Predestination

[♪♪♪] VIOLIN MAN: What if I could put him in front of you? The man that ruined your life? If I could guarantee that you’d get away with it, would you kill him? [PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY] [♪♪♪] [FAINT TICKING] [TICKING CONTINUES] [WHIRRING] [FOOTSTEPS] [INHALES SHARPLY] [GUN COCKS] [GUNSHOT]

[SCREAMING] [GASPING] [WHIMPERING] [PANTING] [YELLS] [GASPS] [MONITOR BEEPING] Okay. MILES: The Blackmore Cross. I understand it’s your second. Congratulations. You have served honorably. So that’s it, huh? The order from the board will come through shortly. The final order? MILLER: Yes. And the Bomber? It’s not your problem anymore.

MILES: I don’t need to remind you of the critical nature of your final mission. So please, rest. [♪♪♪] VIOLIN MAN [RECORDING]: Every suspect educates us. Makes us better at what we do. None more than this elusive sociopath. He’s efficient. Precise with his timings.

The press have dubbed him the “Fizzle” Bomber. We stopped him this time. But this was only a small attack. This is his grand plan. March 1975. He keeps changing the day. The explosion will level 10 blocks of New York

and leave over 11,000 dead. Everything we’ve done to stop him has failed. But I was close this time. Just one more try. DR. FUJIMOTO: Grafts have taken. The reconstructive transplant is stable. But you understand you will look different to what you remember. Eyes will heal.

You should recover well for this final mission. VIOLIN MAN: And then I’ll be decommissioned. It’s not just the physical injuries. You’ve logged more field hours than any of the other agents I’ve been assigned to. The risks are real. The scars have begun to heal nicely. Your vocal cord damage has reduced

But will not regrow exactly the same way. There goes my singing career. It will take some getting used to. [RASPY BREATHING] I’ve changed so much, ahem, that I doubt my own mother would recognize me. [CHUCKLES SOFTLY] [♪♪♪] [RECORDER CLICKS] The order finally came through today. I guess… it was inevitable.

By the time you listen to this, seven years will have passed. Our first mission is just as important as our last. Each one getting us closer to our final destination. MILES: Sir, please raise your right hand.

Do you solemnly swear to uphold the rules and regulations set forth by T.B.R. Code 7286? I do. Do you accept that any diversion from mission parameters will result in court martial? And if convicted, death by lethal injection. I do. Thank you, sir. Thank you.

VIOLIN MAN: Time. It catches up with us all. Even those in our line of work. I guess you could say we’re gifted. Oh, God, Jesus, it sounds arrogant saying that out loud. All right. Uh, I’ll put it a better way.

I guess you could say we were born into this job. [THE STOOGES’ “1970 (I FEEL ALRIGHT)” PLAYING] ♪ Whoo! ♪ ♪ Out of my mind On Saturday night ♪ ♪ 1970 rollin’ in sight… ♪ [COMMENTATOR SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

♪ Beautiful baby Feed my love ♪ ♪ All night Till I blow away ♪ [DOOR OPENS] ♪ All night Till I blow away… ♪ ♪ I feel alright… ♪ MAN: Hey, look at this freak. There you go, Jerry. What can I get you? Old Underwear.

BARKEEP: Old Underwear. Straight up? Leave the bottle. Heh, from the look of you, I’m guessing you’re not celebrating. From the look of me? What do I look like? Just making conversation. Jesus. [BOXER GRUNTS] [CHEERING] COMMENTATOR: He’s down! MAN: Hey, bud, two more. Chaser, right? You’re new.

Yeah, I’ve been working here a couple of weeks. Yeah? How’s it working out? It’s been quiet. People staying home. Because of the big, bad Fizzle Bomber? Heh, yeah, I guess. Doesn’t scare you, huh? Worrying about every freak show on the subway won’t change things. Oh, that is true.

Haven’t seen you around. You come here often? What are you, a sissy? What’s your problem? Hey! [SCOFFS] I was joking man. Jesus. Yeah, well, that’s not funny. Tell me a good one then. What, a joke? Yeah, come on. You know, a free shot. Come on. No, no, I don’t know any.

You work in a bar for chrissakes. Surely you know a joke. All right, I know one. But it’s not funny. I’m all ears. All right, well, a guy walks into a bar, right? [BARKEEP LAUGHING] Jesus, man. Just kidding. No, no, no. I got a good one.

What comes first, the chicken or the egg? The rooster. Oh, see? I’m terrible. That’s the best you got? Yeah, well… That’s not funny. I told you it wasn’t. You ever think about that, though? About what? You know, about what comes first. What do I care? I got more important stuff to worry about.

All right. Well, you’re a big deal. You got important things to do, right? Heh. What do you do? Whatever I have to. Yeah, well, it’s tough making a living, that’s for sure. What do you know about tough? As much as the next guy, I guess. How about as much as an unmarried mother?

What does that mean? Four cents a word, I write confession stories. “The Unmarried Mother,” it’s my pen name. Are you serious? Yeah. Right. Right! Uh, how’s business? Business is okay. I have a weekly column. I write them, they print them, I eat. Right? What, you read my work? Yeah, yeah.

Does that surprise you? Yeah, a little. Why? You don’t fit the demo. The demo? The demographic. Oh, right. Right. Broken women who want to feel better about their pitiful lives by reading hard-luck stories of heartbreak and betrayal spewed across the glossy pages of 25-cent pulp sludge. Oh! Yeah, exactly.

You’re being a little hard on yourself. It’s garbage. I thought I had some talent telling stories, but who am I kidding? I mean, you tell me. You’ve read them. I have to admit I’ve had a few dark nights when I’ve looked to you for a little insight into the feminine mind.

It seems to me you’ve got a real hit on the woman’s angle. Woman’s angle? Yeah. [SIGHS] Yeah, I know the woman’s angle. [CHUCKLES] I should. Why, you married? You got sisters? You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Mmm. The one thing this job has taught me

Is that truth is stranger than fiction. I have heard some incredible stuff. Nothing astonishes me anymore. You don’t know what incredible means. Yeah? Well, try me. [SCOFFS] Here you go. I got that. Come on. Bet you the rest of that bottle I got the best story you ever heard.

Bet you a full bottle. What do you say? Huh? If I lose? Just add a 20 to the tip. Why not? MAN: Hey, man. Two Buds, bud. Right. REPORTER [ON TV]: Mayor, how do you respond to many New Yorkers leaving the city

in fear of a fifth attack by the Fizzle Bomber? We’ve got extra police patrols on 24-hour shifts around the city. We’ve created a joint task force with the Federal Bomb Squad and the FBI in order to track down the suspect. What a stupid name.

“Fizzle Bomber.” The guy makes compressed RDX-based explosive compounds. That’s not easy. “Fizzle Bomber” is easier to remember. I hate that name. Makes it sound like his bombs just fizzle. Like they don’t do real damage. I don’t think anybody’s doubting how dangerous this asshole is. There’s a lot of selfish assholes

Out there needing a good shake-up. They should be afraid. Hmm. Well, he’s killed 112 people already. Some people just gotta go. Stops the gene pool right in its tracks, huh? Yeah. Maybe he’s doing the city a favor. Better be careful who hears you say that. What, you think I’m wrong?

I’m saying that kind of talk can get you in trouble. No worse than I’ve already been through. Now listen, you keep promising the best story of my life. But I’m not hearing anything. All right. Guess I’ll start at the beginning. When I was a little girl… [GASPS] What?

What, you want me to tell my story? No, I just– I thought… [CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY] I’m sorry. Yeah, sure. Go on, go on. When I was a little girl… It was September 13th, 1945. I was a foundling. A newborn left on an orphanage doorstep. [PHONE RINGS] City of Cleveland Orphanage.

[BABY CRYING] Oh. That’s a good girl. Well, there’s no signs of trauma or exposure. The child appears healthy. If she shows any signs of infection or excessive coughing, she should be taken to the hospital for examination. Yes, doctor. She got a name? Uh… Jane. Jane will have to do for now.

I’ll be back to check on Jane in a week. I look forward to it. [BABIES COOING] UNMARRIED MOTHER: I was just one of a dozen babies who had no past. But that was all we had in common. I was never sick, not one day.

So I was never taken to a hospital. Not until later in my life. [♪♪♪] [CHILDREN CHATTERING, LAUGHING] [BETH SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY] Slow down. [♪♪♪] [GASPS] One chocolate ice cream for the cute little lady. Thank you. [GASPS] UNMARRIED MOTHER: When I was little, I envied kids with parents.

I never understood why my parents abandoned me. What had I done that was so wrong? But as I got older, I knew something was different about me. [CLATTERING] [BETH SHUSHING] [BETH GIGGLING] [BETH BREATHING HEAVILY] Sex confused me, you know?

The way it works, the way everything fits. I felt different. Even then, I knew that I was going to be different from all the other girls. I made a solemn vow that any kid of mine would have both a mom and a pop. A real family.

It kept me pure. Away from temptation. So I focused my attention on more important things. Like learning how to fight. [KIDS CLAMORING] Fight! Fight! Come on, Lucy, go! Come on! What’d you call me? Pinky, four-eyed, little bitch… [GROANS] I was tough. Much stronger than any of the other kids.

And I was smart too. Top of the class. Equals… Jane! Jane. How do you expect to learn anything if you never– Fifteen. Math and physics were my favorite subjects. That’s correct. It all came easy for me. [INDISTINCT CONVERSATION] When I got older,

I realized I stood little chance of getting married for the same reason I hadn’t been adopted. I was different. A freak. A goddamn loser. I stopped looking in the mirror. I hated what I saw.

I have no photos of myself as a young girl. I don’t even remember what I looked like. It’s just more of a feeling now. Well, you look better than I do. Who cares how a barkeep looks? Or a writer, for that matter. [SCOFFS] But you know how it is.

People want to adopt a little golden-haired moron. And later on, the boys, they want big breasts and pouty lips. You know, perfect accessory. I couldn’t compete. BETH: Jane, Mr. Robertson has made a special effort to talk to some of our graduating girls today. Jane, I work for a new organization

Seeking young women, like yourself, to train in a career in government service. We are what you might call… progressive. I hear you’re interested in space travel. Well, they say that girls can’t be astronauts. That’s true. We’re seeking young ladies who show great promise in the fields of mathematics and science,

As well as strong physical abilities. [♪♪♪] This was around the time the suits finally admitted you can’t send men into space for months or years and not do something to relieve the tension. They were looking for respectable types, preferably virgins.

They liked to train them from scratch. Above average mentally and stable emotionally. [BREATHES DEEPLY] INTERVIEWER: Just relax, Jane. Please take your glasses off. I see you’ve had disciplinary problems in the past. I’ve had nothing but straight A’s in all my classes since first grade.

Yes. Have you ever been with a man? Have you? [LAUGHING] You understand what this employment will require of you? Will I get to travel into space? If selected, yes. No, I haven’t been with a man. How do you see your role on this journey? My role? Well, many of the girls we’ve interviewed

See this as a paid vacation. A chance to live the good life and meet the man of their dreams. Do you see yourself as a tourist or a participant? I’ve excelled in advanced physics, biology and astronomy. A tourist is someone who travels across the ocean only to be photographed

Standing next to their boat. I have no intention of being a tourist. [♪♪♪] They gave me contact lenses. I’d never seen the world so clearly before. [CHUCKLES] [VOMITS, COUGHING] [LAUGHS] [PANTING] They tested our endurance. Made sure we were fit for space travel. [PANTING] [EXHALING]

Many of the girls struggled. Not me. The testing went on for months. They tested us on everything. Many girls failed. Not me. Highest numbers we’ve ever seen. STAPLETON: Do you ever feel depressed? Uh, what do you mean? Sad. Empty at times. Sometimes…

I guess I feel like there’s something out of balance. Like I’m living in somebody else’s body. I don’t know how to describe it. And none of the girls here like me. You’ll just need to give it some time. They’ll come round. [GROANS] [WOMEN YELLING] [GROANS] Get her back! WOMAN: Come on! Go, Marcy!

MAN 1: Hey! MAN 2: Hey, get off her! [GRUNTING] Get off! Ow! Stop! [GROANS] [♪♪♪] We have performed a more detailed physical examination of the patient. [SIGHS] [SCOFFS] I see. You do know that this will disqualify her. I don’t get it. I was just defending myself. What was I supposed to do?

I know. Believe me, it’s not over yet. I’ll go to the Board of Appeals. I’ll do everything to get you reenlisted. I promise. Trust me, Jane. UNMARRIED MOTHER: And that was it. Because of a stupid fight, I was done. I had to support myself.

I couldn’t rely on Mr. Robertson’s promise to see me through. You’re a witch? That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. UNMARRIED MOTHER: To earn money, I worked as a mother’s helper. This family simply wanted a cheap servant.

That was when I first discovered confession stories. I didn’t care if they were real or fake. It was a great way to pass the time. I did housework during the day… and went to school at night. GARNER: When eating in formal situations,

Rest your knife and your fork on the plate between mouthfuls. Charm class was a way of proving to the Appeals Board that I was working on my… decorum. If you’re finished with your meal… It was the first time I wasn’t good at something.

And when I wasn’t expecting it, I met him. [RINGING] [♪♪♪] [THUNDER RUMBLING] [GRUNTS] Oh! I’m so sorry. There he was. Are you lost? He told me he was waiting for someone. Well, you know what they say about good things happening to those who wait. “But only the things left behind

By those who hustle,” he said. I couldn’t believe it. It was a quote by Abraham Lincoln and I was thinking… …the exact same thing. What are the odds? He was handsome, rich. He treated me with a kindness that I’d never experienced before.

You know, he actually had wads of $100 bills in his pocket. More money than I’d seen in my whole life. He told me he’d take care of me. Do you shoot pool? Yeah. REPORTER: With the Fizzle Bomber attacks becoming larger and larger, many New Yorkers

fear a bombing of mass scale is inevitable. Over 10,000 have already evacuated upstate into surrounding counties… He was different. I liked him. He was the first man who was nice to me without playing games. I was young and in love. Oh, famous last words.

Haven’t you ever done something stupid for love? Once. So you understand. I do. [♪♪♪] UNMARRIED MOTHER: I never thought it would happen. Falling for someone. All my little rules about being pure went out the window. It was the happiest time of my life,

But it didn’t last long. One night, he sat me down. Told me to wait for a moment. Where are you going? He told me he’d be right back. BARKEEP: And then? And then nothing. I never saw him again. He never came back.

BARKEEP: Well, maybe he had a good reason. Okay. I didn’t deserve it. I’d managed to convince myself that it had been all for the best. I hadn’t really loved him. It was just a fling. I was more eager than ever to rejoin SpaceCorp.

I’d been let down in my life so many times why should I have gotten my hopes up, right? Then sometimes… [DOORBELL RINGS] …people surprise you. I hadn’t been entirely truthful with you, Jane. About what, sir? In order to protect our nation’s citizens, it’s important we keep certain government operations confidential.

Wouldn’t you agree? Yes, sir. I work for an organization whose primary purpose is not space travel. It’s reshaping wrongdoings. We use SpaceCorp, among others, as a means of finding people who are special. They are what you might call a recruitment agency. I don’t understand. A recruitment agency for what?

For people with exceptional abilities. People like yourself. People without families. Without husbands and wives, children. No past. No ties to the future. You see, the work we do is complicated, and it requires employees with advanced motor skills, remarkable memories. It’s a job for the best and the brightest. For the elite. The elite?

I couldn’t believe it. Seemed like I had a bright future ahead of me. I didn’t really understand what the job meant. They were very covert and secretive, but I knew it would change my life for the better. And they didn’t insist on virgins. They were different to SpaceCorp.

It wasn’t until my skirts got tight that I realized my future was over. [CHUCKLES] You were pregnant? Yeah, wouldn’t you know it? My mystery man had left me with more than just a broken heart. So that bright future, that girl who was elite? She was gone. And I never saw Mr. Robertson again.

[BABIES CRYING] With nowhere to go, I landed in a charity ward surrounded by other big bellies and trotted bedpans until my time came. I never felt so alone. [SCREAMING AND SOBBING] One night, I found myself on an operating table with a nurse saying:

Relax, Jane. Relax. Now breathe deeply. [SCREAMING] [♪♪♪] [GROANS] How do you feel? Uh, tired. That’s natural. A cesarean can be difficult. You pulled through fine. A cesarean? Doctor, is my baby okay? Oh, your baby’s fine. Is it a boy or a girl? It’s a healthy little girl. Seven pounds three ounces. [CHUCKLES]

You know it’s something, to have made a baby. I remember thinking I would tack on the admission form “Mrs.” Let her think her papa was dead. No orphanage for my kid. But then the surgeon kept talking. What is it, doctor? Have you ever had a thorough examination before? Yes.

What’d the doctors tell you? Nothing. I thought everything was fine. So no doctor’s ever told you that, um… your internal setup was different than most? No. What are you talking about? Why? Did you ever hear about that Scottish physician? She lived as a female till she was 35, and then she had surgery

And became legally and medically a man? She got married. Everything was okay. What’s that got to do with me? When we performed your operation, we found something very unique. One of a kind, actually. After I successfully removed your baby, I called for the chief of surgery.

We held consultation and we worked for hours to reconstruct you the best we could. Reconstruct? You had two full sets of organs, Jane. Female and male. Both immature, but the female set well enough developed for you to have a baby. But I’m afraid, my dear, the excessive bleeding from the birth

Forced us to perform a hysterectomy. We had to remove your ovaries and uterus. Wh–? What are you saying? But the reconstruction allowed us to create a male urinary tract. Further surgeries will be required. To become a man? [LAUGHS NERVOUSLY] Is this some kind of joke? I’m afraid it’s not. You’re young.

Your bones will readjust. We’ll watch your hormonal balance. It’s not a death sentence. Your life can continue. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Have you thought of a name yet? Uh… Well, I was thinking of Jane, after her mother.

I guess it was a way of keeping the name in the family. After all, I knew eventually I would have to change mine. That’s a good name. My feelings changed to cold determination. I had to do right by my baby Jane.

But two weeks later, that didn’t mean anything. Why? She was snatched. Snatched? Kidnapped. Stolen from the goddamn hospital nursery. I mean, how’s that for taking the last a man’s got to live for? [BABIES COOING] When the nurse had her back turned, someone walked in and walked out with her.

BARKEEP: Were there any clues? Any description? Just a man… with a face-shaped face. Like yours or mine. [GASPING] [SOBBING] No! No! Could have been the baby’s father. The nurse swore it was an older man, but who else would swipe my baby? What’d you do? Filed a missing person’s report.

Checked adoption agencies, orphanages. You name it, I did it. But nothing. It’s like she vanished. And they never found the guy? Never. [CHUCKLES] But then my other little problem began to take center stage. I spent 11 months in that place and had three major operations. I started taking testosterone,

Which deepened my voice a little bit but not enough. So I started practicing talking like a man. [DEEP VOICE] Hi. Hi. Hi. Hey. Hi, nice to meet you. Hi, nice to meet you. Nice to meet you. It’s a lovely day. Hi, nice to meet you. It’s a lovely day.

I never could get it right, though. JANE: Hi. My name is Jane. Hi, it’s nice to meet you. My name is Jane. My name is J… [SOBBING] [♪♪♪] I was always afraid to look in the mirror and see the person looking back at me.

I held off as long as I could. Now, it didn’t matter anymore. The person I knew was truly gone. [OPENS TOILET SEAT] Strange. Every time I looked at my new appearance, I was reminded of that bastard that ruined my life. [CHUCKLES] That’s some messed-up irony, I guess.

The funny thing was the nurses… they thought I was quite handsome. [LAUGHING] Yeah. Right, right, right. I guess I also knew what women wanted to hear. Compliments, right? [CLICKS TONGUE] Right. Well… it seems to me you came out okay. Came out okay? Well, you know, I just mean you just seem like a–

You know, a normal man. Yeah. More normal than ever now. How so? What’s that mean? Well, I just found out this morning that I’m not shooting blanks anymore. Well, all right. Doctor’s prognosis, I’m a fully fertile male specimen. Well, let me be the first to congratulate you. Welcome to the tribe.

You know, sometimes… I think this world deserves the big storm that it gets. I know. I mean, let’s face it. Nobody’s innocent. Everybody just uses everybody else to get what they want. Maybe. Maybe not. You ever hear the expression “a ruined woman”? Of course.

Well, I was as ruined as a woman could be. I was no longer a woman and I did not know how to be a man. I hate that bastard for ripping out my heart and ruining my life. He deserves to die. So I thought I’d reenlist in SpaceCorp.

This time to become an astronaut. It was ridiculous, I know. They had my records. I couldn’t lie. One look at me, and I was marked unfit for basic training. I think the doctor spent time on me just from curiosity.

He’d read about my case. I was desperate. I was looking for a way back in. You know, I’ve been called a freak my whole life. Now I really was. Just a lab rat to be experimented on. I’m so sorry. Yeah, right. I am. I’ve had a lot of people tell me

How sorry they are for what happened to me. I don’t want to hear it anymore. Then what do you want? What does anyone want? Love. [SCOFFS] Oh, forget love. A purpose. A purpose? You don’t have that? I’m working on it. Mm-hmm. Why can’t love be a purpose?

It’s easier to hate than to love, right? Yeah. It’s easier to destroy something. Kill somebody. You think you could do that? Maybe. I see it in your eyes too. That bitterness. It can take over. It can. So… anyway, rather than getting angry and pissing away my entire future,

I knew I just had to get on with my life. [HORNS HONKING] [PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY] So… I changed my name and came to New York. [DOOR CREAKS] [MAN SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY] I got by as a fry cook, but the hours were long and the money was garbage.

So I bought a typewriter and set myself up as a public stenographer. [SCOFFS] What a laugh. In four months, I typed six letters and one manuscript. The manuscript was for Real Life Tales and a total waste of paper.

But the jerk who wrote it, sold it. Which gave me an idea. I bought a stack of confession magazines and studied them. [TYPEWRITER CLACKING] The words came easy. [SCOFFS] The Unmarried Mother was born.

So now you know how I get the authentic woman’s angle on an Unmarried Mother story. [SCOFFS] Through the only version I haven’t sold. The true one. [SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE] So do I win the bottle? Not bad. Not bad. [PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY] Oh, so is that it? Story’s over?

Yeah, afraid so. [DINGS] The man that ruined my life is a ghost, and so is my daughter. I guess at some point, you just gotta let things go. And have you? [COINS JINGLE] Heck no. What if I could put him in front of you? Huh? The man that ruined your life.

And if I could guarantee you that you’d get away with it. Would you kill him? In a heartbeat. I know where he is. And how the hell do you know that? There are records. Hospital records, orphanage records, medical records… Been there, done that. Beth Fetherage.

Wasn’t that the name of your caretaker at the orphanage? Beth? You son of a bitch. Have you been following me? “Son of a bitch.” That’s funny. Uh, no. Your name, as a woman, was Jane, right? You told me that. You didn’t tell me your name as a man.

John. Which is not terribly original, by the way. What are you, a cop or something? I can put this guy in your lap. You can do whatever you want, and I guarantee you you’ll get away with it. All right, where is he? I do something for you and you do something for me.

[SCOFFS] Forget you. Okay, well, enjoy your prize. What do I have to do? You like your job? Hell, no. Nobody’s ever given you a break, right? Did you listen to my story? Yeah, and you excelled during your service training. Excelled. You have skills you’ve never had the chance to use

And I can give you that chance. Hmm? Let me put it this way. I hand him to you, you do whatever you like. And when you’re done, you try my job. You don’t like it, you walk away. You’re not talking about bartending, are you? I’m not talking about bartending. What is it?

I’ll show you. No. Stop playing games. Just tell me right now. Look, Robertson explains it so much better than I do. Don’t mess with me. What, you’re working with Robertson? Yes, I am, and he wants me to help you. You’re part of Robertson’s little secret society? Yes.

Tell me what it’s all about then. [“I’M MY OWN GRANDPA” PLAYS ON JUKEBOX] First things first. Jerry! I’m going on a break. [MUSIC CONTINUES] ♪ Oh, I’m my own grandpa ♪ [MUTTERS INDISTINCTLY] ♪ I’m my own grandpa… ♪ Where is he? What, is he down there?

Listen, you’re just gonna have to trust me, all right? Now I must be drunk. Heh. You better not be messing with me. Oh… You think I might be the Fizzle Bomber? Maybe. What if you’re the Fizzle Bomber? What if I am? Heh, heh! Well, come on. This is what you wanted, right?

Come on. BARKEEP: ♪ I’m my own grandpa ♪ Here we go. All right. Follow me right in here. Can’t be too cautious these days. [DOOR CLOSES] What are you doing? [SIGHING] Killing somebody’s not easy, you know. [CHUCKLES] No matter how much hate and anger you may have in your heart,

When it comes time to pull the trigger, most people can’t do it. You speaking from experience? I’m just telling you the truth. Well, I’m not afraid. You bring him to me, and I won’t hesitate. All right, that’s good. So where is he? BARKEEP: Hold your horses. [SCOFFS] Are you gonna play for me?

This is a USFF Coordinates Transformer Field Kit. No moving parts. It weighs approximately six kilos, fully charged. I’ve adjusted it to support our body mass. It will calculate a discreet arrival location and avoid any materialization collisions. So, what is it? It’s a device that creates a temporal wake. A what?

It’s a time machine. [CHUCKLES] Look, don’t be alarmed, all right? You have to stand closer. You have to be within three feet. What have you got two guns for? Don’t worry. I’ve done this a lot. [SIGHS] Seriously, you need to stop playing games. Stand still, okay? Take a deep breath and hold this.

Hold it. It’s okay. Here you go. Now, you just have to close your eyes. Why do I need to close my eyes… [GLASS CLINKS] [MUFFLED GRUNTING] [MUFFLED GASPING] Oh, God, what was that? Yeah. The time distortion field. You’re gonna be fine. [GASPING] What? Just take some deep breaths, all right? What is this?

Just take some deep breaths. The first few jumps can really knock you around. [GASPING] Jumps? Yeah. We’re in Cleveland, Ohio, April 3rd, 1963. What? That’s impossible. I know. In this job, you can’t afford to make any mistakes. Timing is essential. [GROANS] BARKEEP: I’ve got some money for you.

The Temporal Bureau doesn’t care how much money you spend. It doesn’t matter to them. What they don’t like is unnecessary anachronisms. The Temporal Bureau? Is that the company you work for? That’s right. The one you almost worked for. So where’s Robertson? He’s in 1985. What? At Bureau headquarters.

[SCOFFS] So, what, you’re a cop? I’m a temporal agent, one of 11. We prevent crime before it takes place. Here. Here’s some clothes. Put them on. How did you know the clothes would be there? Doesn’t matter. We just need to start blending in. What, have you been here before? It’s complicated, all right?

Yeah, no joke. Look, our time disruption footprint needs to be extremely small. The Bureau allows for slight variations, but ultimately the parameters are extremely strict. Any deviation from our mission results in termination. Termination of your job? Termination of your life. That’s why you keep conversations to people in this time period

To an absolute minimum. This time period. Okay. So how far can you travel, then? Travel beyond 53 years of zero point, either direction, will result in the temporal wake disintegrating. Zero point? The invention of time travel. And when’s that? It will be in 1981. [SCOFFS] Right. I can’t believe this. And so, um,

I get to be one of these, uh, you know, a temporal agent? If you prove yourself. Right. [SIGHS] So, what’s this guy to you? I’m starting to suspect he might be the Fizzle Bomber. All right? But all that’s clear is he’s the main obstacle that’s held you back. So I kill him,

You take me to Robertson and you show me everything. Agreed. Right. Okay, so where is he? Okay. Hey, hey. Are you all right? Yeah. All right, he’s at Cleveland College, five blocks from here. You remember? He’s on his way to meet Jane. You. The 1963 you. Yeah, I remember. Okay, great.

So I can do this? I can change my past? Yes, you can. Have you ever thought about changing yours? I never deviate from the mission. Never? Never. Look, I’ll pick you up when you’re done, all right? No. Whoa, where are you going? Don’t worry. I’ll be around, trust me. Do I…?

Do I have a choice? Of course. You always have a choice. Yeah, but sometimes don’t you think that things are just inevitable? [CHUCKLES] Yes, the thought has crossed my mind. This life. Is it lonely? No family. No. But…you do have a purpose. Right. [CHUCKLES SOFTLY] [♪♪♪] [RINGING] [PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY] [♪♪♪]

Oh, I’m so sorry. [EXHALES] Are you lost? No, I’m looking for someone. Thanks, I’ll just wait. Well, you know what they say about good things happening to those who wait. [♪♪♪] But only the things left behind by those who hustle. I was thinking the exact same thing. What are the odds? [CHUCKLES]

What are the odds? Are you okay? You’re not how I imagined you’d look. Do I know you? You’re beautiful. Someone should have told you that. Well, you just did. [♪♪♪] BARKEEP: If you ever want to stop the Fizzle Bomber, you’ll never get another chance. [GASPS] [GRUNTS] [♪♪♪] [TICKING]

[GUN COCKS] [METAL CLATTERS] [GASPS] [BREATHING HEAVILY] [GRUNTS] [EXHALING SHARPLY] [GRUNTS] [BOTH GRUNTING] [GROANING] [SNIFFLES] [GUNSHOTS] [GROANING] [SNIFFLES] [ELECTRICITY CRACKLING] [MAN SCREAMING] [GASPING] [WHIMPERING] [GRUNTING] [PANTING] [EXCLAIMS] [EXHALES SHARPLY] [SIGHS] [EXHALES] [MUTTERING] 1964. [GROANS] Come on, come on. [SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE] [BREATHING HEAVILY] [GROANS] [SNIFFLES] [EXHALES SHARPLY] [GASPING]

UNMARRIED MOTHER: Sometimes don’t you think that things are just inevitable? BARKEEP: Yes, the thought has crossed my mind. [GROANS] Time travel can be disorienting. Even short jumps can knock you around a bit. Don’t ever exceed the jump limit. It can be problematic. [INHALES DEEPLY] Deep breaths.

They always help. [EXHALES SHARPLY] I don’t get out and meet a lot of new people. Are you nervous? BARKEEP: Oh, yeah. Don’t forget to buy a hat, gloves and a jacket. It’s cold this time of year, back in ’64. This is a job, all right? Remember that.

It’s unlike any other, but you still have tasks to perform, deadlines to meet. Some days those tasks are easier than others, but it’s imperative that you succeed. You always knew this day would come. [QUIETLY] You can do this. UNMARRIED MOTHER: Why don’t you meet new people?

Uh, I’m not very good in social situations. Some people just don’t like me, I guess. Why is that, do you think? I don’t know. Perhaps it’s because you think you’re better than them. Excuse me? Well, you think you’re superior. Who the hell are you to…? You don’t even know me. Am I wrong?

Takes one to know one. True. So, what makes you so superior? [SIGHS] Uh, I can read minds. [CHUCKLING] Oh, really? Yeah, absolutely. All right, what am I thinking right now? You’re thinking, “Charm class isn’t helping this situation.” Wow. Amazing. You’re thinking… “Why does everyone always get what they want, and I get nothing?

That I’m tired of being tough all the time.” Everyone thinks that. You pretend like love doesn’t matter to you, when the truth is it’s all you ever think about. That’s not true. Okay. Oh, what, you don’t believe me? You’ve known me for a whole hour. You’ve never been in love.

That’s none of your business. That’s not an answer. What makes you think you deserve one? You’re right. I’m sorry for being so direct. You said that I’m not how you imagined. Have we met before? No, I… I don’t know why I said that. Because I feel like we have.

Things haven’t been easy for you, have they? Everyone’s got problems. UNMARRIED MOTHER: Yeah. We all trip up along the way. But you and I… perhaps over the same things. It’s been a while. Yes. From your perspective, I suppose it has. I didn’t think you jumped anymore. Only on special occasions.

I have a piece of the Fizzle Bomber’s timer. You made an illegal jump. That’s a serious offense. It doesn’t matter anymore. I had to try again. And did you apprehend him? No. The fragments of matter you leave behind after each jump we can only repair so much. The onset of psychosis, dementia.

It can be serious. I’m fine. How many illegal jumps have you made? Just one. I’ll accept the punishment. The parameters set by the Bureau are strict for a reason. They exist for our protection. Mm-hmm. However, I’ve always thought we could accomplish so much more without constant bureaucratic control of the board.

An agent operating from the outside. [INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE] BARKEEP: She’ll endure so much pain because of what I do. That’s the way it has to be. That’s the way it’s always been. [SIGHS] You should understand that better than anyone. [CHUCKLES] The snake that eats its own tail, forever and ever.

You are here to create history and influence what is to come. I don’t think I can do it. Understand you are more than an agent. You’re a gift given to the world through a predestination paradox. You’re the only one free from history, ancestry. The rooster. But you must complete your mission.

You must lay the seeds for the future. We’re counting on you. [SNIFFS] And what happens when that day comes, when I have no knowledge of my future? [SNIFFS] Well, then, like everyone else you’re just gonna have to take it one day at a time. [♪♪♪] [BABY CRYING] [♪♪♪] [HORNS HONKING]

You have a long journey ahead of you. They say that the journey of a thousand miles starts right at your feet. [BABY COOING] And my feet sure could use a rest. [BABY CRYING] All right, just gonna cover up your eyes just to be safe, okay?

BARKEEP [ON RECORDING]: Jumping back almost 20 years can be rough. Hold the baby tight. You ready? And remember, deep breaths. [MUFFLED GROANING] [BREATHING HEAVILY] Preparation is the key to successful, inconspicuous time travel. [BIG BAND MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO] Luck is the residue of design.

Earlier, I had registered as Gregory Johnson, Warren, Ohio. Keep it simple. Blend in. [COOING] [♪♪♪] Safe journey, Jane. Stay strong, John. You have a bright future ahead. [INHALES SHARPLY] [COIN RATTLES] [PHONE RINGS] City of Cleveland Orphanage. [MUFFLED GASPS] [BREATHING HEAVILY] [MUSIC PLAYING SOFTLY] [♪♪♪] [QUIETLY] Stay here.

Where are you going? Don’t worry. I’ll be right back. You sick freak. You tricked me. The choice was yours. What choice? I’m not gonna leave her. That’s the way that it is. It’s the way it always has been. I’m sorry if you feel deceived.

But it’s a mistake to think that we can change certain events. It’s like you said, some things are inevitable. But I love her. I know. I know that. And now that you’ve found her, you know who she is. And you understand who you are.

And now maybe you’re ready to understand who I am. [BREATHING SHAKILY] BARKEEP: Now, listen to me. Listen to me. The shock will wear off, but you can take comfort in knowing that these events are happening in the correct order. The path you’re on will take you to your destination. Where– Where is that?

You let me take you to Robertson, and he’ll show you everything. I don’t want to leave her. You’re not. UNMARRIED MOTHER: I never wanted to hurt her. BARKEEP: I know. And now she knows too. [MUFFLED GASPING] John. Listen to me, all right? You’re home. Your troubles are over. [WHEEZING]

You’re gonna save millions of lives. You’re about to embark on the most important job a man has ever had. And you’re gonna do great. I know. He’s forward jumped 22 years. He’s not used to this kind of distance. [GASPING] ROBERTSON: John had to want this. His life had to be fouled up.

He had to have nothing in order to achieve so much. A hundred horrible crimes didn’t go as planned because of him. Because of the work you’ve done. But the Fizzle Bomber’s still out there. I failed. He made you a better agent. We’ve all learned from him. He’s made us better at our jobs.

This organization wouldn’t have grown if it wasn’t for the Fizzle Bomber. You sound as if you admire him. He’s a terrorist. Nothing’s that simple. I wish that it were. [SIGHS] What’s this? It’s the timer. Got some new leads. When you reach your final destination, your field kit will decommission… As per regulation. [SIGHS]

You sure you want to retire to New York so close to the date of the blast? Yes, sir. You take care of yourself. Yes, sir. [EXHALES SHARPLY] [LONZO AND OSCAR’S “I’M MY OWN GRANDPA” PLAYING ON JUKEBOX] ♪ I’m my own grandpa ♪ ♪ I’m my own grandpa ♪

JERRY: Jesus H. Christ, Conner! Here, look, I’ll refund your goddamn money. I don’t want a refund. Let me play the damn song! Yeah, come on, Jerry. Let him play the damn song. And by the way, I quit. [MUFFLED GASPING] [SIGHS] So this is it. Home. [♪♪♪]

BARKEEP [ON RECORDING]: The order finally came through today. I guess it was inevitable. By the time you listen to this, seven years will have passed. Our first mission is just as important as our last. Each one getting us closer to our final destination.

See, you’ll find out that time has a very different meaning to people like us. Time catches up with us all, even those in our line of work. I guess you could say we’re gifted. Mmm. God, Jesus, that sounds arrogant saying that out loud.

All right, uh, I’ll put it a better way. I guess you could say we were born into this job. You don’t see a lot of guys using these anymore. Is that okay? Heh, yeah. It’s just that… I get kind of sentimental about the past. That’s cool.

[HORNS HONKING IN DISTANCE] ALICE: So you’re a writer? BARKEEP: I-I used to be, I guess. ALICE: And you’re thinking of taking it up again? I was thinking about it. Right on. Yeah. What kind of things do you write? Oh, just confession stories.

ALICE: What, kind of like those scorned women stories? You know, passion, heartbreak, jealousy. No, not kind of like, exactly like. Heh, seriously? Yeah, seriously. ALICE: You don’t look like the type of guy that’d be into that. [CHUCKLES] What do I look like I would be into?

That’s a big question. Well, you’re interested in this gorgeous ’40 Royal Portable. BARKEEP: I am. Tool of choice of Hemingway… Mm-hmm. …Kerouac, Fleming. And taking into account I’ve known you a whole 30 seconds… I’m thinking you’re into adventure. Suspense. Maybe a touch of romance.

And definitely a big splash of murder. That’s stupid, right? No, it’s not. It’s never too late to be who you might have been. [EXHALES SHARPLY] [♪♪♪] FUJIMOTO: It’s not just the physical injuries. You’ve logged more field hours than any of the other agents I’ve been assigned to.

The risks are real. ROBERTSON: The fragments of matter you leave behind after each jump we can only repair so much. The onset of psychosis, dementia. That can be serious. I’m fine. BARKEEP: Time travel can be disorienting. Don’t ever exceed the jump limit.

It can be problematic. The snake that eats its own tail, forever and ever. I know where I come from. But where do all you zombies come from? [SIRENS WAILING IN DISTANCE] [GUN COCKS] Oh, my God. You look good. I missed you. You’re the Fizzle Bomber? [CHUCKLING]

We always hated that name, remember? You’re a murderer. No, no, no. See, I’ve saved lives, more than I ever could have from inside the bureau. No, you kill innocent people. No, no, no. [STAMMERING] I have clippings from the future. Clippings from futures that never happened because I prevented them. Huh?

More tragedies prevented, lives saved. You see this? Saved? Yeah, yeah. Look. Look. 1974, Chicago chemical spill. That driver never made it to work in the morning. Now, 324 lives saved. Look, look. What’s next? What’s next? Right, well, we have… We have, uh, 1991, April 3rd, Hamburg, Germany. 1861 lives saved. Huh?

The Hardshaw Weapons Factory heist, 1968. The terrorists never came in the building ’cause I blew it up. Huh? Three thousand twenty-seven lives I saved. Do you keep count of all the civilians you killed as well? Your next attack will kill 10,000 more. You’re disappointed in me, right? I remember that, I do.

But when the dust settles… [SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE] …I think you’ll see that we did the right thing. I will never become you. No, I’m curious. Did you report that your decommissioned field kit didn’t decommission? Right? Some people say that it’s fate. But you and I, we know some things are predestined.

I made you who you are. You made me who I am. It’s a paradox, right? But it can’t be paradoctored. [LAUGHING] Right? I had so much fun at preempting you, I did. And now you’re free and you found me and we can be together. [SOFTLY] I’ll never become you. Don’t say that.

Don’t say that. We’re just puppets. [WHISPERING] We are Robertson. He set the whole thing up. He played us for fools. He’s laying out the dominoes. You know, we’re just watching it fall. I will never become you, and I will not let you kill those people. [SHUSHING] [REGULAR VOICE] Wait, wait.

You’re gonna live a regular life, huh? With that bitch, Alice, from the antique store? She has a stupid cat, she has a disgusting birthmark on her left hip. She’s a lousy cook. Okay, trust me. She can’t handle our secrets. She can’t– Trust me. She’s not right for us. Mm-mm.

You have no idea what is right for me. Okay, okay, okay, all we have is each other. It is all we’ve ever had. Now, if you shoot me, you’ll become me. You get it? That’s how it happens. If you want to break the chain, you have to not kill me

But try to love me, again. What if I put him in front of you, the man who ruined your life… Right, yeah, yeah. Forget all that. We can have a future together. Would you kill him to save thousands? You wanna know what we’re gonna do tomorrow? [CHUCKLES] [GUN COCKS] No. [INHALES SHARPLY] [♪♪♪]

[WHIRRING] BARKEEP: Here you are, at the beginning of your new life. It can be overwhelming knowing the future you’re about to create. Knowing the purpose of that life. BARKEEP: You know who she is. And you understand who you are.

And now maybe you’re ready to understand who I am. You see, I– I love her too. [♪♪♪] BARKEEP: You’ll have to make tough choices. You’ll influence the past. Can we change our futures? I… I don’t know. The only thing that I know for sure

is that you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I miss you dreadfully. [♪♪♪]