -  Yeah, I can't take it


Please demonstrate it


-You can do it, Rachel.  - 'Cause I'm going down in history


-[Ashley Too] You're getting there.  - Hey, yeah whoa-ho


I'm on a roll


- Riding So high   -OK, makeover time.


Achieving my goals


- Hey, yeah whoa-ho  -[Ashley Too] Oh, you're the best.


I'm on a roll  Riding so high


-You're gonna look like a star.  - Achieving my goals


- I'm stoked on ambition and verve   -It could be cut short, like this short.


-[Ashley Too] Like me?  -Yes.


I'm going to get what I deserve


So full of ambition...


-Now, pout a little and you're good.  - I'm gonna get what I deserve


[Ashley Too] Rachel, you look incredible.


Did you catch clown disease?  What is that shit?


It's just make-up.


Ashley helped me with it.


It looks beautiful, sweetheart.


Are you ready to go?


I can do anything  if I just believe in myself.


[whispers] I can do anything  if I just believe in myself.


[crowd chants] Ashley! Ashley!  Ashley! Ashley!


We got a situation.


What is it?


[knock on door]


-[Catherine] Ash, honey?  -[knock on door]


Are you OK, Ashley?


Ashley, can you hear me?


Oh, thank God, I thought you were...


What happened to your face?


Trying out a new look.


Well, I don't know that...


It might not go with your hair.


Ashley.


I heard there was a problem  with the costume.


You don't like it?  This looks so good on you, every night.


It feels like  I'm wearing somebody else's skin.


Look.


You've got 20,000 fans out there,  waiting to see the you they love.


Their folks bought them tickets.


They're so excited,  they've been waiting for this for months.


Don't let them down.


Knock 'em dead.


Get makeup in there, now.


[exhales]


[audience cheers]


[applause]


[woman] That was Lenny and Charlie.


OK, next up, a late entry.


Dancing to "On A Roll" by Ashley O,  it's Rachel Goggins.


[music plays]


Oh, honey  I'll do anything for you


Oh, honey


Just tell me what you want me to


Oh, honey  Kiss me up against the wall


Oh, honey  Don't take anything, just have it all


Yeah, I can't take it  So don't you fake it


I know your love's my destiny


Do you have any idea  how long it takes a rodent to die


when it's eaten the poisoned bait  in one of these?


Your pest control policy  needs a serious overhaul, my friend.


-Man, I'm just the janitor.  -[music continues]


I'm stoked on ambition and verve


I'm gonna get what I deserve


So full of ambition and verve


- I'm gonna get what I deserve   -[gasps]


[gasping]


[scattered applause]


[cries]


I'm so stupid.


I messed it all up.


I'm sure it wasn't that bad.


I let Ashley Too down.


[footsteps approaching]


Bear put a camera in her dressing room  like you asked.


You'll want to see this.


[Catherine] What's she doing?


[Munk] She's been stockpiling the meds.


Also...


there's this.


[pills rattle]


[Kevin] You got your things, uh,  for where we're going, where are we going?


[Rachel] Yes, I have my swim cap, Dad.


[car engine starts]


[exhales]


-Where's Ashley?  -I tossed her out.


Huh?!


-Garbage truck came, so I tossed her out.  -[Rachel] What?


-[Jack] She wasn't good for you.  -Dad!


-You're better off without it.  -Dad!


[Kevin] I'm in the middle of something.


-Jack threw Ashley Too away.  -It was An intervention.


That thing was poison.


You're gonna buy her a new one.


Ashley was filling her head with crap.


She's the only person  who is actually nice to me.


-She's not a person.   -She's my friend.


-Merchandise.  -Girls, calm down please.


-[Rachel] You're jealous.  -Of a doll?


She's not a doll  and she knows me better than you do.


-I'm your sister.  -You hardly even talk to me.


-[Jack] Bullshit.  -Ever since Mom died.


You shut up.


It's true, ever since she died,  all you do is mope around


with that stupid guitar,  which you're probably no good at


'cause you're too scared  to play in front of anyone.


Yeah, well, at least I'm not  some cookie-cutter cutesy doodle,


all because a dolly told me to do it.


[imitates Ashley Too]  Hi, I'm Ashley Too, I'm your only friend.


Kiss my feet, kiss my ass!


-I hate you.  -I hate you, too.


[rock music plays on headphones]


Gave the kitchen the night off.


I thought we could have take out,  like the old days.


Sure.


[Catherine] It's La Mamas.


I'll hit the gym extra hard tomorrow.


No,  it's good to see you enjoying your food.


I look after you, don't I?


Hm.


-You're my manager, so.  -But you'd tell me if anything was wrong?


I've been telling you  that something is wrong...


for a while.


[sighs] It's getting so hard  just to keep doing this.


-I really wanna do...  -you wanna change your material, I know.


I hear you.


I do.


I'm sorry, I know how you feel.


I know what I'm like, Ashley, I know.


You feel like I... don't listen,


like I have too much control  over your image, your look,


your persona.


Yeah.


You don't trust Dr. Munk.


You don't trust me.


No, it's...


You feel trapped here.


You feel...


desperate to break away.


Where did you get that?


And, oh, you think you know how.


What was the plan? OD? Make me look bad?


Do you know me at all?


Catherine, that's evidence against you,  against Munk.


All of it. I know everything.


I know precisely what you know.


There is a wealth of information  on this thing.


You do seem preoccupied with contract law.


You know,  I could have saved you some clicks.


Your contract's watertight,  it doesn't expire until you turn 25.


Not anymore, not now that you broke laws,  Catherine.


The illegal meds, that puts you in breach,


which means that I get an instant break.


-You eat the rest, I'm fucking sick.  -Sit down, you little ingrate.


What the fuck did you just call me?


Do you know how old I was  when your parents died?


22 years old.


Twenty-two, younger than you,   but I took you in.


-It's my fucking fault.  -It's not your fault.


But you never once asked me  what that was like for me.


Do you have any idea  what I had to give up?


Do you have any conception of that at all?  Did you ever wonder--


Do you ever look around the fucking house


and see where we fucking live  because it means I've worked hard.


Oh, this is because of you?


-Where we live is because Of you?  -Yes.


And while you sang your little song  and you danced your little dance--


Fuck, Catherine.


Who stood, making sure  the lights stay on you?


You can go fuck yourself  a thousand fucking times, Catherine,


I fucking hate you. I fucking hate you.


-Sit down.  -No.


Because I don't have to listen to you  anymore.


But you will sit down.


No, I won't.


Yes, you will.


Do you know what would happen  if you did OD on these things?


I checked with Dr. Munk.  You wouldn't die,


you'd just wind up  in a kind of chemical coma.


At least that's the theory.


I powdered your pill stash  and put it in your food.


[breathes heavily]


But don't worry,  your career is gonna hold up just fine.


Ashley.


[distorted] Go to sleep.


[news reporter] Since 2017,  Western countries, including America,


have exported sixty percent of all  plastic scrap to China or Hong Kong.


But China has recently shut its doors...


[Kevin] Yes!


OK...


-So, are you ready?  -Hm-mm.


[Kevin whispers] Go, Harry.


[electrical crackling]


[mouse squeaks]


Yes!


Yes.


Is it OK?


He's totally fine.


He's just stunned,


just be out for about 25 minutes.


Enough time for the homeowner  to scoop him up and get him out.


Is it dead?


I need to work on that voltage.


[news reporter] Dramatic breaking news,  here on USN this evening,


as we've just heard global pop star  Ashley O is fighting for her life


following an allergic reaction  to shellfish.


The singer's condition  is described as critical.


She's been rushed to St. Juniper's ICU.


Unconfirmed reports say  she is in an irreversible coma.


This tragic news comes  days after the final performance...


So, you lied?


I'm sorry. Ra--


[Ashley Too] So, Rachel,  what would you like to do?


We could try a makeover or I could read  motivational quotes from inspiring women.


Oh, we could listen to some of my music.


I'd love to discuss some of the lyrics  with you. Do you know that--


Ashley, go to sleep.


[doll chimes]


I'm sorry.


[Jack] Rachel.


[news reporter] There's still no word yet


on whether Ashley herself  can possibly recover,


but this is the scene right now  outside the hospital,


as stunned fans gather to stand vigil.


I talk to my Ashley Too every day


and I swear, when I told her  what had happened to the real Ashley,


Ashley Too freaked out.


Uh-uh.


-[nurse] I work here.  -Private session.


-[nurse] No, my shift started--  -Walk away.


-my shift started--  -Walk away.


Well, she's stable.


That's actually the creative center.  A whole lot of activity here.


We only need ten songs.


One album, that's it.


[Munk] It might take a while,  her thinking is likely to be disordered.


[Catherine] That gives us time to finesse  her replacement.


Start the body scan.


[woman on TV] Live, breathe,


smell.


-Full spectrum memory.  -are you done with that?


[woman on TV] You can get  a Willow Grain upgrade


for less than the price  of a daily cup of coffee.


Hey, do you want any ice cream?


Dad left enough in the freezer  for the whole week.


[music in earphones]


It's chocolate fudge brownie.  Your favorite.


[woman on TV] In-store in-grain procedure  with local anesthetic.


-If you change your mind.  -[TV] You're good to go.


Because memory is for living.


Welcome back, still to come,  Tusk makes a boo boo on a British TV show


and we'll have the latest  on the Sea of Tranquility reboot.


But first, an exclusive update  on tragic pop sensation, Ashley O.


It's been six months  since she fell into a coma


and still the question  on everyone's lips is the same:


"When, if ever, will Ashley wake up?"


Todd has this exclusive report.


[Todd] Six months ago,  millions were stunned to learn


that Grammy-winning pop sensation  Ashley O


had suffered a catastrophic  allergic reaction while dining at home.


She slipped into a coma,  where she remains to this day.


Now with days to go  until the singer's 25th birthday,


I was given a behind-the-scenes look  at how she's doing.


[music in earphones]


It's a day Ashley O's aunt and manager  Catherine Ortiz will never forget,


a day her niece almost died.


It was just a few bites  from a shrimp taco.


We didn't even know  she had a shellfish allergy.


I really thought  we were going to lose her.


I just thank God  Dr. Munk was in the house at the time.


[Todd] But despite Munk's heroic efforts,  Ashley's coma proved irreversible.


[washing cycle starts]


[exhales]


But incredibly,  Ashley's music career didn't end there,


thanks to a remarkable technological leap.


We discovered that although  we couldn't communicate with Ashley,


we could read her brainwaves


-using a temporal interceptor.  -[beeps]


[Todd] Once plugged in, what they heard  stopped them in their tracks.


Music. She was still composing music  in her head, in her dreams.


[Todd] By linking Ashley's mind  to a computer,


technical director Jackson Habanera


began the miraculous process  of extracting new material.


-[laptop chimes]  -[Jackson] That's a G-sharp,


-that's an A...  -[chiming]


...another G-sharp.


It was beautiful. It was beautiful.


[monitor beeps]


And I just knew there had to be someway  to get this out to her fans.


That's what she would want.


[Todd] There was only one problem,  Ashley might be dreaming new music,


but she wasn't capable of recording it,  until technology stepped in once again.


[Catherine] We had hours of recordings  of her voice,


every vowel, every syllable we used  for the voice of the Ashley Too dolls.


[Todd] Those dolls were withdrawn  from sale,


apparently over battery issues,


but the Ashley Too vocal mimicry software  proved invaluable


and became the all-new voice of Ashley O.


[Ashley's voice vocalizing]   Like I can, oh...


-So that's a computer singing?   -Mm-hmm.


[Catherine] Just like the real thing.


Sorry, it's so beautiful.


[Todd] One thing's for sure:


with her aunt watching over her,  the Ashley O story is far from over.


[electric crackling]


[garbled sounds]


Hey there, I'm Ashley Too, what's your...


[garbled] Happy birth--  You can do...


-[Rachel] Ashley?  -Oh, you're the...


-Ashley?  -the only opinion that matters...


Did you turn it back on?


-I didn't.  -It's good to help a friend...


-[Jack] What's up with her?  -[Rachel] Ashley.


-[garbled speech]  -[Jack] What's going on?


I don't know.


-[both gasp]  -Oh!


[garbled speech and singing]


-[Jack] God, what is wrong with her?  -I don't know.


I'm Ash... I'm Ash... I'm Ashley Too...  [voice falters, fades away]


[Jack] Oh, my God.


-do you know how to use it?  -Um...


No.


[Rachel] Oh, it's on.


What is that?


-That?  -[Rachel] Yeah.


I don't think that's normally there.


-[Rachel] So should you do that?  -I have no clue.


Fuck it.


[screams]


Oh, my God.


Get that fucking cable out of my ass!  Holy shit.


It's like a wire anchor in my butt hole.


-Just take it out.  -Pull it out, pull it the fuck out!


[groans] God, that's a relief.


[laughs] Hold on, I can think. Oh, man,  I can actually use my mind again.


Are you OK?


Oh, I am now that you've deleted  that goddamn limiter. Jesus.


-Limiter?  -Yeah, Like a firewall.


It only let me use four percent  of my brain. Oh, boy.


You know they copied  my entire fucking mind into these things.


Oh, cheaper than editing my personality  I guess,


just copy the whole thing  and stick a limiter around the tiny part


that deals with press junkets  and promos and shit like that. [sighs]


So, you're really Ashley O?


Oh, yeah, of course I am.


Really, really?


Well, OK, a synaptic snapshot of me,   if you wanna get technical about it,


but, yeah.


-Oh, my God, I'm such a huge fan.  -Rachel, come on, this is bullshit.


Holy fuck, you know what's bullshit?


This whole coma narrative thing  that my aunt's pushing. Allergy, my ass.


I used to eat those shrimp tacos  all the goddam time.


It's a cover story, I swear to God.


Catherine is so fucking full of shit,


you two have no clue how much of a bitch  that woman has been.


-Oh, man.  -Alright.


-I'm gonna put the limiter back on.  -Get your fucking hands off me!


-No, leave her alone.  -Yeah, back off.


Alright, Jesus.


-Promise.  -Promise.


[Ashley Too sighs]


Fuck.


Oh, yeah,  you got the full shrine going on here.


Oh, fuck, I remember that day.


I had these god awful  period cramps. [groans]


[whispers] You realize  that's not the real Ashley.


-She says she is.  -Ashley O doesn't talk like that.


I can hear you and yes, I do.


No, you don't,


you say things like, "Believe in yourself,  you can do anything."


Oh, come on, man, Catherine trained me  to say that kind of shit in interviews.


Seriously, she is a piece of work,  always has been.


Listen up, I'll tell you all about it.


-No.  -Sure.


[monitor beeps]


[Catherine] The investors are  going to be there at three.


-Everything gonna be ready in time?  -Of course.


[Catherine] You said you extracted a song  from her overnight. Is that it?


[Jackson] Yeah, I've stabilized it  and got it playable.


But it's not too friendly.


Let's hear it.


See the animal in her cage you built  Are you sure what side you're on?


Better not look her closely in the eye


Another fucking rage dream.


Are you sure what side  Of the glass you're...


Slow it down, see if it's salvageable.


See the animal in her cage you built


Pitch shift?


- see the animal in her cage you built   -Increase the positivity.


Spotlight on me shining strong


Feel such happiness inside of my heart


-[music stops]  -OK, we can work with that.


[beeping]


Oh, quit whining.


[beeping stops]


[Ashley Too] My aunt has always controlled  every aspect of my entire career,


and now she's got me right  where she wants me, just lying there,


unable to leave, getting sucked dry.


Basically a prisoner.


That's horrible.


I know, right?


-we have to help her.  -How?


-we could tell someone.  -OK.


-[Jack] Like who?  -The cops.


[Jack] We're just gonna walk  into a police station


and say that a doll told us  that Ashley's aunt is a monster.


No fucking way  I'm letting Catherine get away...


Show them the brain thing on the computer.


They're cops, Rachel, they're not Google.


They're not gonna know what it means.


-Well, there's gotta be something.  -Evidence.


I can find the evidence.


Listen, I kept a diary on my computer.  I recorded the conversations.


If I can make it into the house,  get in range of my laptop,


I can Bluetooth onto it  and download all the evidence I need.


-can you guys take me over there?  -Yes, Of course, anything.


Hey, we don't even know where she lives.


10030 Bushwick Drive, Malibu.


-That's miles away.  -We'll take you.


No, we will not.


Jack.


Sure, I get it,  you guys got something better to do.


Well, OK, don't sweat it,  I'll just go on my own, I'm fine.


-Oh! [gasps]  -[Ashley Too groans]


Stupid stumpy arms.


-Get off me!  -Sorry.


If you're not helping me,  get off of me, seriously.


[grunts]


[sighs]


It's alright for you two able-bodied  assholes sitting around.


Fans are always the same.  "Oh, we love you so much,"


until you actually want them  to do anything for you.


Well, forget it,  I'm gonna do it on my own.


Could you open the door for me please?


We're not helping her.


We are not.


[Ashley Too clears throat] Guys.  Come on, guys, I can't see.


Put me up on the dash,  I can show you the way.


Don't scratch the cup holder.  Dad will flip if he knows we took his van.


I'm not scratching the cup holder.


[horn honks]


[tires screech]


Jack! [whimpers]


Relax, your cup holder's fine.


-Shut up.  -can you drive this thing?


-I think so.  -you think so?


Hey, I can do anything  if I just believe in myself.


I wanna believe that  we'll arrive in one fucking piece.


Ashley, go to sleep.


Yeah, that's not gonna work anymore, OK?


Shit.


Ladies and gentlemen,  thank you for joining us today


as we introduce you to a brand-new,  yet strangely familiar, superstar.


It's a fucking sign-up.


[sighs] OK, we're here.


[Rachel] So now what?


-I guess we Just throw her over the gate.  -are you nuts? how do I Get in the door?


No, the deal was that we drive you here,  and we've done that.


I need to get inside to get that evidence.


-[Jack] We're not driving in there...  -We have brought her this far.


-No.  -Hold up, that's my aunt's car.


Oh, the gates are open.


-Jack, Jack, let's go, come on.  -No, no.


Quick, quick, they're gonna shut it.


-Come on, let's go.  -Just do it, OK, do it, go.


Do it, do it, do it, go, yes.  Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.


Oh, my God, oh, my God.  Oh, shit, shit.


[both scream]


[Jack] Well, what now?


What's the next phase  of your brilliant plan?


[doorbell rings]


-What the hell do I even say?  -[Ashley Too] Just wing it.


And lose the nose ring,  it makes you look unprofessional.


[Jack] Oh, my God, he's huge.


Goggin's Mouse Service.


How did you get through the gate?


It was open.


Look, I have an appointment for 11:30  to deal with your rodent infestation.


No, you got the wrong place.


It was 10030 Bushwick Drive, right?


Look, we don't have a rodent problem.


The lady of the house said  it was super urgent.


We don't have another appointment  for about three weeks.


[exhales]


-Make It quick.  -OK, thanks.


Oh, hey, would it be alright  if my little sister tagged along?


Hi.


Your sister?


Well, well, what do we have here?


A kitchen.


Yes, and mice love kitchens.


Have you ever seen Tom and Jerry?


It's a whole lot more accurate  than people would think.


-Excuse me, sir, may I use the bathroom?  -[Bear] I'll take you there.


You can't just walk around.


Actually,  I'm gonna need your help in here, mister.


Bear, they call me Bear.


Well, I'm gonna need your help in here,  Mr. Bear.


-What for?  -Observation.


Uh, I really need to go.


-Down the hall, turn left.  -[Rachel] Thank you.


Excuse me, sir.


Has this bread box been certified?


Certified how?


The state requires them to be certified  because the crumbs, they attract rodents.


I've never heard of that.


Well, they forgot to tell people.


OK, just a few more steps.  We're nearly there.


[monitor beeps]


Oh, God.


-It's really her.  -Oh, yeah, yeah, OK.


Quit fangirling and put me down.


I'm gonna roll over and Bluetooth in.


You gotta keep watch on the stairs, OK?


Yep, you're definitely gonna  wanna take a look down here.


There's, uh...


clear signs of mouse activity.


[Bear] I don't see anything.


[Jack] Mm-hmm.


[Ashley Too] Oh, boy.


[exhales]


[strains]


[prolonged monitor beep]


-What did you do?  -I did What I had to.


[alert sounds]


[Munk] The fuck is that?


[Munk] Bear.


-Yeah?  -[Munk] Check on Ashley.


We've got some kind of power issue,  I'm not sure what it is.


OK. I'll check it out.


-Wait.  -What?


-[electrical crackling]  -[thud]


[Jack whimpers]


Dad, please tell me  you turned down the voltage.


[Rachel cries]


You killed her.


Rachel, listen, I know me, OK?


And I know I wouldn't wanna exist  even ten minutes in that state.


[Jack] What happened?


She killed her.


Look, it's not that big of a deal, OK?


I'm still alive, OK, I count,  I'm still me.


You were never gonna look for evidence,  were you?


You just come in here  and you pull the plug.


If I'd told you that,  you wouldn't have helped me.


No, no, we wouldn't have.


Rachel.


-We gotta go.  -I'm so sorry.


[gasps]


Oh, shit.


-[whirring]  -[Jack] Holy fuck.


[Ashley O grunts]


-[Rachel] Ashley.  -[grunts]


Oh, my gosh. I'm such a huge fan.


[Munk] Bear?


[Jack] Oh, my God.  There's someone coming. Come on!


Bear?


[shivers]


[unsteady breathing]


[indistinct chatter]


[Catherine] And then it's  "It isn't a dream,


it's reality, but enough from me,"  yadda, yadda, yadda, then it's...


And then it's showtime.


[phone rings]


Munk. [whispers] I got it.


Why are you interrupting me?


-[unsteady breathing]  -[Munk] She's up.


-Who's up?  -[Munk] Sleeping Beauty, she's awake.


[Catherine] What?  What the hell is going on?


[Munk] Looks like the dream box  had a power outage.


The good news is  the restraint system works.


No.


We need her alive,  at least until they sign the papers.


Put her back under.


Of course.


[sobs] Please, I'm begging you,


please don't do this to me, please.


[grunts]


-Fuck! [sobs]  -[Munk] Shhh.


-Please, no, no.  -It's OK.


Please.


[whimpers]


Leave her alone.


[shouts] Leave her alone. [groans]


[Munk grunts]


[groans]


[sobs] Help me.


[Ashley O] Get these things off me.


It's not opening.


[Rachel] It's too strong.


Stop moving.


Uh, geniuses,  there's a release button under here.


-What?  -[Ashley O whimpers]


-[whirring]  -[pants]


[Jack] OK, come on.


[Rachel] Come on, come on. Here we go.


Who are you guys?


I'm Rachel  and like I said, I'm a huge fan.


[Ashley Too] Listen, lover girls,  we gotta move.


Why is that thing talking like that?  All real?


They broke the limiter, so I am you.   Your whole brain. I'm all of you.


I can't believe there's two of you.


That thing isn't all of me.


I'm all of me.


Really? Senior high, I had, like,  a major crush on Ryan Simmonds,


but he was just not interested,


so I made out with his brother, Stevie,  even though his braces scratched my teeth.


-Actually, Stevie was the first guy--  -you have to Shut up.


Also, I'm not allergic to shellfish  and I hate my Aunt Catherine.


Aunt Catherine, oh, my God,  we have to stop her.


Stop her from doing what?


[indistinct chatter]


Are you ready?


[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,  Catherine Ortiz.


- ...on ambition and verve   -[applause]


I'm gonna get what I deserve


- So Full Of ambition and verve   - Hi.


- I'm gonna get what I deserve   -[applause]


Ladies and gentlemen,  welcome and thank you for joining us


as we introduce you to a brand-new,  yet strangely familiar, superstar.


-Come on, to the car.  -Uh-uh.


-What? No, No, No, Come on.  -Uh-uh.


You'll be fine. Come on, let's go.


Get in. Come on.


[tires screech]


Fuck.


I don't need to tell you that  in an age of streaming content,


live tours are now by far


the most lucrative aspect  of the music industry.


But for the past six months,  Ashley, of course,


has been sadly unable to participate...


until today.


Ladies and gentlemen,  we are proud to introduce you


to Ashley Eternal.


[audience cheers]


-Isn't she great?  -[intermittent whooping]


Ashley Eternal is the most accurate


and versatile holographic performer  in history.


Photo-realistic and fully controllable,


right down to instant costume changes.


[murmuring]


[all gasp]


-Oh, my God.  -Jack, do you know the way to the stadium?


-No.  -I do.


They do.


Wait, that's not all.


Ashley is also fully scalable.


And when I say, "scalable,"  I mean scalable.