The Nightmare Worlds of H.G. Wells (2016–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - The Late Mr Elvesham - full transcript

What is it that ages a man?

Is it simply time
or the accumulation

of life's triumphs and defeats?

Edward George Eden, amedical student of 21 years,

studying at University College.

By all accounts, a bright
and ambitious young man

with a promising future, butone whose present is beset

by financial frustrations.

It was on the Tuesday of
the first week of May,

having decided to takehis boots to the cobblers,

that Eden first
encountered the creature



with whom his life was to becomeso inextricably entangled.

How do you do, Mr. Eden?

Very well.

Thank you.

You have the
advantage of me, sir.

I do indeed.

Wonder who the deuce I am?

A friend-- let me
assure you, a friend.

Might I talk to you inside?

I have difficultystanding for long periods.

I'm afraid my room isn't--

it is perhaps less
than you're used to.

One must reason.

Why not come and lunch withme and hear a proposition



to your advantage?

Proposition?

I'm not sure I--

Come.

Surely my gray hairs mustearn me a certain civility.

Been coming to Blavatsky'sfor longer than I can remember.

Marvelous food.

Wish I could still taste it.

Please, eat.

Eat, eat.

Now as you see, Mr.
Eden, I'm an old man.

I believe I've had a
life of some distinction

and many men would
not recognize my name.

But I fancy that you may.

Egbert Elvesham.

Elvesham, the philosopher?

Of course, sir.

I've known your name
since I was a schoolboy.

This is a genuine honor.

My doctor informs
me that I shall

be shortly leaving
this world, and I find

I have much to leave behind.

Now as to what should happento my estate, all I really want

is an heir.

An heir?

Young fellow, perhaps
21 or thereabouts.

Pure-hearted, healthy in bodyand healthy in mind, and poor,

but quick-witted and ambitious.

You, Mr. Eden, may
inherit all that I have.

You may be lifted from
penniless struggle.

Security, freedom,
and influence.

But t-- tell me, why--

why me?

You, young sir, meet
all my requirements.

Of course, there are
strict conditions to be

imposed, certain burdens--

What kind of burdens?

You would have tochange your name by deed poll

to Egbert Elvesham.

No.

No.

When my parents died, allthey left me was my name.

I understand.

Unfortunately, my heir
must adopt my name.

And I'm not too down-hearted.

I have another two
possible candidates

for the position of heir, so--

Please, please.

Forgive my vanity.

Naturally, if you
were to select me,

I would of course honoryour legacy with the name.

Thank you.

You must at first
submit to a series

of exhaustive
medical examinations

to determine your physicaland mental durability.

To think, sir, how youmight enjoy all that I have

accumulated fills me with envy.

Despite all insurances,despite even having already

taken Elvesham's
name, the old man

did not come to a finaldecision for another two weeks.

Mr. Elvesham, iseverything quite all right?

Indeed, it is.

Everything is most satisfactory.

This day, I signed a
new will, which you

are named as sole beneficiary.

My entire estate will beinherited by you, Mr. Eden.

Or should I say, Mr. Elvesham?

I shall do my very bestto be worthy of your memory.

Come, come.

This night of all nights,you must dine with me

and celebrate your accession.

Here.

You won't have to
wait very long.

What a capacity for
living you have.

Aye.

Thanks to you, I have a futureof a passing agreeable sort.

But you, you have a past fullof honor and distinction.

Such a past is
worth all my future.

But would you in truth
willing take my years?

With your achievements,
indeed, sir.

Perhaps.

Kummel-- a cure
with the sweet kiss

of caraway and cumin.

However, here.

What is it?

A pharmaceutical
blend prepared

to my own specifications.

A dash of this, and
kummel is himmel--

heaven.

I think I
perhaps ought not.

One never knows
with these things.

Come.

If it's safe enough for
a man of my infirmity,

how could it impair a healthyyoung man such as yourself.

To a quick succession.

Not that-- surely, not that--

to a long life.

To a long life.

The first touch ofthe liquor upon Eden's tongue

sends his brain into
a dazzling chaos.

I want to thank you.

What?

A handsome young man like you?

I expect you've made loveto a string of girls?

A string of girls--

I've scarcely made love to one.

This is-- this is not a
world where girls seek

out penniless medical students.

No more than they flockaround aged philosophers.

Most

But-- but now with your--

your legacy, things will be-- things will be different.

I'll easily find a good woman.

Too early to settle down.

For now, have as many
women as you can.

Imagine the sensual
opulence of bedding

down with a woman and a man.

What?

Why not?

Why not experience all thepleasures life has to offer,

I-- my.

I should go.

I should go.

It's time to go now.

So much-- I know--

My head will besplitting in the morning.

Dissolve these salts
in water before bed.

They will completely
cure your head.

Thank you.

Thank you.

No, no.

You shall have all that is mine.

Remember, take the
salts just before bed.

Yeah, will you, sir?

Yes.

Farewell.

Send me away from this hovel.

Send me--

The following morning,he awoke abruptly from a dream.

His mind felt stale,
and for some while,

he hadn't a clue where he was.

Good morning, Mr. Elvesham.

I'm not--
I'm not Elvesham.

I'm Eden.
I'm Eden.

Beg your pardon, sir?

I'm not Elvesham.

I'm Eden.

I'm Eden.

I'm not Elvesham.

I hate what he done.

I'm Eden.

I'm Eden.

I'm Eden.

What did he do?

Although he couldn't evenfaintly comprehend how it had

happened, Edward Eden had fallenasleep in his own room, age 21,

and awake the next morningin the house of Mr.

Egbert Elvesham
in the 80-year-old

body of Egbert Elvesham.

Have you banged yourhead recently, had a fall?

No, it's nothing like that.

Listen, my name is Edward Eden.

Your name is
Egbert Elvesham?

Your man Harris said you'veforgotten his name, too.

Look, I haven't forgotten it.

I never knew it.

Well, no bruising.

Have, um-- have
you been drinking?

Look, some champagne, liquor.

Look, I know you
don't know me, but--

Egbert, I've been yourphysician for nearly 30 years.

No, no, listen--

I know I look like Elvesham.

I know I sound like him, butmy name is Edward George Eden.

I'm 21 years old.

I'm a medical student.

I met Elvesham for the firsttime just a few weeks ago.

If I might ask, doctor--

I fear--

I fear it may be asoftening of the faculties.

I think it wisest to ensurehe stays safely inside his room.

Of course.

It seemed
clear to Eden that,

just as he had found himselftrapped in Elvesham's

weak and aged body,
so Elvesham must

now be in possession
of his body,

his strength, and his future.

Your skin is so smooth.

No smoother than yours, sir.

Hello?

Hello?

It was in
this moment that Eden

realized the
immense intelligence

and scope of his enemy's plan.

There were
manuscripts concerning

pure mathematics, chemistry,and the psychology of memory.

Eden was convinced that
the secret to reversing

the terrible mind
transference lay

somewhere in Elvesham's books.

He was correct.

The solution was
indeed there, yet

to discover it could
take a lifetime,

and Eden no longer
had a lifetime.

After this, are you goingto buy me that bracelet?

You did promise.

I'll make the word
I made to my dear.

But first, I think I'lltake you back to the hotel.

Are you sure there's time?

I have time
to spare, my dear.

I knew you'd be here.

Can I help you?

Yes.

Indeed, you could
join me in a toast.

Two kummel, if you please.

How rude.

I fear the man is quite mad.

It's a wonder I am not insane,sir, after the morbid rigmarole

you've subjected me to.

Excuse me.

My friend and I are engagedin a private conversation.

You, sir, are a thief.

You've robbed me of my life.

What on earth are
you talking about?

I've never heard such rot.

Now, drink with me.

I'll do no such thing.

Drink, damn you!

This is becoming
quite tiresome.

Come, my dear.

Let us go see about
that bracelet.

In that
moment of anger,

Eden had destroyed his
only chance of escape.

How must it feel to be young andfull of the vitality and energy

and desire of youth,
and then to suddenly

fall right through your lifeand come to decrepitude?

To know you are a youngman, but to find yourself

locked away inside
an old man's body.

But then perhaps that is howall men feel when they've

reached the end of their days.