LX 2048 (2020) - full transcript

A fatal ill man tries to secure the future of his family in a world where the toxicity of the sun forces people to stay inside during the daytime.

[??]

So, we got
the results back.

And...?

You're on Premium 3.

You have an alternative here

that most people
nowadays do not.

Am I dying?

-If I am, just--
-You're not dying.

Yet.

Your heart is definitely
failing though.

You can be saved
with the right donor,



but time is your biggest enemy.

And accidents
are so rare these days.

-What about a clone organ?
-When you're dead,

you'll be eligible
for a total upgrade.

Look, there are no short cuts.

Premium 3
is technically there

to protect your spouse,
to make sure

she's not left alone
with a burden

of raising three kids.

It's not there
to benefit you, per se.

[SIGHS]

I suppose your wife

could put in a request for you.

It's uncommon,
but State might approve



under the circumstances.

Well, we're
kind of separated, so...

It says here...

you're still married.

We just never completed
the paperwork.

Got it.

Look, my wife insisted
on doing

everything virtually.

I feel
there are still some things

that you have to live through
in the real world.

Like being told
that your heart is failing.

[SIGHS]
Exactly.

You're a clone, aren't you?

You asked for a day meeting.

I'm sure
you can guess the answer.

Do you ever go out there

and look at the sun
with you own eyes?

I mean, it doesn't burn
your kind, right?

[??]

It's called
augmented pigmentation.

One of the many advantages

of the cloning process,

but don't envy me.

There are limitations
beyond the Premium 3 cases.

I am going to book you
a meeting with a therapist.

I think it would do you good
in these trying times.

[SENSOR BEEPS]

Virtual?

Nighttime or daytime?

[LOCK BEEPS AND SECURES]

[??]

ADAM: Can we please meet
in the real world?

Okay, well, can I come
to the house then?

Can I come over?
Please?!

Please, I need to see you
and the kids!

It's important!

Jesus Christ,
can you forget

about the goddamn papers
for one fucking minute?!

[GRUNTS]

I'm dying, Reena, all right.

I am dying.

That's what I'm so upset about.

Is that a good enough reason?

[DRY CHUCKLE]

You hope I sign
the papers beforehand?

That's what you have
to say to me?

For Christ sakes...

No, don't say sorry.
What does that even mean?

I'm the father
of your children,

and I just told you
that I am dying,

and all you care about
is some papers?

Fuck you!

You know, I can't believe
I ever loved you.

[BEEPS OFF]

FEMALE DEEJAY [OVER RADIO]:
All you early risers,

day creatures,
noon lizards,

people of the sun,
the few and far between

still holding onto the days,

still believing in the light,

this song is for you.

And be careful out there,

sunburn cutoff is 7:22 p.m.

and toxic level drop off
is 8:05.

Thank God for Lithium X.

[IAN RICHTER'S "FIVE STAR MAN"
PLAYING OVER RADIO]

? The walk of a leopard
In the midnight sun ?

? So they're under the radar
Like a B-21 ?

? Kill their instincts
Out of vampire bats ?

? Now we're pushin' out
The haters ?

? And the copycats ?

? Well, why's that? ?

? 'Cause I'm a five star man ?

? I'm a five star man ?

? I'm a five star man
I'm a five star man ?

? I'm a five star man
I'm a five star man ?

? Catch me if you can
'Cause I'm a five star man ?

? So come on ?

? It's all right ?

? You hate my way
But you love my flair, unh ?

Yeah, it works.

It's the best roam tracker
I've ever seen.

I don't know
how you guys did it.

Dental records, huh?
Clever.

Well, look, guys, not to knock
the wind out of your sails,

but VR technology
is yesterday's news.

Everything's going CHIP now.

Simple installation,
and bye bye, goggles.

Heh, I mean, sooner or later,
I'm gonna be out of a job.

[WHIRRS]

[BLINDS CLATTER]

[VACUUM WHIRRING]

Hello.

-[LIQUID SPILLS]
-Ah! Shit!

[GROANS]

Ah, shit!

ADAM: They say that
it operates directly,

right into the brain--
no goggles, no avatars,

no world building.

Heh. It's kind of like

a self-controlled dream,
I suppose.

Look, you hired me
to be your eyes and ears here,

hopefully not just because
I'm always available

to you in daytime.

Thank you, I'm not
fishing for compliments.

What I'm trying to tell you
is that what I see in here

is that CHIP is taking over.

We need to stop investing
in VR tech.

We need to focus
all our resources

and energy
into developments for CHIP.

Are you not listening
to what I'm saying?

I'm trying to save
your company!

VR tech is expensive
and hard to come by,

and all your buyers
are going under anyhow

because there's
so much free content

all over the realm.

Did you just ask me
about my meds?

[SCOFFS]
Is that a joke?

I'm here, working for you
in the real world,

sitting in an actual office,
ready to kick ass,

and where are you?

Sniffing pristine in bed

while getting a blow job

from your avatar girlfriend?

No, I won't calm down.
We're going under!

We need to get ahead
of the market

and we need to do it now!

[ELEVATOR BELL RINGS]

Can I help you?

I... have a day meeting
with Dr. Maple.

Yeah. Adam Bird.

I see it.

Thumbprint and iris.

Clear.

All right.

I'm gonna open the door

and let you in
to the screening area.

I want you to remove
the hazmat suit,

and take your place
on the mark.

[DOOR BUZZES OPEN]

[GRUNTS]

[PANTING]

Carrying
any weapons?

Pepper spray?
Taser?

Shocker?

Might want to consider it
if you're gonna be

roaming around daytime.

Arms up.

[LIGHTS WHINING]

Okay, you're clear.

She's expecting you.

[DOOR BUZZES OPEN]

So I see you were referred
to us by Dr. Rhys?

ADAM:
Yep.

She's a good doctor.

ADAM:
I'll take your word for it.

You don't think that?

I would if she cured me.

You seem quite frustrated.

I'm dying.

That's certainly unfortunate.

You want to tell me more?

I wake up
in the morning,

I go out there--

no one else does
any more, but I do--

I go out,
I see the decay.

I see the blazing sun.

I take the stairs
up to my office,

but the only other ones there
are the clones.

No, no offense.

None taken.

What do you have
against clones?

We're not robots, you know.

We're all biologically
reconstructed.

Just can't relate
emotionally to you people.

Are you afraid to die?

All normal people

are afraid to die.

You're afraid to die
because it comes with

something like a grade
for your achievements in life,

or lack thereof?

Yeah, something like that.

You surprised I understand you,

me being a clone and all?

No.

Your kind is
very perceptive.

But...?

Something's missing.

When I look
in your eyes,

I see reason, wisdom,

but no instinct
or compassion.

All predestined thoughts,
computer-like.

You want me
to surprise you.

[SCOFFS]

Isn't that what life
is all about?

[??]

[WHIRRS AND BEEPS]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING]

-MAN: Brenda?
-BRENDA: Hi!

-BRENDA: You're off early!
-MAN: Hey, look at you!

MAN:
Yeah, I had an early meeting.

[MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]

WOMAN:
Have a nice night.

Honey?

[SIGHS]

[RACQUET STRIKING TENNIS BALL,
SOUNDS OF FANS CHEERING]

Die, motherfucker!

-[MUTED GUNSHOT SOUNDS]
-Die, die, die, die!

Die, motherfucker!
Die, die, die, die!

[SMALL WAVES CRASHING]

[MOANING]

[MOANING INCREASES]

[LOUD MOANING]

[CLIMAXING]

[GASPS]

ADAM: Reena, I am so sorry
that you had to see that.

I... I used
to lock the door,

but nobody ever
comes in anymore.

I was sitting there
on a beach,

and then all of a sudden,

I just hear this huffing
and puffing and grunting!

And thank God the kids
are connected,

they should have to hear
their father wailing

like some wild
fucking animal!

I'm sorry, Reena.
I... I...

I don't know what else
to say.

At least I have
to reassure you
that our kids

do not see
or hear anything anymore.

[DRY CHUCKLE]
God, you just
hate us all, don't you?

How can you say that?

[SOBBING]

REENA: How long
has this thing been going on?

I don't know.

[SIGHS]

A while.

What is it?

It's like a chat room?

You meet another woman
while you stick your dick
in a rubber doll

and she puts a dildo
up her ass?

Oh, come on,
don't talk like that.

Why, you think
your boring wife

can't be as dirty
as some other whore
in the room?

It's not what you think.

Well then,
what is it?

[LASER BUZZING]

[??]

[CHIMES]

[MAN CHATTERING IN DISTANCE]

[CHIMES]

[WHIRRS, BEEPS]

Fuck.

Fuck me.

[DEVICE BEEPS ON]

Dial Reena.

Redial Reena.

Send Reena a graphic message:

I'm outside your door--
if you don't answer,

I'm going to break it down.

[SCOFFS]
What the hell
are you doing here?

I still have
a restraining order
against you.

I'll call the cops
and you're gonna be locked up.

-Is that what you want?
-No.

I want to talk to you.

I need to talk to you.
Please.

No.
Call me tomorrow.

No--
Please, Reena.

I need to talk to you,
the real you.

Can I-- Can I just
come inside for
a few minutes?

No. The kids are here.

Well, but that's great.
I'd love to see them too.

Well, they're connected
and I'd rather

they don't know you're here,
so don't make a scene.

[SIGHS]

I'll put something on
and come out.

[DOOR CLOSES]

All right, I'm here.

Speak.

So, um...

I'm dying.

Yeah. You told me.

Come on, Reena.

What do you want?

Look, we're, uh...

The house is
this one and mine.

We're in a lot
of debt, Reena.

We're still paying
mortgage on both.

Debt?

No, we've been
paying it off for years now.

I've been paying it.

And I have been raising
our kids

while you've been off
doing your daytime bullshit,

so don't treat me
like I'm worthless.

No, I'm just saying,

if I go,
then all these payments,

who's gonna make 'em?

Well, what about
your insurance?

Plus, we're on Premium 3,
so your clone

is just gonna come in
and take over your job.

Yeah, but see,
there's, uh,

there's this new thing
called CHIP.

Yeah, I know
what CHIP is.

Jenny has it.

Everyone who's worth a damn
has it.

All of our kids' friends
at school have it.

No, no, don't encourage
the kids with the shit.

Hey, you don't get
to decide anymore, okay.

I don't want to hear it.

My company
might go under.

The board, they're
these rich men

from Europe,
old money.

I tried to tell them
about CHIP, I tried,

but they don't want
to hear it, they're all

still stuck on VR.

What are you trying to say?

If we go under,
then my job

will cease to exist.

And equally bad,
they're won't be
any company

to cover
the life insurance.

Oh, okay, I get it.

All of this is just
you trying to renegotiate.

[SCOFFS]

That's why
you wouldn't sign the papers.

You're a sneaky bastard.

I bet you're not even
really dying, are you?

No, I'm not trying
to go back on our agreement.

I'm worried about you
and the kids, don't you see?

I don't have a plan B!

When I go,
I want to make sure

that you're all
taken care of.

Yeah, well,
you figure it out.

That's the one fucking thing
that you're good at.

I...
I'm trying, but...

[SIGHS]
It would help to have

a little more time.

Look, I was wondering

if maybe you would
make a request...

Forget it.

You know, I just
can't follow you sometimes.

What is so hard
to follow?

If I die,
my company will go under.

If I have
a little more time,

I think I can save it.

What is even wrong
with you anyhow?

They say my heart
is failing.

Like it's slowing down
or something.

I don't feel any pain.

Heck, I don't feel
anything at all,

but that's what they say.

[??]

That's pretty ironic.

Why?

Because when we met,

I thought for sure
you were gonna be somebody.

You know,
you had this passion.

It's like your heart
was beating twice as strong

as anyone I'd ever met.

Can you just
take your Lithium X
like everybody else

and figure out
a solution before you go?

Please.

That way, you won't be
going out like such a loser.

[??]

ADAM:
Yeah, I'm looking
for "Jerry Fischer"?

I know it's a retirement home,
I can see it.

No, I understand
you're all asleep,

I just thought
maybe some of them

might get up for the sunlight?

Good for the bones.

No, you wouldn't know,
not anymore.

Look, I need to talk to him.
Can I leave a message?

Donald Stein
has a chip on his shoulder

and I want to help him
remove it.

Okay? Donald Stein.
That's it.

What happened?

Hey, are you crying?

I don't think
I've ever seen you cry.

ADAM: It's--
It's not me you're seeing,

even though
I wish you could see
the real me somehow.

What do you look like
in the real world?

Do you want to tell me?

ADAM:
I look exactly the same.

-Exactly?
-Down to the last detail.

I love the way you look.

ADAM: Heh, you're programmed
to love the way I look.

No, you gave me
"AI freedom," remember?

I can love whatever I want,

whoever I want.

And I love you.

ADAM [SCOFFS]:
What do you love about me?

I love your eyes,
the way you look at me.

I don't think anyone else
can look at me this way.

ADAM:
How do I look at you?

Like how is
the sun and the moon

the mother and the whore
all at once?

ADAM:
But not the wife.

I know my place.

Why wish for something
you can't have?

ADAM:
Yeah, but why have anything?

Why do we need to possess
someone in order to love them?

We can love three kids,
but only one woman? One man?

I don't really know
what love is.

Your dictionary says
it's an "intense feeling

of deep affection."

If that's true then,

I think I might love you.

ADAM: But in order
to feel truly loved,

I need to know
that you chose me.

And in order to choose me,

you'd have to be real,
to have options.

To be more than
just my own fantasy.

That's a lot
of high talk, Adam.

How long have you been
skipping your medication?

ADAM: You know, somehow,
you're the only one

who can ask me that
without upsetting me.

'Cause I understand you
better than...

anyone out there.

We're both trapped in a world

that doesn't live up
to our expectations.

I want to know what it feels
like to breathe real air,

even if it means
I have to choke first!

-Calm down...
-[MUFFLED SPEECH]

...or it's going
to be very messy.

Relax, and I'm gonna let go.

Yes?

[GASPS]

[PANTING]

-Jesus fucking Christ.
-Not quite.

I haven't conquered
immortality yet.

Who the fuck are you?

How'd you get in here?

You think that little
fingerprint lock can stop me?

[CHUCKLES]

You don't even know
who I am, do you?

Donald Stein?

Fifteen years

Fifteen fucking years
I stay out of the limelight,

and then I get a call?

Adam Bird?

How in the fuck
did you find me?

And what the fuck
do you know about CHIP?

Y-y-you don't
need that.

I'm dying anyway.

That's why I looked
for you.

Honestly, you've no...

[SCOFFS]
Get dressed.

Let's take this show
to the living room, shall we?

[??]

When I said get dressed,
I was thinking more like PJs.

I wanted you
to take me seriously.

Nothing more serious
than this, my friend.

Well, you better tell me
a very, very good bedtime story,

because of my time at life,
sometimes my fingers just--

I think you invented it.
CHIP.

I don't know why you're hiding
in some retirement home

instead of about to be
the richest man alive, but...

You with state?

Ah, fuck,
I should've known.

I didn't think
a daytime person
fit the profile,

but hey...

[SCOFFS]
I'm not with state.

What, is this a test?

They watching me?

I kept my mouth shut!

[WHISPERS]
I kept quiet.

Honestly, I'm--
I'm not with state.

-Then what the fuck is this?
-I just-- I just--

-Huh?
-I just need your help.

-With what?
-I have to save my company.

-For what?
-For-- For my family.

See, and it all rests
on CHIP.

Who told you
I invented CHIP?

No one, I swear.

See, uh-- Uh--

I was at my doctor's,
and she reminded me

about "Premium 3."
Now, I didn't think

anything of it at the time,
but suddenly it dawned on me.

Like a sign from above.

You know,
it all clicked.

I knew I had to find you.

MALE STATE CLERK:
Okay, how we all doin' today?

Let me first just say,
congratulations to you both.

Thank you.

Your accomplishment
is very rare these days.

Accomplishment?

Three kids.

I mean, I'm not sure
that you're aware,

but we are experiencing

a massive decline
in population

over the last few decades.

You know, people
aren't getting married anymore.

They're barely having sex.

Fewer and fewer
want the responsibility

or the burden
or raising real children.

Yeah, well, we know.

My-my husband
works for Tech Broker,

so he's at the very forefront

of the technological
revolution.

I wouldn't expect you,

out of all people,
to father three children.

No, you see, for me,
it's the exact opposite.

Knowing the risks
has made me aim much bigger,

a proponent
for the physical world.

We love the sound
of that here at State.

You know, I think
all those people
out in the realm,

they forget that
they still need
their physical bodies

in order to experience
everything that they do there.

I, for one,
am a true believer

that nothing can replace

the true sense of touch.

The warmth.

Of another human body.

Okay, Mr....?

Ryan. Dennis Ryan.

With all due respect,
what's this about?

State is very aware

of the many challenges
that today's would be parents

are facing, and as such,

State is highly committed

to ensuring that
our plant survives
in good order

for the many future generations
to come.

So what, is there
some kind of allowance?

No. Heh. No.

Nothing like that, Mrs. Bird,

though our name may deceive you.

We put together a program

that will protect
the future well being

of the modern family.

It's called "Premium 3."

And it was designed
and spearheaded

by our very own
chief genetic engineer.

What, Donald Stein?

Him and no other...

You invented "Premium 3."

And even before,
you were right there.

I mean,
from the very beginning,

they called you
the father of human cloning.

I need a drink.

I'm happy to fix you one.

Do you smoke?

What does it look like?

You know what I mean.
How?

I've got a guy
who's got a guy.

You think we--?

How did you find me?

They pitched me
this roam tracker.

It hacks
every listed VR member

in the Dental Association.

Dental record, huh?
Clever.

Then it looks
for virtual X-rays

that match
more than one identity.

You may be
the smartest man alive,

but Jerry Fischer
and Donald Stein

have exactly
the same cavities.

Not to mention,
the same dentist.

[LAUGHING]

[ADAM LAUGHING]

Yeah...

Why did you fall off
the grid?

I mean, they said
you went mad,

but judging
by your paranoia,

I'd say you were pushed
out the door.

Why don't you file that

under none of
your damn business,

and you tell me what
all this has to do
with CHIP.

So how exactly does it work?

Well, you both fill out
an application.

Now, the application allows
for a little bit of leeway,

not too much,
but the idea being

to satisfy
the remaining mournful spouse,

there is a little leeway.

What do you mean, leeway?

You can tailor
your insurance spouse,

a bit, so that
maybe they come back

to you just perfect.

Perfect, how?

Well, I mean,
that's all very subjective,

but take Reena here,
for example.

And I'm not...
I'm saying you love her.

There's no doubt
how much you love her,

but maybe aren't there things

that you might think
to yourself,

"What if...?"

No.

That's great.

True love.
Very rare.

But if there
was anything, well,

now there's
a little bit of leeway.

[REENA CHUCKLES]

You keep on saying that.

I do. I do.

Now, if you choose
to proceed,

you'll both fill out
the application

in complete confidence--
no one ever finds out

what their other spouse

may or may not wish to change,

but then, again,
if the unfortunate event

does arrive,

you'll have something
to look forward to.

I-- I don't know
about this.

Mr. Bird, your clone

will still have
all of your DNA.

your genes,
your general look,

as well as
most of your memories,

your thoughts,
your predisposition.

We just left a little bit
of room for improvement.

How long is
the eligibility for?

Well, the policy will protect
your entire household

till the last child turns 18.

Then, one would hope
that your child

would become
less of a burden.

Um, what do you mean,
the entire household?

The kids too?

Yeah, until the age of 18.

Now, of course,
we wouldn't have you

fill out any paperwork
on them

unless, God forbid,

tragedy calls for it.

[COMPUTER DEVICE WHIRRS]

How does that concern me,
or CHIP for that matter?

Clones don't burn.

It's called
augmented pigmentation.

But "augmented
pigmentation"

was not on the sheet.

All the choices you gave us

in "Premium 3"

were about maximizing
our human potential,

things that we could train
to do better,

or else improve
through surgery--

but there's no training,
no surgery.

It can teach my brain
to increase pigmentation.

Even if you cloned it,
it wouldn't work.

Not unless you added
something in the process.

You mean, like a CHIP
that would trigger

heightened reaction
in your skin cells?

Or else pump endorphins
to your brain...

so you wouldn't have
to take a pill anymore?

Well, you said it.

[??]

It all started
as a military grade

limb replacement program.

Sure enough,
everything went drone,

and my department
became obsolete.

No more injured soldiers
to fix.

But then,
the big heat up happened,

and it created
this sudden desperate need

for augmented day workers,

so they just diverted
the whole program.

They gave us permission
to start resurrecting the dead.

And human cloning was born.

I gotta say,

it really does something
to a man--

creating life,
out of nothing.

You could just have a baby--

Yeah, but that leaves
everything to chance--

what we were doing eliminated
the factor of surprise.

We knew exactly
who we were getting--

perfect, trained,
and most importantly,

perfectly satisfied
state personnel,

workers
whose sole purpose

was to work
solidly, brilliantly,

under the blazing sun.

You mean like
biological robots?

Mm-mm.

I mean like
enhanced human beings.

-Enhanced?
-Uh-huh.

WOMAN [OVER P.A.]:
Having a third child?

Ask your doctor
about Premium 3.

Premium 3:
Your family's future...

REENA:
Well, that was a bit funny.

ADAM:
I can't believe we said yes.

Why?

You're the one
that's always so worried

about our survival.

Well, this isn't
about survival.

This is about, deep down,

you wanting me to be
slightly different.

Why do you always have
to look at things like that?

Look, I wouldn't want
to live without you, okay?

Is that such a bad thought?

So did you ask for me
to come back

exactly as I am?

Did you?

I asked you first.

-You're such a hypocrite.
-I'm just--

They said,
"just a little leeway"?

But then there are all these
pages and pages and categories.

How is that helpful?

I thought it was interesting.

It allowed me
to imagine you at your best.

Do I want to be better? Sure.

But the person I love,

I don't want them

to imagine me
any different.

I want them to love me
as I am.

And that is
completely relatable,

of course it is.

I've been there.

And what I needed
to cure that

was a smartly constructed
virtual lover.

You had a virtual lover too?

It's not what you think.

Well then,
what is it?

It's just an avatar.

It's not a real woman.

She doesn't exist.

REENA:
But she does exist, right?

In your mind,
she exists.

You think of her
when you have a hard-on.

Her, not me.

Well, what about you?

I mean,
when was the last time

-you even looked at me?
-[SCOFFS]

Have you looked
at me lately?

Yeah! And I see
a beautiful 37-year-old woman

who can easily be
10 years younger.

Then I think to myself,
for all this expensive

skin care regimen,
what's it for?!

I mean, you never
leave the house.

It's certainly
not for me.

Oh, my God, you think
that I have someone?

Is that
such a crazy idea?

You're pathetic.

I'm pathetic?

[SCOFFS]
I sacrifice

everything for you,
for us.

You didn't sacrifice shit!
You just gave up.

And then you used me
and the kids as an excuse.

What, you think
that I didn't have dreams,

that all I wanted was
just to be a stay-at-home mom?

Wait, enlighten me, Reena.

What was your big dream again?

Because I don't
really remember.

All you ever do
is dive on the realm.

I don't even know
if that counts as being home.

That's where
your kids are, asshole.

You know, they don't want
to play soccer or catch.

I meet them there
and you could've done the same

if you wanted
to spend time with them,

instead of wasting it

on this stupid
realm order whore.

I didn't mean
to hurt you, Reena.

[SCOFFS]

I just needed some comfort.

So...

Unhappy.

Have you
ever considered

that by going
against the current,

you're making
yourself unhappy?

Don't you think
there's a reason
they invented Lithium X?

You, you say
you hate the realm,

but you choose to sleep
through the night

when the few people
you can actually engage with

are awake?

Of course you're lonely.

You'll never be happy
until you accept the fact

that there is nothing
too exceptional about you.

You're just average.

-[SCOFFS]
-But that's okay,

'cause I-I like average.

Average is stable.

You can count on
average.

Is that what you asked for
if I die?

The most average version of me?

'Cause I have
a hard time believing that.

You're fucking impossible,
do you know that?

Look, if you want
to stay with me,

you're gonna have
to delete her.

I want to be on the realm

and I want
to see you delete her.

Either that, or you get
yourself a good lawyer.

I won't--
I won't do it.

I can't.

I get that you want
to make me feel small,

but I can't let you
kill our trust.

[SOBS]

Kill our trust?

After what you've done,
you want me to trust you?

That is a big laugh.

Look, if we can't trust
each other, then we're doomed.

It doesn't matter what
I do, we're doomed.

How can I trust you
when you won't even
delete a stupid avatar

-to show me that you care?
-It's not about that!

It's about the fact that
you need the validation

that you don't trust me
not to do it again!

-I don't trust you.
-Then what's the point?!

You cheated on me!

I used a sex doll.
Hardly cheating!

There was AI avatar
at the other end
of that sex doll.

I spend five times
the amount of hours
on the realm that you do--

I know how real an avatar
can feel.

You-you felt something
for this-this thing.

I mean, what do
I even call it?

-Maria.
-Oh, what?!

-That's her name.
-[SCOFFS]

Jesus, I don't want
to know her fucking name!

[SIGHS]

[WHISPERS]
Yeah, right.

REENA:
Well, we wanted to talk to you.

-We wanted to tell you--
-Together.

Because we wanted
to tell you

that even though
you thought

your dad was away
on a long business trip,

the truth is that he's actually
moved out of the house.

What?

When?

Since Mom cracked
his head open.

Kenny!

-It's gonna be fine, Nate.
-[NATE SOBBING QUIETLY]

Stop crying.

Tell him
it's gonna be fine, Dad.

Tell him
you're coming back home.

Your father can't
tell you that, Joshua,

because your father
has found a new woman.

[WHISPERING]
No, I didn't!

What are you doing?
Why are you telling them that?

Because it's true.

Have a new girlfriend?

No, no, I--
No, I don't.

Look, um...

Your mother and I,
we just--

Just what?

We don't get along anymore,
not like we used to.

You know, like, maybe
with your friends in school.

We don't go
to an actually school, Dad.

But-but you have--
You have friends, right?

You mean
realm buddies?

Yeah, realm buddies.

Would you guys every have
a falling out?

You know, like, uh,

the guy who's
your best buddy
on the realm,

but then, you just...

Oh, just what?

[SHARPLY]
You don't connect anymore.

Not like you used to.

Look, what your father
is trying to say

is that he would be happier
living alone

with a rubber doll than having
all of us around him.

What the fuck is wrong
with you?

Look at your kids, Adam.

You're about to lose
your kids.

Are they not
more important to you
than some stupid avatar?

Do you want me to stay?

I mean, you don't
love me anymore--
it's so obvious

that you name the worst.

Can you just
get out of here, please?

Come here, baby.

[??]

So then, came the lawyers?

ADAM [SNIFFS]:
Yeah.

She told State
I was skipping my medication,

and she used
the rubber doll incident

to get a restraining order
against me,

which limited my time
with the kids

to virtual visits only,

like I was some kind
of fucking pervert

who is a risk
to their own children.

That's heavy.

Here.

Have another.

[POURS LIQUID]

So now, you're diagnosed
with this heart condition,

and you feel
like the only way
you can die in peace

is to get your company ahead
with some CHIP technology

so you can save your job
for your Premium 3 replacement?

Pretty much.

This may sound strange

poor for me, but...

I think
we're all connected.

Not necessarily
in a religious sense.

But more in terms
of some...

collective fate.

Please consider
the random nature

of our creation.

What if my mom
had missed her train

the day she met
my father?

Would somebody else be born
to create Premium 3,

and affect
the order of your life

in the same way
that you, say, I have?

[SIGHS]
Who knows?

I do.

You didn't look for me

to give you
some CHIP technology.

I didn't?

You were hoping I'd hear
your touching story

and engineer you
a new heart.

A simple clone organ

I can build in my garage

from one hair
on the top of your head.

But... I think...

there's nothing wrong
with your heart.

Really?

Because I was lying all along.
I do feel pain.

I feel it all the time,
right here.

That pain that you're feeling,
that existential dread,

comes from
the lack of connection.

You're missing
something vital
in your life.

-What?
-Love.

But why does it seem like
I'm the only one

that feels this way?

Because you are the only one
that's still free.

Everybody else is hooked
in Lithium X!

Lithium X takes
all the pain away,

but love can't exist
without pain, Adam.

So I have to continue
to suffer?

No, not necessarily.

Seems to me,

you got your heart set
on a special virtual girl.

And now,
all of a sudden,

I know why you came
to look for me.

Even though
you couldn't possibly know.

Adam, just like you,

I wanted to touch
my fantasy in the real world.

And so I brought
my avatar to life,

using some
state resources--

I should never have used
for that purpose.

You created a clone
out of your virtual lover?

[SIGHS]

That's why they ousted me.

And I should've gone
to jail,

but I purchased
my freedom...

by giving
the right people access

to all of
my CHIP patents,

and in return,
they turned a blind eye

and they sent me
into early retirement.

And now...

I got a guy
that's got a guy.

And if you want,

if you really want,

and I believe you do...

I can get Maria
to come see you
in the flesh.

Now, isn't that better
than some CHIP technology,

or else another
aching heart?

[??]

Damn.

ADAM:
Dial Mom.

[DEVICE BEEPS AND WHIRRS ON]

Mom?

Jesus, what the hell
have you done to yourself?

I know it's just an avatar,
but, I mean, you look 17.

And this tank top...

You look nice in a disturbing
kind of a way.

No, I know you're not dead,
but I mean, heh...

is this really how you want
to experience things now?

I get that it was expensive,
but what if the kids saw you?

I mean,
Kenny might get a hard-on.

He thought
you looked nice, did he?

Jesus.

Yeah, well,
it's been tough.

You know what I think
about Lithium X.

It's killing us all,
we're all going extinct

like expired microbes
on a Petri dish.

What's a Petri dish?
Look it up!

Don't worry about me.
I'm not worried about me!

You don't need
to worry about me.

I'm worried
about Reena and the kids,

but not me.

Reena, the kids and Maria,
but not me.

Maria is a very nice girl,

and maybe I'll introduce you
to her sometime,

if you ever come out this way.

Enough with the medication
thing, Mom, all right?!

Just enough with it!

Yeah, but I am special!
That's what you always told me!

I'm scaring you.

I'm sorry, Mom.

Go back to sleep.

I think I just drank too much.

Don't worry about me,
I'm fine.

I love you, Mom.

I do.

Shit!

[DEVICE RINGING]

FEMALE [OVER SPEAKER]:
Incoming call: Tech Broker.

Incoming call:
Tech Broker.

[??]

-[DEVICE RINGING]
-Incoming call: Tech Broker.

Incoming call:
Tech Bro--

[DEVICE BEEPS]

Hey.

No, I'm not
at the office today.

I'm-I'm-I'm a little bit sick.

I didn't see the numbers.

All VR sectors are down
this quarter? Whoa.

I-I told you. Heh.

No, I can't,
I have a raging headache.

Look, I took a very, uh,

important meeting last night,

and my head is
just ready to explode.

My medication?

Yeah, I'm taking it
like clockwork.

Can't you hear
how happy I sound?

Well, maybe
you should pay more attention.

-Talk later.
-[DEVICE BEEPS OFF]

[GLASS BOTTLES CLANGING]

[UTENSILS CLATTER]

[CLOSES DRAWER]

[DEVICE RINGS]

[DEVICE RINGS]

-[DEVICE WHIRRS, BEEPS]
-[LOCK UNLATCHES]

Reena?

Uh, what-what are you--
What are you doing here?

Can I come in?

Are the kids
all right?

Yeah. They're fine.

How are you,
Adam?

You look like a mess.

Okay, I'm really worried
about you.

You are?

You know,
looking back,

there's so many times
that I wish

you could just
give up on your dreams

and live a normal life.

But now I realize

that you can exist
in normalcy.

You-you need action.

Excitement.
A challenge.

All right, now,
I just feel like
I need a break.

That's all
I really want.

Well, what if I told you

that that is possible,
Adam?

That you can get
that break?

I don't understand.

-Look, your mom called me.
-Oh, God.

No, come on, she's sweet.

Okay, she's worried
about you.

You see her new avatar?
She looks like she's waiting

for someone
to take her to the prom.

[SCOFFS]

So what,
her fantasy is wrong,

but yours is right, huh?

No, that's--
That's not what I meant.

Well, Adam,
if you really know

so much better
than everyone else,

shouldn't you be in
a better position by now?

Huh? Shouldn't you be
more successful?

More accomplished?

Shouldn't you be
more...

happy?

Listen, the kids,

surprisingly,
they miss their father.

They've been
a little depressed recently.

And I've been
thinking that...

Yeah...?

Look, Jenny's husband
is this big finance guy.

He's really successful
and he has all kinds
of major connections.

And he has told me
that there is a way

we can unlock Premium 3

without anyone
actually dying for real.

-What are you talking about?
-Just listen to me

for one minute, okay?

It's called
Virtual Assassination.

But it's not as bad
as it sounds.

Essentially, they just cook up
all this digital paperwork,

and as far as
the State is concerned,

you are as good as dead.

They ship your replacement
in 48 hours.

You can save your company.

You don't even have to worry
about that anymore, Adam.

I've-- I made him
better than you.

I made him a better listener,
I made him calmer.

And most of all,
I just made him content
with what he's got.

And these clones,
they don't need to take
their Lithium X, okay?

They're permanently
stable.

Just-just think about you,
without all these mood swings.

Just a calm, cool,
content Adam Bird.

He can't fail.

[STAMMERS]
What are you talking about?

I mean... I mean...
what about me?

What-what's supposed
to be left for me?

Well, I thought
about this too.

You can keep this house.

We don't need it.

I mean, you can refinance it.

You don't have
that long left anyway,

so go to a place
that makes you happy.

I heard the sun up north
isn't that bad.

Oh, pick up
playing guitar again.

Or waste your remaining days
with Maria

without feeling guilty
about it.

I really
don't care anymore, Adam.

Come on, this has to be
the best solution.

Just think about the kids.

It doesn't sound like
the best solution for me.

Don't you see,

the guy that you
once fell in love with

is that same guy.

With the mood swings.

The guy who sometimes
daydreams.

And has fits
of bad temper!

It is hard to do well

at this thing
called life, Reena.

It is fucking hard.

You have to fight through it
till your last breath,

and that's what
a real man does.

And that's what this guy,
who you once fell in love with,

does each
and every fucking day!

Same guy!
Who's the father

of your goddamn
fucking children,

and you just,
you wanna, uh...

kill him?

My God.

Look at you.

You should have never stopped
singing and acting.

You're such a drama queen.

You think that
you're so noble?

But all you really are
is just a great performer.

Underneath
this poor act,

there is nothing
but a sad

and manipulative
bundle of anxiety.

You spend your days
spreading the same technology

that you are so fearful of.

Why don't you just man up?

Put your kids ahead.

And just be brave,

for once in your lousy,
miserable life.

All right.

You win.

What do I have to do?

[WHISPERS]
There's nothing to do, baby.

It's already been done.

What's already been done?

Well, I notified Tech Broker
of your accident

before I came here.

They actually sounded like

they've been expecting it.

What the fuck
did you tell them?

That you overdosed

on pristine and alcohol.

I've never
even taken pristine.

Well, Jenny's husband
suggested Lithium X,

but I told him
no one would buy that.

Not with your history.

Anyway, you should know,
on the realm,

you no longer have access
to your old identity.

Your passwords
have been changed,

and your death
has been reported.

Jenny's husband has created
a new identity for you.

Just log in,
it'll guide you through.

And I've left you
some money,

and the house,
of course.

How could you do this

without talking to me first?

I-I wanted to see the kids
one last time.

And my mom, I only ever talk
to my mom on the realm.

And Maria...

How can I even log in
to see Maria now?

She belongs to Adam Bird now.

[DEVICE BEEPS]

Richard Burbage?

Oops. Sorry about that.

Well, I promise I won't let
the new Adam erase her.

That way, she will remain
in virtual existence forever,

unlike you, Richard.

I'm not Richard.

I'm Adam, Adam Bird.

How did you even come up

with this ridiculous
name anyhow?

Look it up.

I actually thought
you'd like it.

[DEVICE BEEPS]

[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]

Come back here, you cunt!
This isn't over, you hear me?!

I'm gonna sue
your fat ass
for this!

Fuck you, Adam!

-No!
-[TIRES SCREECHING]

[SIREN BLARES]

[POLICE RADIO CHATTER]

Are you Richard Burbage?

No, I'm Adam Bird.

[SENSOR WHIRRS]

Says here this house
was just transferred

to a Richard Burbage.

[SIGHS]

It's complicated.

Just check my thumbprint.
I'm Adam Bird.

[DEVICE BEEPING]

Yeah, I see you here.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Says you just overdosed.

Well, I'm obviously alive
and well.

Unlike my wife.

She, uh, ahem...

I spoke to the paramedics.

She died on impact.

Huh?

Your wife, she--
She died on impact.

It means she didn't suffer
that much.

I thought you'd like to know.

[SOBS SOFTLY]

We detained
the driver for questioning.

It's not his fault.

Well, we found pristine
in his blood.

It wasn't his fault.

Are you okay?

Uh, we can get you
a therapist.

I have a therapist,
they're all useless.

Take my word for it.

All right.

The driver mentioned
that your wife

seemed agitated.

You two might have been
in the middle of a fight?

We were...

I'd just called her
a cunt.

That's the last thing
I ever said to her.

I said she was a cunt
and that her ass got fat.

What am I supposed
to tell the kids?

Uh, where are the kids now,
by the way?

Uh, they're, uh, staying
at our other house.

You have two houses?

Three kids, two houses.

[DEVICE BEEPS]

You're on Premium 3.

Yeah.

[LAUGHS]

Why didn't
you remind me, man?

I'm doing
the whole gloomy routine,

and nothing
actually happened?

What do you mean,

"nothing actually happened"?

Uh... So, I'm just seeing
the silver lining?

You two obviously
didn't get along.

With two houses,
you calling her a cunt
and all that?

-Kids are there.
-Oh, this is amazing
detective work.

Listen to me now.

Your wife didn't feel
a thing.

You thought she was a cunt.

Voil?.

In 24 hours,
you'll have her back.

Version 2.0.

I thought it was 48.

[LAUGHS]

It's progress, man!

It is...
It is all around us.

So if you...

If you guessed right
on the application,

then all your problems
will be gone in no time.

And nobody's the wiser.

You almost
make it sound like

I planned the whole thing.

Heh. Did you?

Yeah.

I waited till she crossed
the street

to insult her,
knowing that she would

turn around exactly
three feet into the road

and tell me
to fuck off, just as
a pristine-induced driver

went by and crashed
into her.

I'm just that good!

All right, fair point.

You don't have to be
a wise ass now.

So are you going
to the other address?

Because this one is
the one listed for delivery.

What?

Her replica
is coming here.

Oh, you'll both need

to fill out
different return addresses.

Right there.
Maybe one of your parents

or else
a non-nosy neighbor?

What, you mean
like an emergency address?

In the unfortunate event

that your replica does come
to replace you,

you or your spouse will want
to meet said replica

prior to bringing them home
to the kids.

Well, we have another house...

-You do?
-Yeah.

I mean, Adam's
a very hardworking man.

Well, that's splendid then.

Sir, do you want
her replica delivered here--?

Yeah.

That would be...

splendid.

You sure you don't want me
to call you a therapist?

I can tell you that
the last person,

clone or avatar that
I want to see right now

is a goddamn therapist.

What I want is to be
left alone to mourn

for a couple of hours.

is that okay,
Officer?

What about your kids?

They have
everything they need.

Kenny's 14 now.

They can survive
one night without us.

You don't think they're
gonna be worried sick
about their mother?

No, I don't.

Is that
against the law?

Tell you what
I'm gonna do.

I'm gonna come back
in a couple days,

just to check in on you,
see how you're doing.

Good night, asshole.

What? No, that is my password.

No... Fuck you.

Fuck you, that-- that is me.
That is-- That is me!

I have to log in--
I have to log in
to go and see Maria!

I should see a therapist?

What the f--?

Did they give you
a sense of humor now, because--

Let me tell you,
this fucking algorithm

of yours is not funny, okay?!

[RETCHING]

-[DOORBELL CHIMES]
-[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

WOMAN:
Goodbye, sweetie.

-Mwah!
-Bye, sweet pea! Heh.

Bye!

Oh, my God, Adam Bird!

You... You might want
to brush your teeth
there, Adam.

[LOCK BEEPS]

So this is where you live?

Uh, well, this is
where I live now.

I... I used to live
in a much bigger house.

[SCOFFS]
Of course, I forgot

about that vindictive bitch.

Well,
she's not...

[STRUMS GUITAR]

[CHUCKLES]

I... I can't believe
this is happening.

It's-- Heh.
I can't--

[STAMMERS]
I can't believe my eyes.

[CHUCKLES]

Donnie says hello.

Donnie?

Donald, my liberator.

Oh, you-- You have
a nickname for him already.

I have a gift for you.

I'm sure you do.

Let's just take it slowly,
honey, all right?

My body's still so sore

from all
this operational examination.

Uh, what
operational examination?

With Donnie.

He had to test me
to see that I work.

Test you how...?

You know...

No, I don't know...

My senses.

My five senses.

Make sure I can see...

hear, smell...

taste and touch.

And that
every little thing

in my body
is working properly.

Oh, my God,
he raped you.

No. Don't be ridiculous.

He liberated me.

He gave me life.

Why wouldn't I want
to thank him for it?

Well, you could've
just said thank you.

Don't be such a prude.

You're the one who told me

that I should be able
to choose you.

Right, I did.

How am I suppose
to choose you

without actually trying
to be with someone else?

[SHOWER RUNNING]

[MARIA LAUGHING]

[MARIA MOANS]

[MOANING]

[DEVILISH CHUCKLE]

[MOANING CONTINUES]

[SHOWER CONTINUES]

[SHOWER TURNS OFF]

[SHOWER DOOR CLOSES]

[??]

[STRUMMING DISCORDANT NOTES]

Was that me?

I look pretty sad
in the real world.

Not when
you put these on.

In here, you were magical.

I don't ever want
to see the realm again.

What were you searching for
in my bag?

I don't know, I got
possessive and jealous

and I wanted to know
what you hide in there.

I guess
I found something.

You're not talking
about the condoms, I assume?

I'm talking about
that fat, shiny chip.

That's the gift
from Donnie.

I thought
you were the gift.

No. This is it.

So what is it?

It's called
Eternal 1.

Donald said
it's an abandoned program

that was killed by State
at its Beta stage.

It was designed
to download the brain
of the soon to be deceased

so their relatives
could meet them later
in the realm worlds,

upload that data
right into their own CHIP.

You know, like, being able
to keep another person

right inside your brain.

It's pretty neat, right?

This one chip...

can contain everything
I am?

Everything I feel
and remember?

Yes, and there will be plenty
of room to include much more.

Adam, even from
my limited point of view

as a total newcomer
to this world,

I can tell that...

these are difficult times
for you people.

You know, when I was
on my way over here,

I thought about myself
transforming

into flesh and blood,

and I had
this funny question.

Take you, for example.

You were naturally conceived.

You're human and you think.

You have
consciousness, but...

what about the cells
that make up your body?

Are they conscious
of being part of you?

I think they're programmed
to scratch an itch,

and they have no knowledge
they're part

of this bigger thing
called Adam Bird.

So... So what is
your question?

Maybe, just maybe,

you're just a cell too,
Adam.

Like you think you have
this whole meaningful life,

but in the end,
all you really are

is a small cell
in God's own body.

You would think there's
a bigger purpose out there.

You're not sure what you're
supposed to achieve and why,

but you multiply,
and fight to survive just,

just like cells do.

And in the end,

after all those cells
have died,

this God will die too.

But even,
even he is only a small part

of another bigger God

that controls
more than this planet.

Look out there, Adam.

Look out there and see
how many stars are in the sky.

It's... It's infinite.

You're,
you're just a small cell.

And understanding that

is what will make you special.

Hey, wait a minute,
where are you going?

I wanted to meet you
my whole life

in the real world.

It was my biggest fantasy,
and you're just leaving?

When I was on the realm,

I was instantly
connected to knowledge.

And I learned about
this chemical reaction

that needs to happen
for you to feel

that you love someone.

That's funny.

It's those
same unconscious cells

deciding for us
when we feel in love.

It's really crazy, right?

Too much for one brain.

But maybe not enough
for one CHIP.

I really
like you, Adam,

but I don't love you.

I want to feel
real love.

[EREZ MOSHE'S "UNDER THE SUN"]

? Under the sun ?

? I was lonely ?

? But in your cold arms ?

? I felt safe ?

? Holding you tight ?

? I dreamt only ?

? Of a sea breeze ?

? A loving embrace ?

? Now I could never
Love you wholly ?

? This night thief ?

? Has taken my place ?

? You are my one ?

? My world and my only ?

? Until I was cursed ?

? With his face ?

? Under the sun ?

? I am lonely ?

[DOOR CLICKS]

? My, my, my, my ?

[GRUNTS]

[GASPING AND PANTING]

DR. MAPLE:
You want me to surprise you?

ADAM: Isn't that
what life is all about?

And if I do surprise you,

what will that prove?

ADAM: That you can be
as real as I am.

Can you, Dr. Maple?

Can your miserable clone cells

amount to more than
just programmable action?

Can you feel my pain?

[GASPING]

[??]

[POUNDING ON DOOR]

[POUNDING ON DOOR]

[POUNDING CONTINUES]

Oh, God...

You want to use this,
at least until...

Wait, where's Reena?

She's dead.

But I was supposed
to replace you, not her.

Well, tough luck,
she got hit by a car.

Whoo, that is
certainly fucked up.

[LAUGHS]

What are
you laughing at?

Well, what else
are you gonna do?

Well, uh,

do you want
to come in?

Sure.

[DOOR CLOSES, LOCK BEEPS]

Do you always
walk around naked?

No, it's very recent.

But I think
I'm liking it,

I feel free
all of a sudden.

Jesus, is that what
you people do on the realm?

Heh, is that even legal?

That-that was just me,
unloading my frustration.

In-in the real world,
I mean,

nobody
actually got hurt.

Are you gonna shoot her too?

I don't know
What I'm gonna do.

Well, you should know
that us replicas

can only use violence
in self defense.

We cannot initiate.

So, you're not in any sort
of danger from moi.

Still, I feel like
I want to hold onto it,

-if it's all the same with you.
-Sure.

You look good with it.
Very new age.

Naked with a gun.

Sounds like a rock album.

-Do you mind?
-No, go ahead.

It's just,
whenever I see a guitar,

I feel the need
to pick it up.

What do you mean,
"whenever"?

You were just created
today, no?

Yeah, but I have memories.

Aren't they
your memories too?

You know, I had this song
playing in my head

the whole way over here.

[PLAYING BALLAD BEAUTIFULLY]

? Close another book ?

? At the end of chapter one ?

? Gettin' older ?

? Well, it ain't much fun ?

? And all your idols burn ?

? In the sun ?

How did...?

I was never
that good a musician.

Really?

All my fondest memories
are of music and performance.

I assumed you were
in the arts yourself.

-Are you not?
-I'm in technology.
I'm a broker.

Well, every good broker needs
to be a bit of a good actor.

So you're a bullshit artist.

Still art.

So she made you
creative?

Who would've thought?

I always figured she was
the materialistic kind.

I guess
I underestimated her.

You bet your ass
you underestimated her.

Reena is great.

But you're so incapable
of being satisfied,

you could never see it.

[GLASSES CLINK]

What else
did she ask for?

Did you come with
a six-pack too?

I-- I think I look
just like you.

[SIGHS]

I-I don't believe this.

No, she had to ask
for something else.

She-she's no better
than me.

There-there has to be
a shallow touch to all this.

Would you like me to take
all my clothes off?

Yeah, actually.

If you don't mind.

So far so good.

Well, at least
she liked my underwear.

Oh, fuck her.

Come on! Really?

That's a very small
difference.

Trust me, that is anything
but a small difference.

That right there,
is saying more

than you can
possibly imagine.

So, what now?

I mean, how come
you're here, and she's dead?

Well, that's, that's
a very long story.

I have time.

Okay. Well, first,

my wife caught me
having a virtual affair.

Then she wanted me replaced,

but when I wanted
to stick around a little longer,

she ordered
my virtual assassination.

She killed me off on the realm!
And-and left me this house!

I guess she forgot that
you would be coming here first

and she certainly
did not expect

to get hit by a car.

And all of this, all of this,
this fucking warped reality

is because of
that Donald fucking Stein.

Heh, can you believe that?

How one person
can set something in motion

and the rest of the world
is never the same again!

[DRY CHUCKLE]

I feel like
getting in my car,

and going down
to that retirement home

and finding
that motherfucker who,

who defiled my fantasy,

who-who made it possible
for my wife to make
a better version of me.

I feel like going down there
and ending him!

What do you think
about that?!

I think it reminds me

of our favorite
high school play.

What?

What play?

You don't remember?

You must remember!

We were promising.

I have no idea
what you're talking about.

Sure you do.

Repeat after me.

I promise, it'll
all come back to you.

To be, or not to be.

That is the question.

Whether it is nobler
in the mind...

[BOTH RECITING]
to suffer the slings and arrows

of outrageous fortune.

But to take arms
against the sea
of troubles.

Yes, you remember!

And by opposing,
end them.

Go on!

To die, to sleep.

To sleep,
perchance to dream!

I, there is the rub.

For in that sleep
of death,

what dreams may come.

When we have shuffled off
this mortal coil...

Must give us pause.

There's a respect
that makes calamity

of so long life.

For who would bear

the whips and scorns
of time.

The oppressor's wrong,
the proud man's contumely...

The pangs
of despised love,

the law's delay,
the insolence of office...

The spurns that patient merit
of the unworthy takes...

When he himself
might his quietus make,

with a bare bodkin?

Who would fardels bare,

to grunt and sweat
under a weary life...

But that the dread
of something after death...

The undiscovered country!

For whose bourn
no traveler returns...

Puzzles the will!

And makes us rather bare,

those ills we have...

BOTH:
Than fly to others

that we know not of...

Thus conscience does
make cowards of us all,

And thus the native hue
of resolution

Is sicklied o'er with
the pale cast of thought,

And enterprises
of great pitch and moment

With this regard
their currents turn awry

And lose the name of action.

Soft you now,

the fair...

Maria...

Nymph, in thy orisons,

be all my sins
remembered...

That's beautiful work,
Adam.

Great work!

[SOUND OF APPLAUSE]

ADAM REPLICA: Adam Bird,
ladies and gentlemen.

To Adam Bird.

I'm not Adam Bird.

You're Adam Bird now.
I'm...

Richard Burbage.

What did she call you?

Richard Burbage.

[LAUGHS]
That's hysterical.

Why?

-Look it up.
-No.

Because I'd have log in
as Richard Burbage

to look up
Richard Burbage,

and I won't do it
because that's not who I am!

Or is it?

Maybe that is me.
Maybe I'm just a guy

who secretly wishes
he was Adam Bird.

But that's you.

You are everything that
I would ever wish to be.

And Reena somehow
figured that out,

and she, she knew
what I wanted to be

better than I did...

There's no shame
in admitting

that Reena's version
of Adam Bird

is a much better one.

It's holistic,
and less egotistical.

It's a version much more geared
to please other people.

Why don't you just embrace
your new identity, Richard?

I-I don't know...

I don't think
I can carry on,

knowing there's a replica
of me out there.

It just,
it doesn't seem right.

There should be
only one Adam Bird.

But you said it
yourself, Richard.

You're no longer
Adam Bird.

You're Richard Burbage.

I don't know
who I am anymore.

I don't even know
what I am!

I was told I can fit
inside a CHIP.

Everything I am
and ever was

can fit inside
one tiny microchip.

And there'll still be plenty
of room left for more.

What does it all mean?

It means you can live on
for eternity.

This whole flesh and blood
business-- it's near done.

Even us clones,

we're just like BluRays
to your VHS tapes...

Some transitional upgrade
that will doubtless

be obsolete
in due time.

In the end,
we're all gonna go virtual

and exist
in some cloud of neurons.

[GASPS]

Only the sand
will be left here.

Sand and silicon...

All the rest will be
out there on the realm,

and each of us will be
their own special virtual god.

But I was
virtually assassinated.

I can only exist virtually

as Richard Burbage.

That is
if I let you live...

I bet I can
find a way to reverse this

if I stick around
a little longer.

Wait, wait, wait...

Why did your wife order
a virtual assassination?

You never told me.

I'm dying.

My heart,
it's just not as certain

it wants to keep beating
any longer.

I need a new heart.

Do you know what I think?

I think
you've been skipping

your medication
for months now.

You owe back
on all these pills...

You should take 'em.

You should
take these pills

and balance yourself out
so you can think straight

and find
the right solution here.

Think about your kids...

You have to be strong
for them.

You have
to sacrifice yourself...

No.

You're just trying
to kill me.

You're trying to kill me
and take my place.
Isn't that right?!

"Too-cool-for-school" Adam,
"big-dick" Adam,

coming here to steal
my wife and kids...

Is that's what you think
is gonna happen?!

Because I have
a different ending in mind.

-[ADAM GRUNTS]
-I can't let you kill me.

I'm programmed with
a self defense mechanism.

We just call it survival!

Fuck.

[??]

[SHOVEL PIERCING DIRT]

[??]

[DOORBELL CHIMES]

Oh, my God.

I missed you.

I missed you too, baby.

Did you?

-What?
-Nothing.

I-I just
remember those differently.

-[LAUGHS]
-Are you disappointed?

Just surprised.

In a good way.

Well, good. Heh.

[DOOR CLOSES, LOCK BEEPS]

We should get back
to the house.

The kids are there.
I miss them.

Really?

I don't remember you
being the homely type.

I've changed.

I'm a better man now.

Oh, boy,
you sure are...

I guess we're
both better now.

Oh, my God, I don't think
I've ever felt this good.

And-and I don't think
that I have ever

loved you more than I do
right now.

Me too.

[GASPS]
Oh, my God.

Premium 3 is gonna
save the world.

Yeah. If only we can
just replace everyone.

Well, it's not
such a bad idea.

-We could start with the kids.
-Yeah, right?

Feed 'em an overdose
of Lithium X,

get 'em back
just perfect.

Well, I mean...

I guess Kenny could use
a bit more compassion.

And Joshua is
a touch too sensitive.

What about Nate?

If we think hard enough,

I'm sure
we can find something

to improve in him too.

We can be the first family
of clones.

Yes.

We will win.

Well, until something else
comes along.

[DISTANT DISTORTED MUSIC
PLAYING OVER SMALL SPEAKER]

[ADAM SINGING AND PLAYING
GUITAR FROM EARLIER; DISTORTED]

? And all your idols burn ?

? In the sun ?

[ADAM LAUGHING]

[EREZ MOSHE'S "IDOLS"]

? Mmm, close another book ?

? At the end of chapter one ?

? Gettin' older ?

? Well, it ain't much fun ?

? All your idols burning ?

? In the sun ?

? Wisdom scars and a heart
That used to host ?

? Have now jumped ship
And swimming back to coast ?

? And all your idols ?

? Falling one by one ?

[VOCALIZING]

? All your idols ?

? Falling one by one ?

? Your puppy eyes
Don't fool my kind no more ?

? Came in through the window ?

? And left through
The front door ?

? I'm not diggin'
In an open sore ?

? The road has led me
Once again ?

? To you ?

? My friend ?

? I'll follow at your stairs ?

? A simple man ?

? Memories will surely
Fade away ?

? In the end ?

? Tomorrow is another day ?