The Final Cut (2004) - full transcript
The story is set in a world where implanted microchips can record all moments of an individual's life. The chips are removed upon death so the images can be edited into something of a highlight reel for loved ones who want to remember the deceased. Caviezel portrays the leader of the organization that opposes this technology's development.
Can i play?
Do you have
any marbles?
Yep.
Ok.
Thanks.
You're welcome.
So, what's
your name?
Louis. Yours?
Alan.
You're not from
around here, are you?
No. I'm here with
my parents for the day.
What?
What's over there?
Don't do it, al. We're not even
allowed to be here.
Come on.
Wait for me.
Let's go back down.
Nope.
Don't!
Alan, don't!
See? That
wasn't so bad.
Just don't look down.
Louis!
Come on.
See?
It's steady.
Louis.
I can't move!
Come on!
Aah!
Alan, help!
Wait!
Man: here it comes.
Just relax.
You're doing great now.
All right. Now, just
a couple more seconds.
Second man:
here it comes, sweetie.
Just keep breathing.
All right, the head's crowning.
Very good.
Woman: excellent.
Oh, here we go.
One more
big push, sweetie.
That's it.
Now breathe.
It's coming.
Push, push, push!
Oh, here we go.
We have a boy.
Have a boy.
Oh. Oh.
Mother: oh, is he ok?
Oh, he's perfect.
He's fine. He's fine.
A beautiful son.
Beautiful. He's beautiful.
Are we ok?
He's fine, honey.
He's beautiful.
He's beautiful.
Woman: oh, he's perfect.
Congratulations dad.
Here he comes.
You did really well.
Oh, hi. Oh, it's ok.
Oh, it's a beautiful
baby boy. You did really well.
Woman: he's got his eyes open.
He's looking at you.
What's his name?
Danny.
Mother: danny.
Danny, come here, sweetie.
Get away from the ants.
See, we have the best‐fed
ants in the neighborhood.
Come on.
Have to do that later.
Jason, my guys took
your guy's gun.
Can't. It's attached
to his leg. See?
Man: oh, my god.
That's me, man.
That's me.
Mother: danny, play nice
with your brother.
What's that music
you're using? I really dig it.
Whatever it is,
it's terrific, man.
It really...
I don't know...
Suits his life somehow.
Man: so, danny,
you still drawing?
Nope.
No? Didn't you
want to grow up
To be an artist?
That's some of
the opening sequence.
The rest needs
some fixes and tweaks.
But right now,
he's clocking in
At one hour
and 40 minutes.
Yeah, that's cool.
I just wanted
to have a look...
Before the rememory
tomorrow.
You know.
You've done a hell of a job
with him, mr. Hakman.
You've done
the son of a bitch right.
You're welcome.
I don't suppose...
There was a fishing trip
when we were 13‐‐
Just danny and i and dad‐‐
At the cape.
Yes, that one.
My god, that day
is still with me.
You requested it
specifically. It's there.
Well, i'll
be off, then.
Computer:
closing zoe project,
D. Monroe, rough cut 6.
Opening d. Monroe,
scene 127‐q.
Danny! Aah!
I told you to shut up!
Aah! Danny! Danny, stop!
You‐‐
You deserve
this, bitch!
Aah! No! God!
What are you doing?
No! Stop!
You're killing me!
Stop!
Computer: scene 127‐q
deleted.
Woman on speaker:
eye tech introduces
The ninth generation
of the zoe implant...
From our family
to yours.
Woman: do you think
we'll be able to afford one?
Yep.
I hope so.
Well, we can say
it's worth it, i think.
Excuse me.
Man: this girl
was a complete wreck‐‐
Drinking, drugs,
in and out of schools.
Then she turns 21,
and she finds out
About her zoe implant.
Complete 180.
She's born again.
Her knowing that someone would
one day watch transforms her
Into this kind,
gentle, loving person.
So, what happened?
She committed suicide,
Took a dive off her balcony‐‐
27 floors
straight onto her head.
The implant
was instantly vaporized.
Charming story, hasan.
Please do go on.
Hasan: alan.
This is
a rare treat.
Alan. Michael,
this is alan hakman.
Hi.
Hi.
It's an honor
to meet you.
Mike is
my new assistant.
What happened
to eddie?
Eddie freaked out on me.
Strung too tight.
Hey, alan, have you
seen these?
They are
all over town.
You know, these
anti‐zoe hippies
Always seemed a little
crazy to me.
But now they just
seem crazy.
Listen...
"It is not our place
"To see through
other people's eyes.
That is for god
and god alone."
Whew.
Anyway, how's the monroe
project coming?
Fine.
Just fine?
Just fine.
Michael, it's
your great privilege
To meet this man.
He's the best
cutter in town.
Who's your assistant?
I don't have
an assistant.
Because i have a friend
That's looking to get into the racket.
She's really talented.
I don't work
with an assistant.
You have something
for me, thelma.
Straight
to business.
I got a job last week
that i passed on,
And i think it's
right up your alley.
You know
charles bannister?
His widow is looking
for a cutter.
Bannister,
the eye tech lawyer?
Mm‐hmm. He was out jogging,
and his heart collapsed.
Wait a minute. Eye tech
let that footage out?
Jennifer bannister won
the lawsuit against them
And claimed
her husband's implant.
She insisted on having
her own cutter, too.
And with good reason.
We could have taken
that job, you know.
After caldwell,
our schedule is wide open.
I don't like
the ugly stuff.
It gives me
nightmares.
And this pig
bannister...
He's human
garbage.
I took one look
at the footage
And sent it
straight back.
Anyway...
She only hired me because you
were busy with monroe.
It's you she really wants.
I'm available.
Good.
Our friend alan, that's
his specialty, so to speak.
If you can't bear
to look at it, he will.
I'll tell her
you'll come by tomorrow.
She'll be
expecting you.
Um...
We should
actually go.
Oh, yes. Rememory
is in 2 days,
And we're still
cutting picture.
Goddamn
last‐minute jobs.
Thelma, come on.
It keeps you young.
Alan.
Hasan.
Oh, hey.
Alan. Alan.
I've been
working on
This new sorting program
for the guillotine,
And i would really love
To get your feedback
on it, you know.
Maybe another time.
Yeah, maybe
some other time.
Put it in archives
very gently.
Sure.
All right.
Delila, is suicide
under self‐help?
What are you doing here?
I just wanted
to talk.
I'm busy.
Mm‐hmm?
Mm‐hmm.
Store's still open.
It's the 11:30 rush.
Books are flying
off the shelf.
We close
in 20 minutes.
Delila:
this is exciting.
You've never had me
over before.
Alan: you've always
wanted to see my work.
Well, you're
always working.
I'm curious about what
takes up all your time.
Guillotine.
You're like a mortician...
Or a priest...
Or a taxidermist.
All of them.
I mean...
You get to see
life upon life.
Most of us get
only one, if that.
What are people's
lives like?
Do they make
any sense?
It all seems so massive
and so random.
Have you ever been
to a rememory?
No. Well... once,
a few years ago.
Whose?
My ex‐boyfriend.
But i couldn't take it.
I didn't stay.
Why not?
Because
it just wasn't...
It wasn't him.
And i wanted to
remember him my way.
Sit down.
Thank you.
It's like
you read my mind, alan.
I have this recurring dream
where i'm aging backwards.
Wow.
What about all
the bits in between?
It's a miniature‐‐
Concise, symmetrical.
That's the way
the world looks to me,
The way i see it.
How do you do this?
It's what i was
meant to do.
You were meant to live
your own life, too.
Hey.
Hey.
Woman: the house
was big, enormous,
Like this one.
And we didn't care
whose house it was.
It felt... dangerous
to be there.
It felt exciting.
I can see the grass.
I can hear it crunching
beneath our feet.
And then the sprinklers
came on...
Whoosh...
all around us,
And we ran.
I remember that
like it was yesterday.
Do you recall any moments
with your daughter?
Mmm...this isn't
long ago.
We were watching isabel
in a school talent show.
She was wonderful
that night.
I think charles and i
both felt
What an amazing thing
a family was.
We felt it together.
Oh, she was up there
on that stage.
Oh...goodness.
Excuse me.
I know this is very hard,
mrs. Bannister,
But it's important.
It's the foundation
of a cutter's work.
I need you
and your family
To help me choose those
moments you want to keep.
I won't be able to do
your husband justice
If i don't understand him
through you.
I heard
you were the best,
That you would know
how to handle charles.
My husband was
a great man, mr. Hakman.
He deserves to be remembered
as a great man.
After my initial cut, i will
need to speak with isabel.
Is that necessary?
There's nothing that any one of
you can tell me
That i won't know
very soon.
Of course.
Yes.
Rom.
Please call
eye tech storage.
Tell them mr. Hakman
will be dropping by.
Rom: very good, ma'am.
Thank you.
I've, um...
i've seen rememories
Where the cutters
were careless.
They had no respect
for the dead.
The dead mean nothing
to me, mrs. Bannister.
I took this project
because i respect the living.
You are blasphemous,
you freak!
Why don't you people
go home?
Just go home!
Show some respect!
Open your eyes!
Man: i'm sorry, mrs. Monroe.
It's never been this bad before.
Man: so...
this is him, huh?
That's him.
Woman: caroline,
are you all right?
Man: oh, you did
very well.
Oh, hi. Oh, it's ok.
Shh. Oh...
Woman: he's got
his eyes open.
He's looking at you.
What's his name?
Danny.
Hi, danny.
Oh, careful.
Hey, daniel, we got
some visitors for you.
Uh‐oh. Look.
Everybody's here.
Look.
There's your grandma.
Look.
That's grandma.
How are you
feeling, eliza?
I'm good.
I'm really good.
Excellent.
Look what i made.
Ha ha ha!
That looks
really good, danny.
Ok. Now go wash out
your brush.
Hi. Oh.
Come on, uncle.
Bring a steak for us.
Sit in the shade, honey.
So, danny,
you still drawing?
Nope.
No? Didn't you want to
grow up to be an artist?
Not anymore.
No? What did you
want to be, then?
A doctor.
A doctor, eh?
Clever kid.
That'll keep you
in the bucks.
Why a doctor?
Because i want to help
people when they're hurt.
Would you listen
to this little kid?
Hey, you got
a good heart, danny.
And that's all
you need in life.
Now, come on. Be a good boy
and eat your lunch.
Now i make
the incision here.
Hand me the number
17, please.
Actually, professor,
i think the number 12
Would be
more appropriate.
Yes. Correct.
The number 12.
Thank you, mr. Monroe.
Hello there.
I'm dr. Daniel monroe.
I've seen you
around the hospital
These last few days,
and i couldn't help but notice
The most beautiful
woman here.
Ha ha ha.
I was wondering if maybe
you'd like to join me
For dinner sometime.
That might be nice.
You lasted longer
than i thought you would.
Come on, danny boy.
It's a strange
profession you have,
Isn't it, alan?
You take people's lives,
make lies out of them.
Fletcher, it's been
a long time.
8 years.
Yeah. Well, i don't have time
to catch up right now.
Voices on video:
come on! Speech!
Say something.
Speech.
Danny on video:
i want to thank all of you.
I mean that.
This is the best birthday
I have ever had.
Oh, how can you
handle it, alan?
People sleeping
and shitting,
People stealing
from each other,
Manipulating
each other...
The obscenity.
Shh!
I can't talk.
I'm working.
Well, now...
i'm hurt.
That's not
why i'm here.
I'm booked solid
for the next 2 months.
No, no, no.
I don't have
a job lead for you.
Actually, you do have
something that i need, though.
What could i possibly
have that you want?
I know you've taken
the bannister project,
And i want it.
Wow. I thought
you'd given up cutting.
I'm offering you
$500,000 in cash.
Oh, what? The code.
Would you forget
The damn code and grow up?
This is real life now.
Hey, did you change the
color of our fishing boat?
I would never do that.
Are you sure? Because
i remember it being green...
Not red.
Weird. Like, all my
memories in that boat
Have it being green. Like,
it just blew my mind.
Maybe it was green.
Will you excuse me?
I have to go.
Ok. Rush, rush, rush.
Beautiful work,
mr. Hakman.
I'll keep you
in mind for me.
Ah, yes, the questions‐‐
"i remember it differently.
Are you sure
that's what happened?"
Some of us still live
by the code, fletcher.
We didn't walk away.
We have what it takes.
And what does it
take, alan?
Delusion?
Obsession? Guilt?
No, i don't have
any of those,
Not as much
as you do.
I'll be in touch.
Aah!
Wait!
Woman: my heart
was in my throat.
Man: oh, that part
with the partners.
Could you believe that?
Woman: it's the rememory
your husband deserved, caroline.
He really was
someone special.
Thank you, nathalie.
Yeah! Oh, danny!
Danny! Oh!
Excuse me.
Mr. Hakman.
Mrs. Monroe.
Why are they
tattooed like that?
I'm not sure.
They're so grotesque,
aren't they?
Sorry about your loss.
Thank you.
Man: look!
It's the cutter!
Hey, hey! Back off!
Back off!
Keep your distance.
Computer: receiving zoe footage,
charles bannister.
Processing...
544,628 life hours.
Sorting life files.
Childhood...sleep...
Puberty...
Eating...awkward phase...
Romantic life...
Temptation...
personal hygiene...
Religion...tragedy...
Wedding...
Masturbation...fears...
Athletics...
Growth spurt...
University...
Violence...school...
Courtship...career...
Charles' voice:
... these documents,
And i'm quite concerned
about eye tech's liability.
I think if any of this
were to get out,
It could be
quite devastating.
We do have $1.2 billion
That we wish to invest,
And i'm just wondering,
with eye tech,
If there's anything‐‐
What do you think?
I love it.
Thank you, charles.
Hey, charlie, come help
me build a sandcastle.
Here. Use my shovel.
Charles' voice:
happy anniversary, honey.
Is it keys?
Hi, baby.
You still awake?
No.
Daddy loves you
so much.
You know that.
I love you,
too, dad.
Do you want to come
down to my study?
I'd like to show you
what i'm working on.
What are you
working on?
It's a new case.
Come on.
Ok.
So, how was
school today?
Good.
We read a book
About kipper,
the sparky dog.
Kipper,
the sparky dog?
Mm‐hmm. He's
a very happy dog.
Oh.
Daddy.
What, sweetie?
Can i have a pet?
Well, maybe.
What kind of pet?
Maybe a kitty.
A kitty? Of course.
Go on in, honey.
Daddy.
Yes, sweetie?
I want to go
back to bed.
In a little while,
baby.
In a little while.
Daddy loves you so much.
You know that.
And i love you,
too, dad.
Thank you.
Wasn't she wonderful?
You look lovely, honey.
Thank you.
I'll tell rom to bring up
some more champagne.
Fine.
Would you
like one, sir?
No, thank you.
Isabel wanted to stay up
and say hello,
But the poor thing
fell asleep.
It's a beautiful picture.
She's a very bright
little girl.
Yes, she is. Jennifer
and i are very lucky.
We're very fortunate.
We're looking forward
to spending‐‐
Huh.
So, what's your name?
Louis. Yours?
Alan.
Computer:
identity match.
Searching.
Alan: come on.
Louis: no,
i can't move.
I can't move!
Fletcher: i know you've taken
the bannister project,
And i want it.
I found
something, delila.
I mean,
in a new project‐‐
Something
very important,
And i have
to explore it.
It's, um...
A new cutting project?
That's what you're
talking to me about, alan?
Well...
more than that.
Alan, you've seen
so much life,
And somehow
you miss the point.
I mean, i haven't
even heard from you
Since that night
at your apartment.
I need you.
Why?
Why do you need me?
There's no place
for me with you.
You haven't even
made room for yourself.
You have to separate
yourself from that machine.
Yeah. Yeah.
Alan.
Alan. You look
like shit.
What happened
to your face?
This?
Rather not
elaborate. Come in.
I mean...you decided
That this scene,
this event,
Is what made this woman
who she was.
You've taken this
woman's entire life
And drawn a straight line
from this particular moment.
How can you make
a decision like that?
Whittling a life
down to one‐‐
Thelma: michael,
michael,
We have to make
story decisions.
Otherwise, there will be
no rememories.
Yeah, i just...
i still don't buy it.
Well, you don't
have to buy it.
You just have to
do it. Trust me.
Alan, darling,
you look spooked.
Sorry about the place.
The kids' a mess.
I need to speak
with you alone.
Michael, honey, would you
run down to the store
And buy us
some cigarettes?
We've got
8 packs already.
Well, then go
and return them, sweetheart.
We don't need so many.
He's an emotional one.
Now...are you all right?
I saw fletcher
yesterday.
Really?
Yeah.
Fletcher. Hmm...
Now, he was
a great assistant.
What happened to him
after he quit?
He seems changed.
We kept in touch
for a few years,
And then
his sister laura‐‐
You remember laura.
She had a son,
died of leukemia.
He was only 12.
She never
got over it.
She spent
days and days
Watching his unedited
zoe footage...
And stopped speaking
to everyone.
And then she didn't even
recognize who fletcher was.
After that, he dropped
off the map completely.
Do you think
he could be involved
With anti‐implant
groups?
I've heard rumors...
Talk of them being
organized by an ex‐cutter.
I never thought
it could be fletcher.
He wants to buy
bannister's footage.
These anti‐implant groups
Have become like
religious fanatics.
They gave michael one hell
of a beating last night.
So it's not just talk anymore.
You know, if they want
bannister's life,
The bastard's not worth
fighting for.
Give the footage
back to his widow.
Let her deal with it.
I can't give it back.
There's someone in that project
i haven't seen for years.
Oh, i hate
when that happens.
Oh, yeah.
He's at a party,
in a crowd,
Never mentioned
by name.
I've got to
find him, though.
He's not a main character
in bannister's life.
It'll take
the guillotine days
To track his face
through the footage.
Who is this person?
Just someone
from my childhood.
Bannister's life
is my only lead.
Ok. Go through
the family,
Snoop around,
tell them
You're doing research
for the project.
It might be faster than
waiting for the guillotine.
Be careful, alan.
So...
How is it that you and i
know each other again?
We don't.
That's the wrong
answer, pal.
We share a mutual
friend‐‐billy finch.
Billy who?
Don't play games.
I know you better than that.
I know all your little
secrets, oliver.
How do you
know my name?
I know that you suffocated
those kittens when you were 13.
I know that that scar on your
head was self‐inflicted,
And i know that you
sold billy the gun
That he killed
his brother with.
They say that friends
help you move,
But good friend help you
move bodies, don't they?
I just want
what billy wanted‐‐
A gun.
Take it. Take it.
And...and these.
Take these.
Take them all.
Take them all.
Please go, ok?
Just go.
Thank you, ollie.
Take care.
Woman on speaker:
the star train
Is now arriving
on platform 5.
I'm here.
Is this why you wanted
to meet me here?
I thought it would
be safer this way.
How's thelma doing?
I can't give you
bannister,
And you know
i can't.
It's unbelievable,
when you think about it.
One in 20 of these
people has an implant.
How will that baby remember
his mother years from now?
Will he remember the
special moments between them
Or moments someone like
you decides are special?
My job is to help
people remember
What they want to
remember, fletcher.
Ah. Oh, that's...noble.
But i don't think
You understand the scope of the
damage.
There is no way to
measure the profound effect
The zoe implant has had on the
way people relate to each other.
"Am i being filmed?
Should i say this or not?
"What will they
think in 30 years
If i do this or that?"
And what about
The simple right
not to be photographed?
The right not to pop up
in some guy's rememory
Without even knowing
you were being filmed?
I didn't invent
the technology.
If people didn't want it,
they wouldn't buy it, fletcher.
It fulfills
a human need.
Alan, you take murderers
and make them saints.
That's why we need
charles bannister.
He was a public figure for eye
tech,
Their star attorney‐‐
Well respected,
loved his family,
Gave to charity, and if you
get through with him,
That's all anyone
will ever know.
But bannister is the first
eye tech employee
Whose implant has left
the confines of the corporation.
His widow fought for that.
We know she's hiding
something
About him and his daughter,
and we're gonna find it.
Eye tech's hands
aren't clean.
Bannister's implant
is evidence.
So you want to destroy
eye tech with a scandal?
Absolutely. The press
would go apeshit.
He's the perfect
candidate.
I must have
his footage.
Is this about
your sister?
Don't even
say her name.
You don't know
anything about that.
She has nothing
to do with it.
These implants distort
personal history
And therefore all history,
And i will not stand by
while the past is rewritten
For the sake
of pleasant rememories.
Tell me something.
Why is your name
The first on the list
For cutting scumbags
and lowlifes?
Because i forgive
people long after
They could be punished
for their sins.
I know what you do.
Why do you do it?
Do you know what
a sin eater is?
It's part of
an ancient tradition.
When someone would die, they
would call for a sin eater.
Sin eaters were social
outcasts, marginals.
They would
lay out the body,
Put bread and salt
on the chest,
Coins upon the eyes.
The sin eater would eat
the bread and salt,
Take the coins
as payment.
By doing this,
the eater absorbed
The sins
of the deceased,
Cleansing their soul and
allowing them safe passage
Into the afterlife.
That was their job.
And what about
the sin eater
Who bears the burden
of all those wrongs?
Are you worried about
my soul, fletcher?
I will have bannister.
I can't give him
to you.
You see that man
behind me?
I don't want to bring him
into this conversation,
But i will if you
leave me no other choice.
Alan.
Alan!
Do you remember
the moment
You first fell in love
with your husband?
Goodness.
How can you answer
a question like that? Um...
The pier?
Yes, the pier.
He had taken me down
to the pier.
It was springtime. We were
walking, and he was going on‐‐
This was
during college?
Yes, i was
in college,
And i remember, i looked
up at him, and i thought,
This is the man i want to spend
the rest of my life with.
I just have one more question.
There was a man
at one of your parties.
A man?
A man with glasses.
You may have noticed them.
They're very thick glasses.
Thick glasses?
Mr. Hakman, how
is this relevant?
Minor people i don't even know
have no place in the rememory.
Family...
Career...
Community.
That's all i want.
Cut everything else.
Well, maybe i could
speak with isabel?
Right now?
It would be
very helpful.
yes, of course.
Isabel?
Remember what
i told you?
Mr. Hakman wants to
talk to you about daddy.
It's for daddy's
rememory.
Man: mrs. Bannister.
We have a problem
with the caterers.
Hi, isabel.
Hello, mr. Hakman.
"Mr. Hakman."
That's very formal.
My name is alan.
Beautiful house.
What's going on in there?
Birthday party
for mr. Froggy.
Do you think
mr. Froggy would mind
If i took you away
from the party for a minute?
Ok.
Who's that
in your arms?
My doll.
Oh. What's
her name?
She doesn't have a name.
She's just a doll. See?
Isabel, your daddy‐‐
My daddy is the best
daddy in the world.
He had a really big
meeting one day,
But instead, he took me
horseback riding.
He would read me stories
before bed every night.
Sometimes he would
make it up as he went along,
And i knew,
but i didn't care.
Your mom said i was here
to talk about your dad.
But we don't have to do
that if you don't want.
I don't want.
Ok.
Then we won't.
When i was a little
older than you,
I lost
both my parents.
Not many people know
what you're feeling.
Not many people
understand.
But i do.
You don't want me nosing
around, asking questions.
And you're right.
Ok.
Alan...
It's not really
mr. Froggy's birthday.
It's in a week.
Can i ask one question?
And then i'm gone.
There was a man who was at
one of your parents' parties.
The thing that's special
about this man
Is he wore glasses that
were very, very thick.
They're almost like the bottom
of a glass bottle.
Mr. Hunt. I took him
the invitation.
Mr. Hunt?
Was his name...
louis hunt?
He was my teacher.
Really? What
does he teach?
He doesn't teach
anymore.
He died in
a car accident a year ago.
It was very sad.
Did you have a rememory,
like for your father?
I don't know.
We just had a day at school
Where we talked about him.
Thank you, isabel.
Alan.
Are you gonna fix
what my daddy can remember?
In a way... yes.
Can you make him
forget that i...
That i drew on
his contract with crayon?
I will.
And that i pulled dottie's
hair so hard that she cried.
Will he forget that?
He'll forget.
But make sure
you don't.
Hey, alan.
Would you relax?
There's nobody
following us, all right?
You know, this is a really
big favor i'm doing for you.
You're lucky my cousin karim
is working late tonight.
Thank you.
So, what's
this guy's name?
Louis hunt.
Well, if he
had an implant,
There will be
a record of it in here.
Karim: i could lose my job,
letting cutters in here.
Hasan: come on, karim.
Would i get you in trouble?
They can track anyone
accessing data from a computer,
So this is
the best i can do.
Please hurry.
Wait.
These are genealogies.
I don't know his family tree.
How do i use this?
No, no, no. Hard copies
are sorted by series numbers,
Alphabetically on the boxes and
then arranged by implant date.
He's the same age
as i am, so...
So it would be
a...1500 series.
2000. Oh, great.
Ah.
Ah!
Hunt.
No hunt.
Alan.
Alan,
are you ok?
I'm fine.
Ok.
Hello, mr. And mrs. Hakman,
And welcome
to the eye tech family.
You've made
an important decision.
You've purchased a zoe implant
for your unborn son.
What does that mean?
Immortality.
No longer do our most cherished
moments together
Have to fade
and disappear over time.
Remember, the zoe implant
is entirely organic
And since it grows
With your baby's brain
and nerve centers,
It's virtually undetectable.
When is the right time
to tell your child
About their miraculous gift?
Yeah.
By their 21st birthday,
Most carriers are mature
enough to understand,
And from then on,
your son can live his life
Knowing that always
and forever,
His experiences
and adventures
Will be revisited
and relished,
And that's what great memories
are made of.
Congratulations.
Man: oh, my god.
That's me, man.
Aah!
Fletcher: you take people's
lives, make lies out of them.
Isabel: my daddy is the best
daddy in the world.
Fletcher: it's unbelievable
when you think about it.
One in 20 of these people
has an implant.
Man: when is the right time
to tell your child
About their miraculous gift?
Delila: what are
people's lives like?
Do they make any sense? It all
seems so massive and so random.
Fletcher: this is
real life now.
Louis: don't do that. We're
not even allowed to be here.
Fletcher: you take murderers
and make them saints.
Get out of my head!
Oh. Oh. Oh, no.
Delila: oh, alan...
Your phone call
had me so worried.
I saw the mirror.
Hmm.
What happened to you?
I saw something.
All right. You cannot
let your work
Get to you like this.
Please don't leave.
What have you got
to eat in this dump?
Not much.
Try looking
in the cupboards.
The cupboard.
I saw that in a project
i was working on‐‐ an herbalist.
It looked
interesting.
Blah!
Oh, that's disgusting.
Well...
I guess we
order out, then.
I want to
show you something.
I've never shown it
to anyone.
Delila: oh.
What is this?
Alan: some implants
have a defect.
They can't
differentiate
Between what the eye sees
and what the mind sees.
What? Ha ha.
Where were these?
In dreams?
Yeah, dreams...
daydreams,
Hallucinations.
It's so beautiful.
Fletcher: where are you
off to, alan?
Let's do this.
No, no. Not now.
There's somebody
up there.
This has to be
clean, no mess.
Clean, dirty.
It's all the same to me.
I think he's
a cutter.
You want
to do him?
Yeah, i'll do him.
Hi.
You need to follow her.
Now, you know
how this works?
No, not at all.
Ok. We draw
synth tattoos
With electrosynthetic ink.
And it creates
a magnetic field
Which interferes
with the zoe implant,
Blocking it from recording
audio or video...
From that point on.
Now, first we do
the audio tattoo,
And we wait a week.
And if you don't
get a migraine,
And your system
takes it,
Then we'll do
the video tattoo.
Do i have to cover
my whole face?
No.
Those guys...
They're just
young and angry.
You want it
discreet.
Very.
Yeah.
Will this hurt?
Oh, yeah.
Fletcher?
I'm armed.
Man on video:
what's the matter, delila?
Delila on video: you know
that recurring dream i have?
You know that
recurring dream i have,
Where i get younger
and younger? I had it again.
I make you happy?
Yeah.
Well, i make
myself miserable.
Well, that's just
because you're silly.
You're silly.
How can you not be
happy right now?
I think the first books i read
were really, really sad.
Like, why do they make
children's books so sad?
They're always
terribly tragic.
Delila: not so hard to make
this thing play disks.
Not so hard at all.
Delila‐‐
shut up!
That was my old boyfriend,
you bastard.
Is that why you wanted
to be with me?
Because you saw some proof
that i'm to your liking?
No.
These moments...
they belong to me, alan.
The good and the bad.
They're mine and his!
Who are you to take them
away from me?!
No! No!
Uh!
Don't touch me!
Ah!
A gun.
Who are you?
Please, please, no.
Who are you, alan?!
No! No!
No!
Ow!
Why did you do that?
Mine!
Ah!
Oh...
You're still here.
Alan, this thing
is dropped.
The implant itself
is severed.
God himself could not
retrieve that footage,
And you know that.
Then we have to access
a different life.
Ok.
Well, where is it?
My implant.
What?
The one in my head.
Ah...
You want to take
a shot, too?
Everybody else has.
I deserved that one.
You deserve a lot more
than that, hakman.
Why didn't you
tell us, alan?
Because i didn't know until
i found the files at eye tech.
I never thought my parents
could afford one.
Turns out, they took
a loan to get it.
How could you
not know?
Because they died
before they told me.
They just never
got around to it.
You know
the code, alan.
It's one of
our central tenets.
A cutter cannot have
a zoe implant.
I need to access
that footage.
I need it right now.
Yeah? Well,
that's impossible.
Oh, no,
it's possible.
It was done before
by you‐‐
An attempt
to access footage
While a carrier
was still alive.
I performed that...
And the woman never
recovered, alan.
And i will not
try that again.
Then you know what
it's like to be haunted.
One memory,
one single incident
Has made me who i am.
It won't leave me be.
The guilt
tears me apart,
But now i got a chance
to find out the truth.
I have to take it.
Alan, you brought
an implant amongst us.
Why should i help you?
If i try it myself,
i'll die.
And i will try it myself.
We've been friends
for too long, my dear.
I can't let you
kill yourself, can i?
But you understand,
you can never cut again.
Yeah.
The last time i tried this,
the woman's nervous system
Shut down immediately.
It couldn't handle it.
She was a blank
for the rest of her life.
Now remember‐‐
i can't copy anything
Into our hard drive.
You can only watch.
You know exactly which scene
you're going to?
I sure do.
You have 5 minutes.
Anything longer than that
is just too risky.
Ok.
Mmm!
Christie.
I remember her.
It's me.
Alan.
Almost there.
There we are.
Come and get me.
Let's go back down.
Don't!
I'll meet you back
on the ground floor.
Hold on. I'm coming.
No. Wait. Wait.
It isn't steady
anymore.
Louis, please,
just stop.
I can't move!
Ok, louis,
you can make it.
Just a few
more steps.
Grab my hand!
Wait!
Thelma: alan.
We're done!
We're done!
Alan, unplug it.
I can't.
Aah!
Alan!
Alan!
Alan?
I'm all right.
Do you have any idea
how close you came?
I saw him.
I tried to help.
I told him
to turn around.
He wouldn't listen.
He fell, but...
But he was breathing.
It wasn't blood.
It was paint.
Now i remember.
Thank you.
Mmm...
Looking for this?
The implant's history.
You better find yourself
another perfect candidate.
Do you know how much
planning it took
To make bannister's
footage available?
Do you?!
He died of a coronary
complication.
I was the complication.
Or didn't you get
to that part yet?
I guess no one will.
I bet he still keeps
good notes. Don't you, alan?
All of it?
All of it. It was
a terrible accident.
Sometimes the older guillotines
Can damage
a zoe implant.
There's no replacing
your husband's life.
He deserved a rememory and
a place in your zoe family tree.
I'm sorry.
You will...
waive your fee?
Of course.
And you'll never speak
of charles to anyone?
What can one do?
Accidents will happen.
Perhaps... some things
are best forgotten.
Perhaps.
Oh.
God, isabel,
you scared me.
Isabel, honey,
what's the matter?
Isabel.
Isabel, what‐‐
what's wrong, honey?
Isabel.
A friend?
Yeah. Something
like that.
I hear you're not
cutting anymore.
Well, i've had enough
of other people's lives.
Stop, alan.
I can't let you go.
What now?
Word travels fast
in my circles.
And the word is, a cutter
came in for a synth tattoo.
Word is
that cutter is you.
You saw that implant.
It was destroyed. It's useless.
You. Bannister's
footage is gone,
But you've seen
his life.
It's encrypted
into your implant.
Aah!
Will you look at that?
Louis: come and get me.
Isabel: he had
a very big meeting one day,
But he took me
horseback riding instead.
He would read me
stories every night.
Sometimes he would make it up
as he went along,
And i knew,
but i didn't care.
Alan: your mom said i was here
to talk about your dad.
We don't need to do that
if you don't want to.
Yes, sweetie?
Daddy.
I want to go
back to bed.
It's john's birthday.
Italian. You love italian.
A toast.
Happy birthday,
fletcher.
Thanks, alan.
Alan. Alan, put
the newspaper down. Come on.
You gonna lighten up
and be gay for a moment?
Fletcher: it's for
the greater good, alan.
Your life
will mean something.
I promise.
?♪
?♪
? i'll stay in your arms ♪
? until enchanted days ♪
Do you have
any marbles?
Yep.
Ok.
Thanks.
You're welcome.
So, what's
your name?
Louis. Yours?
Alan.
You're not from
around here, are you?
No. I'm here with
my parents for the day.
What?
What's over there?
Don't do it, al. We're not even
allowed to be here.
Come on.
Wait for me.
Let's go back down.
Nope.
Don't!
Alan, don't!
See? That
wasn't so bad.
Just don't look down.
Louis!
Come on.
See?
It's steady.
Louis.
I can't move!
Come on!
Aah!
Alan, help!
Wait!
Man: here it comes.
Just relax.
You're doing great now.
All right. Now, just
a couple more seconds.
Second man:
here it comes, sweetie.
Just keep breathing.
All right, the head's crowning.
Very good.
Woman: excellent.
Oh, here we go.
One more
big push, sweetie.
That's it.
Now breathe.
It's coming.
Push, push, push!
Oh, here we go.
We have a boy.
Have a boy.
Oh. Oh.
Mother: oh, is he ok?
Oh, he's perfect.
He's fine. He's fine.
A beautiful son.
Beautiful. He's beautiful.
Are we ok?
He's fine, honey.
He's beautiful.
He's beautiful.
Woman: oh, he's perfect.
Congratulations dad.
Here he comes.
You did really well.
Oh, hi. Oh, it's ok.
Oh, it's a beautiful
baby boy. You did really well.
Woman: he's got his eyes open.
He's looking at you.
What's his name?
Danny.
Mother: danny.
Danny, come here, sweetie.
Get away from the ants.
See, we have the best‐fed
ants in the neighborhood.
Come on.
Have to do that later.
Jason, my guys took
your guy's gun.
Can't. It's attached
to his leg. See?
Man: oh, my god.
That's me, man.
That's me.
Mother: danny, play nice
with your brother.
What's that music
you're using? I really dig it.
Whatever it is,
it's terrific, man.
It really...
I don't know...
Suits his life somehow.
Man: so, danny,
you still drawing?
Nope.
No? Didn't you
want to grow up
To be an artist?
That's some of
the opening sequence.
The rest needs
some fixes and tweaks.
But right now,
he's clocking in
At one hour
and 40 minutes.
Yeah, that's cool.
I just wanted
to have a look...
Before the rememory
tomorrow.
You know.
You've done a hell of a job
with him, mr. Hakman.
You've done
the son of a bitch right.
You're welcome.
I don't suppose...
There was a fishing trip
when we were 13‐‐
Just danny and i and dad‐‐
At the cape.
Yes, that one.
My god, that day
is still with me.
You requested it
specifically. It's there.
Well, i'll
be off, then.
Computer:
closing zoe project,
D. Monroe, rough cut 6.
Opening d. Monroe,
scene 127‐q.
Danny! Aah!
I told you to shut up!
Aah! Danny! Danny, stop!
You‐‐
You deserve
this, bitch!
Aah! No! God!
What are you doing?
No! Stop!
You're killing me!
Stop!
Computer: scene 127‐q
deleted.
Woman on speaker:
eye tech introduces
The ninth generation
of the zoe implant...
From our family
to yours.
Woman: do you think
we'll be able to afford one?
Yep.
I hope so.
Well, we can say
it's worth it, i think.
Excuse me.
Man: this girl
was a complete wreck‐‐
Drinking, drugs,
in and out of schools.
Then she turns 21,
and she finds out
About her zoe implant.
Complete 180.
She's born again.
Her knowing that someone would
one day watch transforms her
Into this kind,
gentle, loving person.
So, what happened?
She committed suicide,
Took a dive off her balcony‐‐
27 floors
straight onto her head.
The implant
was instantly vaporized.
Charming story, hasan.
Please do go on.
Hasan: alan.
This is
a rare treat.
Alan. Michael,
this is alan hakman.
Hi.
Hi.
It's an honor
to meet you.
Mike is
my new assistant.
What happened
to eddie?
Eddie freaked out on me.
Strung too tight.
Hey, alan, have you
seen these?
They are
all over town.
You know, these
anti‐zoe hippies
Always seemed a little
crazy to me.
But now they just
seem crazy.
Listen...
"It is not our place
"To see through
other people's eyes.
That is for god
and god alone."
Whew.
Anyway, how's the monroe
project coming?
Fine.
Just fine?
Just fine.
Michael, it's
your great privilege
To meet this man.
He's the best
cutter in town.
Who's your assistant?
I don't have
an assistant.
Because i have a friend
That's looking to get into the racket.
She's really talented.
I don't work
with an assistant.
You have something
for me, thelma.
Straight
to business.
I got a job last week
that i passed on,
And i think it's
right up your alley.
You know
charles bannister?
His widow is looking
for a cutter.
Bannister,
the eye tech lawyer?
Mm‐hmm. He was out jogging,
and his heart collapsed.
Wait a minute. Eye tech
let that footage out?
Jennifer bannister won
the lawsuit against them
And claimed
her husband's implant.
She insisted on having
her own cutter, too.
And with good reason.
We could have taken
that job, you know.
After caldwell,
our schedule is wide open.
I don't like
the ugly stuff.
It gives me
nightmares.
And this pig
bannister...
He's human
garbage.
I took one look
at the footage
And sent it
straight back.
Anyway...
She only hired me because you
were busy with monroe.
It's you she really wants.
I'm available.
Good.
Our friend alan, that's
his specialty, so to speak.
If you can't bear
to look at it, he will.
I'll tell her
you'll come by tomorrow.
She'll be
expecting you.
Um...
We should
actually go.
Oh, yes. Rememory
is in 2 days,
And we're still
cutting picture.
Goddamn
last‐minute jobs.
Thelma, come on.
It keeps you young.
Alan.
Hasan.
Oh, hey.
Alan. Alan.
I've been
working on
This new sorting program
for the guillotine,
And i would really love
To get your feedback
on it, you know.
Maybe another time.
Yeah, maybe
some other time.
Put it in archives
very gently.
Sure.
All right.
Delila, is suicide
under self‐help?
What are you doing here?
I just wanted
to talk.
I'm busy.
Mm‐hmm?
Mm‐hmm.
Store's still open.
It's the 11:30 rush.
Books are flying
off the shelf.
We close
in 20 minutes.
Delila:
this is exciting.
You've never had me
over before.
Alan: you've always
wanted to see my work.
Well, you're
always working.
I'm curious about what
takes up all your time.
Guillotine.
You're like a mortician...
Or a priest...
Or a taxidermist.
All of them.
I mean...
You get to see
life upon life.
Most of us get
only one, if that.
What are people's
lives like?
Do they make
any sense?
It all seems so massive
and so random.
Have you ever been
to a rememory?
No. Well... once,
a few years ago.
Whose?
My ex‐boyfriend.
But i couldn't take it.
I didn't stay.
Why not?
Because
it just wasn't...
It wasn't him.
And i wanted to
remember him my way.
Sit down.
Thank you.
It's like
you read my mind, alan.
I have this recurring dream
where i'm aging backwards.
Wow.
What about all
the bits in between?
It's a miniature‐‐
Concise, symmetrical.
That's the way
the world looks to me,
The way i see it.
How do you do this?
It's what i was
meant to do.
You were meant to live
your own life, too.
Hey.
Hey.
Woman: the house
was big, enormous,
Like this one.
And we didn't care
whose house it was.
It felt... dangerous
to be there.
It felt exciting.
I can see the grass.
I can hear it crunching
beneath our feet.
And then the sprinklers
came on...
Whoosh...
all around us,
And we ran.
I remember that
like it was yesterday.
Do you recall any moments
with your daughter?
Mmm...this isn't
long ago.
We were watching isabel
in a school talent show.
She was wonderful
that night.
I think charles and i
both felt
What an amazing thing
a family was.
We felt it together.
Oh, she was up there
on that stage.
Oh...goodness.
Excuse me.
I know this is very hard,
mrs. Bannister,
But it's important.
It's the foundation
of a cutter's work.
I need you
and your family
To help me choose those
moments you want to keep.
I won't be able to do
your husband justice
If i don't understand him
through you.
I heard
you were the best,
That you would know
how to handle charles.
My husband was
a great man, mr. Hakman.
He deserves to be remembered
as a great man.
After my initial cut, i will
need to speak with isabel.
Is that necessary?
There's nothing that any one of
you can tell me
That i won't know
very soon.
Of course.
Yes.
Rom.
Please call
eye tech storage.
Tell them mr. Hakman
will be dropping by.
Rom: very good, ma'am.
Thank you.
I've, um...
i've seen rememories
Where the cutters
were careless.
They had no respect
for the dead.
The dead mean nothing
to me, mrs. Bannister.
I took this project
because i respect the living.
You are blasphemous,
you freak!
Why don't you people
go home?
Just go home!
Show some respect!
Open your eyes!
Man: i'm sorry, mrs. Monroe.
It's never been this bad before.
Man: so...
this is him, huh?
That's him.
Woman: caroline,
are you all right?
Man: oh, you did
very well.
Oh, hi. Oh, it's ok.
Shh. Oh...
Woman: he's got
his eyes open.
He's looking at you.
What's his name?
Danny.
Hi, danny.
Oh, careful.
Hey, daniel, we got
some visitors for you.
Uh‐oh. Look.
Everybody's here.
Look.
There's your grandma.
Look.
That's grandma.
How are you
feeling, eliza?
I'm good.
I'm really good.
Excellent.
Look what i made.
Ha ha ha!
That looks
really good, danny.
Ok. Now go wash out
your brush.
Hi. Oh.
Come on, uncle.
Bring a steak for us.
Sit in the shade, honey.
So, danny,
you still drawing?
Nope.
No? Didn't you want to
grow up to be an artist?
Not anymore.
No? What did you
want to be, then?
A doctor.
A doctor, eh?
Clever kid.
That'll keep you
in the bucks.
Why a doctor?
Because i want to help
people when they're hurt.
Would you listen
to this little kid?
Hey, you got
a good heart, danny.
And that's all
you need in life.
Now, come on. Be a good boy
and eat your lunch.
Now i make
the incision here.
Hand me the number
17, please.
Actually, professor,
i think the number 12
Would be
more appropriate.
Yes. Correct.
The number 12.
Thank you, mr. Monroe.
Hello there.
I'm dr. Daniel monroe.
I've seen you
around the hospital
These last few days,
and i couldn't help but notice
The most beautiful
woman here.
Ha ha ha.
I was wondering if maybe
you'd like to join me
For dinner sometime.
That might be nice.
You lasted longer
than i thought you would.
Come on, danny boy.
It's a strange
profession you have,
Isn't it, alan?
You take people's lives,
make lies out of them.
Fletcher, it's been
a long time.
8 years.
Yeah. Well, i don't have time
to catch up right now.
Voices on video:
come on! Speech!
Say something.
Speech.
Danny on video:
i want to thank all of you.
I mean that.
This is the best birthday
I have ever had.
Oh, how can you
handle it, alan?
People sleeping
and shitting,
People stealing
from each other,
Manipulating
each other...
The obscenity.
Shh!
I can't talk.
I'm working.
Well, now...
i'm hurt.
That's not
why i'm here.
I'm booked solid
for the next 2 months.
No, no, no.
I don't have
a job lead for you.
Actually, you do have
something that i need, though.
What could i possibly
have that you want?
I know you've taken
the bannister project,
And i want it.
Wow. I thought
you'd given up cutting.
I'm offering you
$500,000 in cash.
Oh, what? The code.
Would you forget
The damn code and grow up?
This is real life now.
Hey, did you change the
color of our fishing boat?
I would never do that.
Are you sure? Because
i remember it being green...
Not red.
Weird. Like, all my
memories in that boat
Have it being green. Like,
it just blew my mind.
Maybe it was green.
Will you excuse me?
I have to go.
Ok. Rush, rush, rush.
Beautiful work,
mr. Hakman.
I'll keep you
in mind for me.
Ah, yes, the questions‐‐
"i remember it differently.
Are you sure
that's what happened?"
Some of us still live
by the code, fletcher.
We didn't walk away.
We have what it takes.
And what does it
take, alan?
Delusion?
Obsession? Guilt?
No, i don't have
any of those,
Not as much
as you do.
I'll be in touch.
Aah!
Wait!
Woman: my heart
was in my throat.
Man: oh, that part
with the partners.
Could you believe that?
Woman: it's the rememory
your husband deserved, caroline.
He really was
someone special.
Thank you, nathalie.
Yeah! Oh, danny!
Danny! Oh!
Excuse me.
Mr. Hakman.
Mrs. Monroe.
Why are they
tattooed like that?
I'm not sure.
They're so grotesque,
aren't they?
Sorry about your loss.
Thank you.
Man: look!
It's the cutter!
Hey, hey! Back off!
Back off!
Keep your distance.
Computer: receiving zoe footage,
charles bannister.
Processing...
544,628 life hours.
Sorting life files.
Childhood...sleep...
Puberty...
Eating...awkward phase...
Romantic life...
Temptation...
personal hygiene...
Religion...tragedy...
Wedding...
Masturbation...fears...
Athletics...
Growth spurt...
University...
Violence...school...
Courtship...career...
Charles' voice:
... these documents,
And i'm quite concerned
about eye tech's liability.
I think if any of this
were to get out,
It could be
quite devastating.
We do have $1.2 billion
That we wish to invest,
And i'm just wondering,
with eye tech,
If there's anything‐‐
What do you think?
I love it.
Thank you, charles.
Hey, charlie, come help
me build a sandcastle.
Here. Use my shovel.
Charles' voice:
happy anniversary, honey.
Is it keys?
Hi, baby.
You still awake?
No.
Daddy loves you
so much.
You know that.
I love you,
too, dad.
Do you want to come
down to my study?
I'd like to show you
what i'm working on.
What are you
working on?
It's a new case.
Come on.
Ok.
So, how was
school today?
Good.
We read a book
About kipper,
the sparky dog.
Kipper,
the sparky dog?
Mm‐hmm. He's
a very happy dog.
Oh.
Daddy.
What, sweetie?
Can i have a pet?
Well, maybe.
What kind of pet?
Maybe a kitty.
A kitty? Of course.
Go on in, honey.
Daddy.
Yes, sweetie?
I want to go
back to bed.
In a little while,
baby.
In a little while.
Daddy loves you so much.
You know that.
And i love you,
too, dad.
Thank you.
Wasn't she wonderful?
You look lovely, honey.
Thank you.
I'll tell rom to bring up
some more champagne.
Fine.
Would you
like one, sir?
No, thank you.
Isabel wanted to stay up
and say hello,
But the poor thing
fell asleep.
It's a beautiful picture.
She's a very bright
little girl.
Yes, she is. Jennifer
and i are very lucky.
We're very fortunate.
We're looking forward
to spending‐‐
Huh.
So, what's your name?
Louis. Yours?
Alan.
Computer:
identity match.
Searching.
Alan: come on.
Louis: no,
i can't move.
I can't move!
Fletcher: i know you've taken
the bannister project,
And i want it.
I found
something, delila.
I mean,
in a new project‐‐
Something
very important,
And i have
to explore it.
It's, um...
A new cutting project?
That's what you're
talking to me about, alan?
Well...
more than that.
Alan, you've seen
so much life,
And somehow
you miss the point.
I mean, i haven't
even heard from you
Since that night
at your apartment.
I need you.
Why?
Why do you need me?
There's no place
for me with you.
You haven't even
made room for yourself.
You have to separate
yourself from that machine.
Yeah. Yeah.
Alan.
Alan. You look
like shit.
What happened
to your face?
This?
Rather not
elaborate. Come in.
I mean...you decided
That this scene,
this event,
Is what made this woman
who she was.
You've taken this
woman's entire life
And drawn a straight line
from this particular moment.
How can you make
a decision like that?
Whittling a life
down to one‐‐
Thelma: michael,
michael,
We have to make
story decisions.
Otherwise, there will be
no rememories.
Yeah, i just...
i still don't buy it.
Well, you don't
have to buy it.
You just have to
do it. Trust me.
Alan, darling,
you look spooked.
Sorry about the place.
The kids' a mess.
I need to speak
with you alone.
Michael, honey, would you
run down to the store
And buy us
some cigarettes?
We've got
8 packs already.
Well, then go
and return them, sweetheart.
We don't need so many.
He's an emotional one.
Now...are you all right?
I saw fletcher
yesterday.
Really?
Yeah.
Fletcher. Hmm...
Now, he was
a great assistant.
What happened to him
after he quit?
He seems changed.
We kept in touch
for a few years,
And then
his sister laura‐‐
You remember laura.
She had a son,
died of leukemia.
He was only 12.
She never
got over it.
She spent
days and days
Watching his unedited
zoe footage...
And stopped speaking
to everyone.
And then she didn't even
recognize who fletcher was.
After that, he dropped
off the map completely.
Do you think
he could be involved
With anti‐implant
groups?
I've heard rumors...
Talk of them being
organized by an ex‐cutter.
I never thought
it could be fletcher.
He wants to buy
bannister's footage.
These anti‐implant groups
Have become like
religious fanatics.
They gave michael one hell
of a beating last night.
So it's not just talk anymore.
You know, if they want
bannister's life,
The bastard's not worth
fighting for.
Give the footage
back to his widow.
Let her deal with it.
I can't give it back.
There's someone in that project
i haven't seen for years.
Oh, i hate
when that happens.
Oh, yeah.
He's at a party,
in a crowd,
Never mentioned
by name.
I've got to
find him, though.
He's not a main character
in bannister's life.
It'll take
the guillotine days
To track his face
through the footage.
Who is this person?
Just someone
from my childhood.
Bannister's life
is my only lead.
Ok. Go through
the family,
Snoop around,
tell them
You're doing research
for the project.
It might be faster than
waiting for the guillotine.
Be careful, alan.
So...
How is it that you and i
know each other again?
We don't.
That's the wrong
answer, pal.
We share a mutual
friend‐‐billy finch.
Billy who?
Don't play games.
I know you better than that.
I know all your little
secrets, oliver.
How do you
know my name?
I know that you suffocated
those kittens when you were 13.
I know that that scar on your
head was self‐inflicted,
And i know that you
sold billy the gun
That he killed
his brother with.
They say that friends
help you move,
But good friend help you
move bodies, don't they?
I just want
what billy wanted‐‐
A gun.
Take it. Take it.
And...and these.
Take these.
Take them all.
Take them all.
Please go, ok?
Just go.
Thank you, ollie.
Take care.
Woman on speaker:
the star train
Is now arriving
on platform 5.
I'm here.
Is this why you wanted
to meet me here?
I thought it would
be safer this way.
How's thelma doing?
I can't give you
bannister,
And you know
i can't.
It's unbelievable,
when you think about it.
One in 20 of these
people has an implant.
How will that baby remember
his mother years from now?
Will he remember the
special moments between them
Or moments someone like
you decides are special?
My job is to help
people remember
What they want to
remember, fletcher.
Ah. Oh, that's...noble.
But i don't think
You understand the scope of the
damage.
There is no way to
measure the profound effect
The zoe implant has had on the
way people relate to each other.
"Am i being filmed?
Should i say this or not?
"What will they
think in 30 years
If i do this or that?"
And what about
The simple right
not to be photographed?
The right not to pop up
in some guy's rememory
Without even knowing
you were being filmed?
I didn't invent
the technology.
If people didn't want it,
they wouldn't buy it, fletcher.
It fulfills
a human need.
Alan, you take murderers
and make them saints.
That's why we need
charles bannister.
He was a public figure for eye
tech,
Their star attorney‐‐
Well respected,
loved his family,
Gave to charity, and if you
get through with him,
That's all anyone
will ever know.
But bannister is the first
eye tech employee
Whose implant has left
the confines of the corporation.
His widow fought for that.
We know she's hiding
something
About him and his daughter,
and we're gonna find it.
Eye tech's hands
aren't clean.
Bannister's implant
is evidence.
So you want to destroy
eye tech with a scandal?
Absolutely. The press
would go apeshit.
He's the perfect
candidate.
I must have
his footage.
Is this about
your sister?
Don't even
say her name.
You don't know
anything about that.
She has nothing
to do with it.
These implants distort
personal history
And therefore all history,
And i will not stand by
while the past is rewritten
For the sake
of pleasant rememories.
Tell me something.
Why is your name
The first on the list
For cutting scumbags
and lowlifes?
Because i forgive
people long after
They could be punished
for their sins.
I know what you do.
Why do you do it?
Do you know what
a sin eater is?
It's part of
an ancient tradition.
When someone would die, they
would call for a sin eater.
Sin eaters were social
outcasts, marginals.
They would
lay out the body,
Put bread and salt
on the chest,
Coins upon the eyes.
The sin eater would eat
the bread and salt,
Take the coins
as payment.
By doing this,
the eater absorbed
The sins
of the deceased,
Cleansing their soul and
allowing them safe passage
Into the afterlife.
That was their job.
And what about
the sin eater
Who bears the burden
of all those wrongs?
Are you worried about
my soul, fletcher?
I will have bannister.
I can't give him
to you.
You see that man
behind me?
I don't want to bring him
into this conversation,
But i will if you
leave me no other choice.
Alan.
Alan!
Do you remember
the moment
You first fell in love
with your husband?
Goodness.
How can you answer
a question like that? Um...
The pier?
Yes, the pier.
He had taken me down
to the pier.
It was springtime. We were
walking, and he was going on‐‐
This was
during college?
Yes, i was
in college,
And i remember, i looked
up at him, and i thought,
This is the man i want to spend
the rest of my life with.
I just have one more question.
There was a man
at one of your parties.
A man?
A man with glasses.
You may have noticed them.
They're very thick glasses.
Thick glasses?
Mr. Hakman, how
is this relevant?
Minor people i don't even know
have no place in the rememory.
Family...
Career...
Community.
That's all i want.
Cut everything else.
Well, maybe i could
speak with isabel?
Right now?
It would be
very helpful.
yes, of course.
Isabel?
Remember what
i told you?
Mr. Hakman wants to
talk to you about daddy.
It's for daddy's
rememory.
Man: mrs. Bannister.
We have a problem
with the caterers.
Hi, isabel.
Hello, mr. Hakman.
"Mr. Hakman."
That's very formal.
My name is alan.
Beautiful house.
What's going on in there?
Birthday party
for mr. Froggy.
Do you think
mr. Froggy would mind
If i took you away
from the party for a minute?
Ok.
Who's that
in your arms?
My doll.
Oh. What's
her name?
She doesn't have a name.
She's just a doll. See?
Isabel, your daddy‐‐
My daddy is the best
daddy in the world.
He had a really big
meeting one day,
But instead, he took me
horseback riding.
He would read me stories
before bed every night.
Sometimes he would
make it up as he went along,
And i knew,
but i didn't care.
Your mom said i was here
to talk about your dad.
But we don't have to do
that if you don't want.
I don't want.
Ok.
Then we won't.
When i was a little
older than you,
I lost
both my parents.
Not many people know
what you're feeling.
Not many people
understand.
But i do.
You don't want me nosing
around, asking questions.
And you're right.
Ok.
Alan...
It's not really
mr. Froggy's birthday.
It's in a week.
Can i ask one question?
And then i'm gone.
There was a man who was at
one of your parents' parties.
The thing that's special
about this man
Is he wore glasses that
were very, very thick.
They're almost like the bottom
of a glass bottle.
Mr. Hunt. I took him
the invitation.
Mr. Hunt?
Was his name...
louis hunt?
He was my teacher.
Really? What
does he teach?
He doesn't teach
anymore.
He died in
a car accident a year ago.
It was very sad.
Did you have a rememory,
like for your father?
I don't know.
We just had a day at school
Where we talked about him.
Thank you, isabel.
Alan.
Are you gonna fix
what my daddy can remember?
In a way... yes.
Can you make him
forget that i...
That i drew on
his contract with crayon?
I will.
And that i pulled dottie's
hair so hard that she cried.
Will he forget that?
He'll forget.
But make sure
you don't.
Hey, alan.
Would you relax?
There's nobody
following us, all right?
You know, this is a really
big favor i'm doing for you.
You're lucky my cousin karim
is working late tonight.
Thank you.
So, what's
this guy's name?
Louis hunt.
Well, if he
had an implant,
There will be
a record of it in here.
Karim: i could lose my job,
letting cutters in here.
Hasan: come on, karim.
Would i get you in trouble?
They can track anyone
accessing data from a computer,
So this is
the best i can do.
Please hurry.
Wait.
These are genealogies.
I don't know his family tree.
How do i use this?
No, no, no. Hard copies
are sorted by series numbers,
Alphabetically on the boxes and
then arranged by implant date.
He's the same age
as i am, so...
So it would be
a...1500 series.
2000. Oh, great.
Ah.
Ah!
Hunt.
No hunt.
Alan.
Alan,
are you ok?
I'm fine.
Ok.
Hello, mr. And mrs. Hakman,
And welcome
to the eye tech family.
You've made
an important decision.
You've purchased a zoe implant
for your unborn son.
What does that mean?
Immortality.
No longer do our most cherished
moments together
Have to fade
and disappear over time.
Remember, the zoe implant
is entirely organic
And since it grows
With your baby's brain
and nerve centers,
It's virtually undetectable.
When is the right time
to tell your child
About their miraculous gift?
Yeah.
By their 21st birthday,
Most carriers are mature
enough to understand,
And from then on,
your son can live his life
Knowing that always
and forever,
His experiences
and adventures
Will be revisited
and relished,
And that's what great memories
are made of.
Congratulations.
Man: oh, my god.
That's me, man.
Aah!
Fletcher: you take people's
lives, make lies out of them.
Isabel: my daddy is the best
daddy in the world.
Fletcher: it's unbelievable
when you think about it.
One in 20 of these people
has an implant.
Man: when is the right time
to tell your child
About their miraculous gift?
Delila: what are
people's lives like?
Do they make any sense? It all
seems so massive and so random.
Fletcher: this is
real life now.
Louis: don't do that. We're
not even allowed to be here.
Fletcher: you take murderers
and make them saints.
Get out of my head!
Oh. Oh. Oh, no.
Delila: oh, alan...
Your phone call
had me so worried.
I saw the mirror.
Hmm.
What happened to you?
I saw something.
All right. You cannot
let your work
Get to you like this.
Please don't leave.
What have you got
to eat in this dump?
Not much.
Try looking
in the cupboards.
The cupboard.
I saw that in a project
i was working on‐‐ an herbalist.
It looked
interesting.
Blah!
Oh, that's disgusting.
Well...
I guess we
order out, then.
I want to
show you something.
I've never shown it
to anyone.
Delila: oh.
What is this?
Alan: some implants
have a defect.
They can't
differentiate
Between what the eye sees
and what the mind sees.
What? Ha ha.
Where were these?
In dreams?
Yeah, dreams...
daydreams,
Hallucinations.
It's so beautiful.
Fletcher: where are you
off to, alan?
Let's do this.
No, no. Not now.
There's somebody
up there.
This has to be
clean, no mess.
Clean, dirty.
It's all the same to me.
I think he's
a cutter.
You want
to do him?
Yeah, i'll do him.
Hi.
You need to follow her.
Now, you know
how this works?
No, not at all.
Ok. We draw
synth tattoos
With electrosynthetic ink.
And it creates
a magnetic field
Which interferes
with the zoe implant,
Blocking it from recording
audio or video...
From that point on.
Now, first we do
the audio tattoo,
And we wait a week.
And if you don't
get a migraine,
And your system
takes it,
Then we'll do
the video tattoo.
Do i have to cover
my whole face?
No.
Those guys...
They're just
young and angry.
You want it
discreet.
Very.
Yeah.
Will this hurt?
Oh, yeah.
Fletcher?
I'm armed.
Man on video:
what's the matter, delila?
Delila on video: you know
that recurring dream i have?
You know that
recurring dream i have,
Where i get younger
and younger? I had it again.
I make you happy?
Yeah.
Well, i make
myself miserable.
Well, that's just
because you're silly.
You're silly.
How can you not be
happy right now?
I think the first books i read
were really, really sad.
Like, why do they make
children's books so sad?
They're always
terribly tragic.
Delila: not so hard to make
this thing play disks.
Not so hard at all.
Delila‐‐
shut up!
That was my old boyfriend,
you bastard.
Is that why you wanted
to be with me?
Because you saw some proof
that i'm to your liking?
No.
These moments...
they belong to me, alan.
The good and the bad.
They're mine and his!
Who are you to take them
away from me?!
No! No!
Uh!
Don't touch me!
Ah!
A gun.
Who are you?
Please, please, no.
Who are you, alan?!
No! No!
No!
Ow!
Why did you do that?
Mine!
Ah!
Oh...
You're still here.
Alan, this thing
is dropped.
The implant itself
is severed.
God himself could not
retrieve that footage,
And you know that.
Then we have to access
a different life.
Ok.
Well, where is it?
My implant.
What?
The one in my head.
Ah...
You want to take
a shot, too?
Everybody else has.
I deserved that one.
You deserve a lot more
than that, hakman.
Why didn't you
tell us, alan?
Because i didn't know until
i found the files at eye tech.
I never thought my parents
could afford one.
Turns out, they took
a loan to get it.
How could you
not know?
Because they died
before they told me.
They just never
got around to it.
You know
the code, alan.
It's one of
our central tenets.
A cutter cannot have
a zoe implant.
I need to access
that footage.
I need it right now.
Yeah? Well,
that's impossible.
Oh, no,
it's possible.
It was done before
by you‐‐
An attempt
to access footage
While a carrier
was still alive.
I performed that...
And the woman never
recovered, alan.
And i will not
try that again.
Then you know what
it's like to be haunted.
One memory,
one single incident
Has made me who i am.
It won't leave me be.
The guilt
tears me apart,
But now i got a chance
to find out the truth.
I have to take it.
Alan, you brought
an implant amongst us.
Why should i help you?
If i try it myself,
i'll die.
And i will try it myself.
We've been friends
for too long, my dear.
I can't let you
kill yourself, can i?
But you understand,
you can never cut again.
Yeah.
The last time i tried this,
the woman's nervous system
Shut down immediately.
It couldn't handle it.
She was a blank
for the rest of her life.
Now remember‐‐
i can't copy anything
Into our hard drive.
You can only watch.
You know exactly which scene
you're going to?
I sure do.
You have 5 minutes.
Anything longer than that
is just too risky.
Ok.
Mmm!
Christie.
I remember her.
It's me.
Alan.
Almost there.
There we are.
Come and get me.
Let's go back down.
Don't!
I'll meet you back
on the ground floor.
Hold on. I'm coming.
No. Wait. Wait.
It isn't steady
anymore.
Louis, please,
just stop.
I can't move!
Ok, louis,
you can make it.
Just a few
more steps.
Grab my hand!
Wait!
Thelma: alan.
We're done!
We're done!
Alan, unplug it.
I can't.
Aah!
Alan!
Alan!
Alan?
I'm all right.
Do you have any idea
how close you came?
I saw him.
I tried to help.
I told him
to turn around.
He wouldn't listen.
He fell, but...
But he was breathing.
It wasn't blood.
It was paint.
Now i remember.
Thank you.
Mmm...
Looking for this?
The implant's history.
You better find yourself
another perfect candidate.
Do you know how much
planning it took
To make bannister's
footage available?
Do you?!
He died of a coronary
complication.
I was the complication.
Or didn't you get
to that part yet?
I guess no one will.
I bet he still keeps
good notes. Don't you, alan?
All of it?
All of it. It was
a terrible accident.
Sometimes the older guillotines
Can damage
a zoe implant.
There's no replacing
your husband's life.
He deserved a rememory and
a place in your zoe family tree.
I'm sorry.
You will...
waive your fee?
Of course.
And you'll never speak
of charles to anyone?
What can one do?
Accidents will happen.
Perhaps... some things
are best forgotten.
Perhaps.
Oh.
God, isabel,
you scared me.
Isabel, honey,
what's the matter?
Isabel.
Isabel, what‐‐
what's wrong, honey?
Isabel.
A friend?
Yeah. Something
like that.
I hear you're not
cutting anymore.
Well, i've had enough
of other people's lives.
Stop, alan.
I can't let you go.
What now?
Word travels fast
in my circles.
And the word is, a cutter
came in for a synth tattoo.
Word is
that cutter is you.
You saw that implant.
It was destroyed. It's useless.
You. Bannister's
footage is gone,
But you've seen
his life.
It's encrypted
into your implant.
Aah!
Will you look at that?
Louis: come and get me.
Isabel: he had
a very big meeting one day,
But he took me
horseback riding instead.
He would read me
stories every night.
Sometimes he would make it up
as he went along,
And i knew,
but i didn't care.
Alan: your mom said i was here
to talk about your dad.
We don't need to do that
if you don't want to.
Yes, sweetie?
Daddy.
I want to go
back to bed.
It's john's birthday.
Italian. You love italian.
A toast.
Happy birthday,
fletcher.
Thanks, alan.
Alan. Alan, put
the newspaper down. Come on.
You gonna lighten up
and be gay for a moment?
Fletcher: it's for
the greater good, alan.
Your life
will mean something.
I promise.
?♪
?♪
? i'll stay in your arms ♪
? until enchanted days ♪