Variant (2018) - full transcript
Can I get half of this?
Otherwise they go to waste.
You're single.
These must be clairvoyant.
Beets never lie.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Oh! Sorry.
- Are you okay?
- Yeah, I'm so sorry.
I hate when people
have their faces in their phones
and here I am just...
I think I may have
just taken a picture.
I hope it's a good one.
Do I know you?
I feel like I know you.
I'd remember meeting you.
- You want a beet?
- Let me guess, first one's free?
You are on to me.
Um.
It was nice running in to you.
You as well.
- Are you okay?
- Yeah.
- Yeah, why?
- You seem a little...
off.
Okay, I feel off. Yeah.
You know it's like...
somebody came into my house
and rearranged
a bunch of stuff in the night.
Like what?
Spoons.
Yeah, well...
the thing is they're actually
in a better drawer
and it makes more sense,
but it's still just weird.
what about the show?
Is everything kosher?
- Do you like the space?
- This is really good.
- Did they change the roast?
- Good talk.
I'll see you soon.
Get there early.
We're not on Aria time.
- Hey, Mackenzie.
- Hi, human.
I don't know what it is,
but I get the feeling
that she doesn't like me.
What makes you think that?
Intuition.
Oh!
Her loss.
This is awful!
Is this a different roast?
Thomas, what do you want?
Wow. I can't just stop by
and say hello?
Yeah, you can.
Are you?
What?
Come on, Ari.
What do I have to do?
I need more time.
Yeah well, I know.
I'm trying to give you space
I am, but could you just stop
and talk to me for a second?
You want to talk?
Be there tonight.
- What?
- My art show. The gallery.
Yeah. I'm gonna be there.
But could you just hear me out?
- Way to go, champ.
- Whoops.
Excuse me?
It's none of my business,
but I don't think pressuring her
is going to
get you what you want.
- And you are?
- Have you ever thought
that maybe
you don't make her happy?
- Uh?
- Just a thought.
Again, none of my business.
Have an excellent day.
- Oh. Whoa!
- What do you see?
I see
a bottle of detergent.
Yeah, it's like...
laundry detergent.
- Okay.
- No, no, no, it's okay.
It's okay.
Everybody does it
the first time.
So...
that's augmented reality or AR.
You should hear
him and the other programmers
- geek out over this.
- Wow!
Tell her
what you guys call the code.
- Go on!
- DNA.
It takes a lot longer to say.
First, that was an inside joke.
So, thank you for that.
Second, DNA is code.
And ours is immersive.
Dimensional. Disruptive.
Until, of course,
VR really takes off
and we're spending
most of our days
in the virtual world.
But that's years away.
AR is now.
Oh my God.
That sounds horrible.
No. Why...
what do you mean?
I mean the virtual thing.
Yeah, I'm sure
there are people
that would love to live in...
- you know.
- So... yes.
I... I like books.
I like the way that the...
pages smell
when they get old and...
I like paints
and oil paints and brushes.
I guess I...
I like the way real things feel.
I'm very...
tactile in that way, I guess.
I could listen to you
talk all day.
Just being honest.
- But I'm taking these away.
- Okay.
Your style is exactly
the aesthetic we're going for
with this campaign.
The images need a strong voice
that resonates
with a female demographic.
And we want them
to feel hand-painted.
- So...
- Why not
get a female to hand-paint them?
Yeah.
Yes.
Mackenzie tells me you have...
- an exhibition tonight?
- Yes!
Um...
that might be giving it
a bit more credit
than it deserves.
It's just a small gallery
where a few of my paintings
are hanging in Silverlake.
Okay,
well I think that sounds rad.
And I'm looking forward to it.
Because I'm gonna be there.
Okay.
Take some time.
Mull it over.
I think we can do
great work together.
Yeah?
So... you.
And I'll see you later.
Thank you.
I like real things?
I know... I know, I know.
- Who are you?
- But I do. I do.
Thomas?
Thomas, are you here?
So... streamlined
the mission statement
and added the bits
here and here.
Underwriting sponsorships
and matched funding.
Okay.
Oh. I've got to take this.
You want to take a look?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Hey, you.
- Look, I'm sorry about...
- It's a sweet gesture.
But you can't
let yourself in like that.
- They're your favorite right?
- Yeah,
they're beautiful. It's just...
You can't do stuff
like this anymore.
I... I do miss my teammate.
- Hello?
- Thomas,
- I like it. It works.
- Great.
- Grosse Pointe meeting.
- Oh. Yeah.
I'll be there. Hey, Ari?
Can we sort this out later?
- Sure.
- Thanks.
Bye.
Be with me.
- Be with me.
- Be with me. Be with me.
Be with me. Be with me.
Be with me.
Be with me. Be with me.
Be with me. Be with me.
Be with me.
Be with me. Be with me.
Be with me. Be with me.
Be with me.
Be with me. Be with me.
Be with me.
Be with me.
All right.
We have you
slated to help with the...
Long Beach fundraiser...
in October.
Couldn't do what we do
without our volunteers.
- So, thank you so much.
- My pleasure.
I'm psyched, as the kids say.
Or used to say. I don't know.
I'm pumped?
So...
do you work here alone?
Oh god! That sounded horrible.
I only asked because I spend
most of my time in a dark room
- at the university.
- Oh!
Wow, I didn't realize
anyone still shot on film.
- That's great.
- Dark room, right.
Uh, no.
Not that kind of dark room.
Computers.
I do data modeling.
Sport of the future.
Point being, they've got me...
down in the basement.
Alone. 12, 14 hours a day and...
I don't have much of a life
outside of work and honestly...
that kind of isolation
can get to you after a while.
Yeah.
Well, luckily
I've got a business partner.
Thank god,
I don't think
I could do this by myself.
Actually,
he should be back any minute.
Remind me what that's like.
Having someone
to collaborate with.
You two
work well with each other?
Yeah.
Yeah, he's great actually.
You know, passionate and smart.
Energy for days and caring.
- Yeah, I got a good one.
- Oh,
you two are together?
Together together? No.
- No, it's strictly professional.
- You sure?
Because your eyes
kind of light up
when you talk about him.
- I, um...
- Sorry, sorry, I'm gonna go.
Thank you.
And I'll see you in Long Beach.
Water for the world.
Water for the world.
And it's none of my business,
but tell him how you feel.
You won't regret it.
I promise.
Whoa, whoa... whoa.
Hey,
didn't we do this earlier today?
At the market, you ran into me,
kind of like now, only...
Sorry, just out for a walk.
Do you live around here?
Uh, yeah.
A couple of streets over,
on Rosemont.
Uh, you mean Rosemary.
No,
I'm pretty sure it's Rosemont.
Yeah, I've lived in this area
for a while
and it's three streets over.
It's Rosemary.
Hey.
Not here to argue cartography
with you or whatever.
Sorry I freaked you out. Okay?
Really. Have a good night.
Yeah... I will.
Don't get down about this.
It takes a while
to get a following.
No it's fine.
It's just...
I don't know.
I'm having a really odd day.
I thought Thomas would be here.
I thought you two were
taking some time off.
I invited him.
But, it's not like
we're actually together.
So I can't be disappointed,
right?
Hey, Ben will be here
in five minutes.
- Are you trying to set us up?
- You and Ben?
- No.
- Because it kind of sounds like
- you're trying to set us up.
- Okay,
Ben is a great guy.
And you could do
a hell of a lot worse.
But this is more about
feeding
that crazy artist in here,
while feeding her here.
I don't know, just...
selling detergent while
the world is falling apart.
Hey! You wouldn't
just be selling detergent.
There's...
juice boxes, cereals...
toilet paper.
Um... should we mingle?
I guess not.
You know I just
want you to be happy, right?
Yeah, I'm not sure
- happiness is really a thing.
- Fine.
Fuck happiness.
Call it whatever you want.
I just want you fulfilled.
This one.
Yep, this one is my favorite.
It's like she's saying...
I'm not going anywhere,
motherfucker.
It's yours.
No.
- No.
- Yes. I want you to have it.
Really?
Because she's my favorite.
You're a really great friend,
Mack.
What was that?
You're the best.
And I'm not going anywhere...
motherfucker.
I'm not going anywhere,
motherf...
- Really?
- I can't.
What?
It's like I don't live here.
It's Rosemont... the street.
It's Rosemont.
Again, last night,
- I'm sorry if I scared you.
- No.
I'm sorry.
I could have sworn
the street was Rosemary.
It's like,
I remember it being Rosemary.
- Weird, right?
- The Mandela Effect.
- Sorry?
- It's this phenomenon.
Groups of people who remember
alternate versions of things.
It could be something big.
Like how many states
there are in the U.S.
Or a little thing,
like Rosemary,
- Rosemont.
- You're a weird one, aren't you?
You may not have been
stalking me the other night.
But you're definitely weird.
I like it.
Be right back.
Be with me,
be with me, be with me.
Yeah, that's not creepy.
I'm just taking
a moment to be grateful.
- What are we grateful for?
- Oh, you know,
good coffee,
sunshine, charming strangers.
Oh, cheers.
Well, we both know I'm charming,
but you?
I can be charming.
I'm keeping it in check.
Just for your sake.
Really?
So once you let loose,
that's it.
- Women are helpless.
- Some people call it a gift,
but me, I also call it a gift.
Oh, you poor, poor thing.
Okay, so tell me more
about this Mandela craziness.
- Blow my mind.
- Okay. Well,
you already think I'm weird.
There's a huge group of people
who all have the same memory
of Nelson Mandela
dying in prison.
Well, except he was released.
And then later on became
president of South Africa.
Right.
But there are 1000s of people
who remember
something different.
Okay. So,
it's like an alternate version
of history.
Like different realities?
That somehow
merged with this one.
Yeah, I don't buy it.
Me neither. But it's
a fun thought experiment.
I mean, I'm a sucker
for that kind of stuff.
You know, urban legends,
occult phenomena,
- ancient myths.
- Yeah.
Bigfoot. UFOs. Weirdo stuff.
No, no, no.
I think it's a really cool idea.
I do. I just, you know...
If there...
were an alternate reality, I...
- Sorry.
- Do you need to get that?
No, I know who it is.
It's just...
Wow, there's three.
And four.
Four. Comes after three.
I just wanted you to know
- that I could count.
- Wait a minute.
When I learned to count
it was one, two, three, five.
Are you trying to Mandela me?
All right, well...
this was lovely but
I have to go.
'Til next time?
Yeah, bye.
You've already talked to
allocations about setting aside
a percentage for us?
With the chance of their
annual contribution increasing
by five percent
over the next five years.
That's awesome.
That's huge.
You're a superstar.
What?
Oh, come on, Janine. What?
What is it?
I'm sure
this isn't the right time.
But how do I say this?
I...
I have been feeling...
for a long time...
that...
that I...I
I have wanted to tell you...
Aria!
- Oh. Hi, Janine.
- Hi!
- How are you?
- I'm great. And you?
I'm well.
Thanks.
We miss you around here.
Um...
chamber of silence?
Good seeing you.
- Let's get lunch sometime.
- Sure, yeah.
This is hard on me too.
But you can't pressure me.
And making up reasons
why we need to talk, it's...
Do I make you happy?
Um... do I...
when we were together, did...
did I make you happy?
Thomas, what is this?
It's stupid,
but some guy on the street
said almost
the exact same thing.
that I shouldn't pressure you.
And maybe
I didn't make you happy.
That's what I thought.
You wouldn't know this guy?
He was kind of tall,
kind of big.
I guess it doesn't matter.
One, two.
You say you know who it is.
You put your phone away.
You put it on silent.
You apologize...
and you put it in your purse.
I miss you... everyday.
I miss how
great we were together.
Mostly.
Meaning?
Last night. The gallery?
Oh,
I'm so sorry about that. Really.
I know,
I should have been there.
I told you I was gonna be there
but I... I knew you wanted time.
I invited you.
Look, I think...
sometimes...
with the work that we do here
which...
you know, it's so essential,
so needed. I...
I forget other things in life
might be important too.
Are they? Or am I selfish.
Well...
we're all a little selfish.
I mean...
Okay,
I'm going to be honest with you,
It doesn't make sense to me.
Not after
all we've done together.
But I'm not you.
I don't have... the artists fire
or whatever people call it.
So... if it's important to you,
it's important to me.
Yeah, but it hasn't been.
It will be.
It is. I promise you.
Market.
Rosemont.
Cafe.
Text messages.
One... two... three...
- Four, comes after three,
- four.
I just wanted you
to know that I could count.
It's never been four.
Fuck! Fuck!
Look, I might not be able
to live completely
in your world,
and maybe you
can't have both feet in mine.
But there's enough
between us here.
We shouldn't throw that away.
You have
to know that I love you.
Only you.
No... no, no.
Okay, dramatic much?
How can you even consider that?
Because I can still
do my art on the side.
You already tried that.
Look, I know you don't
want to hear this.
- Then don't say it.
- But if he loved you,
if he really, really loved you,
then he would
want you to be happy.
And none of this,
"happiness doesn't exist" crap.
- You know what I mean.
- I think he does. Really.
- Jesus.
- What?
You don't love him.
Okay. Wow.
You don't.
Look,
I know you think I hate Thomas.
I don't. It's just I hate
that he's not right for you.
And he knows it. He does.
All right, fine.
I hate him a little bit.
But in the nicest possible way.
You are such a pain in the ass.
But I know you just want
what's best for me.
One of us has to.
Fuck!
Wait. Did you just hear that?
It sounded like glass breaking.
What?
Walking towards the scary sound?
Aren't we
supposed to call the cops?
And tell them what?
That we heard a scary noise?
Hello?
Like they're gonna answer?
Just hold on.
Hello?
Come on.
Shit.
Could that have fallen?
No.
Outside. Let's go.
Come on. Come on!
Shall we restart?
Something different.
Let's try something different.
Well,
there's no sign of forced entry,
which is good.
Can you tell if there's
anything else missing?
Um... I don't know, but I...
I didn't check everything.
Well I do suggest
getting these locks changed.
Just to be safe.
Now can you stay
with a friend until then?
As if you have to ask.
- She's going to stay with me.
- Great.
At least
until I get my own stalker.
You don't want that.
Have a good night ladies.
Please lock up behind me.
All right. Well,
maybe we can reschedule or...
I mean, do they have any leads?
It's just...
- I don't want you to be alone.
- No, no, no. I'm not.
I'm staying
with Mackenzie tonight.
Oh good!
- No, you go.
- Tell her I said hi.
He says, "Hey".
- She says, "Hey" back.
- Yeah,
I'm sure she does.
Listen, you'll stay with her
until I get back from Michigan?
Yeah, what time is your flight?
- About three and a half hours.
- Oh, ouch.
Well,
I hope the fundraiser goes well.
- Thank you, honey.
- Is Janine going?
Tell my guest my
business partner will be going.
I love you.
You, too.
- Text me when you land?
- Of course.
Good night, beautiful.
Thomas.
Oh my god.
Back to the stalker dude.
Or woman.
- We don't want to be sexist.
- Of course.
Let's say he...
or she does exist.
Do you have any idea
of who he could be?
No, I...
Oh, well...
There is this one guy.
I don't know though.
He seems pretty normal.
- But is he cute.
- No, he's handsome, yeah.
He's pretty charming too.
We've actually
run into each other.
Yeah. A couple of times. It's...
Oh, wait. Here.
Are you sure you're
not the one doing the stalking?
No.
He took that photo.
Well, accidentally.
I dropped my phone
and then it...
like, took a picture.
It was weird.
You have to introduce us.
- To my stalker.
- Alleged stalker.
Even if he was,
two birds, one stone.
Because once you go Mack...
you never go back.
- Hey.
- Oh my god!
Sorry.
I did not mean to startle you.
I just had one more question
about the Long Beach fundraiser.
Do you have a second?
Um...
I'm not going anywhere,
motherf...
Stranger.
Oh, hello.
May I join you?
Quiet today.
I'm quiet most days.
So the girl I met before,
when's she around?
Tuesdays and Thursdays?
Because I can come back.
Wednesdays and Saturdays.
And every other Monday.
I'll make a note.
What is it you do,
that you can hang out
- in coffee shops all day?
- I could ask you the same thing.
I'm a software engineer. You?
Unemployed.
I used to help run an NGO.
Well, actually,
I might do that again.
Until then
I've been living off my savings,
which are dwindling.
And the art?
I think that's going to
have to become a hobby.
I feel that it could
be more than that for you.
Not a job. More like a calling.
That's really sweet
but you don't know me that well.
I'm pretty good
at reading people.
I see things.
Okay, Svengali.
What do you see?
I see...
I see a young woman who's torn.
Her art makes her happy.
Maybe happier
than anything else in the world.
But she feels guilty about that.
She feels guilty because...
when she sees all the pain
and the suffering in the world
her art feels trivial
compared to that.
I see someone who sometimes
whispers when something
moves her deeply because...
she knows that words can't
hold the bigness
of a moment like that
But they can shrink it...
make it disappear.
And even when
the greatest sadness
she'll ever know
settles on her shoulders...
there's something beautiful
that just... shines through.
That same fire of compassion
that she's stoked
and nurtured her whole life.
And she's...
radiant.
I'm just taking
a moment to be grateful.
Thank you.
That was...
I call 'em like I see 'em.
Do you want to have a drink
with me tonight?
I have this friend.
I know that I don't know you
that well, but...
I feel like you and her
would really hit it off.
Sure.
Sounds great.
Good... good.
Excellent.
Hey,
I've got some friends inside.
Do you mind
if I go in and join them?
We're at full capacity.
Thank you.
Oh... Joel!
- Oh, hey.
- Hey.
This is Mackenzie.
Hi. Nice to meet you.
You, too.
Okay,
so it's standing room only.
Hour to an hour and a half
for a table, so...
Let's go somewhere else.
Where to?
How about some place
with a nice bottle of wine?
There's a little wine bar
a little further down Oceanview.
I haven't been,
but I hear it's pretty good.
How about your place?
Are either of you hungry?
I'm starving.
All right. Let's go.
Gracias.
Okay. The second best burrito
you'll ever have.
What's the first?
I haven't found it yet.
Hey!
Do you have any experience
with Augmented Reality?
What?
He's an engineer.
Do you know how hard it is
to find a good one?
It's like roping a unicorn.
No, the work I do
is more esoteric I suppose.
I...
I create models that...
they try
to determine probabilities
in chaotic complex systems.
Sounds like a hoot.
For example,
what's the probability
of Aria spitting her burrito
- all over the parking lot.
- Wow!
That was impressive, by the way.
I'm sorry.
What were the...
What were the forces and events
that conspired
to make that happen?
Easy. Bad breeding.
She does that shit
at least once a day.
You're disgusting.
Okay,
but seriously,
so something like...
chaos theory.
Where a butterfly
flaps its wings in Beijing,
which then causes a girl
to spit up her burrito
in Los Angeles.
- Right? That kind of complexity?
- Exactly that.
So, what are you trying
to figure out
with these probabilities?
Well, let's use this burrito
as our context.
There's a whole lot
going on inside this burrito,
but at the end of the day
there are a finite number
of variables at play here.
What did you order?
Because I just got chicken.
Stay with me here.
Let's just simplify things
and say the contents are just
the rice, the beans,
and maybe
a little bit of hot sauce.
Now, when the burrito's made,
the way the ingredients
combine inside,
well that's totally random,
right?
Uh-huh.
What if it's not.
If we could
understand exactly why
the ingredients
combine the way they do,
we could make this burrito
over and over again.
And every time we made it,
every grain of rice...
every single bean...
and every bit of hot sauce
would be
in the exact same place.
I'm detecting a pattern.
Order.
Everything in its place.
You are a live by the rules
type of guy.
Yes, I used to be.
Like my whole life.
But now... trying something new.
Okay,
so besides being a recovering
follow the rules guy,
why does it matter if the rice
falls in the same place?
Well,
if you could replicate an event
so it happens
the same way every time
You'd be obsessive.
True, but also...
You could predict anything.
Yes. The weather. The future.
Earthquakes.
Reconstruct the past.
A perfect moment.
But you wouldn't just
be remembering that moment,
you'd be reliving it.
Yeah, I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't think I would
want to relive a moment.
No matter how perfect it was.
No,
I want to create new memories,
new experiences, you know?
Even if they're not as magical.
Have you done it?
Made the same thing happen
over and over?
Not yet.
Well, I think that this
conversation would go great...
with a nice bottle of wine.
You do have wine at your place,
right?
I do.
This is the right house,
isn't it?
What's going on with you?
I keep hearing these sounds.
Then everything shakes.
It's probably a brain tumor.
- Thanks.
- I'm sure it's real small.
Ladies. Welcome.
Gas station snacks.
Because we're classy like that.
Thank you. Please have a seat.
Crazy.
Yeah,
I got it when I was in Africa.
Where in Africa?
Western, mostly.
Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo.
I spent a couple months there.
Between undergrad and grad.
There's actually an interesting
bit of folklore
that goes with it.
Whoever has possession
of that mask
will have the power
to come back from the dead.
UFOs. Bigfoot.
Like I said, I'm a sucker.
So, does that work?
Because I could market it.
- I'll let you know.
- Wait.
Do you know you're resurrected
or forget everything?
Like a zombie.
Great question.
I'll go check the user manual.
Oh. There is one drawback
to coming back from the grave.
You come back without a face.
The mask takes it from you.
Depending on the person,
it could be a benefit.
- Like for you.
- Oh, it's like that is it?
So, I've got
a pretty decent Cab.
An okay Zin, and a
Malbec I haven't tried yet.
I'm good with the Cab.
Aria?
Hey. Rude.
Put the phone away.
I swear it's like it's
been glued to her hand.
Weird because usually you
have to remind her she has one.
Thomas was supposed to call me
when he landed last night.
Excuse me.
I'm gonna turn on some music.
Give me a second here.
Oh. Sorry.
That's a bit loud.
I'll be right back.
What? You have a body in there?
In there? No, no.
I bury my bodies in the desert.
- Oh.
- Much cleaner.
Just give me
two seconds to clean up.
I'll give you both
a tour in a minute.
How about you save
that tour for later?
Look, I'm sure
there's a good reason.
I'm sure he's fine.
So, to what should we toast?
To breaking rules.
To breaking the rules.
Cheers.
Cheers.
I've read these
books since I was a little girl.
And it's always been Berenstein,
E-I-N. Not Berenstain, A-I-N.
What ethnicity is that anyway?
Is that even a real name.
You two are perfect
for each other.
OK.
Snow White.
The queen looks
in the mirror and says...
Mirror, Mirror, on the wall.
Yes.
No.
She says
"Magic Mirror on the wall."
What?
- Uh uh.
- Bullshit.
- Look it up.
- I will, right now.
OK. Speaking of walls,
- I have hit one.
- What?
No.
Stay.
Just a little bit longer.
No.
All right, this Sleeping Beauty
needs to get her rest.
Do you like what I did there?
Oh. How topical.
Are you okay to drive?
I've been nursing
that glass all night.
You're right.
I got a lot of work
to do in the morning.
Uh uh.
One more glass
and then you walk me home.
Good night, guys.
I'll see you in a bit.
So.
About that tour.
Generally, tour hours are
Monday to Friday, nine to six.
Damn.
That means
I have to wait until next week.
Or...
we can make an exception.
Sorry.
Rules are rules.
Didn't we just toast to breaking
a few of those?
There's somebody else.
Is she your wife?
Your girlfriend?
Somebody I've been interested in
for a very long time.
Mhm.
I don't think we have a problem.
Good morning.
Morning.
Neat is good.
Do you feel like breakfast?
Absolutely.
I had a good time last night.
Me too.
Mackenzie.
Jeez. You scared
the bejesus out of me!
Are these yours?
Yeah. Did I leave
them in the bathroom?
Joel had them.
In a drawer. With a picture
of you, thorn in half.
He's your stalker! Joel...
whatever the fuck his last
name is! I slept with him!
Wait.
- He didn't hurt you, did he?
- No. God, no.
Actually, he wasn't
even into it at first.
He kept going on about
this woman.
Turns out it's you!
Fuck!
Okay.
Breathe.
Breathe.
You're okay and I'm okay.
I don't care
if we don't have proof.
And if they don't believe us
but we're going
back to the cops.
Okay.
Forgive me.
I'm coming.
Afternoon.
I'm looking for Joel Keller.
That's me.
Great. I have a few questions.
Do you know an Aria Bauer?
Aria?
She was here last night
with her friend, Mackenzie.
Where did you meet Miss Bauer?
I met her at the market
on Honolulu.
A little while back.
I see. Yeah.
She said the same thing.
Okay.
Is there something funny?
No. Just...
Is there a problem?
You mind if I come in?
I mean, it's a furnace out here.
Sure.
Your call has been
forwarded to an automated...
What if...
You don't think Joel would...
- Would you like a drink?
- Yeah.
A water would be great.
So...
how did you meet
Miss Bauer again?
Like I said,
I met her at the market.
Right. You did say that.
This is a nice place.
You were decorating?
Cleaning.
She is something, isn't she?
Miss Bauer.
I mean, she is
beautiful and intelligent.
Absolutely charming.
Oh my God, is she charming, huh?
Is this leading
somewhere, Officer?
Because I have work to do.
Oh, you work from home?
Yup.
Let me guess, you are a...
Software engineer.
Huh. Would never
have guessed that.
Me?
I'm a cop.
I'm just shooting the shit cause
it is a scorcher out there.
And in here it's
just nice and cool.
Refreshing, you know?
Mind if I take a look?
- I'm a big fan of the arts.
- Know what?
I'd rather you didn't.
It's one of mine.
It's a painting.
And I tried to get it right,
over and over...
Isn't that like the definition
of insanity?
When you try something
over and over
and you expect
to get a different result?
- Isn't it one of these?
- Yes.
One of these.
Okay, no.
Okay.
My wife is just
like you. She loves photography.
And she was not good
at it at first.
But then she just
kept on practicing
and she developed an interesting
way of looking at things.
She developed a good eye.
See, she can just look at things
the way other people...
don't.
It's okay. I get it.
You're embarrassed.
But I am a good critic,
you can ask my wife.
I will.
Next time I see her.
Thomas?
Here's the thing, Mr Keller.
In my line of work
I deal with attention
seekers all the time.
Old, young, male and female.
You see, Miss Bauer,
she's not an attention seeker.
So I'm thinking
that maybe you're thinking...
you and her together.
That's not gonna happen.
Hm. I should get going.
Have a good afternoon.
Oh, and...
that hobby of yours.
I'd try something new.
Thomas?
Officer down.
Twenty two,
eighty four, Rosemont.
Shit.
That bad?
Okay.
We're gonna find you a doctor
in one of these podunk towns and
get him to give you something
for that headache.
Or...
maybe...
we hit a motel.
We get drunk.
We order some Chinese food
and watch some shitty tv.
Come on.
What part of that
doesn't sound awesome?
Mackenzie!
Mackenzie!
Aria, what the hell?
There was...
Come here.
Come here.
Come on.
You're okay.
It didn't have a face.
It's just a dream.
It's just a dream.
He's out there, Mack.
Somewhere.
What if he knows where we are
and where we're going?
How?
He'd have to be
fucking omniscient.
And he's probably dead.
Rotting somewhere in a ditch.
You read the report.
The cop shot him three times.
The neighbors heard it.
They didn't find any bullet
holes in the walls or ceiling.
Do the math.
I need some water.
- Can you get me one?
- Sure.
It's not real.
It's not real.
What?
Uh...
Nothing.
- Ready?
- Yeah.
Wow.
I told you.
What?
Those are the flowers
Thomas bought me.
Just hold on.
What does it say?
It's a welcome card.
With a number on the back
if we have maintenance concerns.
We'll just put these outside.
Okay.
So I was wondering if
the offer's still on the table.
Are you kidding?
I know. I know, I messed up.
Forget about it.
Who are you right now?
Yes.
- Really?
- Of course it is.
- Okay.
- And even if it wasn't,
it will take me
two seconds to convince Ben.
Okay, so there's a little
junior high drama here and there
but it's a great place to work.
Yeah? And you'll
introduce me to the cool kids?
Of course.
You're gonna love them.
Cause they're so rad.
So rad.
- God, it's hot.
- It's a little hot.
- Want some water?
- Yeah.
You're so dead.
I just keep going over it
again and again in my head.
If I just wouldn't have talked
to that psycho at the market.
If I just wouldn't have talked
to that guy at the market.
Thomas would still be alive.
Hey.
Hey.
We already talked about this.
It's not on you.
How do you go on, Mack?
How do you keep going
after something like this?
And you know that nothing
will ever be normal or the same.
Well,
it's an explanation.
That's superstition.
There's many ways to explain it.
You've been stressed.
Your whole life has changed.
Your mind is trying
to make sense of it.
He said any person
who owns that mask
comes back without a face.
- What did I see?
- Power of suggestion.
He said it
and it's stuck in your mind.
It's as simple as that.
Mackenzie, get up.
Get up. Come on.
Right now. Come on.
Fuck.
We're leaving.
Right now.
Do you see it?
Be with me.
- What?
- The keys. I don't have them.
Where are they?
Where are the keys?
I don't know.
Mack! Where are the keys?
Fuck! I don't fucking know!
Okay, okay!
Okay.
Shit. Wait!
Fuck!
Mackenzie!
No!
No!
Aria?
Is that you?
Thomas?
I missed you so much.
Where did you go?
See..
This is all I ever wanted.
To have this again.
I'm not asking for the world.
Just this.
What the hell are you?
I'm human.
Just like you.
No, you're not.
You don't recognize me, do you?
Even though we've met
a thousand times.
At times I feel like
there's a spark of recognition
but it's just a fluke.
You don't actually remember.
God, I wish you did.
Go ahead.
There's no one out there.
God damn, I love you.
You never give up. Ever.
We're the same that way.
Only you want him.
And I want you.
I love you.
I'll never love you.
You did.
You did love me.
I'm not going to hurt you.
I want to show you something.
We were happy.
And we almost were again.
We were so close, Aria.
But...
the flap of a butterfly's wings.
I tried to salvage it
with some improvisation but
it's chaotic, complex.
Simulation isn't really
the right word for it.
Or virtual reality.
Cause at the end of the day
it's all just DNA.
And DNA fundamentally is...
Code.
None of this is real.
It is.
Just not in the way
you're used to see it.
I'm not real.
You make choices.
You have hopes, dreams.
You feel pain.
Joy.
You're thoughts are your own.
You're kind.
And flawed.
That's real.
And you.
You're code, too.
In this world, yes.
Outside...
Outside?
You don't think
it's a version of this?
The girl I fell in love with.
The girl you created.
I wrote the code
that created you.
I never could have imagined you.
Then rewrite me!
Reprogram me to love you
if that's what you want!
That wouldn't really
be love then, would it?
Without choice
it's something different.
Something ugly.
Now...
you have
a very real choice to make.
If you take this,
it will end your life
and we'll start over.
Aria Bauer will exist again.
but it won't really be you,
will it?
That variant of Aria
will be a whole new person.
A clean slate.
She won't remember.
Just like you don't.
She won't remember
what happened here
because the Aria Bauer standing
in front of me will be gone.
A wave of heat.
A million,
million particles of energy.
Scattered.
Or you can try
something much simpler.
You loved me once.
Love me again.
You say this is real.
But what you did to my life
and to my friends were not real.
Not to you.
You liked toying with us.
Playing God.
Breaking the rules.
Making yourself seem strong.
Smart.
That must have felt so good.
Having all that power.
And you're right.
I do have a choice.
A very real one.
And I choose...
anything but you.
Oh, you are the best you yet.
I'm gonna miss you
when you're gone.
I'm not going anywhere.
Motherfucker.
Remember.
Remember.
Remember.
Remember.
Remember.
Remember.
Remember.
Remember.
Otherwise they go to waste.
You're single.
These must be clairvoyant.
Beets never lie.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Oh! Sorry.
- Are you okay?
- Yeah, I'm so sorry.
I hate when people
have their faces in their phones
and here I am just...
I think I may have
just taken a picture.
I hope it's a good one.
Do I know you?
I feel like I know you.
I'd remember meeting you.
- You want a beet?
- Let me guess, first one's free?
You are on to me.
Um.
It was nice running in to you.
You as well.
- Are you okay?
- Yeah.
- Yeah, why?
- You seem a little...
off.
Okay, I feel off. Yeah.
You know it's like...
somebody came into my house
and rearranged
a bunch of stuff in the night.
Like what?
Spoons.
Yeah, well...
the thing is they're actually
in a better drawer
and it makes more sense,
but it's still just weird.
what about the show?
Is everything kosher?
- Do you like the space?
- This is really good.
- Did they change the roast?
- Good talk.
I'll see you soon.
Get there early.
We're not on Aria time.
- Hey, Mackenzie.
- Hi, human.
I don't know what it is,
but I get the feeling
that she doesn't like me.
What makes you think that?
Intuition.
Oh!
Her loss.
This is awful!
Is this a different roast?
Thomas, what do you want?
Wow. I can't just stop by
and say hello?
Yeah, you can.
Are you?
What?
Come on, Ari.
What do I have to do?
I need more time.
Yeah well, I know.
I'm trying to give you space
I am, but could you just stop
and talk to me for a second?
You want to talk?
Be there tonight.
- What?
- My art show. The gallery.
Yeah. I'm gonna be there.
But could you just hear me out?
- Way to go, champ.
- Whoops.
Excuse me?
It's none of my business,
but I don't think pressuring her
is going to
get you what you want.
- And you are?
- Have you ever thought
that maybe
you don't make her happy?
- Uh?
- Just a thought.
Again, none of my business.
Have an excellent day.
- Oh. Whoa!
- What do you see?
I see
a bottle of detergent.
Yeah, it's like...
laundry detergent.
- Okay.
- No, no, no, it's okay.
It's okay.
Everybody does it
the first time.
So...
that's augmented reality or AR.
You should hear
him and the other programmers
- geek out over this.
- Wow!
Tell her
what you guys call the code.
- Go on!
- DNA.
It takes a lot longer to say.
First, that was an inside joke.
So, thank you for that.
Second, DNA is code.
And ours is immersive.
Dimensional. Disruptive.
Until, of course,
VR really takes off
and we're spending
most of our days
in the virtual world.
But that's years away.
AR is now.
Oh my God.
That sounds horrible.
No. Why...
what do you mean?
I mean the virtual thing.
Yeah, I'm sure
there are people
that would love to live in...
- you know.
- So... yes.
I... I like books.
I like the way that the...
pages smell
when they get old and...
I like paints
and oil paints and brushes.
I guess I...
I like the way real things feel.
I'm very...
tactile in that way, I guess.
I could listen to you
talk all day.
Just being honest.
- But I'm taking these away.
- Okay.
Your style is exactly
the aesthetic we're going for
with this campaign.
The images need a strong voice
that resonates
with a female demographic.
And we want them
to feel hand-painted.
- So...
- Why not
get a female to hand-paint them?
Yeah.
Yes.
Mackenzie tells me you have...
- an exhibition tonight?
- Yes!
Um...
that might be giving it
a bit more credit
than it deserves.
It's just a small gallery
where a few of my paintings
are hanging in Silverlake.
Okay,
well I think that sounds rad.
And I'm looking forward to it.
Because I'm gonna be there.
Okay.
Take some time.
Mull it over.
I think we can do
great work together.
Yeah?
So... you.
And I'll see you later.
Thank you.
I like real things?
I know... I know, I know.
- Who are you?
- But I do. I do.
Thomas?
Thomas, are you here?
So... streamlined
the mission statement
and added the bits
here and here.
Underwriting sponsorships
and matched funding.
Okay.
Oh. I've got to take this.
You want to take a look?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Hey, you.
- Look, I'm sorry about...
- It's a sweet gesture.
But you can't
let yourself in like that.
- They're your favorite right?
- Yeah,
they're beautiful. It's just...
You can't do stuff
like this anymore.
I... I do miss my teammate.
- Hello?
- Thomas,
- I like it. It works.
- Great.
- Grosse Pointe meeting.
- Oh. Yeah.
I'll be there. Hey, Ari?
Can we sort this out later?
- Sure.
- Thanks.
Bye.
Be with me.
- Be with me.
- Be with me. Be with me.
Be with me. Be with me.
Be with me.
Be with me. Be with me.
Be with me. Be with me.
Be with me.
Be with me. Be with me.
Be with me. Be with me.
Be with me.
Be with me. Be with me.
Be with me.
Be with me.
All right.
We have you
slated to help with the...
Long Beach fundraiser...
in October.
Couldn't do what we do
without our volunteers.
- So, thank you so much.
- My pleasure.
I'm psyched, as the kids say.
Or used to say. I don't know.
I'm pumped?
So...
do you work here alone?
Oh god! That sounded horrible.
I only asked because I spend
most of my time in a dark room
- at the university.
- Oh!
Wow, I didn't realize
anyone still shot on film.
- That's great.
- Dark room, right.
Uh, no.
Not that kind of dark room.
Computers.
I do data modeling.
Sport of the future.
Point being, they've got me...
down in the basement.
Alone. 12, 14 hours a day and...
I don't have much of a life
outside of work and honestly...
that kind of isolation
can get to you after a while.
Yeah.
Well, luckily
I've got a business partner.
Thank god,
I don't think
I could do this by myself.
Actually,
he should be back any minute.
Remind me what that's like.
Having someone
to collaborate with.
You two
work well with each other?
Yeah.
Yeah, he's great actually.
You know, passionate and smart.
Energy for days and caring.
- Yeah, I got a good one.
- Oh,
you two are together?
Together together? No.
- No, it's strictly professional.
- You sure?
Because your eyes
kind of light up
when you talk about him.
- I, um...
- Sorry, sorry, I'm gonna go.
Thank you.
And I'll see you in Long Beach.
Water for the world.
Water for the world.
And it's none of my business,
but tell him how you feel.
You won't regret it.
I promise.
Whoa, whoa... whoa.
Hey,
didn't we do this earlier today?
At the market, you ran into me,
kind of like now, only...
Sorry, just out for a walk.
Do you live around here?
Uh, yeah.
A couple of streets over,
on Rosemont.
Uh, you mean Rosemary.
No,
I'm pretty sure it's Rosemont.
Yeah, I've lived in this area
for a while
and it's three streets over.
It's Rosemary.
Hey.
Not here to argue cartography
with you or whatever.
Sorry I freaked you out. Okay?
Really. Have a good night.
Yeah... I will.
Don't get down about this.
It takes a while
to get a following.
No it's fine.
It's just...
I don't know.
I'm having a really odd day.
I thought Thomas would be here.
I thought you two were
taking some time off.
I invited him.
But, it's not like
we're actually together.
So I can't be disappointed,
right?
Hey, Ben will be here
in five minutes.
- Are you trying to set us up?
- You and Ben?
- No.
- Because it kind of sounds like
- you're trying to set us up.
- Okay,
Ben is a great guy.
And you could do
a hell of a lot worse.
But this is more about
feeding
that crazy artist in here,
while feeding her here.
I don't know, just...
selling detergent while
the world is falling apart.
Hey! You wouldn't
just be selling detergent.
There's...
juice boxes, cereals...
toilet paper.
Um... should we mingle?
I guess not.
You know I just
want you to be happy, right?
Yeah, I'm not sure
- happiness is really a thing.
- Fine.
Fuck happiness.
Call it whatever you want.
I just want you fulfilled.
This one.
Yep, this one is my favorite.
It's like she's saying...
I'm not going anywhere,
motherfucker.
It's yours.
No.
- No.
- Yes. I want you to have it.
Really?
Because she's my favorite.
You're a really great friend,
Mack.
What was that?
You're the best.
And I'm not going anywhere...
motherfucker.
I'm not going anywhere,
motherf...
- Really?
- I can't.
What?
It's like I don't live here.
It's Rosemont... the street.
It's Rosemont.
Again, last night,
- I'm sorry if I scared you.
- No.
I'm sorry.
I could have sworn
the street was Rosemary.
It's like,
I remember it being Rosemary.
- Weird, right?
- The Mandela Effect.
- Sorry?
- It's this phenomenon.
Groups of people who remember
alternate versions of things.
It could be something big.
Like how many states
there are in the U.S.
Or a little thing,
like Rosemary,
- Rosemont.
- You're a weird one, aren't you?
You may not have been
stalking me the other night.
But you're definitely weird.
I like it.
Be right back.
Be with me,
be with me, be with me.
Yeah, that's not creepy.
I'm just taking
a moment to be grateful.
- What are we grateful for?
- Oh, you know,
good coffee,
sunshine, charming strangers.
Oh, cheers.
Well, we both know I'm charming,
but you?
I can be charming.
I'm keeping it in check.
Just for your sake.
Really?
So once you let loose,
that's it.
- Women are helpless.
- Some people call it a gift,
but me, I also call it a gift.
Oh, you poor, poor thing.
Okay, so tell me more
about this Mandela craziness.
- Blow my mind.
- Okay. Well,
you already think I'm weird.
There's a huge group of people
who all have the same memory
of Nelson Mandela
dying in prison.
Well, except he was released.
And then later on became
president of South Africa.
Right.
But there are 1000s of people
who remember
something different.
Okay. So,
it's like an alternate version
of history.
Like different realities?
That somehow
merged with this one.
Yeah, I don't buy it.
Me neither. But it's
a fun thought experiment.
I mean, I'm a sucker
for that kind of stuff.
You know, urban legends,
occult phenomena,
- ancient myths.
- Yeah.
Bigfoot. UFOs. Weirdo stuff.
No, no, no.
I think it's a really cool idea.
I do. I just, you know...
If there...
were an alternate reality, I...
- Sorry.
- Do you need to get that?
No, I know who it is.
It's just...
Wow, there's three.
And four.
Four. Comes after three.
I just wanted you to know
- that I could count.
- Wait a minute.
When I learned to count
it was one, two, three, five.
Are you trying to Mandela me?
All right, well...
this was lovely but
I have to go.
'Til next time?
Yeah, bye.
You've already talked to
allocations about setting aside
a percentage for us?
With the chance of their
annual contribution increasing
by five percent
over the next five years.
That's awesome.
That's huge.
You're a superstar.
What?
Oh, come on, Janine. What?
What is it?
I'm sure
this isn't the right time.
But how do I say this?
I...
I have been feeling...
for a long time...
that...
that I...I
I have wanted to tell you...
Aria!
- Oh. Hi, Janine.
- Hi!
- How are you?
- I'm great. And you?
I'm well.
Thanks.
We miss you around here.
Um...
chamber of silence?
Good seeing you.
- Let's get lunch sometime.
- Sure, yeah.
This is hard on me too.
But you can't pressure me.
And making up reasons
why we need to talk, it's...
Do I make you happy?
Um... do I...
when we were together, did...
did I make you happy?
Thomas, what is this?
It's stupid,
but some guy on the street
said almost
the exact same thing.
that I shouldn't pressure you.
And maybe
I didn't make you happy.
That's what I thought.
You wouldn't know this guy?
He was kind of tall,
kind of big.
I guess it doesn't matter.
One, two.
You say you know who it is.
You put your phone away.
You put it on silent.
You apologize...
and you put it in your purse.
I miss you... everyday.
I miss how
great we were together.
Mostly.
Meaning?
Last night. The gallery?
Oh,
I'm so sorry about that. Really.
I know,
I should have been there.
I told you I was gonna be there
but I... I knew you wanted time.
I invited you.
Look, I think...
sometimes...
with the work that we do here
which...
you know, it's so essential,
so needed. I...
I forget other things in life
might be important too.
Are they? Or am I selfish.
Well...
we're all a little selfish.
I mean...
Okay,
I'm going to be honest with you,
It doesn't make sense to me.
Not after
all we've done together.
But I'm not you.
I don't have... the artists fire
or whatever people call it.
So... if it's important to you,
it's important to me.
Yeah, but it hasn't been.
It will be.
It is. I promise you.
Market.
Rosemont.
Cafe.
Text messages.
One... two... three...
- Four, comes after three,
- four.
I just wanted you
to know that I could count.
It's never been four.
Fuck! Fuck!
Look, I might not be able
to live completely
in your world,
and maybe you
can't have both feet in mine.
But there's enough
between us here.
We shouldn't throw that away.
You have
to know that I love you.
Only you.
No... no, no.
Okay, dramatic much?
How can you even consider that?
Because I can still
do my art on the side.
You already tried that.
Look, I know you don't
want to hear this.
- Then don't say it.
- But if he loved you,
if he really, really loved you,
then he would
want you to be happy.
And none of this,
"happiness doesn't exist" crap.
- You know what I mean.
- I think he does. Really.
- Jesus.
- What?
You don't love him.
Okay. Wow.
You don't.
Look,
I know you think I hate Thomas.
I don't. It's just I hate
that he's not right for you.
And he knows it. He does.
All right, fine.
I hate him a little bit.
But in the nicest possible way.
You are such a pain in the ass.
But I know you just want
what's best for me.
One of us has to.
Fuck!
Wait. Did you just hear that?
It sounded like glass breaking.
What?
Walking towards the scary sound?
Aren't we
supposed to call the cops?
And tell them what?
That we heard a scary noise?
Hello?
Like they're gonna answer?
Just hold on.
Hello?
Come on.
Shit.
Could that have fallen?
No.
Outside. Let's go.
Come on. Come on!
Shall we restart?
Something different.
Let's try something different.
Well,
there's no sign of forced entry,
which is good.
Can you tell if there's
anything else missing?
Um... I don't know, but I...
I didn't check everything.
Well I do suggest
getting these locks changed.
Just to be safe.
Now can you stay
with a friend until then?
As if you have to ask.
- She's going to stay with me.
- Great.
At least
until I get my own stalker.
You don't want that.
Have a good night ladies.
Please lock up behind me.
All right. Well,
maybe we can reschedule or...
I mean, do they have any leads?
It's just...
- I don't want you to be alone.
- No, no, no. I'm not.
I'm staying
with Mackenzie tonight.
Oh good!
- No, you go.
- Tell her I said hi.
He says, "Hey".
- She says, "Hey" back.
- Yeah,
I'm sure she does.
Listen, you'll stay with her
until I get back from Michigan?
Yeah, what time is your flight?
- About three and a half hours.
- Oh, ouch.
Well,
I hope the fundraiser goes well.
- Thank you, honey.
- Is Janine going?
Tell my guest my
business partner will be going.
I love you.
You, too.
- Text me when you land?
- Of course.
Good night, beautiful.
Thomas.
Oh my god.
Back to the stalker dude.
Or woman.
- We don't want to be sexist.
- Of course.
Let's say he...
or she does exist.
Do you have any idea
of who he could be?
No, I...
Oh, well...
There is this one guy.
I don't know though.
He seems pretty normal.
- But is he cute.
- No, he's handsome, yeah.
He's pretty charming too.
We've actually
run into each other.
Yeah. A couple of times. It's...
Oh, wait. Here.
Are you sure you're
not the one doing the stalking?
No.
He took that photo.
Well, accidentally.
I dropped my phone
and then it...
like, took a picture.
It was weird.
You have to introduce us.
- To my stalker.
- Alleged stalker.
Even if he was,
two birds, one stone.
Because once you go Mack...
you never go back.
- Hey.
- Oh my god!
Sorry.
I did not mean to startle you.
I just had one more question
about the Long Beach fundraiser.
Do you have a second?
Um...
I'm not going anywhere,
motherf...
Stranger.
Oh, hello.
May I join you?
Quiet today.
I'm quiet most days.
So the girl I met before,
when's she around?
Tuesdays and Thursdays?
Because I can come back.
Wednesdays and Saturdays.
And every other Monday.
I'll make a note.
What is it you do,
that you can hang out
- in coffee shops all day?
- I could ask you the same thing.
I'm a software engineer. You?
Unemployed.
I used to help run an NGO.
Well, actually,
I might do that again.
Until then
I've been living off my savings,
which are dwindling.
And the art?
I think that's going to
have to become a hobby.
I feel that it could
be more than that for you.
Not a job. More like a calling.
That's really sweet
but you don't know me that well.
I'm pretty good
at reading people.
I see things.
Okay, Svengali.
What do you see?
I see...
I see a young woman who's torn.
Her art makes her happy.
Maybe happier
than anything else in the world.
But she feels guilty about that.
She feels guilty because...
when she sees all the pain
and the suffering in the world
her art feels trivial
compared to that.
I see someone who sometimes
whispers when something
moves her deeply because...
she knows that words can't
hold the bigness
of a moment like that
But they can shrink it...
make it disappear.
And even when
the greatest sadness
she'll ever know
settles on her shoulders...
there's something beautiful
that just... shines through.
That same fire of compassion
that she's stoked
and nurtured her whole life.
And she's...
radiant.
I'm just taking
a moment to be grateful.
Thank you.
That was...
I call 'em like I see 'em.
Do you want to have a drink
with me tonight?
I have this friend.
I know that I don't know you
that well, but...
I feel like you and her
would really hit it off.
Sure.
Sounds great.
Good... good.
Excellent.
Hey,
I've got some friends inside.
Do you mind
if I go in and join them?
We're at full capacity.
Thank you.
Oh... Joel!
- Oh, hey.
- Hey.
This is Mackenzie.
Hi. Nice to meet you.
You, too.
Okay,
so it's standing room only.
Hour to an hour and a half
for a table, so...
Let's go somewhere else.
Where to?
How about some place
with a nice bottle of wine?
There's a little wine bar
a little further down Oceanview.
I haven't been,
but I hear it's pretty good.
How about your place?
Are either of you hungry?
I'm starving.
All right. Let's go.
Gracias.
Okay. The second best burrito
you'll ever have.
What's the first?
I haven't found it yet.
Hey!
Do you have any experience
with Augmented Reality?
What?
He's an engineer.
Do you know how hard it is
to find a good one?
It's like roping a unicorn.
No, the work I do
is more esoteric I suppose.
I...
I create models that...
they try
to determine probabilities
in chaotic complex systems.
Sounds like a hoot.
For example,
what's the probability
of Aria spitting her burrito
- all over the parking lot.
- Wow!
That was impressive, by the way.
I'm sorry.
What were the...
What were the forces and events
that conspired
to make that happen?
Easy. Bad breeding.
She does that shit
at least once a day.
You're disgusting.
Okay,
but seriously,
so something like...
chaos theory.
Where a butterfly
flaps its wings in Beijing,
which then causes a girl
to spit up her burrito
in Los Angeles.
- Right? That kind of complexity?
- Exactly that.
So, what are you trying
to figure out
with these probabilities?
Well, let's use this burrito
as our context.
There's a whole lot
going on inside this burrito,
but at the end of the day
there are a finite number
of variables at play here.
What did you order?
Because I just got chicken.
Stay with me here.
Let's just simplify things
and say the contents are just
the rice, the beans,
and maybe
a little bit of hot sauce.
Now, when the burrito's made,
the way the ingredients
combine inside,
well that's totally random,
right?
Uh-huh.
What if it's not.
If we could
understand exactly why
the ingredients
combine the way they do,
we could make this burrito
over and over again.
And every time we made it,
every grain of rice...
every single bean...
and every bit of hot sauce
would be
in the exact same place.
I'm detecting a pattern.
Order.
Everything in its place.
You are a live by the rules
type of guy.
Yes, I used to be.
Like my whole life.
But now... trying something new.
Okay,
so besides being a recovering
follow the rules guy,
why does it matter if the rice
falls in the same place?
Well,
if you could replicate an event
so it happens
the same way every time
You'd be obsessive.
True, but also...
You could predict anything.
Yes. The weather. The future.
Earthquakes.
Reconstruct the past.
A perfect moment.
But you wouldn't just
be remembering that moment,
you'd be reliving it.
Yeah, I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't think I would
want to relive a moment.
No matter how perfect it was.
No,
I want to create new memories,
new experiences, you know?
Even if they're not as magical.
Have you done it?
Made the same thing happen
over and over?
Not yet.
Well, I think that this
conversation would go great...
with a nice bottle of wine.
You do have wine at your place,
right?
I do.
This is the right house,
isn't it?
What's going on with you?
I keep hearing these sounds.
Then everything shakes.
It's probably a brain tumor.
- Thanks.
- I'm sure it's real small.
Ladies. Welcome.
Gas station snacks.
Because we're classy like that.
Thank you. Please have a seat.
Crazy.
Yeah,
I got it when I was in Africa.
Where in Africa?
Western, mostly.
Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo.
I spent a couple months there.
Between undergrad and grad.
There's actually an interesting
bit of folklore
that goes with it.
Whoever has possession
of that mask
will have the power
to come back from the dead.
UFOs. Bigfoot.
Like I said, I'm a sucker.
So, does that work?
Because I could market it.
- I'll let you know.
- Wait.
Do you know you're resurrected
or forget everything?
Like a zombie.
Great question.
I'll go check the user manual.
Oh. There is one drawback
to coming back from the grave.
You come back without a face.
The mask takes it from you.
Depending on the person,
it could be a benefit.
- Like for you.
- Oh, it's like that is it?
So, I've got
a pretty decent Cab.
An okay Zin, and a
Malbec I haven't tried yet.
I'm good with the Cab.
Aria?
Hey. Rude.
Put the phone away.
I swear it's like it's
been glued to her hand.
Weird because usually you
have to remind her she has one.
Thomas was supposed to call me
when he landed last night.
Excuse me.
I'm gonna turn on some music.
Give me a second here.
Oh. Sorry.
That's a bit loud.
I'll be right back.
What? You have a body in there?
In there? No, no.
I bury my bodies in the desert.
- Oh.
- Much cleaner.
Just give me
two seconds to clean up.
I'll give you both
a tour in a minute.
How about you save
that tour for later?
Look, I'm sure
there's a good reason.
I'm sure he's fine.
So, to what should we toast?
To breaking rules.
To breaking the rules.
Cheers.
Cheers.
I've read these
books since I was a little girl.
And it's always been Berenstein,
E-I-N. Not Berenstain, A-I-N.
What ethnicity is that anyway?
Is that even a real name.
You two are perfect
for each other.
OK.
Snow White.
The queen looks
in the mirror and says...
Mirror, Mirror, on the wall.
Yes.
No.
She says
"Magic Mirror on the wall."
What?
- Uh uh.
- Bullshit.
- Look it up.
- I will, right now.
OK. Speaking of walls,
- I have hit one.
- What?
No.
Stay.
Just a little bit longer.
No.
All right, this Sleeping Beauty
needs to get her rest.
Do you like what I did there?
Oh. How topical.
Are you okay to drive?
I've been nursing
that glass all night.
You're right.
I got a lot of work
to do in the morning.
Uh uh.
One more glass
and then you walk me home.
Good night, guys.
I'll see you in a bit.
So.
About that tour.
Generally, tour hours are
Monday to Friday, nine to six.
Damn.
That means
I have to wait until next week.
Or...
we can make an exception.
Sorry.
Rules are rules.
Didn't we just toast to breaking
a few of those?
There's somebody else.
Is she your wife?
Your girlfriend?
Somebody I've been interested in
for a very long time.
Mhm.
I don't think we have a problem.
Good morning.
Morning.
Neat is good.
Do you feel like breakfast?
Absolutely.
I had a good time last night.
Me too.
Mackenzie.
Jeez. You scared
the bejesus out of me!
Are these yours?
Yeah. Did I leave
them in the bathroom?
Joel had them.
In a drawer. With a picture
of you, thorn in half.
He's your stalker! Joel...
whatever the fuck his last
name is! I slept with him!
Wait.
- He didn't hurt you, did he?
- No. God, no.
Actually, he wasn't
even into it at first.
He kept going on about
this woman.
Turns out it's you!
Fuck!
Okay.
Breathe.
Breathe.
You're okay and I'm okay.
I don't care
if we don't have proof.
And if they don't believe us
but we're going
back to the cops.
Okay.
Forgive me.
I'm coming.
Afternoon.
I'm looking for Joel Keller.
That's me.
Great. I have a few questions.
Do you know an Aria Bauer?
Aria?
She was here last night
with her friend, Mackenzie.
Where did you meet Miss Bauer?
I met her at the market
on Honolulu.
A little while back.
I see. Yeah.
She said the same thing.
Okay.
Is there something funny?
No. Just...
Is there a problem?
You mind if I come in?
I mean, it's a furnace out here.
Sure.
Your call has been
forwarded to an automated...
What if...
You don't think Joel would...
- Would you like a drink?
- Yeah.
A water would be great.
So...
how did you meet
Miss Bauer again?
Like I said,
I met her at the market.
Right. You did say that.
This is a nice place.
You were decorating?
Cleaning.
She is something, isn't she?
Miss Bauer.
I mean, she is
beautiful and intelligent.
Absolutely charming.
Oh my God, is she charming, huh?
Is this leading
somewhere, Officer?
Because I have work to do.
Oh, you work from home?
Yup.
Let me guess, you are a...
Software engineer.
Huh. Would never
have guessed that.
Me?
I'm a cop.
I'm just shooting the shit cause
it is a scorcher out there.
And in here it's
just nice and cool.
Refreshing, you know?
Mind if I take a look?
- I'm a big fan of the arts.
- Know what?
I'd rather you didn't.
It's one of mine.
It's a painting.
And I tried to get it right,
over and over...
Isn't that like the definition
of insanity?
When you try something
over and over
and you expect
to get a different result?
- Isn't it one of these?
- Yes.
One of these.
Okay, no.
Okay.
My wife is just
like you. She loves photography.
And she was not good
at it at first.
But then she just
kept on practicing
and she developed an interesting
way of looking at things.
She developed a good eye.
See, she can just look at things
the way other people...
don't.
It's okay. I get it.
You're embarrassed.
But I am a good critic,
you can ask my wife.
I will.
Next time I see her.
Thomas?
Here's the thing, Mr Keller.
In my line of work
I deal with attention
seekers all the time.
Old, young, male and female.
You see, Miss Bauer,
she's not an attention seeker.
So I'm thinking
that maybe you're thinking...
you and her together.
That's not gonna happen.
Hm. I should get going.
Have a good afternoon.
Oh, and...
that hobby of yours.
I'd try something new.
Thomas?
Officer down.
Twenty two,
eighty four, Rosemont.
Shit.
That bad?
Okay.
We're gonna find you a doctor
in one of these podunk towns and
get him to give you something
for that headache.
Or...
maybe...
we hit a motel.
We get drunk.
We order some Chinese food
and watch some shitty tv.
Come on.
What part of that
doesn't sound awesome?
Mackenzie!
Mackenzie!
Aria, what the hell?
There was...
Come here.
Come here.
Come on.
You're okay.
It didn't have a face.
It's just a dream.
It's just a dream.
He's out there, Mack.
Somewhere.
What if he knows where we are
and where we're going?
How?
He'd have to be
fucking omniscient.
And he's probably dead.
Rotting somewhere in a ditch.
You read the report.
The cop shot him three times.
The neighbors heard it.
They didn't find any bullet
holes in the walls or ceiling.
Do the math.
I need some water.
- Can you get me one?
- Sure.
It's not real.
It's not real.
What?
Uh...
Nothing.
- Ready?
- Yeah.
Wow.
I told you.
What?
Those are the flowers
Thomas bought me.
Just hold on.
What does it say?
It's a welcome card.
With a number on the back
if we have maintenance concerns.
We'll just put these outside.
Okay.
So I was wondering if
the offer's still on the table.
Are you kidding?
I know. I know, I messed up.
Forget about it.
Who are you right now?
Yes.
- Really?
- Of course it is.
- Okay.
- And even if it wasn't,
it will take me
two seconds to convince Ben.
Okay, so there's a little
junior high drama here and there
but it's a great place to work.
Yeah? And you'll
introduce me to the cool kids?
Of course.
You're gonna love them.
Cause they're so rad.
So rad.
- God, it's hot.
- It's a little hot.
- Want some water?
- Yeah.
You're so dead.
I just keep going over it
again and again in my head.
If I just wouldn't have talked
to that psycho at the market.
If I just wouldn't have talked
to that guy at the market.
Thomas would still be alive.
Hey.
Hey.
We already talked about this.
It's not on you.
How do you go on, Mack?
How do you keep going
after something like this?
And you know that nothing
will ever be normal or the same.
Well,
it's an explanation.
That's superstition.
There's many ways to explain it.
You've been stressed.
Your whole life has changed.
Your mind is trying
to make sense of it.
He said any person
who owns that mask
comes back without a face.
- What did I see?
- Power of suggestion.
He said it
and it's stuck in your mind.
It's as simple as that.
Mackenzie, get up.
Get up. Come on.
Right now. Come on.
Fuck.
We're leaving.
Right now.
Do you see it?
Be with me.
- What?
- The keys. I don't have them.
Where are they?
Where are the keys?
I don't know.
Mack! Where are the keys?
Fuck! I don't fucking know!
Okay, okay!
Okay.
Shit. Wait!
Fuck!
Mackenzie!
No!
No!
Aria?
Is that you?
Thomas?
I missed you so much.
Where did you go?
See..
This is all I ever wanted.
To have this again.
I'm not asking for the world.
Just this.
What the hell are you?
I'm human.
Just like you.
No, you're not.
You don't recognize me, do you?
Even though we've met
a thousand times.
At times I feel like
there's a spark of recognition
but it's just a fluke.
You don't actually remember.
God, I wish you did.
Go ahead.
There's no one out there.
God damn, I love you.
You never give up. Ever.
We're the same that way.
Only you want him.
And I want you.
I love you.
I'll never love you.
You did.
You did love me.
I'm not going to hurt you.
I want to show you something.
We were happy.
And we almost were again.
We were so close, Aria.
But...
the flap of a butterfly's wings.
I tried to salvage it
with some improvisation but
it's chaotic, complex.
Simulation isn't really
the right word for it.
Or virtual reality.
Cause at the end of the day
it's all just DNA.
And DNA fundamentally is...
Code.
None of this is real.
It is.
Just not in the way
you're used to see it.
I'm not real.
You make choices.
You have hopes, dreams.
You feel pain.
Joy.
You're thoughts are your own.
You're kind.
And flawed.
That's real.
And you.
You're code, too.
In this world, yes.
Outside...
Outside?
You don't think
it's a version of this?
The girl I fell in love with.
The girl you created.
I wrote the code
that created you.
I never could have imagined you.
Then rewrite me!
Reprogram me to love you
if that's what you want!
That wouldn't really
be love then, would it?
Without choice
it's something different.
Something ugly.
Now...
you have
a very real choice to make.
If you take this,
it will end your life
and we'll start over.
Aria Bauer will exist again.
but it won't really be you,
will it?
That variant of Aria
will be a whole new person.
A clean slate.
She won't remember.
Just like you don't.
She won't remember
what happened here
because the Aria Bauer standing
in front of me will be gone.
A wave of heat.
A million,
million particles of energy.
Scattered.
Or you can try
something much simpler.
You loved me once.
Love me again.
You say this is real.
But what you did to my life
and to my friends were not real.
Not to you.
You liked toying with us.
Playing God.
Breaking the rules.
Making yourself seem strong.
Smart.
That must have felt so good.
Having all that power.
And you're right.
I do have a choice.
A very real one.
And I choose...
anything but you.
Oh, you are the best you yet.
I'm gonna miss you
when you're gone.
I'm not going anywhere.
Motherfucker.
Remember.
Remember.
Remember.
Remember.
Remember.
Remember.
Remember.
Remember.