Vanilla Sky (2001) - full transcript

Incarcerated and charged with murder, David Aames Jr. is telling the story of how he got to where he is to McCabe, the police psychologist. That story includes: being the 51% shareholder of a major publishing firm, which he inherited from his long deceased parents; the firm's board, appointed by David Aames Sr., being the 49% shareholders who would probably like to see him gone as they see him as being too irresponsible and immature to run the company; his best bro friendship with author, Brian Shelby; his "friends with benefits" relationship with Julie Gianni, who saw their relationship in a slightly different light; his budding romance with Sofia Serrano, who Brian brought to David's party as his own date and who Brian saw as his own possible life mate; and being in an accident which disfigured his face and killed the person who caused the accident. But as the story proceeds, David isn't sure what is real and what is a dream/nightmare as many facets of the story are incompatible to be all real. The mysterious man in the restaurant may be able to shed some light on David's confusion.

Open your eyes.

Open your eyes.

Open your eyes.

Open your eyes.

Open your...

Open your eyes.

Open your eyes.

David. Open your...

Well, I suppose
the empty street meant loneliness.

Ha, ha. You're a shrink. You
gotta do better than that.

I'm a doctor. Let's not
stereotype each other.



Not all rich kids are soulless...

...and not all psychologists
care about dreams.

The question is how you got here
and why you've been charged.

What do you wanna know?
I was about to turn 33.

I ran three magazines
and a worldwide publishing house.

On most days, I actually fooled myself
into believing it would last forever.

Isn't that what being young is about?

Believing secretly
that you would be the one person...

...in the history of man
who would live forever?

Where are you going so early?

Don't record any more messages
on my alarm clock, okay?

Heh. Why not?

Because I'll start to think
we're married or something.

Oh. Don't ever say that word.
I will never come over...



...and bring you chicken soup
and fuck your brains out again.

How's your cold?

Hmm. Still there. How about yours?

You definitely took my mind off it.

Really?

Yes!

Oh.

Julianna here. Hi, Rayna.

I missed my audition. I lost my head.

No, listen, I have to go.

I'm with David.

Wrapped in white sheets.

Help yourself to whatever you want.
Maria will clean up.

Set the alarm before you go. And...

You are the greatest.

Bye, honey!

Bye, honey! I'll call you later.

Ha, ha. When?

-When?
-Soon!

-Did you reserve the court?
-Easy.

I can't handle heavy conversation
at this ungodly hour.

Sorry to do this early,
but I gotta be done by 10.

You're not gonna make the 8:45, are you?

-How did you find me'?
-David Aames...

you have to check the colours of the letters
for the new issue of Rise.

-What are the colours?
-Yellow and red or the traditional white.

-Gotta think about it.
-David, please.

Don't be late for the 10:00 with the board.

Okay, but don't tell anybody where I am.
I don't care if God calls.

-I'm very, very busy.
-But you have...

-Yeah. Ha-ha-ha.
-Ha-ha-ha.

Can't you just get rid of that board?

-The Seven Dwarves? No.
-Those people drive you nuts.

And that was the desire of my father,
who hired them.

You fucked Julie Gianni again, didn't you?

Yeah, I know someone was there
when I called.

You had that tone.

'Oh, no, man, I got a cold. I'm
hanging in tonight, you know?'

I had a cold.

-I was alone.
-Fine.

You can do whatever you want with your life.

-Thanks.
-But one day...

...you'll know what love truly is.

It's the sour and the sweet.

And I know sour,
which allows me to appreciate the sweet.

Julie Gianni is a friend.

Sometimes we sleep together.

Ha, ha. What?

-What?
-My dream girl...

...Julie Gianni...

...is your fuck buddy. Oh!

-What do you wanna listen to?
-Slow down, man.

What do we got here? Barcelona, Looper.

-Radio head?
-Look out! Look out!

Fuck!

Fuck!

-What are you doing here?
-We almost died.

-I know.
-Use your fucking head!

My own death was right there
in front of me, and you know what happened?

Your life flashed before my eyes.

How was it?

Almost worth dying for.

We're at the front door. We're coming up now.

Good morning, sir. Sleep well?

-Yes, I did.
-Have you eaten yet?

-What's that? No.
-Have you eaten anything yet?

-You were playing racquet-ball.
-Good morning, Fritz.

I have been covering you for an hour.

I'm saving your ass,
and you're playing racquet-ball?

We are now exiting the elevator.
The board is not happy.

-Good morning, Beatrice.
-Hello, David.

You're in the Post today. Courtney Love
called to see if you got her e-mail...

-...and Graydon Carter and...
-Hi.

Shelly Wanger called to see
if you're still on for dinner tonight.

And the Art Department
still needs a decision

on the colour of the letters
for the bikini issue.

Yellow and red, or white. And did I mention
the board is pissed you're late?

Hey, David, hold up!

Choose one. Which one?
Wait. This one? David!

-Okay, okay, they're all waiting for you.
-David!

-You changed your hair.
-Yes.

And, David,

opinions are expected.

Huh.

David.

Do you dream about the board?

The Seven Dwarves, as you call them?

Sneezy, Bashful, Sleepy...

...Happy, Doc, Dopey

...and, of course, Grumpy.

How was Aspen?

Good.

Now, I want answers and I want them now.

How's it going?

They still look at me as
if I was 11 years old.

He's going to inherit everything.

He gets it all.

You're scared of your dreams, aren't you?

It's a nightmare either way.

Is that how you explain
what's happened to you?

-What?
-What happened to your face?

I'm not talking to you anymore.

-You don't wanna show me your face.
-No!

-Do you know why you're here?
-The conversation, the coffee...

David, the part where we parry and joust...

...and get to know each other bit by bit...

No. No can do.
We're gonna have to skip that...

...because you've been charged
with murder.

In four weeks, a judge will determine
your fate based on what I write.

So you will talk to me.

There is no murder.

There is no murder!

It never happened!

I don't have to talk to anybody!

-Want me to help?
-Get the fuck away from me.

Take it easy. Take it easy, face!
Yeah, your whole story's full of holes!

-Stop. Stop!
-All right?

Please leave right now.
I'll take responsibility.

Please leave right now. He's got control.

I'm gonna get you, daddy's boy little freak.

-My parents are dead, you fuck.
-Enough.

Is that true?

Good cop, bad cop.

That you're a daddy's boy?

Primer on David Aames Sr.

My father wasn't built for the 21st century.

He never went to McDonald's, not once.

He never watched television,
and yet his biggest magazine...

...is still the TV Digest.

He and my mother threw the grandest parties
of the literary world.

Ballooned, jumped out of airplanes.
He sought adventure.

His autobiography is the manual...

...for every cut-throat publisher
in New York City.

It's called Defending the Kingdom.

I've... I've read it.

'David Jr. was a delight as a child.'

Did I miss something here?
Is that all he wrote about you?

Heh. I don't think he
ever got over the fact...

...that I'm absolutely terrified of heights.

The irony continues.

When he and my mother were run over
by a drunken teenager...

...on New Year's Eve 10 years ago...

...he left the keys to the kingdom to me.

Fifty-one percent control...

...49 percent going to a group
of seven board members...

...who all thought they were first in line.

And you believe the board,
the Seven Dwarves...

...put you here to take control
of your company.

What do you care?

Oh, we're just talking.

And tonight's Wednesday night,
and I go to Black Angus for dinner...

...with my two daughters on Wednesday nights,
so I'll have to leave soon.

You do understand that our time is limited,
don't you?

If I talk...

...you'll just think I'm crazy.

With all the possible respect...

...I can offer a man wearing a latex mask
and spouting conspiracy theories, David...

...believe me, you've crossed that bridge.

Enjoy your dinner.

There are five basic emotions in life, David.

Tell me, what emotion gripped him
before he entered that cell?

Was it guilt?

Hate?

Shame?

Revenge?

Love?

I'm completely on the wrong track, aren't I?

Who needs ice?

-Hey, Emma.
-David, happy birthday.

You have got the greatest taste in shoes,
bar none, anywhere.

-I can't believe you remember.
-Emma, have you met Lynette?

No, but I shudder to think
what we might have in common.

Did you invite the entire
Olympic snowboarding team?

Today's my birthday.

-Say 'happy birthday' to David.
-Happy birthday.

Welcome to Graceland.

Do you have a minute?

Happy birthday, you son of a bitch.
Happy birthday, David.

Happy birthday!

Hey! Friends of me! Hello! Let the fun ensue.

The living stereo system
will be online in a moment.

It is the great John Coltrane.

They would love an article on it.
But if you like it...

...it's an amazing, amazing prototype.

No, no, no. That's okay. I've got it.

And happy birthday, sir.

-Literary god Brian Shelby.
-Happy birthday...

...and all the usual shit people say
to each other. How you doing?

-Living the dream, baby. Living the dream.
-David Aames.

-And to what do I owe this pleasure?
-The pleasure of Sofia Serrano.

We met today at the library,
if you can believe that.

I'm sorry about my coat.
It's too big for your closet.

-We were both pretending to be intellectuals.
-It's amazing. I love your coat.

No, I overdressed. I mean, I under-dressed.

I'll just continue like you're both
actually listening to me.

-Do you have another room to put it in?
-Danielle?

I have ceased to exist.

Madison Square Garden is nearby.
I think it might fit there.

Yes, David.

-Happy birthday.
-We picked it out together.

-Thank you.
-We picked it out together.

-We...
-You're welcome.

Stop flirting and open it.

-Let's get a drink.
-Yes.

I'll leave this upstairs.

Yeah!

Hi. Come here a second.

-I'll be right back.
-Okay.

-Hey, listen... No, no.
-Hey, Tommy.

No, don't... Don't blow me off.
I'm all packed.

I'm going back to London...

...and I understand you put me up
for that other attorney's job...

...so you didn't have to fire me.
That's a classy move...

...and your father would've done the same.

-It's okay, Tommy.
-No, I... I became incompetent.

Is there anything more unbecoming
than an ageing mascot, hmm?

I cared for your father.
I lived and breathed for him...

...but these guys, the Seven Dwarves...

...they think you're stupid.

A corporate hazard. A rogue.

They are gonna find a way
to get you out, David.

They're lined up for your office,
your life, your position.

They're working day and night
to cheat you out of your 51 percent vote.

And they're gonna sell
this tradition of words...

...so they can eat in a better cafeteria.

But what they don't know is this.

People will read again!

-I got it.
-Do you know they even got a...?

Well, a nickname for you behind your back?

Citizen Dildo.

Now, you got great instincts.

But I say this with complete love.

Claim your life.

Learn to be an asshole.

-Don't...
-Two's enough.

Forgive me.

But I still believe in this family, David...

...even if it's only you.

Get Tipp out of here.

Uh, drive him home, and in the morning...

...tell him he's rehired
with a 50 percent raise.

Give him that big office across the hall
from the Seven Dwarves.

Right.

And set up a meeting with
the other attorneys.

I'm gonna be in early tomorrow.

Well, earlier than usual.

Keep on pushing.

Keep on pushing.

Keep on pushing.

Hello, handsome.

I've come to wish you a happy birthday.

Heh, oh, man.

I didn't invite you, Julie.

That was a little weird.

But that's how it works with parties.
You have to be invited.

-Oh.
-Oh.

I'm mad at you, you dick.

We made love four times the other night.

Is that good?

Two's good.

Three is very good.

-But four...
-Four's pretty good?

Four is...

Keep on pushing.

-Four is what?
-Ha, ha.

Hold me and then I'll leave...

...and you can go back
and talk to that cute brunette.

And four is what?

I don't wanna meet any of your fancy friends.
I knew them all back when I was fancy too.

-All right. What?
-Ha, ha.

She looks like a moth, David.

A moth?

Sometimes I worry about you,
that some clever girl in a big silly coat...

...is gonna come along
and play you just the right way.

Then I'll lose my friend...

...and there won't be any
chicken-soup parties for me and you.

OK.

When will you call me? Don't say 'soon.'

I hate it when you say 'soon.'

Danny Bramson gave him that
for his birthday last year.

So this is what's become of rock 'n' roll.

A smashed guitar behind a glass case...

...displayed on some rich guy's wall.

It was a gift, actually.

I like it.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

So how did you get all this stuff?

This apartment, this life?

I see.

How about if you help me?

-Unless I'm homing in here.
-You are. But the food's good.

See, I've got this little problem.
I got a stalker.

-It doesn't sound life-threatening.
-But I need a cover.

I need for you to pretend
we're having a scintillating conversation...

...and you are wildly entertained.

-I know it's tough.
-I'll improvise.

She's right across the room...

...and she's burning a hole in my back now,
isn't she?

-Red dress, strappy shoes?
-Yes.

Wow. She's really staring at you.

I'm having a drink.

-Shit.
-And she seems to be growing less happy.

I think she's the saddest girl
to ever hold a martini.

Don't like the direction

Brian Shelby.

-Jennifer Kelly.
-Ooh. Hi, Jennifer.

You have another apartment?

Sort of a day office. Come on.

That it used to.

-I am not going in there.
-Well, I am. Good night.

Wonder why you don't get one thing done.

And I don't like the direction.

You are going to.

Don't like the direction

-I hear her coming!
-Really?

No.

Now it has the attention
That it used to.

Stay home all night with the TV.

-Brian. How are you?
-Hi.

We're safe, but I've got nothing to drink.

Who did these paintings?

This is Joni Mitchell.

This one is Monet.

And this one was done by me.

It is a snowboard.

Well, two of them are geniuses.

That is the real thing.

His paintbrush painted the vanilla sky...

...on this canvas.

My mother's.

I'm surprised you're surprised.

-I can't keep this banter going.
-Me neither.

-I caught you.
-Brian! Come in here.

-What's going on?
-Your friends are fun, and I'm drunk.

-Julie Gianni is stalking me.
-She looked dangerous.

Oh, nobody stalks me, so I drink.

-We're all out of drinks up here.
-Here, finish my Jack and Coke.

-Stupid glass.
-I got it.

-No, it's the stupid guy holding it.
-Don't worry. No big deal.

I'll go get us all something.
Jacks and Cokes?

I better hit it.
I drank too much, and I didn't fucking eat.

-You can't leave. The party's just starting.
-For you it is.

-You cannot go. You are my guest of honour.
-Oh, fuck you, David.

You're paying me to write my novel,
so you own me.

I don't own you. You are brilliant.
You are good-looking. You are handsome.

But why'd you have to hit on Sofia?

-I wasn't hitting on Sofia.
-Oh, fine. Whatever you say.

I'm crazy. I'm blind.

No, you're not blind.
You're drinking Jack Daniel's.

And when you drink Jack,
you start in with that...

...'Frank Sinatra, she shot me down,
give me a cigarette, king of sad' thing.

-That I do. Give me a cigarette.
-I'll find one.

But wait. You're rich and women love you,
and I'm from Ohio and I'm drunk.

-Can I tell you the truth?
-Everybody does.

I dig her...

...and I've never said this to you before
about any girl.

But she could be...

...could be, could be, could be...

...the girl of my fucking dreams.

-You're not from Ohio.
-I know.

But if she fucks up our friendship,
she can go to hell.

I won't allow it. We are bros.

-I feel the same way.
-Sure you do.

-Hi.
-Hey.

How you doing? Ooh, gracias.

-Thank you.
-You're welcome.

Where are you going?

I am Frank,

and Frank must go.

-What?
-I good you bid evening.

Wait. I'll go with you.

Stay, baby.

I'll give you a ride home later.

No, I have to work tomorrow.

You... You are in great hands.

I'm just humouring myself
that my opinion matters.

You will never know the exquisite pain...

...of the guy who goes home alone.

Because without the bitter, baby...

...the sweet ain't as sweet.

Have a good time.

Sweet-and-sour speech again.

Hey, I'm comin' down.

Like a wrecking ball.

Why are you scared of heights?

There are a lot of people
who are scared of heights.

It's not the heights that bother me.
It's the impact that terrifies me.

I won't stay long.

Hey, Paolo.

Hello.

-I have to take you for a walk.
-I'm glad he protects you.

This is a... It's a lethal canine.

I love living here, and I refuse to clean up.

-No problem.
-I have to work around the clock...

...to keep this place.

-You really are a dancer.
-For 14 years.

But I don't dance like you dance.

Do you want something to drink?

Sure.

Hi, Paolo.

My beautiful, beautiful boy.

What do you want for dinner tonight?

You want chicken?
Do you want fried chicken?

Paolo.

I like your life.

Well, it's mine, and you can't have it.

I don't wanna know the story
behind this photo.

Who's Sergio?

It's a nickname.

Your nickname is Sergio?

It's a long story,
and we don't know each other.

Ah. So many secrets.

-That's because I'm really an arms dealer.
-I've never known an arms dealer before.

You do now. What about you?

What's your nickname?

Citizen Dildo.

Hmm. Mm-hm. You are not staying over.

Never own a company. Stay an artist.
Stay an arms dealer.

Oh, please.
Somehow I can't play the violin for you.

Although it must be difficult
controlling all those people's lives.

Everyone at that party's connected to you
for survival in some way...

...it seems.

Ever been married?

No.

Did you ever accept any
of your 12,000 proposals?

Twelve thousand and eight. No.

And you moved to New York to dance,
paint, act and deal arms?

Right.

Do you wanna hear Jeff Buckley
or Vicki Carr?

Jeff Buckley or Vicki Carr.

Both simultaneously.

Everyone said, 'Don't go to New York.'

But I just think good things will happen...

...if you're a good person
with a good attitude, don't you think?

You think I'm naive?

Uh, no. I really don't.

I dug her completely.

Somehow I'd found the last semi-guileless girl
in New York City.

I have to get to sleep.

Truthfully, I'm also working mornings
as a dental assistant.

Boy, am I going to the wrong dentist.

And you didn't immediately
wanna sleep with her?

Well, you know, I'm a pleasure delayer.

How does that work?

Pleasure delay? You don't know?

You keep a relationship casual
until the absolute breaking point.

And then one evening or afternoon
or morning...

...it could be months from now, and...

You know how it works.

No, actually, I don't.

I've been married for 22 years.

Oh, you've got dinner with your daughters.

That's right, I do.

Back then,
I had intricate systems with women...

...tsk, you wouldn't believe.

Like what?

Hey, doc, don't get all melancholy
over the 30 seconds you were single...

...a long time ago.

Heh. That's what you think I'm doing?

Oh, yes.

You might be right.

Let's continue. Time is not our friend.

Just our shortcomings.

That's all we're allowed to draw?

Ha, ha.

I've never drawn such a
true likeness before.

-Mine's finished.
-Already?

Done.

That's how you see me?

Maybe I didn't add enough money.

No, it's something that you'd see on a wall
in a steak house in hell.

It's wonderful. Sign it.

-Let's see... Let's see yours.
-No.

-Give me that.
-No.

I feel bad.

You said to draw a caricature.

I know. I couldn't. I saw you like that.

It's very good.

I'll sell it to you.

You monster.

How much for?

One kiss.

That smile's gonna be the end of me.

And what happens
when your friend calls you tomorrow?

He just met you a few hours before me.

He'd do the same.

I see that friendship is important to you.

It is, it is.

And as his best friend...

...I also know that he's trying to finish
a novel about inadequacy and rejection.

So the longer that I stay,
the better it is for his career.

Hmm.

Your career is the one I'd worry about.

Sorry.

No. No, you're more right
than you would even know.

Yeah, I used to be
one of those guys that just, uh...

Snowboarding through his life...

...with no focus whatsoever.

When did you change?

About five minutes ago.

Every passing minute is another chance
to turn it all around.

And to those who think
that you're a charlatan?

Heh. I understand.
The perception of a hand frozen somewhere...

...waiting for reanimation,
it sounds like science fiction.

What are you watching?

It's the greatest show. It's called Sofia.

It is at the frontier of a new science.

Life Extension.

How do you accomplish such a thing?

I've seen this 30 times.

You know, life is full of surprises.

The greatest surprise of all
is that this doesn't have to end, ever.

We did a story on this guy.
He owns half of Arizona.

Is he a fraud?

-How would you ever know?
-Good point.

Can you unfreeze a human life?

Take the case of Benny the dog.

Benny's a dog who was frozen
for three months...

...and thawed out to live a normal life.

That's comforting.

It's safe for Benny. I'm in.

You'll learn more about human relationships.

Boy will still meet girl.
They will still fall in love.

Families will flourish.
But man will meet his mind.

This is how I prefer to spend my retirement.

We better watch out.

Raymond Tooley, creator of Life Extension.

The book is Life, The Sequel.

Okay.

Where are you going?

I left my number on your fridge.

Come here. I want to tell you a secret.

I meant that to be your forehead.

Thank you for the inspiration.

I will now attempt to run my company
showing compassion...

...for the seething throng of my partners,
who root quietly for me to fail...

...and for things you don't even know.

Thank you.

I'm gonna go to work.

I have a company to run.

Pleasure delayer.

Yeah.

David Aames.

-Julie Gianni.
-Hey, handsome.

You're following me.

Heh. Just a little bit.

I wanted to finish
what we were talking about.

And?

How did it go with our moth girl?

Did she turn into a butterfly for you?

-Yes, she did.
-Yeah?

She did. Ha, ha.

Tell by the way you were walking
you didn't sleep with her.

Let me guess.

You haven't slept with her because...

...it's more fun when you can draw it out.

Sex just isn't as good...

...if a woman hasn't told all her friends
she'd never sleep with you.

-You're right on the money, Julie.
-Ha, ha.

She must me exhausted from trying
to be witty for you all night long.

Hey, Julie.

Sorry.

It's okay.

You just never seem to be there
for your friends...

...until they've already given up on you.

I'm not blowing you off. I just...

I wanna be alone for a little bit. Trust me.

I have a lot of things
that I have to take care of.

And if we're friends, which we are, okay...

...then you'll understand that.

I'm sorry. I got weird.

I missed an audition, and...

...it just made me feel bad
you didn't invite me to your party.

You wanna make it up to me?

I won't tell a soul. Ha, ha.

You are to blame.

Would you do a story on me if I made a CD?

Sure I would.

Do you like my music?

It's vivid.

I fall apart.

Well, if I weren't me,
I would buy a CD by me.

Well, you know,
if you can reach one person...

-Ha, ha.
-Wow. Ha, ha.

I fall apart.

What's happiness to you, David?

What's happiness to me?

-What is happiness...?
-Because for me...

...this is happiness.

It's being with you.

There's one thing that bothers me.

Why did you tell Brian
that I was your fuck buddy?

I didn't tell him that. I didn't say that.

I mean, when did you stop caring, David?

Caring about what?

About the consequences
of the promises that you've made.

-Promises?
-Yeah, the promises.

I thought...

Julie, get the fuck...
What are you talking about?

Do you understand how hard it is
to pretend to be your buddy?

David, I love you.

I fucking love you.

I fucking love you!

-Fuck!
-Hey. Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Don't do this. Don't do this.

You fucked me four times
the other night, David.

-You've been inside me.
-Julie...

I've swallowed your come.
That means something.

Slow down. Hey. Hey.

Four times... It means something, David.

-Four times.
-Stop the car.

Twenty-four hours a day,
I live with this aching possibility...

...that you might call me to do something.

Let's go to your house and talk this out.

I wanna see where you live.
Let's just slow down.

Fuck!

I want you to stop. I
want you to stop the car!

Don't you know
that when you sleep with someone...

...your body makes a promise
whether you do or not?

Tell me something, David.
I mean, do you believe in God?

What are you doing?

Okay, I love you. I love you.

-Stop it!
-What are you doing?

Hello.

Ha, ha. You're amazing.

Did you get to work all right?

Yeah.

No, actually, I...

I had a horrible dream.

You dreamed you'd never see me again.

I left your apartment.
I went downstairs to the car...

...and my friend the stalker
had followed me there.

-Julie?
-Yes.

And she wanted to talk to me.
And I remember...

...I had this, uh, buzz, you know.

That buzz from you and me.

I think my, uh... My mind was still
on that terrible drawing of me.

But she was upset about... I don't know.

You know, I got in the car,
and she drove off a bridge...

...and committed suicide with me in the car.

I thought you were going straight to work.

But I survived...

...with my arm and my face...

...reconstructed.

And what's worse...

...I can't wake up.

And how was your house after the party?

Party?

-What party?
-The party.

Remember?

Red dress, snappy shoes.

I spilled something on your shirt.

Sweet and sour.

And the saddest girl to ever hold a martini.

My dreams are a cruel joke.

They taunt me.

Even in my dreams,
I'm an idiot who knows...

...he's about to wake up to reality.

If I could only avoid sleep.

But I can't.

I try to tell myself what to dream.

I try to dream that I'm flying.

Something freeing.

It never works.

Is that the only thing you dream?

I don't... I don't remember.

Do you dream about the car accident?

Here's what you remember from a coma.

Nothing.

What happened next?

What really happened?

What? Didn't you read the file?

I was out for three and a half weeks.

My face and my arm were shattered,
and my jaw was broken in four places.

No surgery could be performed
because of the coma.

You can't feel the darkness or numbness.

You can't even feel.

And then...

...I came back to life.

Just like that dog Benny.

-You know, Benny the dog? Ha, ha.
-Benny. Benny the dog.

Only my life was, uh, no longer normal.

There are blinding migraines now.

Nerve damage. Why?

This is how big business operates.

Random accidents.

A lifestyle mishap.

They are not coincidences.

How do you think airtight contracts
are broken?

These are power upheavals.

I'm from Ohio.

We don't have power upheavals.

They are in the news every day
right between the lines.

Someone did this to me.

My father wrote about this in his book.

Chapter one, page one, paragraph one.

What is the answer
to 99 out of 100 questions?

Money.

David, David, look. I don't wanna worry you.

I'm holding them off,
but we've got a situation here.

The by-laws of the board
protect your 51 percent vote...

...only if you're mentally acute.

Now, I'm sorry that poor girl died,

but you've handed the board a
real gift with your mishap.

They'd like to declare you incapacitated.

But you're back.

You sound good to me,
so let's fight the fuckers...

...and have a full recovery.

And maybe you should let people
see you, yeah?

I mean, the last time we were together,
you were...

You were in a coma,
and you were very fucking rude to me.

-You didn't say a word.
-Ha.

Yes, well...

...the rumours of my death
have been mildly exaggerated.

Who could I trust?

The ants were taking over the anthill.

Who could I trust?

The cranial structure was based on 30 pins...

...and fastened by micro-panels
and bits of bone from the mandible.

And it appears the cartilage grafts
have maintained your cheek structure.

Unfortunately,
because you were in a coma...

Doctors.
Their power is in jargon, so you study up.

Is that the procedure
for all bilateral periorbital haematomas...

...in a Le Fort III fracture
of a comatose patient?

-In a Le Fort III?
-You do your best.

Absolutely.

The potential for intra-cranial
brain damage was too great.

And beyond the cheek grafts,
Dr. Pomeranz...

...are the pins fastened
with any kind of aluminium...

...which could ionize
and cause that pressure in my head?

-Because I'm ready for another operation.
-Yes, we are working on processes...

...but you're specifically not at the stage
where we can experiment.

No. Experiment. Use me.

-The headaches will go away.
-These are more than headaches.

These are like steel plates
slicing through my every thought.

We're not cowboys. We can't just wing it.

Because I can't think straight
most of the time.

-We can increase your medication.
-Oh, yes. Medication.

Whoo!

And there are things
that we'll continue to investigate.

However, there are many others
who've not had the aesthetic benefit...

...of plastic surgery as you have.

This isn't about vanity, Dr. Pomeranz.

This isn't about vanity.

This is about functioning in the world.

It's my job to be out there functioning.

Now, I've got the money. I'll pay any amount.

Just invent something.

Just play jazz.

You say you're the best face man in New York?
Fucking prove it.

-We could do something about your arm.
-Fuck my arm!

Nobody here takes your feelings for granted.

We did prepare something for you
based on the preliminary examination.

-Tell me. Bring it on.
-It's sometimes useful...

...in the early stages of rejection.

It's a facial prosthetic.
It was two weeks in the making.

-Thank you, Carly.
-You're welcome, doctor.

A facial prosthetic.

The aesthetic replacement does work,
emotionally and actually.

And the plastic in the aesthetic shield
also blocks out abusive rays...

...and assists in the regeneration of cells.

So it's an aesthetic regenerative shield.

That's correct. Exactly.

And the ergonomics of the plate barrier
allows it to interact reflexively...

-...with the movements of your own face.
-Oh. I see.

-It's a helpful unit.
-Good.

Because for a minute there...

...I thought we were talking
about a fucking mask!

-It's only a mask if you treat it that way.
-Oh, no.

It's great.
This completely takes care of Halloween.

But what about the other 364 days
of the year?

A new form of me began to take shape.

I planned my re-emergence
like the Normandy invasion.

Sofia. Sofia. Sofia.

Sofia. Sofia. Sofia. Serrano.

I'll just say it.

I did my homework.

I read every memo.

Thomas Tipp was right.

People will read again.

I attended the monthly board meeting
of the Seven Dwarves by video hookup.

Because people aren't buying books.
Let's invest...

Oh, baby. This was war.

My father was an adventurer.

I grew stronger in ways
I've never known before.

And on December 5th,
my planes filled the sky.

The return of David Aames Jr.

Citizen Dildo.

Did you see his face?

You won't... You won't believe this.

But this is me smiling.

It's been a long time.

I tried to see you,
but your people wouldn't let me.

I didn't wanna see me, okay?

But then...

...I woke up today...

...and finally, a good hair day.

You wanna get together?

Sure.

-What?
-Let's go out and do something.

This weekend.
I'll cancel an operation or two.

We'll have fun.

-Because I am all about fun.
-Ha, ha.

Okay, folks, our first guest
tonight is an amazing survival story.

Please welcome Benny the dog.

Welcome to the show.
Thank you very much for being here, Gary.

-My pleasure.
-I have so many questions.

To start off, tell us all
just what has happened to Benny.

-What's Benny been through?
-Okay, well, uh...

...Benny fell into the water near our home...

...and he was frozen in the Skykomish River.

In Washington.

That's right. And I went fishing,
thinking he'd been gone now for three months.

And I see him in a block of ice.

He is thawed out now. Is that correct?

-Ha.
-He's not moving a lot. I'm worried.

Should I get out some tongs?
I'm worried about the dog.

No, he's fine. He's just lost a little
of his friskiness, that's all.

Hey. Sofia? It's David.

I'm back in your life, and I...

I saw you earlier today.

I was just watching our old friend
Benny the dog on Conan...

...and I thought of you.

Whatever. I, uh...

I loved seeing you today.

So I will see you soon.

You're a great dancer.

Whoo! Woo-hoo!

-What are you drinking?
-Nothing.

I'm in the mood for a cheap,
sugary, overpriced rum and Coke.

Do you want one?
Is there any other kind?

I'll get us some.

-Where's the bathroom?
-Uh, it's behind, uh...

Over there by the place...

By the girl who looks like Bjork.

-I'll be right back.
-Maybe I should, uh...

-Hey, hey, hey.
-Hey, man.

-You look good. How's your book?
-Take it off.

No, this is a facial shield.
It's an aesthetic prosthesis.

These fucking doctors.

Take off the mask, man.
It's freaking me out.

I can't.

It's my face. This is my face.

Trust me. It's a little different.

If you're embarrassed, just go.
Nobody asked you to chaperone.

-Sofia asked me.
-What?

She didn't wanna be alone with me?
That's bullshit.

Because I think I'm being pretty fucking cool
about this whole thing.

Talk to a shrink.

Or are you gonna call me sometime
instead of hiding in your apartment?

Don't take it out on a
girl you only met once.

Did she say that? Once?

-Did she say that I met her once?
-Look, just cut it out, okay?

I miss the old you.

We all miss the old you.

Because the new guy is shit.

That came out wrong. I love you.

Period.

-How's your arm, man?
-Fuck you, Brian.

How about no sympathy?

How about that's the deal we make? Okay?

Afrika.

Give me a Budweiser and a shot of tequila.

What kind of tequila?

-What did you say to me?
-I said, what kind of tequila?

Why don't you ask me to my face, bitch?

Afrika Bambaataa.

Patron if you have it.

They're setting the stage.

For the renegades.

To control your mind.

They planned it yesterday, free.

Zulu Nation here to stay.

Let's get electrified
Let's get electrified.

Let's get electrified
Let's get electrified.

Let's get electrified
Let's get electrified.

Let's get electrified
Let's get electrified.

Pump it, rockin' it, stickin'
it, funkin' it -Afrika.

-Another shot, another Bud.
-This is on the house.

-Why?
-It just is, bitch.

That's the way we say Zulu.

Z-U-L-U That's the way we say Zulu.

Zulu Nation, cities of angels.

Zulu Nation, cities of angels.

Afrika Bambaataa.

Zulu Nation.

Electro funk.

Z-U-L-U That's the way we say Zulu.

Z-U-L-U That's the way we say Zulu.

Patron!

Dude, fix your fucking face.

-Hello again.
-Hello again.

Idea. Let's start over.

How about if you help me?
Uh, unless I'm horning in here.

Oh, you are. But the food is good.

I've got this little problem.
I've got a stalker.

Uh, it doesn't sound life-threatening.

I need a cover. I need for you to pretend...

...that we're having a scintillating
conversation and you are wildly entertained.

I know it's tough.

-I'll improvise.
-I don't talk like that.

She's right across the room...

...and she's burning a hole
in my back right now.

Red dress, strappy shoes?

That's right.

Hmm.

I think she is the saddest girl
to ever hold a martini.

Why? What's wrong? Is it me?

-Is it me?
-I'll tell you later.

-No. Tell me now.
-I'll tell you later.

-If something's wrong, please tell me now.
-I'll tell you la...

Let's just talk about it all right now.
Let's talk about everything.

-I'll tell you later
-Just get it all out.

Say everything now. Let's just...

-David...
-Say everything...

Say everything now. Now. Now.

I'll tell you in another life,
when we are both cats.

I can't believe you just said that.

That is the greatest thing
that I've ever heard.

That's hilarious that you said that. Heh.

See, that's... She said that. You said that.

See, that... That is what I love about you.

That's... That's hilarious.

I'll tell you in another life,
when we are both cats.

Cats!

Cats!

-Well, this is where I leave you.
-Wait. I'll walk you to your door.

-No, I live just around the corner.
-I've got my bike here.

-I'd rather walk.
-Don't be a drag.

Can't you see she wants to go on her own?

Shut up. You're drunk.

I may be an idiot, but I'm not drunk.

Seriously, I don't need you to walk me home.
Thank you.

Okay, then, so we'll call you.

Okay. We'll go catch a movie or something.

So we'll meet up soon.

We'll meet up soon.

We'll call you again to go out with me!

We'll call you!

It's been a real blast, David.
I bid you good evening.

Wait, wait, wait. Whoa.
Where are you going?

My bike, it's back over there.
We'll hang soon.

And bring your mask if you want.
I'm getting used to it.

-Wait a minute.
-What?

I don't know.

Look, you drank a little too much.
Call me tomorrow if you want.

Because tomorrow I'll wish I was dead.

No, you won't. You just need to sleep.

-Hey. Hey! Hey.
-What?

What did you say to Julie Gianni
the night of the accident?

What?

You told her she was a fuck buddy.

Never.

She was a little more than pissed about it.

Have you been harbouring this shit all along?

I never talked to her.

Whatever.

Anyway...

...who am I if I can't be the one
to tell you you're not ugly?

Heh. Come on.

Give me a courtesy laugh.

Oh, Brian, I'm so fucked up.

I'm just so fucked up.

Hey, Brian. Come on.

We're best friends!

We're bros!

Come on, man. We're bros.

Open your eyes.

-Boo
-Ah!

This is a cheap ploy for sympathy.

I'm okay.

I'm okay.

And it worked. Get up.

I agree.

-This is a joke.
-David, I'm not gonna lie to you.

I liked the way you looked.

But...

...you have to pull it the fuck together.

Because if not, I'll forget the other guy.

You know that other guy? You?

I'm still that guy.

-I'm still that guy.
-Listen.

I don't have a mother-saviour bone
in my body.

It's not about that. You are coming inside.

But if this turns out to be a big mistake...

...I do have the ability
to fall out of love with you... like that.

Uh-huh.

We created our own world together.

-I am still that guy.
-Shut up.

Us versus them.

-Where's Brian?
-Brian? He went with you.

Didn't he?

I thought you guys hooked up.

I wish you hadn't gotten in the car
with that girl.

-Sofia, I...
-Shh.

Your eyes apologize better.

Come on.

Holy God.

This is going to change my life
in a zillion different ways.

-I must be nuts.
-Ha, ha.

And we were quite a pair.

Her believing in me...

...and me believing that
I actually deserved it.

Ah, Sofia.

Well, I see you haven't
been wasting your time.

Do you ever draw anything else?

No.

Did you sleep last night?

I love you.

No. I did not sleep.

Got to leave early today, David,
so you'll have to be brief.

Now, what can you tell me
about the name Ellie?

Ellie.

Is that a girl you knew?
A girl you were in love with?

I've only been in love once.

Apparently, you kept repeating it last night.

You did sleep, David.
Your adviser said you cried out.

-You had a nightmare.
-Everything's a nightmare.

You cried out for Ellie, David.

Do you remember what happened?

I... I know I...

Dig deep, David. Dig deep.

You cried out for Ellie.
What do you remember about Ellie?

Show me your face, David.

Help me open the door.

No.

It's true you had an accident.
It's true you were disfigured.

But not anymore.

Do you remember?

They did fix your face.

Take off that mask, David.

You'll see your face is perfect under there.

I never trusted the doctors.

And what happened next was surreal.

That same arrogant bastard,
Dr. Pomeranz, called me...

...and suddenly he was my new best friend.

David. Hey, my brother.

Hey, I felt really bad
about our last conversation.

He said he'd discovered a new form
of re-constructive surgery...

...with the help of a doctor from Berlin.

-Hello.
-Next thing I knew...

...they'd shot me full of drugs
I'd never heard of...

...and away we went.

Yeah, yeah, yeah
What if God was one of us?

Just a slob like one of us.

Trying to make his way home.

-He's got a good voice.
-Fifty-five?

The odds, they said, were one in three...

...that the headaches could be reduced
by 50 percent...

...and facial tissue could be regenerated.

The first to incorporate the concept...

-...of endoscopic periorbita fibre optics.
-Where are we gonna eat later?

I can't even tell you what they did.

It seemed like science fiction to me.

Madonna had that song 'Borderline.'

That was a hell of a song.

And another snip.

This is gonna be one good-looking guy
when I'm done.

Obviously, I was suspicious.

Wouldn't you be?

Suspicious of whom? Of what?

Doc, once you've been driven off a bridge
at 80 miles an hour...

...somehow you don't invite happiness in
without a full-body search.

Well, at the risk of boring you...

...I can present the alternate argument.

I once knew a guy...

...who was a real loner.

One day he woke up at 40...

...with two daughters
that lit up his life with purpose.

And he suddenly goes
to endless school plays...

...and he gets home at 9:20
for the evening discussion, and he...

He has the time of his life.

His favourite Beatle was once John,
and now it's Paul.

I've always liked George.

It all depends on the individual,
doesn't it?

Tell me, what's happiness for you?

What's happiness to you, David?

How about another question?

Well, you won't show me your face,
will you?

Ah, so back to the time line.

Hurry. Let's move through this.

David!

David?

What?

You've got to take the plates off.

I don't wanna know what's under here.

It's gonna be fine. You'll see.

-I'll go tomorrow.
-You're going today.

I already called Pomeranz
and switched it to Wednesday.

Ha, ha. What?

I hope that woman at the front desk
gave you shit about it.

Another day won't matter.
Besides, the Mustang will be fixed.

The plan was going in the Mustang.
The Mustang's not ready.

-So we'll go tomorrow in the Mustang.
-Good.

We'll go when it's fixed. The Mustang.

Because I know that the problem

wouldn't be you delaying
something you are dreading.

-Couldn't be that.
-No.

Couldn't be that.

I mean...

I mean, I agree.

I think it's very important to have...

...the right car...

...to take you...

...where you want to go...

...24 hours a day.

Hmm.

How bad is it?

Well, your ears are in the right place.

And the rest of it...

...is not too bad at all.

It's perfect.

Do you love me?

I mean really love me?

Because if you don't...

...I'll just have to kill you.

You see, in my next life...

In my next life, I wanna come back
as this mole right here.

-Mm-hm.
-Seriously, this mole.

You'll have to wear bikini tops to work...

...and loose-fitting shirts
so that I can breathe.

I love you.

Love you.

I love you.

I could live right there.

Is this a dream?

Oh, absolutely.

We talked about the big things,
the little things...

...and the big things.

But in truth, with Sofia...

...it was the in-between times.

-What did she say?
-I have no idea.

-How's things, Brian?
-Fine.

Brian, how's things?

Don't flatter yourself. I'm fine.

Besides, Sofia is great,
but by no means one of a kind.

She was a proximity infatuation.

And don't use that. It's mine. Thanks.

Where'd you get this camera?

Oh, I'm into things you have no idea,
my friend.

Ah. Well, just as long as you're okay.

And anyway, we're friends, aren't we?

-Always.
-That's right.

Hey. What's up with your face?

-Fuck!
-What?

There's a seam opening or something.

Ah?

-David Aames.
-You're a fucking asshole.

I know.

Was I snoring?

No. I think it was me.

I was thirsty, that's all.

I'm dreaming about you. Mm.

Mm.

Mm.

I could listen to you say 'mm'
for the rest of my life.

Baby, what's wrong?

Where is she?

Who?

Who?

I'm Sofia.

Now, I'm gonna make sure
that I tie it four times.

You know why, Julie?

Because four times really means something.

-David, don't hurt me.
-Okay.

I'm freaked out. It worked.

You know you're not gonna get away
with this...

-...so just tell me, where is Sofia?
-I'm Sofia.

-Where is Sofia?
-I am Sofia.

-Where is she? Where is she?
-I am Sofia!

I'm calling the police,
and then you can tell it to them.

You survived the accident.

-What accident?
-Whose body was it?

It was the board.
It was the Seven Dwarves, wasn't it?

-I wasn't in an accident!
-You're trying to steal my life!

Of course you weren't in an accident...

...and now a fucking attempted murder!

I'm Sofia. Please.

Tell it to them.

-No.
-Oh, my God.

Yes, this is David Aames.
This is David Aames. I need help.

I've... I have an intruder.
I've captured an intruder...

-...who's entered my home.
-Oh, God.

-David Aames. Aames.
-Wake up, man.

Are you for real?

You kept me waiting here for three hours.
Tell me the news.

These guys think that I had something
to do with this.

Guys, can you give us a minute here?

Detective Larson, Detective Andrews, thanks.
Thanks very much.

They think that I had something
to do with this.

I'm gonna handle this exactly
the way your father would, okay?

All right? I've got it solved.

You got it solved?

Where is she?

Uh, she's gonna be fine.

Now, this whole file is gonna...

Thank God you're here, man.

It's okay.

-I love her.
-Yeah.

Right now I want you to look at these photos,
and then I'm gonna destroy them.

Sofia's testimony is also in here.
It won't exist.

She's not going to press charges.

Press charges against me?

David, wake up.

Now, as a friend...

...I think you should see
what you did to Sofia.

Now, the press won't get a hold of this
if you get away quickly.

Tommy, this is Julie Gianni.
This is not Sofia.

This is Julie Gianni.

I didn't do this to her.
Tommy, someone's setting me up.

David, the board and I
have taken care of everything.

Okay? I mean, they've been really great.
Really great, actually.

All this is gonna disappear.

We're all behind you. Even the board.

Get out of here.

This is a revolution of the mind.

You're in fucking sad shape!

Don't fucking ever hit a girl.

Hit me, but don't fucking ever hit a girl.

Listen to me. It wasn't Sofia. It was Julie.

-It was... It was Julie.
-Oh.

-It was Julie Gianni.
-Yes.

So Sofia was abducted by Julie...

...and now Julie is posing as Sofia.

-Yes.
-You're in O.J. land, man.

Julie Gianni is fucking dead.

I don't care what they told you.
I can assure you, Julie Gianni is alive.

-She is alive.
-I didn't talk to them. I talked to Sofia.

-Where is she?
-I just dropped Sofia off...

...and I saw everything you did to her.

Let me tell you something.
I did not do that to her.

Look at me. Look me in the eye...

...and you tell me that's the girl
you brought to the party.

You tell me that that's your dream girl.

Your proximity infatuation.

Yes.

And you stole her from me.

The one girl I really wanted,
and you took her from me.

You're insane. You're losing it, man.

-You have revealed yourself.
-Oh, yeah.

I'm with 'them.' Ooh.

Where'd you get the coat, Brian?

Where'd you get the camera?

How much did they pay you?

Listen to me, because this is the last time
we're ever gonna speak.

I was your only friend.

You have revealed yourself to me.

I might be wrong.

I might be wrong.

Problems?

Look, I'm in no mood to be fucked with,
so do yourself a favour...

There's an explanation for all this, David.

You and I know each other.
You found me on the Internet.

I used to think

I'm here to help you, David.

Who the fuck are you?

-Why are you following me?
-First of all...

...it's very important that you calm down.

Calm down?

Ha, ha. Calm down.

You must overcome your fears
and regain control.

Take a hold of your life again, David.

It's as easy as holding that glass.

What if I were to tell you
that you can take control...

...of all of this, everything?

Even me.

Look, I'm straight, okay?

David, look at all these people.

Seems as though they're just
all chatting away, doesn't it?

-Yeah.
-Nothing to do with you.

-No.
-And yet...

...maybe they're only here
because you wanted them to be here.

You are their god. Not only that...

...but you can make them obey you
or even destroy you.

Well, what I'd love for them to do
is shut the fuck up...

...especially you.

You see?

You and I signed a contract, David.

Who is the man in the restaurant? Who is it?

-I can't...
-Can you tell the difference...

...between dreams and reality?

-Of course. Can you?
-Think about it.

Think with your head.

You signed a contract, did you not?

I signed something.

Was the man in the restaurant there?

-Fuck!
-Accept your body's resistance.

Let your head answer.

Sign the contract, David.

-Yes.
-That's right.

-Who is Ellie?
-Ha, ha.

-I don't know what's real.
-What happened that night, David?

-Somebody died.
-I don't wanna remember.

You understand you hold the keys
to this prison.

-It wasn't Sofia.
-Who was it?

-No.
-Who was it? -No!

I'm afraid of him.

You wanna let it out, don't you, David?

You're about to tell me.

Tell me...

what your heart and soul will
not allow you to forget.

Did you kill Sofia?

I thought you were a vandal.

Who are you?

I'm Sofia.

You are not Sofia.

You are not Sofia.

-I'm Sofia.
-Whatever.

We're gonna be together again.

You're gonna forget about Julianna,
and we're gonna be together.

I'm not gonna be afraid of you anymore.

I'm gonna get you a cold towel.
I'll be right back.

I love you.

Pleasure delayer.

Sofia?

I am Sofia.

Sofia.

I love you.

I missed you so much.

Where were you?

Forget it.

I don't need to know. It doesn't...
It doesn't matter. Just...

Just tell me that you love me.

I love you.

What is happiness to you, David?

For me, it's being here with you.

What the fuck is happening?

What the fuck is happening?

David was a real delight as a child.

Oh, God.
I'm so afraid of how powerful this is.

Oh, David!

Red dress, strappy shoes.

That is the greatest thing
that I've ever heard.

In another life, when we are both cats.

What's happening?

Hey, man, what's happening?

I don't wanna see your face!

I did it, didn't I?

But I don't feel like I killed someone.

-David...
-I feel like I'm in a dream.

Who was the man at the restaurant?

Sometimes the mind behaves
as if it were in a dream.

Faces change. People become other people.

The subconscious is a powerful thing.

You treated Julie carelessly, didn't you?

Your feelings of responsibility
or guilt over Julie...

...might have easily turned Sofia into Julie.

Do you know what derangement is?

I need your help.

All I know is you killed your girlfriend,
and I don't know what's in your mind.

I need your help.

I would work on this case forever if I could,
but we've run out of time.

What will you plead?

Temporary derangement.

That's your best chance.

I don't think they'll believe me.

What do you believe?

Believe it or not, I care about you.

You've...

You've become like family to me.

I don't wanna give up on you, David...

...but I needed more.

I needed...

I needed an answer.

I mean, I even thought there was more
than a good chance...

...that somebody was playing a trick on you.

Maybe it was the board.

But I can't exceed my duties.

I'm just a psychologist.

And I have to go now.

Will I see you at the trial?

No. I'm...

I'm just the opening act.

Reassurance is our speciality.

That's the Life Extension credo.

Benny is a dog
who was frozen for three months...

...and thawed out to live a normal life.

Life Extension can translate
to the human form too.

How do you accomplish such a thing?

Seventy-two cryonized patients...

...are currently held at our facility
in New Brunswick.

And we feature the finest
scientific technicians...

...on the planet.

The book is Life...

McCabe!

McCabe!

Come back!

Come back!

Life Extension Corporation, please.

-Can I help you?
-L.E.

We hold a court order.

I think I've been here before.

-Her name is Libby.
-Good morning, Mr. McCabe.

I'm Libby. I'm here to assist you.

He's my son. He's very shy.

You're not with the media or a part
of any legal consortium, correct?

No.

Welcome to Life Extension.

Take a look at our proposal.
Please follow me.

You can wait out here.

You'll be meeting Rebecca Dearborn,

my personal role model.

I didn't need the pain anymore.
I already experienced that.

Lay down and die.
Life Extension wants you to live.

I love my golf. I love my vintage car.

I don't think that God disapproves of this.

A journey of reawakening...

'...after the preservation of the human body
at extremely low temperatures.'

-They laughed at Jules Verne too.
-David, you are not...

Mr. McCabe, how are you?
I'm Rebecca Dearborn.

Life Extension, or 'L.E.,'
as we like to refer to it...

...is a glimpse of the future.

It's a ticket. Not in the juvenile sense...

...but in the deeply meaningful sense...

...that can only be born in the human heart.

The DNA codes of the human body
have been broken.

Soon heart ailments, cancer, so much more
will be a thing of the past.

Very simply, your anguish, your discontent...

...even your death is no longer necessary
in a traditional sense.

Whatever malady hides behind that mask,
it's temporary.

Within an hour of your passing...

...L.E. will transfer your body to a vessel
where you will be sealed and frozen...

...at 196 degrees below zero.

Power outages, earthquakes...

Nothing will affect
your suspension hibernation.

You signed a contract
with these people, David?

What's the lucid-dream option?

Good choice.

The lucid dream is Life Extension's
newest option.

For a little extra,
we offer the cryonic union...

...of science and entertainment.

'Cryo-tainment.'

Some find this presentation helpful.

I have a universe.

Inside me.

Portrait of a modern human life.

American, male. Birth and death.

Imagine that you are suffering
from a terminal illness.

You'd like to be cryonized,
but you'd rather be resurrected...

...to continue your own life
as you know it now.

L.E. offers you the answer.

Upon resurrection...

...you will continue in an ageless state,
preserved...

...but living in the present
with a future of your choosing.

Your death will be wiped from your memory.

Your life will continue
as a realistic work of art...

...painted by you minute to minute...

...and you'll live it
with the romantic abandon...

...of a summer day
with the feeling of a great movie...

...or a pop song you always loved...

...with no memory of how it all occurred...

...save for the knowledge
that everything simply improved.

And in any instance of discontent...

...you'll be visited by technical support.

It's all just around the corner.

The day after tomorrow...

...another chapter begins seamlessly.

A living dream.
Life Extension's promise to you.

Life, part two.

A living dream.

Your death will be wiped from your memory.

I guess I missed that one in USA Today.

A dream.

And what is any life
if not the pursuit of a dream?

The dream of peace,
the dream of achievement.

The dream of hearing someone
say these words...

...when they truly mean them.

-I love you.
-I love you, David.

I love you.

Roam free, David.

Most of us live our whole lives
without any real adventure to call our own.

It's hard to comprehend.

But they laughed at Jules Verne too.

This is a revolution of the mind.

Thank you for the coffee.

David.

You have been taken.

-This is a dream.
-Is it?

When did you die?

When exactly were you... cryonized?

Listen to me, for fuck's sake.

This is all a very, very professional,
very seductive fucking hoax.

And if you're just dreaming... look at me.

If you're just dreaming right now,
that means I don't exist.

Are you listening to me
or are you just waiting to speak?

I'm sorry.

I'm just imagining you.

David, I am real.

I am too real.

How do you know?

First, I'm smarter than you. And second...

Was that a dream?

I paid for you to say that.

-This is a living dream that I paid for.
-I'm fighting for your life here.

I paid for this. I didn't kill anyone.

-There's no case.
-I brought you here.

I'm putting my fast-fading prestige
on the line.

-And I swear to you on my mother's grave...
-It's a nightmare.

-I wanna find Sofia.
-I am real. This is all happening right now.

You are going to trial. This isn't a dream.

And take off that mask.

I don't wanna show my face.

Let me see your goddamn face right now.

And if you're still
disfigured, I'll believe you.

-Tech support.
-Let me see your face.

-What's going on here?
-Tech support.

Get out here. Your impeccable timing.

-Tech support.
-Leave now.

He's under my jurisdiction.

-Tech support!
-Get out now. Leave!

-Technical support.
-David...

-Technical... Tech support. Tech...
-David, I am your tech support.

We're out of time.

Take off that mask.

Now.

Take it off.

Yes.

Yes.

Now, take a look in this mirror
and tell me if that isn't your face.

You see?

Hmm?

Huh?

You see? Huh?

Was I right?

God, why do you insist
on seeing what is not there?

You are perfect.

I'm a monster.

David, you're handsome.

If only I looked like you.

Tech support.

Please.

I, I love the colourful clothes she wears.

And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair.

I hear the sound of a gentle word

I paid for this music.

What?

I paid for this music.

-Can you hear it?
-There is no music, David.

I'm pickin' up good vibrations.

There's no music at all.

-I'm pickin' up good vibrations.
-Good vibrations.

-Hey.
-Now where do I go?

Tech Support!

Hey, Frank.

It's a nightmare!

Get him out of there.

Tech Support!

Back off.

Back off.

I got a gun. Back off.

I think I may kill somebody.

When I look in her eyes.

She goes with me to a blossom world.

Tech Support!

I've been dying to do
this since we first met.

I'm pickin' up good vibrations.

-Oh, my God.
-Okey-dokey.

Back off.

This isn't real.

Drop the weapon.

Get on the ground!

-On the ground.
-Tech support.

Get down!

-Drop the weapon!
-Drop your weapon! Do it!

-Wake the fuck up! Don't let me fucking...
-Get on the ground now!

-Let me see your hand!
-I wanna wake up!

I'll wake you up, asshole!

Drop the weapon!

No, don't shoot! Don't shoot! Stop!

-Don't make me kill you.
-Put the gun down.

Leave this to me.

Oh, my God, what have you done?

What have you done?

This is a dream.

Don't do it.

Give me the gun.

My God.

Is it a dream?

Mommy?

McCabe.

-McCabe.
-What?

You're crushing me.

I can't move. I've been shot in the back.

How do you know?

Huh?

Oh, my God.

There's no blood. You can move your arms.

I... I was shot.

I...

Where the...?

Where's...?

I was shot.

I wasn't shot. I...

There's a welt on my back.

I was Tasered or something.

-I told you, it's all a drea...
-No, no. No.

-You...
-No.

You did a great job.

I loved it.

It was a great ride.

And I'm always the last one to get it.

I took drama in high school, and I know
a good performance when I see one.

And you, you were great, every one of you.
You were...

Bravo.

Loved the crowd scene.

Hello?

Anybody?

Yoo-hoo.

David Aames.

Yoo-hoo.

I think it's time we had
a proper reintroduction.

-I'm Edmund Ventura from the Oasis Project.
-There have to be...

-Formerly Life Extension. LE.
-...people around here...

-Tech support.
-...somewhere.

-I'm your tech support.
-Hey.

Hey, where are you going?

An account liaison. We met 150 years ago.

Oh, shit.

So when did the dream begin?

Do you remember the day at the nightclub?

We'll meet up soon.

That night when
you fell asleep on the pavement...

...was the moment chosen for the splice.

The splice?

The end of your real life
and the beginning of LE's lucid dream.

One you purchased from us.

A splice of 150 years which you didn't notice
because you happened to be frozen...

...at a temperature of 196 degrees
below zero.

From the moment you woke up on that street,
nothing was real in a traditional sense.

Your life was monitored by Life Extension...

...and a panel of experts
who followed your every thought.

Forgive me. I'm blowing your mind.

I'm not a big fan of heights.

I know.

We erased what really happened
from your memory.

-Erased?
-Replaced by a better life.

Under these beautiful, Monet-like skies.

Your mother's favourite.

A better life because you had Sofia.

And that life was sculpted out
of the iconography of your youth.

An album cover that once moved you.

There are some things that you're not
old enough to understand just yet.

A movie you saw once late at night
that showed you what a father could be like.

Or what love could be like.

This was a kind woman, an individual.

More than your equal.

You barely knew her in your real life.

In your lucid dream, she was your saviour.

What did you erase?

-What happened in my real life?
-Do you really want to know?

You woke up on that street,
despondent and alone.

You shut yourself away for months.

You battled your board,
the Seven Dwarves, for control.

How was Aspen?

In the end, it was Thomas Tipp,
your father's friend...

...the man whose job you saved, who wrenched
the company back into your control.

Torn, huh?

You were alone
with diminishing physical capabilities.

You could barely function.

You found us.

And you were one of the very first
to choose the lucid dream option.

And on a day in late December...

...you gave yourself to us.

Merry Christmas.

Whoa.

Your friend Brian Shelby
threw a three-day memorial.

He was a true friend.

You were missed, David.

It was Sofia who never fully recovered.

It was she who somehow knew you best.

And like you,
she never forgot that one night...

...where real, true love seemed possible.

Squandered when you got in the car
with Julie Gianni.

Consequences, David.

It's the little things, isn't it?
They often loom largest of all.

And that, my friend...

...is about as close to the secret of life
as I'm allowed to tell.

I want Sofia back.

Who wouldn't, baby?

So I created everything?

I created Julie Gianni to come back?

The board, to steal my life?

I threw myself in prison?

Look, I tried to warn you in the bar.

I told you you must exercise control over
yourself, that it all depended on your mind.

I gave you technical support.

I gave you everything. I even gave you
a theme song by Paul McCartney...

...which is very hard material to acquire.

So all I have to do is imagine something?

Like if I wanted McCabe
to come back right now.

David.

Listen to me.

These people are dangerous.

We're in trouble.
We need to get off this roof now.

Your subconscious did create problems.

Your dream turned into a nightmare...

...and this gentleman
was able to uncover the fabric of our work.

The glitch has been corrected.

And we do apologize.

Now, now, David,
I tell you this with my heart and soul.

This is a con man.

And we're going downstairs,
and we'll look for people. Come on.

Take no notice of him. He's not real.

He has no real feelings.

He's no more real than the image
of John Coltrane in your living room.

I'll kill you, you fuck.

What do you know about mankind?

What do you know about my feelings?

-Easy, doctor, you're a man of peace.
-You son of a bitch.

I'm an honoured psychologist.
I have two daughters.

And I will uncover this hoax
with one-fiftieth of my intellect.

We are now on pause.

You're about to return to your lucid dream.

-Pause?
-With all the upgrades.

You won't remember any of this and nor will
you be charged for the technical support.

You can continue your dream...

...or you can choose the world out there
if you wish.

And it's very different now.

People live to be 200 years old.
Your face and body can be fixed, of course.

You're a very young man
at the beginning of his life...

...but you will enter it
with few of the resources you once had...

...and your money will run out soon.

There are no guarantees.

You can go into this world if you wish.

But remember, even in the future,
the sweet is never as sweet...

...without the sour.

Well, how are you doing, Brian?

Living the dream, baby. Living the dream.

-Hi.
-How do I wake up?

How do you wake up from any nightmare?

The decision is yours.

David.

You listen to everything I say now.

You were right.

This is the Seven Dwarves.
They want you to commit suicide.

And if you jump, they win.

Take no notice of him. He's not real.

We've been set up.

Please.

Please don't jump.

You're like family to me.

Give yourself a little credit, David.

Your attention to detail is...

is magnificent.

This stunning man is your creation.

He's a very complex and winning manifestation
of the loss of your father.

I'm not your father.

I'm your doctor.

You created him to say goodbye,
and I must say...

...he's fabulous.

Thank you for this suit as well. it's...

I would've never have thought of it
for myself.

I'm real. I have two daughters.

You know that.

And what are their names?

Hmm?

I...

I'm real.

I'm...

I'm... Mortality as home entertainment?
This cannot be the future.

Can it?

Can it?

I hate heights.

And yet you chose this scenario
to conquer your last remaining fear.

It's been a brilliant journey
of self-awakening.

Now you've simply got to ask yourself this.

What is happiness to you?

Let them out there read my mind.

I'm real.

I'm real.

Look at us.

I'm frozen and you're dead.

It's a problem.

I love you.

And I can't settle for a dream.

Because as great as I imagined you...

...you were even better.

I'll find you again.

How will I know it's you?

What's out there?

The way someone looks at you...

...and the way the wind blows
on a cool summer day.

A laugh you hear somewhere.

You'll remember a feeling...

...and that will be me.

I love you.

Good morning.

It's time for you to wake up.

David.

David.

We can defend the kingdom. Together.

Please don't do this.

I love you all.

I will see you in another life...

...when we are both cats.

No!

Don't do it!

But, Wally...

What did David see?

-David Aames.
-I am one of them.

-Benny the Dog.
-Always remember the little things.

Bye, honey.

I'll find you again.

I wanna wake up!

Open your eyes, David.

You're gonna be fine.