War of the Worlds (1988–1990): Season 2, Episode 17 - Totally Real - full transcript

♪♪

There's rioting breaking
out throughout the city.

Fires continue to
burn everywhere.

Troops are shooting people.

My God, I... I don't know why.

There's a woman dying in front
of me, and no one's helping her.

There are conflicting reports
about who or what started the chaos.

Will someone tell
me what's happening?

This is madness.

What is this world coming to?

Hit him!



All right, ladies and
gentlemen. Place your bets.

I can cover that. I can cover
that. Very good. Thank you.

All right, all right.

This game is totally real. Who's
willing to pay some more money?

Thank you very
much. All right, all right.

Very good. Take that
off and make a bet.

Come on! Come on!

Thank you very much.
Come on, fellas. Be brave.

Have a good night. Give me
that. Two grand. That's right.

Here we are.

Yeah! That's it! Come on!

Come on!

Come on! Yeah!

Come on!



No, no, no...

Come on!

Last round coming up,
ladies and gentlemen.

Last chance to place your bets.

Here, here, here.

Thank you.

Put this on the white soldier.

I think Stoner
can beat your guy.

Think so?

All right. I'll take your money.

Okay, ladies and gentlemen.
That's what you came to see.

As advertised,

the game is totally real.

Thank you very much. Good night.

A good evening.
Are you satisfied?

Absolutely.

Stoner was good. Who's next?

This warrior, Stoner,
wasn't a real challenge.

His responses were
entirely predictable.

Perhaps we're looking for
adversaries in the wrong place.

We're not fighting warriors.

Our enemies defeat us precisely because
they are unpredictable and illogical.

Then let our champion
face this intelligence.

Alert Nikita to this change...

That the new player may be
found among younger humans.

Those who have not yet fallen
into ingrained patterns of behavior.

- Immediately.
- And, Ardix,

ensure that our friend remains
unaware of our software.

Of course.

Well, you're not looking
so good this morning.

What's all this?

We got these off the
alien scanning device.

We've broken it down. We
think we can make it work for us.

At least I hope so.

How the hell you gonna do that?

Well, we've cloned these two
samples to get the key elements.

Wait a minute.
Elements? What you after?

One's a receiver, and
the other is a scanner.

In theory, if you have one of these,
I can follow you with the other one.

I can look right
through your eyes.

I'll stick to my old-fashioned
bugging devices.

I think it's fantastic.

Whoa! Look at you.
What's the occasion?

- Today's career testing day.
- Oh!

What time do we
have to be there?

9:00, but I want
to get there early.

Okay, okay. We'll go now.

Why don't you let me take her?

- Are you sure?
- Yeah.

Looks like you're gonna
operate on that stuff. Come on.

It's just a bunch of video
games, but it'll be fun.

Yeah, well, maybe we'll get
some breakfast on the way.

So what do you think
it's gonna be with her?

Medicine? Biochemistry?

I don't know.

Well, let's get to it.

Welcome to the Simulator Expo.

We'll be ready to begin
in just a few minutes.

Simulator Expo is a
career testing facility

available to those between
the ages of 13 and 17...

So what are you gonna choose?

They got everything here.

I don't know.

Well, take it from me, stay away from
any career that involves the military.

It wasn't on my list.

Hey, I'm not trying to
push you into anything.

It's your life. It's
important it be your choice.

Well, why did you become a spy?

That's a nice way of putting it.

'Cause I didn't
have any options.

So what do you think about law?

John, I'll work something out.

- Yeah.
- David!

Hi, Deb.

Hi. I was hoping we'd meet up.

Um, John Kincaid, David Nash.

- Hi, David.
- Mr. Kincaid.

- Come on, Deb. They're letting us in now.
- We'll only be a couple of hours.

All right. Meet me here then.

Good luck.

- What do you want to do?
- I don't know. Let's do something fun.

All right.

- This looks neat.
- Yeah.

- Do you put these things on?
- Yeah.

I can't see a damn thing.

We need an electron
microscope testing facility.

We'll have to take
those samples to a lab.

No. They'll start
asking questions.

Well, then we're back
to figuring it out here.

And who or what are we
going to use for guinea pigs?

Ourselves.

The game is over.

Good game, kids.

Thanks.

You were incredible, young lady.

Truly remarkable.

It was fun.

I was just starting to hit
my stride towards the end.

Yours was the highest
score we ever recorded.

Congratulations.

Thanks.

If the theory is sound, you'll
be able to see what I see.

What is it? What is it?

It's okay. Go on.

I see something.

It's out of focus.

Pill bottles.

A computer.

E-U-R-

E-K-A.

It works.

Our own tracking device,
courtesy of the Morthren.

Suzanne, we've finally
got an advantage.

- So what now?
- I don't know.

Hey, I know what I want to do.

- Aeronautical engineering.
- You're lucky.

Well, there's the testing
booth. You better get in line.

Why don't you come with me?

I think I'll go to the sciences.

Then I can tell my
mom I at least tried.

Okay. See you later.

Bye.

Hello, there. You slipped away.

My name's Nik, and I'd like to
discuss your future with us, Miss...

Uh, Debi. I don't know.

Please, have a seat.

We'd like to help
you focus your goals,

and I emphasize it'd be your
decision, not your parents.

I don't want to upset my mom.

It's the age-old story, Debi.

All of your parents' unfulfilled hopes
and dreams set right on your shoulders.

What's your offer?

You get to study and
explore what you want,

but you're still living
with kids your own age,

and all you have to do for
me is play one more game.

What kind of game?

A high-level simulation,
more than virtually real.

Totally real.

There's no such thing.

It's an experimental model.

I'm testing it for
some industrialists

who are very interested
in people like you.

Who would I play against?

Some representative
chosen by the company.

- So let's go.
- It's not here?

It's top secret. I can't
just display it here.

We have to travel a bit.

I can't, but thanks
for the offer.

Now, Debi, I would
rethink your decision.

Hey!

Software for the game?

It links together the senses
of Morthren and human alike

in an extraordinary universe.

As the level of the game
increases in difficulty,

the players are
forced to improvise,

and their responses are recorded
and stored for future analysis.

When will I meet
my new opponent?

Nikita has guaranteed
us one for tonight.

Don't you find it odd how
easily he betrays his race?

He does it for money.

Sendac, study this game well.

The last challenger
forced you into two errors.

I compensated for them.

Sendac, never forget
they are a unique race.

Doesn't matter to me.

It does to me.

Remember,

the only reason
you're involved with this

is to explore their minds

to see how they use
creativity in their decisions.

That won't help them.

- Debi!
- David!

Debi!

Get her!

Find that kid
and get rid of him.

Let me go!

You better try and compose
yourself, young lady.

You've got a very big
evening ahead of you.

Mr. Kincaid!

- Where's Debi?
- They've got her.

- The girl. Where's the girl?
- Doctor...

Who took the girl?

What happened, David?

There was another guy.
He ran one of the simulators.

Can you I.D. this guy again?

Yeah.

Let's get out of here.

You bring me a
child. What is this?

She's the most gifted
player I've ever seen.

A brilliant improviser,
an intelligence quotient...

Let's go, Nikita.

This is a very
special game, Debi.

It has a higher reality
quotient than any other.

I won't play.

It's up to you, but it
would be a shame.

This game is to the death.

Nikita, you may begin.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the game will begin shortly.

We will now accept
first-level wagers.

Let me introduce our
new challenger... Debi.

Don't misjudge her.

She has great intelligence,
instincts, and creativity.

Watch her.

Damn it, I should've
gone with her.

Okay, now, what
else do we know here?

The corporation the
guy fronted is bogus.

It doesn't make any sense, John.

David, what exactly did you
and Debi do at the center?

Well, we decided to play
this game 'cause it looked fun.

Debi got the highest score ever.

Then I went to
test for engineering,

and after I came back, I saw these
two big guys push her out the back way,

so I came and got Mr. Kincaid.

Have you ever heard of
anyone being kidnapped

because of their
scores on a simulator?

Maybe, but not kids.

Who, then?

Mercenaries. Rumor
is there's a new game.

It's supposed to be a
simulator that's totally real.

Who plays?

Someone called The Champion.
That's what he goes by.

Wait here.

The young challenger
has lost her weapon.

The Champion advances
his sword at the ready.

Will Debi avoid death?
The table is open.

5,000 on the girl.

It's possible for the
challenger to beat this setback.

The odds are 78-to-1
favoring The Champion.

Come on, Nikita! Get on with it!

The tables are closed.

The game will proceed.

Another 5,000 on the
child. She's brilliant.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

As I've said, the
challenger is resourceful,

but the game's not over yet.

We bring you a
gripping spectacle

that promises
hours of excitement

unparalleled in
gambling history,

and available only to you,

a select and discerning group.

That's him. That's the guy.

Nikita. I should've guessed.

Where is she?

A casino in Quadrant 9.

A place called Gamers' Palace.

Big money on him recently.

- Anyone we know?
- No.

But I've heard a lot of rumors
about a new high-roller book.

Cover charge is $1,000.

What's the game, Scoggs?

It's a snuff game.

Let's go.

Hey, wait up.

No, it's too dangerous. Make
sure he gets a ride home.

Pay up, Nikita. This
time, you pay up.

Not over yet. Not over yet.

Kill him, Debi. Kill him.

I won't! I won't
kill him for you!

He's unconscious. Revive him.

The hell with this. I quit.

Let me out of here!

He's gotta come back.

How many of those
tranquilizers are you making?

Only time for one,
man. The red one.

Might not be the latest
technology, but it works.

I don't like it. How do we
know what we're up against?

We make one mistake,
and they could kill her.

We'll be right there, Suzanne.

God, what do they want with her?

She's just a little girl.

I think we should
take them with us.

It's risky.

Either we force Nikita
to stop the game,

or we do it ourselves.

We'll grab Debi and get out.

Ladies and gentlemen, please.

You can take your money
now and end the competition,

or the house will
go double or nothing.

- Yeah!
- Come on! Come on!

Very good.

He's become multiple combatants.

Yes.

But she has already learned that
her fears are being used against her.

She is unique.

Another 10,000
on the challenger.

You're crazy. The
Champion's back in action.

My money is on the
house this time, Nikita.

All bets are down. All bets
are down. The table is closed.

The girl has overcome
fear with inventiveness.

But now she has to apply
herself in two directions at once.

Make your move when I
take out the bodyguard.

Suzanne, let's check
for another way in.

Calm down.

It's like being in a horror film.
They're only trying to scare you.

It's not real.

Nervous?

The game's already
underway, sir.

Don't worry. I'll catch up.

The challenger is just
entering the next level.

Cover all previous bets.

Opening bids start at
100,000, ladies and gentlemen,

odds favoring the challenger.

Debi has fulfilled
my promise to you.

She has performed
with confidence

and outmaneuvered The Champion.

Oh, good. Put this on for me.

She's attained a level we
have never seen before.

- She may continue to evade
our warrior, - Yeah! Come on!

But remember, the
game is totally real.

There can be only one
winner, one survivor.

As we enter the next
level, it's a brand-new game.

On the little girl.

Have a pleasant evening, sir.

Thank you.

Come on. Come on.

Come on. Let's go.

Come on.

Open, please. Open!

Please.

Yeah! Come on!

I can see that the challenger
is still the emotional favorite.

No, no, Nikita. She's
just the better man.

You may be right,

but she appears
trapped in this level.

No player has progressed
as far as young Debi,

but The Champion
still holds the fleet.

Come on, Nikita.
Get on with the game.

The game will
resume in 30 seconds.

Debi is becoming frantic

as The Champion closes in.

Will she succeed
to the next level?

Taking final
wages for this level,

which may be her last.

Tell them the game's
over, Niki boy. Tell them.

Out! Get out! All of you!

We've got trouble.

Nikita's problem must not
jeopardize this experiment.

Continue.

Weapons out.

One finger.

Toss them over here.

Drop it!

Agh!

Who you talking to, Nik,
huh? Who you talking to?

Stop it. Stop the
game, or I'll kill you!

Someone's interfered
with the game.

We must abort now.

No. Complete the game.

If he tries to free
her, she'll die.

Besides, he doesn't
know about us.

Make sure Nikita
doesn't tell him.

"The key is here
within your sight,

"clockwise turning,
holding tight.

"Start within the stone across,

and return what now is lost."

The key is something lost.

Ten seconds, Nikita.

Stop it. Stop it now!

I can't. Only they can.

Who's they? Who
are you talking about?

- If you don't, I will.
- If you pull the plug, they both die.

Debi!

No! Don't touch her!

- Leave her alone!
- Oh, God, I can't reach her!

He could've been telling the
truth. If we interfere, she could die.

They're controlling her.

The players you recruited
were to have no relatives.

She was too good to pass up.

We can move the game,
set up somewhere else.

- We're connected, man.
- We were.

Our connection with you has
already been far too intimate.

- What are you doing?
- I'm going in there.

- No way. No!
- She's my daughter! I'm going in!

Suzanne, he'll kill both of you!

I've been training in the
experience. There's no other way.

Plug me into the game.

"The key is here
within your sight,

"clockwise turning,
holding tight.

"Start within the stone across,

and return what now is lost."

Kincaid?

Another player has
entered the game.

Yes. Very resourceful.

Sendac isn't equipped
to fight two players.

Stop the game.

No.

He should have gained new
understanding of her methods.

Remember, Sendac
is part of the experiment

just as the challengers are.

We are learning how to
anticipate instinctive behavior

and to respond
to it with success.

You're not Kincaid.

- Debi...
- No.

Debi!

Agh!

John... John, what's happening?

Excellent.

He's captured the king.

And now the queen.

Is it over?

Can I go home now?

Is anyone out there?

What's wrong?

Did someone pull the plug?

If the images here are
created from his mind,

can I create a game
world of my own?

Get out of here.

The game is over.
The game is over.

The game is over.
The game is over.

The game is over.

The game is over.
The game is over.

The game is over.
The game is over.

The game is over.
The game is over.

Debi, it's dinnertime.

I've been calling
you for ten minutes.

They're aliens.

They have direct access
to that console up there.

I'm gonna use the scanner
tissue on their warrior

and track his
movements in the game.

If I can get inside his mind,

if I can see what he sees,

I might be able to give Debi
and Kincaid a better chance.

Okay.

If you can get in through the console
up there, even your voice can help her.

Now go.

Can you analyze
how her mind works?

I know that she will take any measures,
no matter how desperate, to avoid death,

but I can't predict what
those measures will be.

We'll have to set up
the game elsewhere.

Do we cut the power?

Not yet.

The software controls the game,

and that cannot
be interfered with.

Now, Debi, you just got here.

I don't know about
you, but I'm starved.

Come on now. Sit down,

and we'll talk about it.

I've made a nice dinner.

You haven't made dinner
for me since I was a kid.

What do I start? What do I do?

Quiet, Suzanne. I'm
gonna access the software,

and then I'll link myself to
the game and to the Morthren.

- Are you sure, Harrison?
- We'll get them out. Yes.

Oh, God! Go!

Okay.

Debi...

Debi, can you hear me?

Hello?

Debi, you're in the game.

It's not real.

Wake up, please.

Mom?

No calls at dinner, Debi.

Would you feel more
comfortable with this, Debi?

You must've lost it while
you were out playing.

I guess we can give
Debi her surprise now.

A surprise?

You remember that
Champion you've been fighting?

Yeah.

Well, we've caught him. See?

If you can kill that monster, Debi, you
can save yourself and end the game.

Something's wrong.

I can't control the software.
There's someone linked with Sendac.

How could they accomplish that?

Kill him. Now,
before he attacks.

- Debi...
- Debi...

Don't listen to him.
He's part of the game.

No. He's using you.

Kill him, and you win the game.

You have no options
left, Deb. Kill both of us.

Kill the program.

But that would condemn
Sendac to death.

We'll lose the data, the
experiment, all the networks that we...

Would you rather
they trace the link here?

Harrison...

The game... it's
changing, Suzanne.

What... What is it?

The game is dying.

The game is over.

- Where's Harrison?
- He's up there.

- Mom?
- Oh, baby!

Look at it. It's dying.

It's all right. We're all okay.

Oh, Suzanne, my
head is pounding.

Harrison, you're
supposed to be in bed.

A refill?

Harrison...

It's all right. It's all right.

Come in. I'm awake.

I'm awake.

I'm not much of
a champion, am I?

Sorry. I didn't think it
was really you in the game.

I was supposed to rescue you.

But it turned out the
other way around.

We helped each
other... all of us.

Debi, I...

We love you, too, John.