Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams (2017) s01e04 Episode Script

1 ("FLOW MY TEARS" BY JOHN DOWLAND) The stars are burning out, there.
The universe has grown cold.
No heat.
No energy.
Everything decays.
Everything dies.
But all it takes is two eggs.
Just two.
Two particles that become so closely entangled, it's as if they're the same thing.
And there's no atrophy.
No decay.
No death.
But there's only me, Ed and I'm running out of time.
("OCTOPUS" BY SYD BARRETT) (GASPS) (MUSIC STOPS) (MUSIC RESUMES) I'm home.
Sweetheart? Hey.
- You have fun? - I almost finished the decks.
I'm a lucky man.
We have a visitor.
ED: Really? She wants to talk to us about life insurance double indemnity.
This is my husband, Ed.
- This is Jill.
- Hello there, Mr.
Morris.
(NEWS REPORT): Dangerous flooding and severe weather conditions have forced hundreds to evacuate their homes.
Environment Agency information suggests 7,000 homes will disappear due to coastal erosion over the next 100 years, and home owners living in them now face the prospect of being forced to move to safer ground.
Honey, you know the Salters' house fell into the sea over at Sidestrand? - Yeah? - They knew it was going to happen.
It will happen to us one day.
Oh, we'll be long gone by then.
We'll be sailing the seven seas to Ultima Thule Eldorado, the Elysian Fields.
Sorry, what did you say? We will set a course for the land of Cockaigne, you and me.
Ed, it's a nice idea.
I saw an ad "Squeeze the day".
We should all squeeze the day.
You mean, "Seize the day".
No, it was a joke.
No, because we don't have long and that thought's just too terrible to be serious about so Oh Ed, the eggs.
They've expired already.
I mean, look at them.
These are two days old.
You folks know better than that.
Watch your food expiration.
Hands up my fault.
Live for today, Ed! - I most certainly will.
- (LAUGHS) Good morning, Su.
Good morning, madam.
Here at the Spirit Mill, a warmer more neighbourly atmosphere is encouraged.
So, no eye recognition, just good old sweat and print and a reasonable vocal range.
These days we take cognitive chimeras for granted.
Jacks, Jills and other sentient fusions are everywhere at work, at play.
Maybe we have some amongst us right now.
How would you know? The surgical implanting of a quantum consciousness, or QC, has revolutionised our relationship with them.
It means they have become us.
In fact, I have a confession I'm a Jack myself! How's my driving? (LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE) Thank you.
Thank you.
Feel free to look around.
They're so beautiful.
A QC is a fundamental entanglement of human and porcine genetics, why wouldn't it be beautiful? Can they think? Can they dream? Well, they have no experience.
They're possibility, latent potential.
What people used to call the animus, or soul.
These QCs animate the body.
Are you in the field? Me? No.
I'm in insurance.
Well, these are projections of the real thing but, actually, they're very small.
Can I see? Sure.
- Well, we call these berries.
- Mm-hm.
And each berry holds a QC.
That's completely self-contained.
It has everything it needs to survive, like an egg.
Supposing you released one? The QC would vanish.
Then what? Then nothing.
No QC, no life.
- Oh! - Oh! Thank you.
Numb fingers.
- Edward.
- Mr.
Director, sir.
Excuse me, Miss.
- Good morning.
- ALL: Good morning.
Two Jacks, two Jills.
Without QCs, they're shells, really.
Despite skills, emotions and knowledge, they have no self-awareness.
No spark.
No empathy.
(CROWD MURMUR) - How are you feeling? - I feel good.
I feel fine.
Hello.
Tell me what you're thinking right now at this moment.
I'm thinking I'm thinking I'm thinking about thinking.
Meta-cognition.
Hmm? Makes you well up, doesn't it? (APPLAUSE) (CAR DOOR CLOSES) - You all right? - I'll be fine.
Can I help? If you missed the bus, I can give you a lift.
Thank you.
I'm Ed by the way, Ed Morris.
Jill.
I'm a Jill.
I guessed.
Not one of ours.
I'm from the City Spirit Mill.
You'll still help me, won't you? Of course.
Please.
- Nelson's Blood.
- What? What's that? - He knows.
- Nelson's was born here.
Two.
Is that a good idea? Whatever it is? It's a very good idea.
You're failing, aren't you? Yeah.
How long have you got? You people.
My last boyfriend was a normal.
You think it's okay to say stuff to us - you'd never say to your wife.
- I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to be insensitive.
In fact, I'm a big believer in neural network equality.
Well, thanks a lot, Ed.
So, tell me about Mr.
Normal.
I work at the Spirit Mill.
I live out on Cliff Park Estate.
Wife? Kids? Wife, yes.
Kids, no.
We tried.
- You tried? - The test tube thing, all that.
How long have you got in your estate? Coastal erosion the way it's been going Maybe a year.
Then what? You and Mrs.
Ed just going to work through your term, retire, get moved to another crumbling estate.
Not us.
Not me and Sally.
We're going on a trip.
A voyage.
A voyage? Where? Out there somewhere.
The high seas, Eldorado.
Sounds dangerous, Ed.
Yes.
It is.
It is.
Mm.
(SHE MURMURS) (MOANS) Hey.
You going somewhere? Sail with the falling tide, out of the creek, past the point, sailing with a fair wind on the tidal flow.
Ed, there's nothing there.
They wouldn't let you anyway.
What if I found a way to do it? Ed, dishonest lives are sad lives.
What about your job? Our home? What about me? You're coming with me.
Oh, God, this is a just a stupid fantasy, Ed.
The Salters relocated further up the coast where it's stable, and Amy says it feels just like home.
(SCOFFS) The potatoes turned.
And the leeks, too.
But they only just arrived today.
I think your expiration dates are getting shorter.
Nothing last forever.
(HE LAUGHS) I don't think they need to be so short.
I just do my job, Mr.
Morris.
- Morning, madam.
- Good morning, Su.
- Su? - Yes, madam.
If you thought your husband was having some kind of crisis I don't have a husband, madam.
We're not allowed to marry, you know that.
Well, if your friend thought her husband might do something wrong.
I mean, criminally wrong.
Well then, she should talk him out of it.
A crime is a crime, after all - and punishable.
- Oh.
We all make mistakes.
Personally, I do think exceptions should be made - on matters of conscience.
- Of course.
Does your friend trust her husband? I think so.
- I hope so.
- In her heart, I mean.
In her heart? I'm not referring to the chambered muscular organ - that pumps blood.
- No, I realize that, Su.
Just to be clear.
Although, many normals have porcine hearts these days.
Oh, it's an exciting time.
What makes us normal? It's an answer always open to change.
What makes us normal? Well, I'm 40% normal.
I'm I'm so sorry.
I'm bred not to take offense.
- Have a splendid day.
- Thank you.
Thank you, Su.
Flow, my tears Fall from your springs (DOOR BEEPS, WHIRS) (EERIE MUSIC) (SIGHS) (DEVICE BEEPS) (BERRY BEEPS) What are you dreaming? I don't know what made me do it.
We can throw them away.
I No.
They're beautiful.
Oh, you really think so? They're great, Sal.
I saved them.
Whoa.
What about the neighbors, Ed? I don't care about the neighbors.
(BIRDS CALLING) (SHOVEL CLANGING) Maybe it's it's just on the estate to stop vandalism.
(BIRDS CALLING) - It's everywhere.
- Well we could apply for early transfer and and move up the coast.
Oh, where it's all just like home? Ed.
Ed.
I can't stand it, Sal.
(SIGHS) We'll be okay.
Will we? (SOLEMN MUSIC) (WOMAN MOANS) - The seven seas.
- ED: El Dorado.
The captain of our ship.
Call me Ishmael.
It's just a nice idea.
JILL: Doesn't have to be, Ed.
It doesn't have to be a fantasy.
Do you have any idea what a quantum consciousness fetches on the black market? Enough to give a normal a new lifestyle and a failing Jill a whole new life.
I have a buyer.
Are you crazy? Not yet.
I should go.
You should, but you won't.
Are you sweating a little? It helps the osmosis.
ED: Flow, my tears Flow, my tears Fall from your springs Fall from your springs ED & JILL: Exiled forever - Let me mourn - (DOOR WHIRS) Where night's blackbird Her sad infamy sings JILL: There let me live Forlorn (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) (BERRY BEEPS, WHIRS) Come on.
Ed? (COMPUTER BEEPING) (SCREEN BEEPS, ALARM PINGS) I think I nearly did something really stupid.
You agreed cash, right? MAN: She talks.
- A living doll.
- Okay, forget it.
Hold up, doll.
Show me them little souls you got there.
There's nine.
Cash.
I agreed ten with the man.
Nine.
Oh.
I get it.
That one for you, is it, sweetheart? The little spark in you dying, is it? Let me see that little baby you got there.
- Let 'em have it, Jess.
- (GUNSHOTS) - (FEEDBACK DRONES) - Leave her! She's for me.
(GUNSHOT) (GUNSHOTS FIRING) (JILL GRUNTING) (YELLS) (APPLAUSE) - What's going on? - You tell me.
Ed.
You hero.
Yes.
ED: Wow I know what you did, Edward.
You do? DIRECTOR: You raised the alarm.
That's right, I did.
You did the right thing, and in payment for your loyalty and conscientiousness, as Director, I'm authorized to give you an increase in salary.
Oh, that really isn't necessary.
DIRECTOR: Oh, I insist, Edward.
You deserve it.
(CLEARS THROAT) Did they did they find out who did it yet? Oh, some Jill, apparently.
She's on the run.
You haven't heard anything, have you, Edward? Why would I? DIRECTOR: Well, there are rumors.
Maybe it was an inside job.
Maybe one of your colleagues.
Ridiculous, isn't it? I can't believe that.
Everyone here is very loyal, sir.
Oh, I know, Edward, I know.
But people get desperate.
(CHUCKLES) I don't think he committed a crime.
I think he was tempted, but that isn't against the law.
I mean, he's he's an honest man.
Is he honest with his wife? I think so.
As honest as any man can be.
Then I would advise her to stand by, because the truth always sets you free.
(SIGHS) Amen to that.
(LAUGHS SOFTLY) God bless you, madam.
I can see that you're a good woman.
It's it's Sally, by the way.
Well, that that's very generous of you.
Us girls gotta stick together.
- (BOTH LAUGH) - You're so right.
(SNORTS) Sally.
(SHEEP BLEATING) (EERIE MUSIC) (SINGER VOCALIZING) (KNOCK ON DOOR) I'm sorry to bother you.
They're really quite nice inside, aren't they? - All right, no, thank you, no.
- You've made it nice.
(BANG) - Are you all right? - I'm okay.
I'm so sorry.
It's okay.
- Let me help you.
- JILL: Sorry.
It's all right.
Come in.
Oh, thank you.
Thanks.
(GULPING) (SIGHS) It's a side effect.
Side effect? I'm on medication.
Oh, I'm I'm so sorry.
I really didn't mean to pry.
It's the test tube thing.
IVF.
Oh.
Well, that can be punishing.
Lethargy, nausea Headaches, cramps You've been there? A long time ago.
Any luck? How about you? How long have you been trying? JILL: Too long.
And there's always one of you who wants it more, isn't there? It's a minefield.
I I really hope it works out for you.
Listen to us.
We've only just met.
(CHUCKLES) I'm I'm sorry I-I was so unfriendly before.
It's just, we get a lot of cold callers.
- JILL: I'm sure.
- I even dreamt we had this Fasrad salesman come around, and he would not take no for an answer.
Really? A Fasrad? - How funny.
- Except it wasn't.
It was scary.
He had this kind of look in his eyes.
(SIGHS) If you know what I mean.
Mm.
They say dreams mean the opposite, don't they? That is what they say.
Though I'm not one for dreams.
I just try and live for the now.
What are you selling? Life insurance.
- (GASPS) - Trip to, heave and ho Up, down, to and fro You have no word Sails cackling at every plate we break Struck by scattered needles Little minute gong coughs and clears his throat Madam you see before you stand ED: I'm home.
Sweetheart? - Hey.
You have fun? - I almost finished the decks.
We have a visitor.
ED: Really? Uh, she wants to talk to us about life insurance.
Double indemnity.
This is my husband, Ed.
(TENSE MUSIC) JILL: Hello, there, Mr.
Morris.
Double indemnity means that in the case of accidental death, the insurance company promises to pay the beneficiary twice the face value.
Oh.
Hm.
I really don't like to think of either of us dying, but JILL: No, but bad things happen, Sally, and when they do, you're not in the best state to handle important decisions.
I don't think we need it.
Ed, I know the premiums are high, but if, God forbid, something should happen to you, Sally would be cared for.
Something to think about.
I'll just leave you the papers, shall I? - SALLY: Oh, God! Oh.
- (JILL GROANS) - Oh.
- Are you? Oh.
- Ed? - Uh we'll contact your husband, shall we? No, please don't.
He's away on business.
I don't want to worry him.
ED: She brought her luggage.
Did you see that? Oh, she's doing IVF, Ed.
You know how that takes it out of you.
She's lying.
Why would you say that? And there's no husband on business.
Well, you don't need a husband for IVF.
She just wants to have a baby.
It's normal.
She's no normal.
She's a Jill.
I know.
You know? She needs our help.
(SOLEMN MUSIC) (VOICE ECHOING INDISTINCTLY) Sally (GASPS) ED: What do you think you're doing? Worried about my health, Ed? What do you want? What do I want? I want to live.
Those cowboys took everything.
We need to track them down and take the QCs back.
I can't help you.
I'm sorry.
Tell me a part of you didn't do it for me.
Just a little bit.
I made a mistake.
I don't want anything to do with you.
JILL: You already are to do with me, Ed.
Your handprint.
Your sweat.
Your pheromones.
So, now what? You can turn me in.
You've got the wrong man.
This isn't me.
I just I do my job, I live my life, and that's it.
JILL: No.
You sail the high seas.
You go where nobody goes.
In my head.
In your heart, Ed.
I can't do this without you.
I don't need some Jack.
I need you.
(SINGER VOCALIZING) (SHOES SQUEAKING) SALLY: You're late.
You didn't call.
I met up with some of the guys.
SALLY: You don't know any of the guys.
(SCOFFS) I do now.
I want us to go for that insurance policy.
What insurance policy? The double indemnity.
The one Jill's selling.
She's, um, convinced me.
- ED: You saw her? - We had coffee together.
When? Well, you were so unfriendly to her, I thought I should make up for it.
- ED: What did she say? - Oh, just stuff.
About the policy.
About her.
I like her.
She's just a Jill hard-selling insurance.
Oh, I think she's more than that, Ed.
Don't you? (BIRDS CALLING) (ED SIGHS) Oh, Ed.
That's sweet of you.
(SIGHS) You know I love you.
(KNOCK ON WINDOW) Last warning, Mr.
Morris.
For what? Supposing everybody grew their own, where would that leave our local economy? You're not an island, Mr.
Morris.
No one is.
It isn't possible.
It's also illegal.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC) (SINGER VOCALIZING) (BIRDS CALLING) Got everything we need.
Maybe I can't do this.
What's wrong? What is it? I'm failing.
Look at me.
I'm failing.
I don't care.
We do this heist, we both get our new start.
Right? I'm here.
I'm with you.
(CHORAL MUSIC) Jesus.
Where did you get that? You know how to use it? (CHILD SINGING) In love with clay So precious rare I yearn to lie instead Almost didn't recognize you, girl.
(DOG BARKING) I was waiting for you.
(GLASS SHATTERS) (BARKING CONTINUES) (DOG YELPS) Mr.
Barrett.
The man.
What's your interest in spirits, Syd? I trade Jacks and Jills.
No retreads.
First generation.
Quality.
I got 'em ten babies safe and sound.
ED: Are they in the correct homeostasis? Well, they're drying out daily, but they'll be okay if you want to move on it.
Yeah, we do.
You can't wait, can you, Chantilly? You're failing, girl.
Hey! No touching.
MAN: You're getting old.
I'll need to examine them.
You've got your bag of tricks? Well, this is hardly a sterile environment.
MAN: We got a sterile environment.
This is where we do embryo transfers, inseminations, and all that sort of shit.
(SPITS) Sterile enough for you, Syd? (BERRY BEEPS, WHIRS) (SOFT CRACKLING) Early signs of desiccation.
They're fine.
They're all cool.
I'll need to test it.
On her? It checks out, we buy it.
You use it, you buy it.
You ain't going nowhere.
You have done this before, right, Syd? (IMPLANTER BEEPS, CLICKS) (IMPLANTER BEEPS) (IMPLANTER WHINES, WHOOSHES) - You take the old one out first - It doesn't work like that.
You ready? (ORGANIC SQUISHING) (IMPLANTER WHIRS, PULSES) (IMPLANTER HISSES) ED: Are you okay? (SQUISHING) How do you feel? Jill? Jill? (DARK MUSIC) That QC better not be adulterated.
All right.
She's fine.
JILL: I feel good.
(GUNSHOTS) Ed.
QCs.
(DOG BARKING) (MAN YELLING) - (GUNSHOT) - (DOG WHINES) No thing that breathes or sings this song Can with a corpse compare DIRECTOR: Thank you, Edward.
She is hot, isn't she? She learned all our ways.
Like how to lie and cheat.
You thought you'd go solo, Jilly? You thought you'd run out on me? Don't listen to him, Ed.
DIRECTOR: Those belong to me.
You mean the company, right? - They belong to the Mill.
- Hand them over, Edward.
(GASPS) Okay.
Okay.
Do it, Ed.
Nine.
One's missing.
Do I have to blow it out of you? ED: Oh, no, wait, wait, wait! Stop, stop! Don't.
I'll get it.
No, Ed, don't, please.
DIRECTOR: That's right, Edward.
You suck that thing right out of her.
No, Ed, please.
(DIRECTOR LAUGHING) She's a Jill.
She's a Jill! She's getting recalled anyway.
It's you and me.
Together.
You want to take the rap, Edward? You want to get yourself incarcerated? - (IMPLANTER BEEPS, WHOOSHES) - JILL: The seven seas.
El Dorado.
The land of Cockaigne.
You and me, Ed.
I'm sorry.
Do it, Edward.
Do it! I love you, Ed.
Oh, just give me that thing.
- - (GASPS) (IMPLANTER TRILLS, WHIRS) I love you.
- (GUNSHOT) - (DIRECTOR YELLS) (TREES CREAKING) You disappointed me, Ed.
Like you disappointed Sally.
(TRUCK DOOR SHUTS) (ENGINE TURNS OVER) (KNOCK ON DOOR) - Hello, Sally.
- Oh.
We've got things to talk about.
Sally? Sally? SALLY: Dear Ed, what does being normal mean? (SCOFFS) I want to find out.
"Squeeze the day," you said, so I am.
(GLASS SHATTERS) (PEOPLE SCREAMING) (GROANS) Come on.
(ENGINE GRINDING) (ENGINE TURNS OVER) Sally! Sally, thank God.
I'm so sorry.
We're sorry too, Ed.
You get my note, Ed? I think we both deserve better.
I didn't mean to I wasn't really going to (WAVES CRASHING) (LAUGHS) (RECORD HISSING) ("OCTOPUS" BY SYD BARRETT) Trip to, heave and ho Up, down, to and fro You have no word Trip, trip to a dream dragon Hide your wings in a ghost tower Sails cackling at every plate we break Struck by scattered needles Little minute gong coughs and clears his throat Madam you see before you stand Hey, ho, never be still The old original favorite grand Grasshoppers green herbarian band And the tune they play is "In Us Confide" Trip to, heave and ho Up, down, to and fro You have no word Please leave us here Close our eyes To the octopus ride Isn't it good to be lost in the wood Isn't it bad so quiet there In the wood Meant even less to me than I thought With a honey plough of yellow prickly seeds Clover honey pots and mystic shining feed Then the madcap laughed at the man on the border Hey, ho, Huff the Talbot