Better Than Us (2018) s01e01 Episode Script

Episode 1

[little girl.]
The First Law: a Robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
The Second Law: the Robot must obey all orders given by a human, except in cases when these orders contradict the first law.
The Third Law: the Robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not contradict the First or Second Laws.
[minimalist piano music playing.]
[deep booming.]
[electronic bleeping.]
[music intensifies.]
[music continues to build.]
[gunshot.]
EPISODE ONE [robotic voice.]
Good morning, Georgy.
Time to wake up.
The early bird catches the worm.
Shut up, Vasily! [whirring.]
[clattering.]
[Vasily.]
Time to go to school, kids.
Everybody is up.
Only Mr.
Safronov has a hang Georgy, that won't do! Wake up at once! There's a serious traffic accident on Kashirskoye Highway.
Five corpses will be delivered to our morgue in 20 minutes.
[groaning.]
This is a bad joke.
I'm not joking.
I only reproduce a random set of phrases you have assigned as your wake-up routine.
- So, was there an accident or not? - There was not.
That was cruel.
When did I feed that garbage into you? - On April, 1 - Stop it! That was a rhetorical question.
Don't wake me up with that ever again.
Thanks.
What time is it? It's 12:34, Moscow time.
What? Have you lost your mind? I asked you to wake me at 11! And I did.
But you gave me an alternative order.
What order? I cannot repeat it.
My program does not allow me to use foul language.
But mine does, you heap of junk! You're in charge.
Yes, boss.
[whirring.]
[machine bleeping.]
Hey! Don't even dare! Don't! I work here! - [alert.]
- [female voice.]
You got a parking ticket.
Go to hell.
- [alert.]
- [female voice.]
Instant loans for [voice cuts out.]
[engine starts.]
[pulsing piano music playing.]
[bleeping.]
[music continues.]
[alert.]
- [female voice.]
Good morning, Georgy.
- Morning.
The system is activated.
How can I help you? [bleep.]
[roaring.]
- [man.]
Shall I take it to the neighbors? - [woman.]
Yes.
It will dry out otherwise.
- [doorbell rings.]
- Sonya, are you ready? - Almost.
- Hurry up.
Your father is here.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Did you bring the consent form? PERMISSION FOR CHILD'S TRAVEL ABROAD - Sonya's coming.
She's getting dressed.
- What about Egor? Egor went to his friends.
We agreed that I have the kids today.
He's 16.
I can't tell him what to do.
You decide when and how I see them.
- Call him.
- He's not picking up.
Is that my fault? - Daddy! - Sonya! Hi.
Great jacket.
- Bye, sweetie.
- Bye, Mom.
He still doesn't know, does he? Alla, you can't do this.
I'll tell him, I promise.
Later.
What's that? It's a kite.
I flew it with Egor when he was your age.
Get in.
Where's the remote control? Remote control? It doesn't have one.
- Why not? - Because.
You'll see.
- [bleep.]
- Call Egor.
[ringtone.]
DAD [ringtone continues.]
[female voice.]
The subscriber is not responding.
[engine starts.]
Where are you, Dimych? I've got the paints.
- [Dimych.]
On my way.
- OK.
[school bell ringing.]
Safronov! Leaving without saying goodbye? What's in the bag? Sandwiches? Where's the money? [spray hissing.]
- Kolyan, are you OK? - Get off me! You're dead, Safronov! [ambient music playing.]
You should hold the kite with its nose against the wind.
Does it have a nose? Of course.
Just like it has a tail.
The main thing is that it must be parallel to the breeze.
And then we'll let it go.
- Yes! - Ready.
And go! Look! It's flying! [Sonya.]
Amazing! It's flying! [Georgy.]
Wow! [Sonya.]
My turn now.
[Georgy.]
Catch up, catch up! [Sonya.]
My turn! Excellent! Come on! Great! [Egor.]
Too bad the paints fell out when I was running away.
Only one spray left.
[Dimych.]
Don't worry.
It was worth the paints.
Well have a good trip.
Didn't you just say I should stay? I just didn't want to say goodbye.
I'd rather have a living friend in Australia than a dead hero here.
Cheers.
Let's pray the flight isn't canceled! Sure.
[Sonya.]
It flew perfectly.
- Did you like it? - Yes.
We'll fly it with Egor when you come back from Australia.
I doubt it, Daddy.
Why? It will still be here in a month.
We're not going for a month.
Uncle Lev got a job there.
Mom, too.
I'll go to kindergarten.
Did I say something wrong? Hi.
Have fun? Where's Sonya? You haven't changed a bit.
You still prefer to go behind my back.
Georgy, I Listen, I didn't tell you anything because - I didn't want to upset you.
- You wanted to leave without telling me.
You can think whatever you want.
I'm thinking of our children.
They'll be better off in Australia.
- Without their father? - You can come visit.
- In Australia? - [Lev.]
Hello, Georgy.
- Hi.
- [Alla.]
Lev, he's kidnapped Sonya.
Calm down.
- Can you explain - There's nothing to explain.
Sonya will stay with me.
I came to tell you this.
- He's giving us an ultimatum.
- Calm down.
There's still time.
We can talk.
No, that's enough.
I'm done talking.
Do you hear me? I'm fed up.
I'm calling the police.
You've signed the paper.
It means I can That document was for a month-long trip! Try explaining to them why you're trying to take my kids away.
Be my guest! Call the police.
Let them deal with it.
[pulsing music playing.]
[beeping.]
The shipment is here.
Excellent.
Victor, we're on air.
[upbeat music over speakers.]
We're back in the studio as we continue Lunch for Three.
Like I said, today we're talking about cybersex.
Is it the scourge of our time or just an innocent hobby? Let's welcome the guests for today's show.
Olga caught her husband in bed with a bot and sees it as adultery.
Dmitry thinks differently.
He says the bot is not a living creature so he wasn't cheating.
But who is in the right? Could a relationship like this one ruin a family? Well, what can I say, Maxim? Words will be of no help here.
How can words help this family whose life has gone to hell thanks to the curse of modern robotics? [alert.]
Is it their fault that smart machines designed to help humans in mining, space exploration, hazardous industries, have become a tool for temptation and greed? Yes, I'm talking about Mr.
Toropov.
He's the one who brought this menace to our highly spiritual country.
The cyber-dregs of a sexually irresponsible Western civilization.
- [beep.]
- [female voice.]
Thanks for watching.
Victor, you're a pioneer in this market.
Seven out of ten bots purchased in Russia come from your stores.
Do you have anything to say to your opponent? Thank you, Maxim.
Firstly, I see nothing wrong with sex bots.
Sex bots provide psychological release for single people, reducing levels of aggression.
What nonsense! Secondly, if you look at global statistics, sex bots help eradicate vices like human prostitution.
Is that a fact? Absolutely.
As for Olga and Dmitry, if their feelings are genuine, sex with a bot can never replace that.
You don't get jealous of a coffee machine or a vacuum cleaner.
A sex bot is just another household appliance that looks like a human.
Nothing more than that.
You can't drink coffee with it in the morning or hold hands on the subway, raise children, or die on the same day.
As a wise man said, "A human needs a human.
" [ambient music playing.]
[female voice.]
Welcome to Cronos.
Our company presents the best bots from leading manufacturers.
Cronos bots stand for style and technical excellence.
Cronos means timeless quality.
For over ten years we have been Welcome to Cronos.
What's your name? Sofia.
We have a friend for you.
She can't wait to meet you.
This is our new upgraded model, Fairy-bot.
It can look after your daughter and entertain her.
You can buy it on an instalment plan.
Hello, Sofia.
Hi.
- Good morning, Mr.
Toropov.
- Hi.
- Call Maslovsky.
- [dial tone.]
- Going on maternity leave soon? - Not for a while.
Family, mortgage, you know.
Maslo, see you in my office on Floor 23.
[bell rings.]
- Good luck.
- Thank you.
- Call Sergey.
- [dial tone.]
Sergey, let's have lunch together.
Galya, I can't talk.
[Galya.]
Call me back, then.
- OK.
Bye.
- [Galya.]
Bye.
- [beep.]
- She calls me every five minutes.
She's pregnant and nervous.
She'll calm down once the child is born.
But then I'll be screwed.
I don't want to lose my job.
Otherwise, I'd move someplace where she can't find me! What? You're going to be a father.
She didn't ask me if I wanted it.
Besides - [ringtone.]
- Hello? - [man.]
Chief wants you in his office.
- Got it.
Let's go.
We're wanted on Floor 23.
- I've never been there.
- It's your lucky day.
Why have you brought it here? We have a lab for this.
There are no cameras here.
Here, study the paperwork.
Go to your place.
It's Hun-Xyan Lab.
Do they have models we don't know about? It's not mass-produced.
It's just a prototype.
I was lucky to get the last one.
[Vic.]
Put it in the middle.
[ethereal music playing.]
[beep.]
Holy shit Sorry.
[robotic voice.]
Hello.
My name is Arisa.
You will need to charge me fully before I can be used.
- [ping.]
- [female voice.]
New device detected.
Charge level 5%.
Amazing.
How much did you pay? Let's just say I had to haggle.
Why are you still here? Remove the trunk and wait by the elevator.
Don't let anyone in except for me and Igor Mikhaylovich.
- [Vic.]
You like it? - That's an understatement.
But why did you buy it without consulting me first? I didn't have time.
Besides, it's not every day that you find a model like this, especially on the black market.
You mean she's illegal? Why? What's the problem with it? Maslo, I didn't say there was a problem.
Maybe I was just lucky.
It's a prototype.
Its behavior is controlled by a special quantum processor.
It has a free will simulator capable of spontaneous action.
Well, enjoy.
Still, I'd prefer to see her in the lab.
And I would prefer nobody knew about it.
[elevator pings.]
- What are you doing? Don't go in! - Why not? - There are no cameras.
- So what? Yuri, don't you want to try the boss's chair? What chair? - Chair, girl same difference.
- These girls are out of our league.
Why? They're right here.
What are you doing? Your girlfriend is pregnant! Stay here if you want.
I'm going in.
What's so special about you, new girl? You are not authorized to touch restricted areas.
Wait until I am fully charged and log in as a family user.
You mean, officially? Yuri I think they're based on real women.
You have to log in before you can touch.
I have to take precautions.
Wait until charging is complete.
What's the problem, bitch? Come here.
[choking.]
[female voice.]
Charging terminal disconnected.
Sergey? Sergey? Sergey? Sergey? Stay where you are.
Stop, I said! Don't come any closer! Vic! I thought you were playing with the bot.
Yeah, about that.
At least 20 pages are missing from the manual.
Could you call your Chinese partners and ask them? [elevator chimes.]
Can't you figure it out? [gunshots.]
Is that your office? [Vic.]
What the hell is this? What the hell is this? - I'm talking to you! - [Yuri.]
I I don't know.
Where's my bot? Where's my bot? I said, where's my bot? - Victor.
- You had orders to keep an eye on her.
I will personally bury you.
- Wait, he's scared.
- I'm the one who's scared! Tell me where my bot is.
If you don't calm down you'll have two bodies on your hands.
Do you want that? Did you tell her to go somewhere? No.
She just went.
- She killed Sergey and left.
- Bots don't kill, you moron.
Call Gleb.
Vic, listen.
- Not now.
- It's important.
Not now, I said! Hello, Gleb.
It's Toropov.
I have a problem.
[ambient music playing.]
- [bleep.]
- [female voice.]
New device detected.
Charge level is 7%.
Well, Gleb? Say something.
It wasn't him.
Who, then? There was nobody here except them.
- Can't you see his condition? - So? [Vic.]
Can you at least find out what they did to my bot? Perhaps it left by itself.
Where to? You said they can't leave without orders.
Right.
Its charge level is no more than 10%.
The charger is disconnected.
In such cases a bot will normally try to finish charging.
Maybe it went looking for another terminal.
- Why didn't you say that sooner? - I tried but you wouldn't listen.
Well, I'm listening now! Get the electrician to cut the network.
Fifteen.
Call the electrician.
Quick.
[female voice.]
Leading manufacturers.
Bots from [voice cuts out.]
[female voice.]
The power is cut off.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
The power is cut off.
- We apologize for the inconvenience.
- [alarm beeping.]
D-Sector, clear.
[female voice.]
The power is cut off.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
[alarm continues.]
A-Sector, report.
Clear.
[ringtone.]
[man.]
A blonde in a yellow coat.
[woman.]
They say we can go home.
There's an emergency.
Are you coming? I can't get through to Sergey.
I'm going with him.
He must have escaped to avoid marrying you! - Are you coming? - You go.
I'll try to reach him.
- Redial.
- [female voice.]
Sorry, I don't understand.
- Redial! - [bleep.]
[ringtone.]
Don't worry, Victor.
Everything will be fine.
Are you OK with an accident? Natural causes would be better.
Got it.
Now listen to me.
The two of you were in the warehouse.
You went to the bathroom.
He was unconscious when you returned.
You went to get help.
He was dead when you came back.
Heart attack.
It happens.
Is that understood? AMBULANCE Hurry up! Sorry, no smoking.
- Come on.
- It's not allowed.
Don't you smoke? OK, I'll stub it.
You and your healthy lifestyle.
[ambient music playing.]
[female voice.]
New device detected.
Charge level is 13%.
Yuri, did you see Sergey? I can't find him.
Galya, he's - What? Where is he? - There What? Wait.
What's wrong with him? A bot attacked him.
How? Sorry, I have to go.
- Yuri, wait! - I can't.
I'm busy.
- Where are you going, Miss? - I work at the shop.
Then go to the shop.
I'm looking for Sergey Panin.
- Ask the supervisor.
- Where is he? - I don't know.
Around.
- What? You're Head of Security! - Don't touch me.
- Dmitry, take her out.
- I just need to ask.
- You can ask later.
If you have something to hide, I'll find out.
She'll find out? I wish I knew what was going on.
- Was it an accident or - Heart attack.
[bleep.]
400,000 TRANSFERRED Split it with the guys.
I'm waiting for the medical report.
Got it.
[siren beeping.]
K-Sector.
Clear.
In fact, you just kidnapped your child.
It's not kidnapping.
It's desperate measures.
Believe me, the judge will see it as kidnapping.
- What do I do? - Act within the bounds of the law.
You can revise the custody agreement.
- I can represent you, if you wish.
- You don't understand.
If I return Sonya, I'll never see her again.
They'll take her to Australia tonight.
If you don't, you'll lose parental rights.
Then you'll definitely never see her again.
I get the feeling that you're on my ex-wife's side.
She lied to me.
Doesn't that count? That may be one of the arguments in court.
But if you want to fight for your daughter, give her back.
Right now.
- [bleep.]
- Call Alla.
[ringtone.]
[male voice on TV.]
When James Cook first saw these jumping animals and asked the aborigines what they were How are you? Are you tired? We're watching a TV show about Australia.
They have more poisonous spiders than anywhere else in the world.
Now I see why your mom is so eager to get there.
- It's me! - Right.
- Come on, Mom's already worried.
- OK.
- Bye, Uncle Vasily.
- [Vasily.]
Bye, Sonya.
Thanks, Uncle Vasily.
You can't live on thank-yous.
Can we stop at a cafe? I'd like a milkshake.
Not now, honey.
Mom's waiting.
Daddy? What? What if I don't want to leave? Damn it.
Sonya, can you wait for me in the car for five more minutes? Aren't we in a hurry? It's work.
Here you go.
I'll be right back.
Vadim.
- Safronov! - Vadim.
- Stop! - Where are you going? It's a corpse from Cronos.
A heart attack.
I'll pick up the report later.
I can't take him right now.
I have a family emergency.
What am I supposed to do with it? That's your district.
Vasily.
Yes, Georgy? Take care of the body.
I'll deal with it when I'm back.
- Happy? - OK.
Let's go.
Why are you so slow? [female voice.]
Charge level is 100%.
Charging complete.
What is your name? Sonya Safronova.
My father works here.
OK, Sonya.
[bleep.]
You are logged in as a first-level user.
Thank you.
Ouch, that hurts! Does it? Superficial flesh wound detected.
I got it yesterday.
Wait for me here, Sonya.
Sonya, come on.
Let's go.
[Sonya.]
Daddy! Dad! I've met a bot.
She's very beautiful.
That's nice, honey.
Now get in the car.
She asked me to wait.
Sorry, sweetie.
We can't wait for anyone right now.
Here you go.
[engine starts.]
[ambient music playing.]
[Vadim.]
Come on.
Move it.
The consent form.
Baby, how are you? Is everything OK? Yes, Mom.
It's fine.
We went to the park.
I had a big ice cream.
Are you crazy? - I'd never hurt my daughter.
- But you did.
Can't she have an ice cream? - Idiot! It's not about that.
- Mommy, Daddy, why are you fighting again? As clichéd as it sounds, the kids need their father.
Let's go.
- See you tomorrow, dear! - See you, Daddy! Where have you been? It's fine.
I have time to pack.
No need.
We're not going to Australia.
- What do you mean? - You heard me.
Ask your father.
Will you tell me what's wrong? - I'm sorry to disturb you, Georgy - I have no time, Vasily.
Georgy, I wouldn't bother you, but there is a severe violation of the directive.
You're such a nerd.
There are multiple bruises in the cervical region.
It doesn't fit the preliminary conclusion.
Wait.
Damage to the spine.
Yes.
You shouldn't reproach me.
[Georgy.]
Shut up.
- [bleep.]
- [Georgy.]
Call Vadim.
[ringtone.]
[Vadim.]
Hello? You said it was a heart attack.
So why is his neck broken? Will you say something? It's all in the report.
- He could have broken it while falling - Listen.
I'll call the cops if you don't remove the body within the hour.
- Gera, wait - [bleep.]
[video-game gunfire.]
[Vasily.]
Excuse me, Georgy.
Your son is here.
Hi.
How are you? Hi.
Do you have that consent form? - Thank you, Vasily.
You can go.
- [Vasily.]
Yes, boss.
- Did your mother send you? - No, I came on my own.
Give me the form, please.
I want to go.
I need to.
Can you do this for me? - Listen - I'd be very grateful.
Some things are hard to accept at first.
But you might thank me for this later.
I think if you leave now, something will break forever.
We won't be a family ever again.
Do you understand? Yes.
- Give me the form.
- You're not listening.
- I hear you very well.
- You don't.
You ruined your life.
Don't ruin mine.
OK.
Give me one month.
One week.
If you don't change your mind I'll buy you a ticket.
Shove it.
[bleep.]
Hello.
I called you earlier today.
Georgy Safronov.
I want to file a lawsuit.
Yes.
Review of child custody.
How much will it cost? You shouldn't have given up the form.
I told you not to do anything without consulting me first.
I know.
Safronov is crazy.
I thought he was on his way to Siberia.
I've talked to Steven.
Unfortunately, they can't reschedule.
Thanks for trying, anyway.
I'm sorry, honey.
Really.
I suppose I'll have to go alone.
Don't worry.
You'll catch up with me later.
The kids were all ready to go.
Their damned father Don't get upset.
Please.
And don't scare Sonya.
- I'll go get packed, OK? - OK.
He's quite a catch.
I know.
How long will it take to settle with Safronov? A year? More? Lev is a great guy but he won't wait for me forever.
I'm not sure you'll like it, but I have an idea how you could get full custody much quicker.
Safronov, what's up? Let's talk.
Yes, I made a mistake with that corpse.
But it can be fixed, right? What's up with you? Yes, I should have warned you.
I just thought, the less you know the better you sleep.
Safronov, why so silent? Come on! Say something! Three hundred grand.
Now we're How much? Three hundred grand.
Is this a joke? It's not such a big deal.
Yes or no? Well, you are Good evening.
Safronov speaking.
I'm prepared to make the payment.
[bleep.]
- [lawyer.]
Very well.
- Sorry.
Call on the other line.
- [bleep.]
- Hello? [Alla.]
Lev and I are leaving tonight.
Be at our place by 10 p.
m.
- What for? - The kids are staying with you.
Alla, I'll be downstairs.
Dad! Come on.
I'll show you the hologram Uncle Lev bought me.
Later.
Say goodbye to Mommy.
- See you, baby.
- See you, Mom.
I'll turn it on.
There's enough food in the fridge for two weeks.
You can sleep here.
I left you some sheets.
If she has a fever Alla, I'm a doctor.
I'll send more money later.
Be in touch.
I'll call every day.
Thank you.
For your trust and all.
I won't let you down.
I'll deal with it.
- [door slams.]
- I promise.
[rap-rock blaring upstairs.]
[melancholy music playing.]
[Georgy.]
Do you like this? [Sonya.]
No.
[Georgy.]
And this? Yes.
[Georgy.]
Great.
Well, what story do you want to hear? The story about the Scarlet Flower.
- Beauty and the Beast? - Yes.
Do you remember it? Well pretty much.
So once upon a time there lived a beast.
He wasn't that ugly, but people still didn't like it.
Because they were afraid of him.
They didn't know what to expect from him.
One day the beast met a wonderful girl.
She was young, very kind and very Beautiful? Of course.
Well This monster decided to kidnap the girl.
To take her away.
So the girl could only play with him.
And the girl agreed.
But then she grew so sad that the monster became sad, too.
He thought a bit and finally decided to allow her to visit her family.
Sonya? Egor? Egor? Good night.
[man.]
I'm sorry, sir, but we have searched the perimeter twice.
She's not here.
[Vic.]
You should have searched harder.
She's probably in the basement with zero battery.
Get to it! - Did you talk to the Chinese? - No, the phone is disconnected.
The site is blocked.
Jerks.
If you had involved me this wouldn't have happened.
Maslovsky, did I call you for stupid advice or to find out where that damn doll is? I'll find out.
I think we should assume she left the building.
- How could she? - I don't know yet.
It's not important, and in any case, we should contact the police.
- What a bright idea, Maslovsky! - I'm not kidding.
Remember those missing pages I mentioned? I did some research and found out what was missing.
What the hell? [Maslovksy.]
Congratulations, Vic.
You brought us the world's only killer bot.
Hi.
You found me! [eerie music playing.]

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