[***]
[OPERA MUSIC PLAYING]
NORTON [OVER INTERCOM]: Ladies and gentlemen, you are now looking
at the iridescent glow that is the Hermagon Ultra.
The dance of interstellar dust within the supernova
is what makes this sight so rare
and so popular among visitors to the Hermagon Aurora.
Luckily for you folks on Dream Weaver 9
the conditions today are perfectly clear.
Ideal for a sighting of this unique chemical miracle.
[COMPUTER BEEPING]
COMPUTER: Color selected.
[ALL GASPING]
NORTON: At its finest, ladies and gentlemen,
the Hermagon Aurora is enough to make you
believe in God all over again.
[***]
NORTON: Astral Dreams has been proud to bring you
the excursion to the Centaura B Star System today--
Dream Weaver 9 is now...
SYNTH ATTENDANT: ...Dream Weaver survey in the Primotel foyer
so that we can make your next journey with us
even more fulfilling.
[SYNTH WOMAN MOANING]
ANDREWS: Rats in a sewer, my friends.
You're rats in a sewer.
Hi. All right.
Here we go, then.
There's a health and safety,
engine report, customer satisfaction survey.
Happy campers?
There was a complaint about the sound quality
on Deck 3, again.
Are you ever gonna fix that speaker?
Oh, uh...
A lot of dust out there today. Oh, yeah.
Yeah, I used the vis-augment.
I don't think anybody noticed it though.
Look at the sorry state of man.
[SYNTH WOMAN CONTINUES MOANING]
What the fuck is that?
It's my happy time.
All right, then, Tonto.
Let's do this and then we can head home.
[***]
[MECHANISMS WHIRRING]
So next week we have two package tours
to the Ice Flows on Prigma 27.
I'll do those.
Bit keen, aren't we?
I like the Ice Flows. They're pretty.
And we got a pre-booked wedding party
heading to the Sybil Nebula. Do they need a band?
Already booked it from Primus 3.
I had the honor of listening to the demo.
The musical taste of these people defies fucking belief.
Put it on there.
I'd rather pour hot oil down me ears.
You fancy a beer or three? End of the week?
I got to get home.
Barbara's waiting for me.
Oh, is she now?
[SMACKS LIPS]
I'd invite you back, but, you know.
I know.
Barbara's getting ready for Primo Central.
Your transfer confirmed?
Not yet.
Linus Primo does love
to keep a man hanging on.
I am going to get it.
It's just a question of process.
It better be. That girl is dreaming
of the high life, my friend.
[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
On the door there is a sign saying, "Closed".
I wonder what it means.
Do you wanna get the Loop back to the condos?
Uh, I think I'll see this to the end.
Just reached an interesting plot point.
ANDREWS: Can you read, asshole? We're closed.
There's an IMT console in the Primotel
for any online reservations.
There's also a customer care number
right in front of your fucking eyes.
Hmph.
I'll get it, I'll get it.
Hello there.
Oh, my.
[***]
I'm sorry, uh...
We're not open.
You'll have to come back next week.
RB29: Miss Gordon has lost her hearing.
Excuse me?
Miss Gordon is deaf.
Uh, I see.
My name is Irma Gordon.
And I want you to take me on a tour.
I understand, madam, but we're now closed.
Can you tell her that there are no tours
until next week?
I can give her a physical handout
of our available destinations.
If she likes.
But if she's not proficient on the network system
she'll have to come back on Monday.
I want you to take me on a tour to Earth.
Did you--? Didn't you hear the man?
We're closed, sweetheart. All right?
She's deaf. Closed. Shut.
No happy holiday today.
She said she wants to go to Earth.
Well, she's not deaf, she's crazy.
RB29: Miss Gordon has traveled a long way
from her home on Riga 2.
[MECHANISMS WHIR]
She wishes to charter a ship to take her to Earth.
ANDREWS: Listen, my cranky little pal,
we can't take Miss Gordon to Earth
because Earth no longer exists.
We don't take passengers to nonexistent destinations.
Strict company policy.
RB29: Miss Gordon is 342 years old.
She flew the craft personally to get here from Riga 2.
ANDREWS: Then she can stay in the Primotel
and fly back home tomorrow.
I'll tell you what. Lady?
Because it's the end of the week and I like your face,
I'm gonna give you an Astral Dreams promotional coupon
entitling you to a free cocktail
on the house when you book your Primotel room.
Any cocktail of your choice, except the Primobellini
where there is a two bit surcharge.
You can't say fairer than that.
She has two kilo positive to pay you.
[***]
Excuse me?
RB29: She is willing to pay Astral Dreams
two kilo positive to take her.
If you're wondering about method of transaction,
Miss Gordon does not have a cyber account.
So she would have to pay you in cash.
[***]
[COMPUTER BEEPS]
ANDREWS: This is Andrews at Primo 241.
I need an urgent data-feed on Earth,
a planet in the solar system 2483B65, now extinct.
Also need a match-up on current Astral Dreams tour destinations.
Closest approximation to size, color,
tech and chem specifications.
COMPUTER: We have six matches to your request.
Okay, give them to me.
Too far.
Way too far.
Too big.
Do you wanna tell me what you're doing?
Jesus, that's pink. Earth was not pink.
Okay, this is more like it.
"Emphor 3. Three days hyper-flight. One moon.
"Third planet in nine in a solar system dominated
by one major sun. Blue color."
Perfect match, my friend.
That's not blue, it's gray.
It's blue-y gray.
It's a dead rock. Doesn't even have any oxygen.
She doesn't want to breathe it, she wants to see it.
I'm not doing it. Look.
She wants Earth, we give her Earth.
It takes us a week.
We cancel all tours,
we submit a TC32 to maintenance central
tell them the Dream Weaver 9 is damaged.
It isn't damaged. Then I'll damage it.
I'll jerry the engine on our return.
The crone's happy, she goes back to her weird little outpost
in God-knows-fucking-where, we keep her visit off the books.
No paperwork, nothing.
And you and I are one kilo positive richer.
It's five years' salary, Brian.
Imagine what we could do with that.
You do what you want,
but I'm not gonna blow my chance at Primo Central
doing this crazy shit.
You have to.
It's a two-man craft, minimum.
[COMPUTER BEEPS]
It's Barbara.
Ugh...
Leave it to me, I can--
Don't say a fucking word.
Hey, babe.
Where are you?
I'm still at work. Something came up. I'm sorry.
That's okay.
Are you on your own?
Yeah. Yep. I am.
I'm just about to walk out the door.
Have you heard anything?
About? What do you think?
About the transfer.
Can we talk about this when I get home?
I think you should check your vid mail, Brian.
Okay.
Hey there.
This is Linus Primo.
I wanted to take the opportunity
to message you personally
to say that, unfortunately, this time
you did not succeed in your application
to transfer to Head Office here at Primo Central.
I know this must come as a disappointment to you
as this is your-- BARBARA: Fifth.
--Application.
You see, I was under the impression
we'd be here for two years.
It's been four years.
And something tells me it's going to be six.
And still I do my hair three times a day
and still I go to the Primotel bar
and I sit alone.
I'm gonna deal with it.
You don't get it, do you?
You don't mean anything to them.
So how can you possibly deal with it?
[***]
ANDREWS [OVER INTERCOM]: Okay, folks, we're just passing Omega 5
well known for its high luminosity,
which you would normally see out of your window.
Sadly we've a lot of dust cloud today
and I'm not sure you'll be lucky in that regard.
And then we'll be traveling past Alpha Centauri
until we reach solar system 2483B65.
Home of Planet Earth.
Your Castor Fireball, Miss Gordon.
Thank you. Double the vodka as requested.
Can I get you anything, sir? Mm.
My grandmother
was 279 years old when she died.
A spring chicken compared to me,
but at the time it was an achievement.
I remember her
sitting on our porch on Riga 2.
She had me on her knee
and she told me about her life on Earth
as a child.
Her father had a cabin in the forest.
A place called Carolina.
The cabin was made of a wood called oak, I believe.
He was a logger.
He was a real woodsman. Had some opinions
that wouldn't go down very well today.
[LAUGHS]
IRMA [ON SCREEN]: My grandmother's name was Laura Cade.
She married my grandfather,
Bill Gordon. Hence my name, Irma Louise Gordon,
She told me that there was a place
about five miles from the cabin,
called Elk River Falls.
It was a beautiful waterfall cascading
into a natural pool of water
so clear you could see the bottom.
Ha. Well, I don't really know
if I should tell you this, but...
on summer days
she and Bill would head over to the Falls
and they would swim naked.
Not a stitch on them.
She told me
that was the best feeling she'd ever had.
And I always remember thinking
"I would love to see that place.
To swim in that clear water."
Elk River Falls.
Carolina.
That's where I want you to take me.
You should tell her that we can't
necessarily locate specific destinations.
IRMA: Of course, you're going to tell me
that things have changed.
That Earth back then is not Earth today,
or some such thing, but...
[SIGHS]
If my life has taught me anything, Mr. Norton
it is that some places want to change.
And some places don't want to change.
And I think I know which one Elk River is.
[***]
Do you?
Does the Dream Weaver always fly
with such a small crew?
Well, there'd normally be four,
including hospitality and security.
But because of the late booking,
we couldn't reach the right people.
[WHIRS]
And Mr. Andrews?
Does he normally fly with the crafts?
Sometimes.
When there are VIP's like yourselves on board.
Why was there no paperwork completed before we left?
Well, we'll do that when we get back.
We didn't wanna burden her with any formalities.
[WHIRS]
You took her money. Yes.
As a deposit.
Mr. Andrews took all of her money.
Look, we're here, aren't we?
This is what she wanted.
[WHIRS]
Miss Gordon is old.
She trusts people.
She is very old. Yeah, she is.
Miss Gordon has a heart condition.
She will die in the next two months.
I'm very sorry to hear that.
This will be her very last trip.
[***]
Excuse me.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
[KNOCKS LOUDLY]
Sorry. I knocked on the door.
I don't think you heard me. Um...
Your complimentary hot beverage, ma'am.
Thank you, young man. Just leave it on the table.
Goodnight. Stay a while.
I should really be going.
I'm sure Mr. Andrews is more than capable
of flying this craft by himself.
I suppose he is.
I don't often use this.
As it can be more of a barrier than an aid,
but just for today.
Now, just speak normally.
Don't mumble.
Tell me about yourself.
[SCOFFS]
Oh, there's not much to tell.
[***]
I was born on Primo 76.
It's a nice place.
My father was an administrator for Primobility
the parent transport company.
When I graduated,
I just fell into leisure and tourism.
Do you like it?
Yeah.
It's a good career path.
We'd like to eventually end up at Primo Central.
So...
We?
I have a girlfriend.
Barbara.
Mm, I bet she's pretty.
She is.
We've been together five years.
And why haven't you married her?
I plan to.
When the time is right.
Do you love her?
Who, Barbara?
Of course.
What's wrong?
I don't know.
It kind of feels like I'm on the record.
[LAUGHS] Like I've ended up in court somehow.
[IRMA CHUCKLES]
Are you afraid to testify to your love, Mr. Norton?
No, not at all.
That would suggest you are not certain
in your choice.
I love Barbara.
We just...
[SOFTLY] We just what?
Don't always want the same thing.
That's all.
She wants Primo Central, doesn't she?
Yeah.
And you?
What do you want, Mr. Norton?
[***]
I should go.
Good night, young man.
[SIGHS]
[***]
[POWERING UP, WHIRRING]
[COMPUTER BEEPING]
[MUTTERING]
* You got to pick a pocket Or two *
[SIGHS]
I'll show you who's numero fucking Primo
[CHAIR WHIRRING]
[***]
[WHIRRING]
[BEEPING]
[COMPUTER CHIMING]
[***]
ANDREWS [OVER INTERCOM]: All right, folks, watch through the window straight ahead.
You'll be in for a nice surprise.
Is that it?
Yes.
Solar system 2483B65.
I can tell.
I can feel it in my body.
ANDREWS: The old girl happy? Yeah.
ANDREWS: We're making her dreams come true, man.
Quick spin around it, and then we can head home.
[SNIFFS]
What are you gonna do with the money?
Just the question I was asking myself.
[CLICKS TONGUE] Um...
Take a tour, maybe.
Figure I deserve to be a passenger for a while.
And give up the job
retire some place small.
Who knows?
I might go live next door to the old lady.
Why? What about you?
I don't know. I do.
Nice condo in Primo Central for Barbara Norton.
Ring on the finger.
Dinner parties with the smart set.
It's what you want, isn't it?
Good on you, Norton. You deserve it.
I mean, me, I'm trash.
I got no illusions.
You?
You got class.
I think we should tell her.
You are kidding?
Emphor's just gas and rock.
There isn't anything for her to see.
So?
We're ripping off an old lady
so you can go on holiday, and so I can move somewhere
I don't actually wanna go.
We're not ripping anyone off.
We're weaving dreams.
We're artists, me and you.
Con artists.
What other type is there?
We change mildly blue light from meteor showers
into chromatic heaven.
We turn up the volume in tiny particle collisions
and make them blast like stars exploding.
Is it worth it?
What are you talking about?
Selling people these packages of pre-digested happiness.
I mean, there's gotta be more than this.
Hasn't there?
[CONSOLE BEEPING]
I'll go.
[CONSOLE BEEPS]
Norton.
You don't say a fucking word to her.
Do you hear me?
IRMA [MUFFLED]: Hook and eyes are very rare these days.
I mean, what is the point--
Oh, there you are, Mr. Norton.
I've been having a terrible trouble
with this robe.
Hooks and eyes are so rare today and...
RB29 hasn't a clue how to dress a woman.
You're probably wondering what this dress is,
and where I got it from.
It's my grandmother's.
From Carolina.
A hand-me-down to my mother
and a hand-me-down from my mother to me.
I somehow kept the moths of Riga 2
from devouring it.
Nothing very special.
But for this occasion...
Would you?
[***]
My grandfather would do this for my grandmother.
My mother remembered it vividly.
Of course, Bill Gordon was quite the pioneer.
He's the one that wanted
to leave Earth for Riga 2.
Back then, everyone was interested in...
adventure. The unknown.
Some people thought that they might even reach God.
You think you could reach God, Mr. Norton?
Maybe when I was a kid I did.
In fact, I used to dream
of breaking into whole new universes.
There were still corners we hadn't been to back then.
But now it's all charted.
There's no mystery anymore.
Oh, but there is.
People say we know everything.
Everything is explained.
Down to the molecules, the atoms,
the quadrons and minimons.
Every dot accounted for.
But, here--
Here there will always be mystery.
ANDREWS [OVER COMM]: Folks, we are entering the Earth's solar system.
We will shortly be able to orbit the Earth
before completing our homeward journey.
What did he say?
We're nearly there.
[WHIRS] Nearly where, Mr. Norton?
Earth.
Where else?
RB29, you can go on.
I have a personal question
I want to ask Mr. Norton.
[WHIRRING]
I'm nervous.
Suddenly.
It's not like me.
How do I look?
Beautiful.
[CHUCKLES]
Well, thank you.
You don't know what I said.
Oh, but I do.
I hear some people better than others.
[***]
You are a gentleman, Mr. Norton.
I want to show you something.
This is my grandmother.
Back in the day.
And she's with my grandfather.
Bill Gordon.
IRMA: That's why when you opened the door in the office
I knew everything would be all right.
I dreamt you, Mr. Norton.
Deep in my heart.
And I think maybe you dreamt me too.
[***]
[KEYBOARD CLACKS]
[SIGHS]
Come on.
[SIGHS]
Brian, do you know what time it is?
Yeah. Uh
Listen, I need to talk to you about something.
Why, is there something wrong with the ship?
No. No.
Okay. Well, then I don't really understand
why this just can't wait until tomorrow.
I don't wanna live on Primo Central.
What do you mean?
I mean I don't wanna live there.
I never have.
I only ever wanted it for you.
Look, it's the middle of the night,
I don't wanna talk about this now.
I need to know if you want me
or if it's just that life that you're dreaming of.
I am not having this conversation right now.
Do you ever dream about me, Barbara?
You don't, do you?
That's okay.
I don't dream about you, either.
Not anymore.
What are you trying to say?
I don't know.
Have you met someone else?
Brian, you listen to me.
I want you to turn the ship round
and get the hell back here.
Right now, do you hear me?
[STATIC] Right now.
What happened? The connection went.
It's fine.
I've gotta go.
No, talk to me.
What is happening up there?
It doesn't matter, Barbara. No, Brian--
Brian--
[WHIRS]
All right, take your time why don't you?
[OVER COMM] We're just passing Mars, folks.
What's with the dress? We having a hoedown?
There you go, Miss Gordon.
The God of War himself.
No, no, no. This is wrong.
[HUFFS] Can't you see?
What are you playing at, man?
Mars is red. Everyone knows that.
I don't think so.
Your memory must be confused.
I may be deaf, sir,
but my mind is as sharp as a razor.
And Mars is red.
[SIGHS] Mr. Norton, will you please tell that man
to stop fooling me around.
ANDREWS [OVER COMM]: You don't say a fucking word to her.
Mr. Norton?
[***]
Say something.
RB29: Miss Gordon?
[WHIRS]
There's something you should know.
Sixty years ago there was an electromagnetic event
in Earth's solar system causing major radioactive damage
to Saturn, Mars and Venus.
Saturn lost its rings.
Mars turned from red
to the pale green of phosphorous.
Venus became yellow and gained one ring.
Are you sure?
[WHIRS]
IRMA: Mr. Norton, is this true?
Yes, I'm afraid so.
I'm sorry that we didn't tell you earlier,
but we... didn't know how you'd react.
[***]
Oh.
Venus.
With one ring. Oh, how beautiful it is. Look.
One more thing, Miss Gordon.
The radioactive event changed Earth also.
It's still blue
but it's not the blue of life.
I understand.
You're preparing me for a shock.
But as long as it's Earth
I know I'll feel it.
Its present state may be different,
but its history is undeniable.
Oh.
Take me closer.
Norton, we can't get too close.
Hold my hand.
Look at it.
There's an unknown here.
Can't you feel it?
Where's Carolina?
The rest of the Earth may be gray,
but Carolina's green and blue.
And the blue is rich and clear.
Not this mud-blue of rock
but the limpid blue of a mountain stream.
[SOFTLY] I don't know if we're gonna see that.
Oh, yes we are.
Close your eyes, Mr. Norton.
Close your eyes with me.
[***]
[CONSOLE BEEPS]
COMPUTER: Color selected.
[WHIRS]
[SIGHS]
Oh, take me down.
I have to touch it.
Please, let me be on Earth for one sweet moment.
No way. We orbit the thing, then we go.
[GASPS] What-- What is he saying?
Mr. Andrews said we can land the craft.
We're gonna land on Earth.
We're gonna land in Carolina.
Oh, Bill.
[WIND RUSHING PAST]
[ROCKS PATTER]
This is not safe.
I can't see a fucking thing.
Just keep it steady.
You know, we're gonna kill her before she lands.
[CONSOLE BEEPS]
Okay, set.
COMPUTER: Danger.
[GRUNTS]
[ENGINES REV]
[COMPUTER CHIRPING]
Get ready, Miss Gordon.
[SILENCE]
[EXPLOSION]
[***]
[NORTON PANTING]
Irma?
[GRUNTS]
[DOOR BEEPS]
Irma? Irma?
Hey, are you okay?
Irma.
Hey, are you okay?
Well, aren't you the gentleman?
[***]
What happened to the color?
Where has the color gone?
[COMPUTER BEEPING]
[OVER INTERCOM] We bust the vision mixer.
RB29!
RB29: We have landed in the wrong area.
We need to take off and land again.
No way. This is as far as I go.
But we need to see Carolina.
Miss Gordon wishes to swim at Elk River.
No fucking way.
No one talked about swimming.
This is a strictly spectator-based
tourist experience.
If she wanted the immersive element,
then she should've gone with Primo-Feel.
They've got oxygen tanks, suits, the whole thing.
They walk, they swim, they get all cuddly and cozy.
We don't.
Look but don't touch.
This is not where Miss Gordon wants to go.
This is the only Earth she's gonna get.
And if you wanna get back home safe,
I suggest you play ball with me.
You have one hour.
Then we leave.
Why is Mr. Andrews so angry?
He's just tired.
Is this it, then?
No.
No, it isn't.
[***]
Mr. Andrews said there weren't any suits.
Mr. Andrews doesn't know everything.
Do you know what you're doing?
Yes.
I do.
Your Astral Dreams viewing suit, madam.
You'll have to hitch that dress.
And who's the other one for?
Who do you think?
Then I have one request, Mr. Norton.
[***]
I have a hunch it'll fit you perfectly.
[WIND RUMBLING OUTSIDE]
[THUNDER CRACKLING]
How is she?
RB29: Miss Gordon is resting.
She's disappointed now but that will pass.
Yeah, whatever.
You know the truth, right?
The truth?
None of us know that, Mr. Andrews.
This planet isn't Earth for me. But for Miss Gordon--
This planet isn't fucking Earth for anyone.
It's toxic, sterile.
It makes me sick just sitting on it.
I got a headache the size of Primo Central.
[SIGHS]
[THUNDER CRACKLING]
ANDREWS: Oh, my eyes.
[GRUNTING]
[WHIRS]
There's something wrong with the temperature controls.
It's baking in here.
[PANTING]
Norton, where the hell are you?
[THUNDER CONTINUES CRACKLING]
NORTON: Reporting status.
We're moving.
Visibility is low.
Progress is slow but steady.
Oh, Jesus, no.
Norton.
Those suits only have auxiliary tanks.
Miss Gordon, this isn't Earth.
Repeat, this isn't Earth.
She can't hear you.
Get them back. They're gonna die, you bastard.
RB29: You lied to her. You stole her money.
Who's the bastard?
[YELLS] Get them back right now!
[BIRDS CHIRPING DISTANTLY]
Do you hear that?
Norton. Can you hear me?
Get back here. You only have 30 percent oxygen levels.
You need to get back in right now.
Repeat, can you hear me?
NORTON [OVER COMMS]: We found a forest, Ed.
Okay.
Just turn around, mate.
Get back here.
[WATER FLOWING]
Listen.
[COMPUTER BEEPING]
I'm warning you, Norton, I'm leaving.
Can you hear it?
Norton!
[BEEPING RAPIDLY]
I'm taking your money, you asshole.
Two kilo for me, and then I'm fucking out of here.
ANDREWS [OVER COMMS]: Norton!
[COMPUTER BEEPS RAPIDLY]
[WHIRS]
[YELLS] What?
[***]
[BIRDS CHIRPING DISTANTLY]
Irma.
[WATER RUSHING]
Come.
[***]
Bill Gordon, come on in.
I knew we'd make it.
[***]