ReEntry (2025) Movie Script
1
You ready?
Yeah. You don't have to
help if you don't want to.
- It's okay.
I-- I can do it.
You're doing great.
It's nice and quiet.
Yeah.
Okay.
It's almost over.
Don't go.
Don't go.
Two minutes, lovebirds.
Copy that.
Yeah.
Clear.
Pressure and air lock.
Reactor uplink in 2, 1.
I changed my mind.
I never even...
Please.
Elenore.
Don't go.
It'll be 10 seconds, Ellie.
He'll be in and out.
See? We're just stepping
through a door.
Cocktails at Alicia's after.
No big deal.
Yeah, right.
Drinks at mine.
But first we swap
your wedding ring.
It's metal.
I can't wear it.
What?
The EgoTag will keep
us in constant signal.
Won't lose him for a second.
It's his lifeline.
I-- I-- I understand.
Hey, I'm putting it on
my right hand.
It doesn't matter
what hand you put it on.
I understand it's a loaded
metaphor--
It's not-- the metaphor
is not the problem, Lucas.
Hey, we talked about this, okay?
I can't increase my heart rate.
-Okay.
-Hey.
Hey. Hey.
I love you.
And I'll be right back.
I promise. Hey.
I swear.
Taking position.
Copy.
Systems ready when you are.
Cute.
Your levels are looking good.
You want a count down?
I got it.
5, 4, 3,
2, 1.
All right, all right.
Let's bring him back.
Prep for re-entry in seven.
Jesus.
Shit, shit, shit, shit!
All right!
Ellie!
-No, no, no.
-No! No!
Power down!
No!
Power down!
No!
Stop. Come back.
-No!
-Power down!
-No!
-Power down!
No! Let me go!
Power down! Power down!
Let me go!
Back off, back off!
Optometry,
how can I help you?
Optometry,
how can I help you?
Try these.
I think they might
look really nice.
Okay.
- Yeah, that looks good.
- Mm-hmm.
- Lucas!
- Lucas!
We did it!
We did it.
Hello?
Ellie?
You there, Ellie?
Yeah.
Hi.
It's Alicia.
Yeah.
I-- I know.
Oh, um, are you home?
Uh, yes. I'm about to go out,
though. Why? Wh--
Forget that.
Stay right where you are.
No, I'm pulling up!
I didn't know
how else to do it.
Hey there.
Hey.
-No, I can't.
-It's fine.
I've got lab work tomorrow.
It's a sip.
You'll be fine.
It wa-- it was--
it was really a whole year?
Yeah, 14 months.
Wow.
I just-- I walked through,
the lights went out,
I thought it was a blackout.
We never stopped looking.
But then nobody was there.
Ellie, I'm-- I'm-- I'm so sorry.
Ellie, is everybody okay?
Yeah, fine,
everybody's fine now.
Yeah.
Do I have a-- a
death certificate?
Yeah, and a tombstone.
What about the trials?
Did Rohan go through?
- No.
- What'd you do?
What did we do?
Um, we had to announce.
You went public
with the research?
Yeah.
But you had
a whole rollout plan.
Um, everyone has a plan
until you lose an astronaut
in a private lab accident.
The federal agents
were at the door.
I pressed the panic button.
Wait, uh, so it was just
a m-- a m-- a minute
this whole time?
It wasn't even a minute.
Oh, my God, that's so unfair.
Ellie, we didn't know
something like this
was gonna happen.
Yeah, you did.
I'm just saying we
didn't do it on purpose.
Of course not.
Accidents aren't on purpose.
Everybody just slow down.
Slow down.
Just...
Alicia, this-- I mean,
this proves your theory.
I was in an alternate universe.
Maybe.
Well, wasn't that big news?
Quite.
What does the EgoTag say?
It said that you were gone
for less than a second,
.7813 something.
But on your end?
On my end,
we couldn't track it.
It's-- it's a miracle
I even walked out.
I'll tell us more tomorrow.
Uh, I need tea.
I-- I-- I can't drink right now.
Okay. Oh, I'll help you.
Hey, did the president call?
Yeah, I think so.
What, you didn't take the call?
Mm-mm.
Hey, listen.
I can retire now.
We can move anywhere we want.
When?
Right now.
Okay.
All right.
-Okay.
-Okay.
Yeah, really?
Alicia!
- Hmm?
- I'm retiring.
Mazel.
No, I'm done.
I got it.
Is that official, or should
I talk to somebody
who's not drunk?
Yeah, definitely.
Uh, tell them tomorrow.
Uh, in the morning,
you got a bunch of tests,
then a press conference,
then a debrief with the NSA,
and then you
have the sponsorship contract,
which is what,
um, six months left?
Then you can give your
two weeks' notice
and then you're out.
Are you joking?
It's not my company anymore.
What do you want from me?
Sorry, I should
let you be alone.
Hey.
hey, I'm
sorry about before.
I know how hard
you worked all year.
I love him too.
I was never gonna leave him.
I know.
I promised.
I know.
L-- let's just get to bed.
Um, we need sleep.
It's all just a shock.
Life's weird.
What?
You're still here.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Wow.
Yeah.
-Thanks.
-Yeah.
So, uh, who won
the Super Bowl last year?
I-- I-- I don't know.
What'd you do for Halloween?
Sexy costume, what else?
Really?
No.
Of course not.
I turned off the porch light
and I ate all the candy
I bought.
What about Thanksgiving?
Um, I went to my sister's.
Oh.
What were you gonna do
tonight before we arrived?
Go out.
Huh.
With-- with some friends.
Right.
Could I have some honey?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Thanks.
How serious were
you about retiring?
Completely.
I mean, look, um,
I can talk to 'em tomorrow,
and it can't be
that complicated.
I mean, who cares?
We can go be near
your mom, start a family.
Does anyone else know yet?
We were...
We just came straight here.
Lots of people are gonna care.
It'll be an--
an international news story.
Well, I'll keep it
boring, you know?
We won't do any interviews
and...
Well, there'll be news
vans outside for weeks.
Yeah.
Let me-- uh, what did--
What did Alicia mean
when she said it's not her
company anymore?
She sold it.
Uh, a tech company rebranded
it and made it
their East Coast campus.
Why?
To raise capital and continue
searching for you.
Wait, I mean, she...
Uh, she's...
That's all she's been
doing this whole year?
Uh...
Yeah, uh, that's what
we've all been doing.
Um...
It-- there's been no Christmas
photos, no New Year's.
We just-- um...
Uh, you disappeared,
and we stood staring
at the empty space and...
Then when people
went back to their lives, I--
I had to put myself back
together and I went back
to work.
I mean, what else
was I supposed to do?
Nothing, nothing.
Oh, God, why do I...
I feel guilty for telling
you that I had to move on.
Just-- hey, hey, don't.
You don't need to.
It's fine.
Hey.
Shh.
But what are these tests
you have to do tomorrow?
Well, I don't know.
Just to see if I have any
superpowers,
or if I've aged at all.
A basic systems check.
-Basic systems check.
-Mm-hmm.
Yeah, I could do
a systems check.
-Really?
-Yeah.
Hmm.
Lips.
Check.
Nose.
Check.
Oh.
You okay?
Hmm.
Nothing's wrong?
Nothing's wrong.
I'm just...
-Taking it all in.
-Yeah.
You know, people don't come
back from the dead that often.
Hardly ever.
Hey, you wanna
know something weird?
Hmm.
What?
You've been married
to me a year longer
than I've been married to you.
And you-- you're--
Uh-huh.
You're a year older.
Oh.
Great.
Thanks a lot.
You're married
to an old lady now.
Tell me something happy.
Well, we can probably keep
the life insurance money.
No.
Something different.
Your face makes me happy.
Hmm.
Your face when I proposed.
Keep going.
The best day of my life.
Mm, tell me.
Well--
Hmm.
It was a beautiful
afternoon on the beach.
- We just finished our picnic.
- Pretzel sandwiches and wine.
No.
No, we ate at Carlito's.
The day I proposed?
No, we didn't.
-Yes, we did.
-What?
Absolutely, we did.
Yes, I had short rib.
You-- you had--
-What?
-Plain chicken.
You accused me of trying
to fatten you up so NASA--
What?
Wouldn't send you
into space anymore.
Yes.
That must have been
some other time.
No.
We had the-- the day I proposed,
we had pretzel sandwiches
on the beach.
No, I don't even
like pretzels, Lucas.
Okay, maybe it was--
it was paninis, okay?
That's-- that's not
the important part.
No, Carlito's.
Oh, my God.
Do you wanna turn into
one of those old couples
bickering that correct
each other's memories?
-Yes, I do. I do.
-You do?
Do you really?
Okay, maybe I don't.
-Okay.
-Okay.
Can I finish my story?
-Sure.
-Please?
Oh, my God.
All right.
After we had our delicious
panini pretzel sandwiches
and/or Carlito's chicken
and ribs...
Hmm.
...we walked along the water.
And I was telling you about
this crazy genius named
Dr. Alicia Barnes who wanted
to hire me out
from under NASA to test out
some wild theories
she had about the multiverse.
I was so excited.
Yeah.
This could be the start
of a new chapter in our lives.
And I remember because
you said, "Our lives."
Hmm.
Like you wanted
our future together.
And then we kissed.
Mm-hmm.
That was a good kiss.
I know.
And then I looked into
your eyes and I said,
"I wanna show you something."
Huh?
And then I led you
to the Old Town Carousel.
No, wait.
And I forget what I said to
get you to cover your eyes.
Do you remember?
No.
It was something.
Uh, anyway, you
covered your eyes.
Why would I do that?
I forget.
And then we walked
in, and all of our family
and friends were there.
No, we were alone on the beach.
It was...
That was one of the best
parties we ever threw.
Did you fall asleep?
I love you.
Hello?
Hey there.
Oh, sorry.
You okay?
-God.
-My bad.
Yeah, just give me a second.
Want some coffee?
I made you breakfast.
Oh, you looked so
peaceful, I went for a run.
Oh, did you find clothes?
Um, the box in the basement?
I didn't know what
to do with them.
Oh, it's fine.
Oh, what's up? You want cream?
All right.
Hey, uh, I was thinking, um,
maybe you could
come by the labs today.
We could eat in the commissary.
Oh, um, well, I'll be
a while getting ready, so...
Oh, late lunch?
Sure, yeah.
Hey, did you have
a good time last night?
Mm-hmm.
Me too.
All right.
I'll see you later.
Well, as long as it arrives
on time, I have no problem.
But can I please have a drink?
Double foam, triple shot
mocha with fudge and sprinkles?
Thank you, Quinton.
He's my favorite part of
my new corporate hell.
I got your text.
Oh, okay.
Um, can I ask you
about that ring?
He can take it
off in a few days.
Okay.
We just need
a few more biometrics.
Uh, that's fine.
Um, did it say what happened?
Not exactly.
The ring was a beacon
which had three functions.
First one was basic
information like his heart rate,
and the second was a tag
number that identified our
Lucas from any
potential parallel Lucases.
Wait.
It did that?
Uh, parallel Lucases
are possible?
Don't worry.
The code-block
matches so far.
Uh, it's a giant tag number
attached to DNA markers.
We're still testing,
but that part's fine.
But it will tell us
eventually for certain?
It should.
Wh-- what was the third thing?
The third thing?
You said the ring
does three things.
Ah, yeah, um, it was, uh,
it's kind of like a lifeline.
If something went wrong,
if, uh, he was stuck in a loop,
something like that,
then he could use it
as a last resort.
What if he was in the wrong
place and he took the ring off,
what would happen?
What, he'd blow up?
Disintegrate, but yes.
It was only for horrible,
impossibly unlikely,
but statistically
non-zero contingencies.
But you didn't tell me that
you gave him a suicide pill.
Let's not renegotiate
the premise here, Ellie.
He was going to other worlds...
and all he experienced
was walking through that door.
He wasn't gonna
resort to it at all.
Look, he's fine.
So, are you all right?
Yeah.
It's okay if you're not.
Actually, um,
if you have a second,
something is very wrong.
There she is.
Elenore Bello!
It is so nice to meet you.
Has Alicia filled you in on
any of the itinerary for today?
No.
Well, I'm Avi Walia, CEO.
We're all super
honored to be here.
Alicia is the first quantum
computing company
I bought when I hit a trillion.
She's like my Lebron.
I'm not a company, sweetheart.
Lucas told me the news.
I'm so, so ecstatic for you two.
Uh, thank you.
Um, I'm sorry, what--
what news exactly
are you talking about?
Retiring.
He's retiring.
I can't believe it, but,
uh, he's a hero,
so he can do what he wants.
I think it's so great you
guys are gonna start a family.
Super great.
I just, uh, I just wish you
weren't taking him away from us.
Anyway, we got
a busy day ahead of us.
Shall we, uh, go
meet your husband?
Press conference at
noon, a quick lunch at 1:00,
a couple of evals
in the afternoon.
Actually--
She's only here
for the lunch with Lucas.
Really? You don't wanna
be next to him on stage?
Avi.
I just thought that
you'd wanna be there.
I'm not trying to be difficult.
It's a historic moment.
It'll be in the textbooks,
Ellie.
The press is so eager
for your perspective.
Is that my Ellie Belly?
Lucas, I was just saying
to your wife--
You okay?
Yeah, fine.
You-- you-- you told them?
Ye-- yeah, everything.
They know I'm retiring, right?
Loud and clear.
And ev-- everybody's in there?
Yes.
We can all go in together.
She's not coming.
Right, but we were
just discussing--
No, she's not coming in.
Uh, I'll be right back, okay?
And so friends, Americans,
citizens of all countries,
let me tell you,
it's great to be back.
A year ago, the world thought
Commander Lucas Bello
was lost forever...
discovering
the possibility of a multiverse
or parallel worlds.
Good news, Elenore.
Your husband's a specimen.
Test results from this morning.
-Hi.
-Mm.
You want the spoilers?
-Sure.
-He's about 11% faster,
stronger, smarter
than he was before
he went through that door.
Was that expected?
No.
So, is that a red flag or what?
Um, it could be a good day.
He's excited.
Performs well.
Um, or it could be--
might be
the result of the transfer.
Okay.
Um,
what are the other
possibilities?
Well, we're testing for that.
The data's still
a bit scrambled.
Scrambled,
or could, um, could the--
Could the ring have switched
signals with another version
of itself?
What are you talking about?
Um,
what if there's
a parallel universe so close,
so close to ours
that there's another you
doing the same experiment.
Um, and their Lucas
walks through at the exact
same time as our Lucas, and...
they switch places.
Yeah, we thought of that.
I'm not saying it's impossible,
because there are infinite
possibilities, but the chances?
No, no way.
The EgoTag, it has a signature
that matches down
to the billionth place.
We're still sifting, but--
Hey.
-Hi.
-Hi.
Those the results?
Mm-hmm.
They good?
Mm.
Something wrong?
So do we just sit?
Sure.
If you like.
Is there anything you
wanna talk about?
Well, I just came back
from an alternate dimension.
We could talk about that.
And how are things going?
Fine.
Fine.
In my brain, it was--
I was gone for like a second.
And what about you, Ellie?
Do we have to do this?
No.
Uh, we're evaluating
him to return to work,
but he's retiring.
Right, but I just need
the evaluation to get back.
Why?
Um, I don't know.
Uh, just, uh, in case
we change our minds.
I don't know.
It's just-- it's-- it's--
It's an evaluation, I pass,
and then-- and then we go.
- There's no pass or fail.
- I'm only here to help.
Okay, good.
Lucas, could you give us
the room for a moment?
- Yeah.
- Yeah, you got it.
I thought you might
like a moment alone.
Losing a husband,
only to have him return.
He didn't return.
Can't be easy.
Or...
Anyway, um, I don't
think he's my husband.
Tell me more.
He told a story
that never happened.
Fake memory.
Just for the sake of argument,
could he have forgotten
the memory or misremembered?
No.
It w-- it wasn't
a random memory.
You know what?
Forget it.
Hey, there.
You ran off,
I didn't have a key.
I would've, uh, texted
but I don't have a phone
anymore.
Walia offered me a-- a car.
I-- I guess my old
one's gone now.
Yeah.
Hey.
It's weird.
I-- I went to work for a day,
and when I came back,
my wife had sold all my stuff.
Ellie, c-- c-- can
I h-- can I hold you?
I don't even know what's
happening anymore.
I'm so sorry, Ellie.
I don't know what I
would do if I lost you.
Hey, you hungry?
I don't know.
Oh.
Um...
Ah.
No, it's o--
We could just--
We could just sit together.
Yeah.
Just give me a minute.
I am gonna make you
the perfect combination.
You always do that.
You know, it's funny.
I was just thinking,
it could've been worse.
You could've been
remarried when I got back.
Oh.
Do you remember that dinner
by the bridge?
You had a seersucker suit on.
Oh, yeah.
Do you remember
what color it was?
Yeah, it was a...
It was a lemon yellow.
We played Would you rather?
- Did we?
- We did.
I said,
"Would you rather
swim fully clothed
to that bridge, or uh--"
"Dance fully naked on the deck?"
Swim.
Dance.
And then I asked if
you still wanted kids.
Yeah, someday.
When I know I'll be around.
What?
What's-- what's wrong?
Then you asked
me what was wrong.
Do you remember that?
I think so.
I said,
"I wanted to know when."
When I said,
"When I'm gonna be around."
But when is that?
I don't--
I just took a job.
I don't-- I don't-- I don't
remember this part.
You needed more time, you said.
I said, fine, um, uh, but
I'm in my mid-30s, so...
Yeah.
You know, it's funny.
It's I--
I, uh, I don't remember this.
I mean, I-- I believe you,
I just--
It wasn't a big fight.
But why do we
have to do this now?
You're the one
raising your voice.
- I have-- like, why--
- Why can't I talk about it?
Can I have one
year at my new fucking job?
We decided to wait until you
retired and...
...we had dessert.
It's getting late.
Mm, yeah.
Thanks for this.
Oh!
Rohan.
- Oh, my man.
- Oh, my man.
- How are you?
- My man!
You were dead, man.
Yeah, I was just between
realities, you know?
-Hi.
-Hi.
Mm.
Now that is a handsome man.
Which one?
Oof, take your pick.
I think we already did.
Mm.
Technically,
I was between realities.
And what,
they don't have postcards
between realities?
No, just no stamps, okay?
How are you?
How's the insomnia?
Mmm.
Oh, God, sorry to hear it.
Mm.
I know. I know.
What's it been?
Five years
or something like that?
Uh, no, man, we did the lake
house a year ago.
You don't remember?
- Oh, God, that was...
- Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
That was-- that was
right before I left.
Yeah. God, no, no,
just it feels like forever.
You know, uh--
The way he describes it,
he was gone for a second.
Oh, really?
How weird.
Yeah.
How weird for both of you.
You know, I-- I read
your eulogy at the Kennedy
Space Center.
Best speech I ever gave.
-Oh, yeah?
-Now you ruined it.
Oh, come on, I'm doing
you a favor.
-Oh, yeah?
-You get to do it again.
Okay?
I heard mixed reviews.
Seems like his old self.
He does seem like that.
Mm-hmm.
- Hi.
- Good to see you.
You too.
I have someone you can meet.
Oh.
Uh, Alicia, can I talk to you?
Elenore.
Where's-- where's--
where's your champagne?
I-- I ha-- I had some.
Um, I-- can I ask--
Um, could we get some more
champagne please?
You should have some champagne.
Oh, okay.
Sure, fine.
I...
Listen.
Hmm.
I-- I think something went
wrong and the guy who came back
isn't Lucas.
Of course something went wrong,
how many times
do I have to say it?
No.
He has memories that never
happened to me,
and I have memories--
Mm, don't know.
I mean, maybe he mistook
the occasion
that you were remembering
for a different one.
It was our engagement.
Oh.
I don't think he knows.
Are you saying that two
things went wrong
with my experiment?
I'm saying I'm scared.
I got it.
We pull off the EgoTag.
If he is an alien, poof, he
disappears into a fine mist.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I bought 100 bottles,
you don't want it?
Uh, I gotta go.
Yeah.
Before-- before the eulogies?
It's time to pay your respects
to our dearly departed
and recently returned
second favorite astronaut.
All right, let's go.
Uh, get yourself a drink and,
uh, gather around, everybody.
It's time for the, uh,
serious part of the evening.
What?
I can be serious.
Yes, you tell them,
sweet cheeks.
Thank you.
Now, uh, ev-- everybody,
uh, we are gathered here
to deliver our saddest,
most heartbreaking eulogies
for this dead man right here.
Hey, you wanna lay on the couch?
No.
No.
No, absolutely not.
Come on.
Uh.
No.
- Okay.
- And, uh, no cheating.
Mm-mm, no saying how
nice it is to have his sorry ass
home again.
I'll go.
Lucas Bello was an
extraordinary individual.
Throughout his illustrious
career,
Lucas contributed
significantly--
-Hey. Hi.
-Hi.
To the advancement
of space exploration.
Missions were marked
by groundbreaking
discoveries and...
You having a good time?
- Yeah. I mean...
- But beyond the accolades
and accomplishments...
...this part is
kinda weird, but...
Hmm. Mm-hmm.
...touched with his
genuine warmth...
It's nice.
It is nice.
...the very essence
of courage, intellect,
and unwavering dedication.
So, um...
But he also had a knack
for turning the most...
...this isn't my world, is it?
Um...
How did you know?
Hey there.
Lucas' true legacy--
How did you know?
Lies in the countless
lives he touched with his
-genuine warmth and compassion.
-A lot of little things.
In those moments,
Lucas's unwavering support
and, uh, unshakable
friendship helped me
find strength and solace.
Um, Lucas and I shared
countless hours of, um...
Besides, you're not my Ellie.
Oh, my God.
I thought I was going crazy.
What do we do?
Well, we could announce it
right now, bum everybody out.
That seems like a bad idea.
To Lucas!
To Lucas!
Okay.
I am coming.
It was beautiful, honey,
and I don't care
that if I'm breaking the rule.
Uh, I don't care.
Um, Elenore...
Hi.
...isn't it a miracle...
-Hi.
-Hi. I, um, I'm drunk.
I was drunk. Um...
God, I am so happy for you.
Did you really mean
what you said before?
Are you, um-- did you tell him?
Who-- who are you?
Do you wanna speak?
No, no.
Go ahead.
She-- she is overwhelmed,
as she should be.
Uh, we are all so
grateful to be here...
Is he yours?
No.
And really, there is one
person that we have to thank,
because she swore--
Really?
How different is it?
Not very.
She would never give up.
We could be, uh--
And she didn't.
Neighbors.
Yeah.
You deserve all
the credit, Alicia.
- Mm.
- To Alisha!
Uh-huh.
To Alisha! Speech!
Speech!
Speech!
Yeah! Speech, yeah.
Come on!
Speech! Let's hear it.
Ugh.
Lucas Bello was
my best friend.
Now he is dead.
Nothing will ever be
right in the world again,
and it's all my fault.
That's all.
Good night.
Stay as long as you want.
Finish the food.
Hey, you wanna walk home?
It's like three miles.
Yeah, yeah,
we've had a few drinks.
All right, sure.
So your Ellie is a bit
of a lightweight, huh?
Ah, yeah, but you're both
snappy when you drink.
What's she like?
I don't know.
I don't know if
it's a good idea.
Come on, I'm out here freezing.
She's just like you.
She's even got
the three freckles
behind her ear.
I used to kiss them.
Yeah, my Lucas used to do that.
What'd he call it?
Sprinkles.
Sprinkles.
Yeah.
Yeah.
How is she different?
I don't know.
Come on.
No, uh, really, I-- I--
I think she wore more makeup,
or maybe you did something
with your eyes, or...
Less eyeliner?
Yeah.
You walk different.
How?
You stare at the ground.
Or maybe mine does
too now, I don't know.
I don't know what makes
a difference between you
and what could've
changed in a year.
I mean, maybe there's
a trillion different versions
of Lucas who were
stupid enough to leave
a trillion different versions
of Ellie to cry for a year
on her own.
I don't know.
You know what this feels like?
Like my husband died
and my mind spent a year
creating a ghost.
How am I different?
Barely noticeable.
It's uncanny when you
see it though, isn't it?
I was gonna say,
if we're so similar,
if it's down to the last
decimal point, right?
Mathematically
identical or close to it,
we could accept it.
you know, I could
accept it, right?
Because we're not-- we're
not separate humans,
we're us.
You know, I came back
from a mission changed a little,
damaged. You too.
We always married.
We always loved each other.
But we didn't.
Close.
We pretend nothing happened.
Or something did, but not this.
I don't think that I can.
Yeah.
That's what she'd say too.
Hi.
Get in.
We're going to the lab.
How many cars do you have?
What?
Oh, I dunno.
I was just lying on my bed,
letting the hangover wash
over me.
When I sobered
up enough and remembered
what you said
about the experiment.
He knows.
You spoke with him
about it at the party.
Well, did you ask
him about his world?
Do you have, uh,
like, a solar system?
Uh, yeah, of course.
Of course, we
have a solar system.
On what side is
the human heart?
Uh, it's-- it's center left.
Do you have the Hadron Collider?
Yeah.
What's the price of gold?
No idea.
What's the most recent
scientific advancement?
Alicia Barnes discovers
the multiverse.
Aha!
You're even more of
a suck up than he is.
What else?
I don't know.
A bunch of celebrities died.
You wanna talk about that?
It's the little things
from what I can tell.
Do you have the Fields
Medal, and did I win it twice?
One time, yes.
Second time, you got beat
up by this kid in Sheboygan.
Please.
There is no kid in Sheboygan.
Hmm.
Okay.
If you are an
overlapping parallel,
you could be different
in a million ways.
We can't triangulate
where you're from,
or we could just reset
the beacon.
You could be any possible
Lucas, but the data,
uh, from your tag is
still computing,
and it says that you
are the same,
so the differences must
be microscopic.
Our worlds could be
on top of each other.
I mean, there are probably
worlds where we're all pandas
or something,
or I'm a ballet dancer
and you're a fisherman, maybe.
Uh, yeah.
There are worlds
that blew themselves up.
Huh.
Or who knows?
Everything is possible.
But for this cosmic fuck-up
to happen, we needed
to have crossed with a world
that still had me create
this experiment and still
had you walking through
the door
at the exact moment that we did.
And that is so vanishingly tiny
a chance.
What do we do now?
We will launch as many
probes as we can to search
for the second tag with
the same number as yours.
So you're saying you wanna
send a few dozen messages
in a bottle into what could
be trillions of worlds?
Yeah, and they're all
trained on you.
If one comes back
with different coordinates,
then maybe we could locate him.
I-- is it, uh, uh, illegal?
Uh, would be if there were
laws for this sort of thing.
Well, uh, then why
are we-- we doing this?
Because I sent him out there.
Well, what if I just walked
back through the door?
Suicide, probably.
There isn't a-- any chance?
Not a chance of a chance.
I can't even begin to tell
you how improbable this is.
It's like two snowflakes
are the exact same copy
of each other, but those
snowflakes are all
the snowflakes everywhere.
Hmm?
Look, every evolutionary
step, every event in history,
every...
Everything that all
three of us chose in life,
all broke in the same direction,
and we finally get you
walking through that door.
But the second you found
out that there is another you,
you might have started
to make counterfactual
decisions for no other
reasons other than to
assert your individualness,
which is, in fact,
the exact sort of thing
that our Lucas would do.
So you are right back
to where you started.
This was a bad idea.
I'm sorry.
I-- I don't know where he is.
It's okay.
Hey, sorry.
Sorry.
Sorry I'm late.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Are you all right?
Yeah. I was just, uh,
I was just walking around.
All night?
Where were you walking?
Just places I like to go.
The climbing gym,
the fabrication lab
at the engineering school.
What were you looking for?
I just wanted things
I'd recognize.
Did Ellie ever come to any
of these places with you?
-No.
-Yes.
You came to the 3D printer
to use to-- for the earrings
you were designing once.
Right.
Do you feel estranged
from everything else?
I don't know.
How does that make
you feel, Ellie?
I don't know.
Um, he could have called.
I don't have a phone.
Get a phone.
Are you-- you waiting for
me to get you a phone?
Well, I c-- I can't get a phone.
I-- I tried.
I don't--
I-- turns out I have no
bank accounts.
Well, that's what you do
when someone's dead.
No, I'm not-- look,
I'm not blaming you.
I'm, I-- I didn't think you'd
want me home anyway.
It feels invasive.
Right? It doesn't-- it doesn't
feel like-- it doesn't feel
like my place anymore.
And why would that be, Lucas?
Nothing.
Sorry.
This is just-- I'm sorry.
It's just-- just kind
of a weird dynamic.
It is a bit weird, isn't it?
Ellie, why don't you tell Lucas
how you felt about last night?
Actually, I-- I don't blame you.
In fact, when I think
about it,
I-- I really appreciate
you did that.
Wow, that's very
gracious of you, Ellie.
S-- so do we win therapy?
You can't win therapy.
Then what's the point?
Lucas, do you
want to be back home?
Of course.
Look, I know I'm not the--
I know I've changed.
But if you're open,
maybe we could--
We could start fresh, you know?
Not to replace anybody,
but maybe we could just
keep each other company.
- Good.
- That's very good.
Ellie?
Yeah.
Okay.
How about this?
For the next few days,
you two could revisit the places
you frequented together.
Reminisce a little.
You might feel less
estranged when you
remember everything
the two of you have shared.
We'll revisit again
in a few days.
That won't work.
No, but listen, I think
I have a better idea.
What? Stop reminiscing
immediately and go somewhere
we've never been?
Yeah, that's exactly it.
Have you been to the Palacio?
No, but that's because
you're a cheapskate.
Wait, are you a cheapskate?
No.
Yeah.
Maybe a little, but that's good,
'cause I haven't been either.
Let's go.
What do you think?
Therapy kind of works.
Mm-hmm.
Something bubbly?
-Mm-hmm.
-Yeah.
Could we start with champagne?
Very good, sir.
Yeah.
Oh, thank you.
How chivalrous.
Yes. There you go.
Nothing but the best.
Oh.
All right.
This is good,
this is good champagne.
-It is.
-What is that?
It is.
Don't even-- don't worry.
Don't worry about it.
Don't look at it.
Trust me on this.
-Cheers.
-Cheers.
Do you remember the old
Italian waiter who sang
to you on our honeymoon?
-And then--
-Mm.
Sat with us
for a whole 10 minutes?
Yes.
Oh, my God.
That was, uh...
Tell me something that
you've never told me before.
Oh, okay.
Um, before I stepped
through--
Mm-hmm.
I ordered a basket of candy
bars from around the world.
Yeah, that-- that came already.
Oh, God, yeah.
About a week after
you disappeared.
Of course, yeah.
For some reason in the back
of my head, I thought it was--
I thought it was
still in the mail.
I don't know.
You tell me something.
I don't know. I'm...
There isn't anything.
Did you eat the candy bars?
Yeah, one night.
Yeah.
One night, huh?
I was grieving.
Well...
Roasted mushrooms
with chimichurri,
and a smoky avocado crostini.
Thank you.
Now I just want a candy bar.
What was she even talking about?
I-- I don't know.
I don't know.
-Thank you.
-She has that, uh, the accent.
Yeah.
It's like...
I-- I...
Garbanzos con espinacas.
Mm.
Aged garlic humus
with asparagus spears.
Wow.
I'm sorry, how many--
how many more plates?
Six more.
Wait, what is that? I like that?
That's from the movie
we saw with the professor.
What movie?
Oh, I never saw it.
Hmm.
Then I-- I guess that's
the first time that you've
liked something about me.
True.
True.
Well...
And for your final course...
Oh, God.
...a coconut rice pudding
with a brulee top
and macadamia dust.
Ooh, macadamia dust.
I tap. I can't.
I cannot.
- No.
- Yeah, nope.
You're gonna let your date
eat you under the table?
What was the favorite?
Tuna tartare, seaweed taco.
Number 4 for me.
- Number 4?
- Mm-hmm.
Can't beat the roasted
mushrooms.
How dare you?
Mushrooms, number 1,
chicken liver, number 2.
Ch-- chicken-- chicken liver?
You-- you like--
Yes.
You like
the slimy chicken liver?
I said what I said.
I know you're very cute.
Very cute,
but you're very wrong.
Crostini's number 3.
Oh, God.
Okay, s-- look, stop. STOP.
-No.
-This is gibberish.
You're disrespecting
the tuna taco.
-Admit it.
-Disrespecting?
Yeah, admit it.
Admit you're wrong on that.
-I will not admit it.
-Admit it.
-Say it with your mouth.
-I...
Lucas, Lucas, I was dizzy
when I ate the tuna, flustered
by your handsomeness.
-Flustered?
-Flustered.
Uh-huh.
How can you-- please forgive me.
No.
-No.
-Yes.
-I will never.
-Please.
Mm-mm.
Mm-mm.
One sec.
Okay.
Gimme one sec, all right?
-Okay.
-I'm coming right back.
-Okay.
-Don't worry about it.
I'll give you one sec.
Don't worry about it.
I'm coming right back.
-I'll trust that.
-Uh-huh.
Did you pay the bill?
Yep, and I spoke
to the authorities
about your rankings.
-Oh, yeah?
-Yeah.
They said my tuna taco
was correct, and that I was
such a good person that I
won a free night at the hotel.
Oh.
Really?
And you're expecting me to...
Beg forgiveness.
Beg?
What?
What's wrong?
You laughed.
Oh.
Yeah.
You didn't like it?
No.
No.
It's just-- it's-- it's not you.
It's just-- it's-- it's--
It's just something that
happens when it feels so good.
It's--
I've always done it.
Oh.
All right.
Okay.
Your Ellie doesn't--
No.
We're not the other person.
I know.
God, it's so easy
to imagine you are.
Your face, I used to stare at
your face, or I don't know,
her face,
for God knows how long.
Hours.
It's torture now.
Hey. Look.
I'm sorry. Um...
Phew.
This is a...
This is a terrible
situation to be in.
You didn't have to bring
me here.
Look, maybe-- I think we just--
I think we need some space.
Okay? so--
I mean, maybe you stay here.
I'm-- I'm gonna go.
What, you're leaving?
What?
Is that what you do?
Look--
When you're turned on, I'm
your wife in a fun new outfit.
And then a switch flips
and now I'm the other woman?
It's really selfish.
Look, fine, fine.
What do you want?
What do we--
Do we just--
do we abandon them?
Well, are they
dead or aren't they?
I have no idea.
None of you have any idea
what's going on, you know?
Here's an idea,
don't run bumbling
experiments that could
ruin everybody's life
when you have no idea
what will happen!
That's not fair, Ellie.
How is that not fair?
I stayed.
I waited for you.
You left.
If there's a chance
that they--
There's an infinitesimal
chance, Ellie.
There's-- it's so small,
there's no math for how small.
So what do we do?
Well, you don't want me.
I mean, do you wanna stay
and-- and-- and get a divorce?
No.
No, of course not.
Or do you wanna take your
chances through the door?
Do it again?
Ellie, I never should've
done it in the first place.
Why?
Why did you go then?
Why?
I'm sorry.
Ellie, I'm sorry.
No.
You have to send him back.
It's okay.
I don't need coffee.
And you said
you left him in the hotel.
Yeah.
That's a $100 billion
piece of research
just wandering about.
Okay.
But what is he to me?
Do you want us
to keep him in the labs?
For how long?
Until we make headway
with the probes,
till we're ready
to send him back out.
I can't promise
anything will come of it.
Maybe he goes out
and never comes back,
like the first--
All right.
How about this?
What if he is your husband?
But he's not.
I know he's not, actually.
But practically, in all
senses, he is your husband.
I-- I'm telling you, he's not.
Okay.
How do you know if someone
is just behaving differently
because they have new inputs?
Say, for example, a person
hates basketball now
because his father died
and they watched it together.
A person gets kicked
in the head by a horse,
and suddenly, his whole
personality changes.
New medications, whatever.
How do you know
they're the same person
with an adapted personality
rather than a completely
different one
from a different universe?
You see what I'm saying?
Yeah.
The fact is, I could be
switching every morning
from one Alicia, happy,
buzzed with coffee,
to my depressed-ass
self every night.
Are those two different people?
I tried.
What happened?
It felt wrong.
What kind of wrong?
He loves her.
He's only
just lost her and he's grieving.
She's probably a big-time bitch.
It only gets harder
if people find out.
Well, what if he won't
keep up appearances?
For you? He'd do it.
You can tell him if he doesn't,
Walia will invoke every clause
in that contract with an army
of lawyers and demand
that he goes around the world
telling everybody
that Distant Aeronautics
discovered the multiverse.
That would not be good.
Mm.
But if you can give me
a bit more time.
Okay.
Yeah.
Thank you.
Oh, don't thank me.
I'm counting on the other
Alicia to figure it out
on her end.
She's probably super smart.
Okay, can we just
hold for one second?
Yes.
Hello!
Hi.
Um, well, we're really right
back in the swing of things.
And, um...
Astronaut training.
This guy Lonie, I remember,
uh, uh, I was telling--
I was telling him about that--
You did, really, yeah.
I was telling him about...
Morning.
Hey!
Morning.
So, are you ready?
Yeah.
You sure you wanna come?
Uh, do you want me to?
Well, how could I
want anything else?
Do you always answer
a question with a question?
Why?
Do you like it?
I don't know.
Should I?
Uh, it's really just
little mathematical
differences in a wave equation.
What did it feel like?
It-- it's--
it just felt like blinking.
Did you see anything
in the alternate universe,
- like aliens?
- No.
No, no, no.
And what about you, Ellie?
What is it like to be
married to the first
inter-universal explorer?
Oh, uh, well, amazing.
What is it?
-It's amazing.
-Oh?
-Yeah.
What did you imagine
it to be like for him?
Who knows?
Uh, he could've seen
dinosaurs or, you know,
gone to a universe full
of smoking hot babes
and he wouldn't be
interested in coming back.
Oh, no, no.
She-- she keeps me very
interested in coming back.
-Thank you so much.
-Thank you.
-Have a good one.
-Thank you.
Who's next?
Uh, I don't know.
-How many are in?
-Can I get some water?
How many more do we have to do?
I'm having a wonderful time.
Being Mrs. to an American hero
isn't just a privilege,
it's a responsibility.
For a s-- for a second back
there, I thought
you were gonna say smoking
hot dinosaurs.
I should have.
You would leave
me for dinosaurs.
-Here.
-What is-- what is this?
Makeup remover.
Oh.
Thanks.
Hey, Ellie, I, um...
You know, whatever...
Whatever you said
to him before he left,
mine said something
like that to me too.
I-- I'm sorry.
Don't apologize for him.
No, I'm sorry for me.
Well, Lucases leave Ellies.
That's the problem.
I just--
I know he'd want me to say it.
What do you think--
What do you think your
Lucas would do right now?
Five minutes.
You ready?
Yep.
Uh, we'll be right there.
-Lucas?
-Yeah, yeah, we're all good.
Thanks, Vicky.
Do you think he'd pretend
nothing happened?
Hmm.
I don't know.
What would you do?
Come here.
Huh?
You got something.
Oh.
Thank you.
Maybe you just stay here with
me.
Um, lucky man.
If you really think about it,
it's not even climate change,
it's climate exchange.
We're about to have an infinite
resource pool.
Why colonize Mars?
We can just colonize
a vacant Earth.
Oh!
There he is, everybody.
Our cosmic man.
Hey.
How it's going?
-Hi.
-Interviews go well?
Uh, yeah, fantastic.
Yeah.
Smile for socials.
-Oh, uh...
-Sure.
Ellie.
Everybody say multiverse.
-Oh, um...
-Multiverse!
Gorgeous.
Oh, let's do a...
Let's do one of these, yeah?
-Hmm?
-Hey.
Oh.
Hey, uh, what if we
take one more, huh?
What do you say we do one more?
Quinton, come get this on video.
We're gonna do a ceremonial
removal of the EgoTag--
I don't--
- What?
- I don't think that is, um--
- No, no.
- And donate it
to the Smithsonian.
-I don't think--
-Don't touch that.
Our head of research, everybody.
Care to tell us why?
Because I have more
experiments to do on it.
Because science.
Because in what world do you
take off his tag without asking?
Well, could you
tell us about the experiments?
No!
Are you a child?
I already said no.
How long do you want me
to stand here all day
and say no?
Thank you, guys.
Thank you so much.
We will have time for
some questions in just
a few minutes from our
fantastic CEO right here,
Mr. Walia. Um--
Uh, uh, always happy
to take questions.
That's why we brought
you here today.
Is it secure?
Yeah, it's fine.
What in the world made you think
you could take of your tag?
Hey, I didn't know
he was gonna do that.
You would have disintegrated
in front of everybody.
You think we want
that on our conscience?
Of course not.
Look at this.
Yeah.
Oh, do I have to explain?
This has been
to other universes.
Yours specifically.
It came back last night.
The EgoTag signal
traced wasn't yours.
It was his.
Are you saying that you
can get him back?
Where is she?
I hope so.
Oh, there she is.
I was trying to clean up that,
uh, that colossal mess
that you just made.
Don't come in here like that.
This is my building!
Ellie, we have a team
of brilliant scientists
that can take this over.
Oh.
Are you saying that you
can replace Alicia Barnes?
Yeah, I just want you to
think about the fact that--
We would go with her.
What is this?
Hmm?
Where's Lucas?
You think you can fire me?
It's been a long time coming.
We have to move forward.
I could set up another
reactor in two weeks.
Not with my patents, you can't.
Your patents?
Oh.
Huh! That's rich.
- Yes, my patents!
- I bought them.
You weasel.
You think you own this?
You think you own this?
You haven't created
anything in your life apart
from your morning smoothies.
And there you are
thinking you've acquired
an entire field of science.
Do you have any sense
of how many little decisions
it takes to make something?
All you have is one single
path to an idea
that any idiot could have.
And yet there are billions of
other ways of getting there,
you dummy.
I don't have to steal
from the company I built.
I could just make
another one tomorrow.
Do you know what you just did?
I have to call security now
because you just made this ugly.
Lucas, what are you--
Ellie.
No.
Ellie, listen.
Please don't do this.
There's no version of
me that doesn't love
every version of you.
Maybe some of them stay
and try to convince you
to love them.
Maybe some of them are willing
to settle for what we have,
but you don't want that.
And there isn't a version
of me that wouldn't die
for what you want.
I'm gonna walk through
the door and God, I don't--
God, I hope--
I hope he comes out.
You-- you-- you don't know that.
But--
No, he will.
He will.
He'll come through.
If he's anything like me,
he'll come back for you.
Stop this now!
Listen to me.
If you wanna fire me, fine.
But if you want your
precious mascot to please
all your shareholders,
you need Lucas Bello.
I have Lucas Bello.
Not that one.
Are you telling me
this isn't Lucas Bello?
That's what I'm telling you.
Now, do your PR team
a favor and let me fix this.
Go ahead.
What, did you think I
would keep him here?
Thank you.
T-minus one minute
to initiation.
Let's go, lovebirds.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Taking position.
Stepping through
in 5, 4, 3,
2, 1.
Can I have my ring back?
Yeah.
-Hi.
-Hi.
You ready?
Yeah. You don't have to
help if you don't want to.
- It's okay.
I-- I can do it.
You're doing great.
It's nice and quiet.
Yeah.
Okay.
It's almost over.
Don't go.
Don't go.
Two minutes, lovebirds.
Copy that.
Yeah.
Clear.
Pressure and air lock.
Reactor uplink in 2, 1.
I changed my mind.
I never even...
Please.
Elenore.
Don't go.
It'll be 10 seconds, Ellie.
He'll be in and out.
See? We're just stepping
through a door.
Cocktails at Alicia's after.
No big deal.
Yeah, right.
Drinks at mine.
But first we swap
your wedding ring.
It's metal.
I can't wear it.
What?
The EgoTag will keep
us in constant signal.
Won't lose him for a second.
It's his lifeline.
I-- I-- I understand.
Hey, I'm putting it on
my right hand.
It doesn't matter
what hand you put it on.
I understand it's a loaded
metaphor--
It's not-- the metaphor
is not the problem, Lucas.
Hey, we talked about this, okay?
I can't increase my heart rate.
-Okay.
-Hey.
Hey. Hey.
I love you.
And I'll be right back.
I promise. Hey.
I swear.
Taking position.
Copy.
Systems ready when you are.
Cute.
Your levels are looking good.
You want a count down?
I got it.
5, 4, 3,
2, 1.
All right, all right.
Let's bring him back.
Prep for re-entry in seven.
Jesus.
Shit, shit, shit, shit!
All right!
Ellie!
-No, no, no.
-No! No!
Power down!
No!
Power down!
No!
Stop. Come back.
-No!
-Power down!
-No!
-Power down!
No! Let me go!
Power down! Power down!
Let me go!
Back off, back off!
Optometry,
how can I help you?
Optometry,
how can I help you?
Try these.
I think they might
look really nice.
Okay.
- Yeah, that looks good.
- Mm-hmm.
- Lucas!
- Lucas!
We did it!
We did it.
Hello?
Ellie?
You there, Ellie?
Yeah.
Hi.
It's Alicia.
Yeah.
I-- I know.
Oh, um, are you home?
Uh, yes. I'm about to go out,
though. Why? Wh--
Forget that.
Stay right where you are.
No, I'm pulling up!
I didn't know
how else to do it.
Hey there.
Hey.
-No, I can't.
-It's fine.
I've got lab work tomorrow.
It's a sip.
You'll be fine.
It wa-- it was--
it was really a whole year?
Yeah, 14 months.
Wow.
I just-- I walked through,
the lights went out,
I thought it was a blackout.
We never stopped looking.
But then nobody was there.
Ellie, I'm-- I'm-- I'm so sorry.
Ellie, is everybody okay?
Yeah, fine,
everybody's fine now.
Yeah.
Do I have a-- a
death certificate?
Yeah, and a tombstone.
What about the trials?
Did Rohan go through?
- No.
- What'd you do?
What did we do?
Um, we had to announce.
You went public
with the research?
Yeah.
But you had
a whole rollout plan.
Um, everyone has a plan
until you lose an astronaut
in a private lab accident.
The federal agents
were at the door.
I pressed the panic button.
Wait, uh, so it was just
a m-- a m-- a minute
this whole time?
It wasn't even a minute.
Oh, my God, that's so unfair.
Ellie, we didn't know
something like this
was gonna happen.
Yeah, you did.
I'm just saying we
didn't do it on purpose.
Of course not.
Accidents aren't on purpose.
Everybody just slow down.
Slow down.
Just...
Alicia, this-- I mean,
this proves your theory.
I was in an alternate universe.
Maybe.
Well, wasn't that big news?
Quite.
What does the EgoTag say?
It said that you were gone
for less than a second,
.7813 something.
But on your end?
On my end,
we couldn't track it.
It's-- it's a miracle
I even walked out.
I'll tell us more tomorrow.
Uh, I need tea.
I-- I-- I can't drink right now.
Okay. Oh, I'll help you.
Hey, did the president call?
Yeah, I think so.
What, you didn't take the call?
Mm-mm.
Hey, listen.
I can retire now.
We can move anywhere we want.
When?
Right now.
Okay.
All right.
-Okay.
-Okay.
Yeah, really?
Alicia!
- Hmm?
- I'm retiring.
Mazel.
No, I'm done.
I got it.
Is that official, or should
I talk to somebody
who's not drunk?
Yeah, definitely.
Uh, tell them tomorrow.
Uh, in the morning,
you got a bunch of tests,
then a press conference,
then a debrief with the NSA,
and then you
have the sponsorship contract,
which is what,
um, six months left?
Then you can give your
two weeks' notice
and then you're out.
Are you joking?
It's not my company anymore.
What do you want from me?
Sorry, I should
let you be alone.
Hey.
hey, I'm
sorry about before.
I know how hard
you worked all year.
I love him too.
I was never gonna leave him.
I know.
I promised.
I know.
L-- let's just get to bed.
Um, we need sleep.
It's all just a shock.
Life's weird.
What?
You're still here.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Wow.
Yeah.
-Thanks.
-Yeah.
So, uh, who won
the Super Bowl last year?
I-- I-- I don't know.
What'd you do for Halloween?
Sexy costume, what else?
Really?
No.
Of course not.
I turned off the porch light
and I ate all the candy
I bought.
What about Thanksgiving?
Um, I went to my sister's.
Oh.
What were you gonna do
tonight before we arrived?
Go out.
Huh.
With-- with some friends.
Right.
Could I have some honey?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Thanks.
How serious were
you about retiring?
Completely.
I mean, look, um,
I can talk to 'em tomorrow,
and it can't be
that complicated.
I mean, who cares?
We can go be near
your mom, start a family.
Does anyone else know yet?
We were...
We just came straight here.
Lots of people are gonna care.
It'll be an--
an international news story.
Well, I'll keep it
boring, you know?
We won't do any interviews
and...
Well, there'll be news
vans outside for weeks.
Yeah.
Let me-- uh, what did--
What did Alicia mean
when she said it's not her
company anymore?
She sold it.
Uh, a tech company rebranded
it and made it
their East Coast campus.
Why?
To raise capital and continue
searching for you.
Wait, I mean, she...
Uh, she's...
That's all she's been
doing this whole year?
Uh...
Yeah, uh, that's what
we've all been doing.
Um...
It-- there's been no Christmas
photos, no New Year's.
We just-- um...
Uh, you disappeared,
and we stood staring
at the empty space and...
Then when people
went back to their lives, I--
I had to put myself back
together and I went back
to work.
I mean, what else
was I supposed to do?
Nothing, nothing.
Oh, God, why do I...
I feel guilty for telling
you that I had to move on.
Just-- hey, hey, don't.
You don't need to.
It's fine.
Hey.
Shh.
But what are these tests
you have to do tomorrow?
Well, I don't know.
Just to see if I have any
superpowers,
or if I've aged at all.
A basic systems check.
-Basic systems check.
-Mm-hmm.
Yeah, I could do
a systems check.
-Really?
-Yeah.
Hmm.
Lips.
Check.
Nose.
Check.
Oh.
You okay?
Hmm.
Nothing's wrong?
Nothing's wrong.
I'm just...
-Taking it all in.
-Yeah.
You know, people don't come
back from the dead that often.
Hardly ever.
Hey, you wanna
know something weird?
Hmm.
What?
You've been married
to me a year longer
than I've been married to you.
And you-- you're--
Uh-huh.
You're a year older.
Oh.
Great.
Thanks a lot.
You're married
to an old lady now.
Tell me something happy.
Well, we can probably keep
the life insurance money.
No.
Something different.
Your face makes me happy.
Hmm.
Your face when I proposed.
Keep going.
The best day of my life.
Mm, tell me.
Well--
Hmm.
It was a beautiful
afternoon on the beach.
- We just finished our picnic.
- Pretzel sandwiches and wine.
No.
No, we ate at Carlito's.
The day I proposed?
No, we didn't.
-Yes, we did.
-What?
Absolutely, we did.
Yes, I had short rib.
You-- you had--
-What?
-Plain chicken.
You accused me of trying
to fatten you up so NASA--
What?
Wouldn't send you
into space anymore.
Yes.
That must have been
some other time.
No.
We had the-- the day I proposed,
we had pretzel sandwiches
on the beach.
No, I don't even
like pretzels, Lucas.
Okay, maybe it was--
it was paninis, okay?
That's-- that's not
the important part.
No, Carlito's.
Oh, my God.
Do you wanna turn into
one of those old couples
bickering that correct
each other's memories?
-Yes, I do. I do.
-You do?
Do you really?
Okay, maybe I don't.
-Okay.
-Okay.
Can I finish my story?
-Sure.
-Please?
Oh, my God.
All right.
After we had our delicious
panini pretzel sandwiches
and/or Carlito's chicken
and ribs...
Hmm.
...we walked along the water.
And I was telling you about
this crazy genius named
Dr. Alicia Barnes who wanted
to hire me out
from under NASA to test out
some wild theories
she had about the multiverse.
I was so excited.
Yeah.
This could be the start
of a new chapter in our lives.
And I remember because
you said, "Our lives."
Hmm.
Like you wanted
our future together.
And then we kissed.
Mm-hmm.
That was a good kiss.
I know.
And then I looked into
your eyes and I said,
"I wanna show you something."
Huh?
And then I led you
to the Old Town Carousel.
No, wait.
And I forget what I said to
get you to cover your eyes.
Do you remember?
No.
It was something.
Uh, anyway, you
covered your eyes.
Why would I do that?
I forget.
And then we walked
in, and all of our family
and friends were there.
No, we were alone on the beach.
It was...
That was one of the best
parties we ever threw.
Did you fall asleep?
I love you.
Hello?
Hey there.
Oh, sorry.
You okay?
-God.
-My bad.
Yeah, just give me a second.
Want some coffee?
I made you breakfast.
Oh, you looked so
peaceful, I went for a run.
Oh, did you find clothes?
Um, the box in the basement?
I didn't know what
to do with them.
Oh, it's fine.
Oh, what's up? You want cream?
All right.
Hey, uh, I was thinking, um,
maybe you could
come by the labs today.
We could eat in the commissary.
Oh, um, well, I'll be
a while getting ready, so...
Oh, late lunch?
Sure, yeah.
Hey, did you have
a good time last night?
Mm-hmm.
Me too.
All right.
I'll see you later.
Well, as long as it arrives
on time, I have no problem.
But can I please have a drink?
Double foam, triple shot
mocha with fudge and sprinkles?
Thank you, Quinton.
He's my favorite part of
my new corporate hell.
I got your text.
Oh, okay.
Um, can I ask you
about that ring?
He can take it
off in a few days.
Okay.
We just need
a few more biometrics.
Uh, that's fine.
Um, did it say what happened?
Not exactly.
The ring was a beacon
which had three functions.
First one was basic
information like his heart rate,
and the second was a tag
number that identified our
Lucas from any
potential parallel Lucases.
Wait.
It did that?
Uh, parallel Lucases
are possible?
Don't worry.
The code-block
matches so far.
Uh, it's a giant tag number
attached to DNA markers.
We're still testing,
but that part's fine.
But it will tell us
eventually for certain?
It should.
Wh-- what was the third thing?
The third thing?
You said the ring
does three things.
Ah, yeah, um, it was, uh,
it's kind of like a lifeline.
If something went wrong,
if, uh, he was stuck in a loop,
something like that,
then he could use it
as a last resort.
What if he was in the wrong
place and he took the ring off,
what would happen?
What, he'd blow up?
Disintegrate, but yes.
It was only for horrible,
impossibly unlikely,
but statistically
non-zero contingencies.
But you didn't tell me that
you gave him a suicide pill.
Let's not renegotiate
the premise here, Ellie.
He was going to other worlds...
and all he experienced
was walking through that door.
He wasn't gonna
resort to it at all.
Look, he's fine.
So, are you all right?
Yeah.
It's okay if you're not.
Actually, um,
if you have a second,
something is very wrong.
There she is.
Elenore Bello!
It is so nice to meet you.
Has Alicia filled you in on
any of the itinerary for today?
No.
Well, I'm Avi Walia, CEO.
We're all super
honored to be here.
Alicia is the first quantum
computing company
I bought when I hit a trillion.
She's like my Lebron.
I'm not a company, sweetheart.
Lucas told me the news.
I'm so, so ecstatic for you two.
Uh, thank you.
Um, I'm sorry, what--
what news exactly
are you talking about?
Retiring.
He's retiring.
I can't believe it, but,
uh, he's a hero,
so he can do what he wants.
I think it's so great you
guys are gonna start a family.
Super great.
I just, uh, I just wish you
weren't taking him away from us.
Anyway, we got
a busy day ahead of us.
Shall we, uh, go
meet your husband?
Press conference at
noon, a quick lunch at 1:00,
a couple of evals
in the afternoon.
Actually--
She's only here
for the lunch with Lucas.
Really? You don't wanna
be next to him on stage?
Avi.
I just thought that
you'd wanna be there.
I'm not trying to be difficult.
It's a historic moment.
It'll be in the textbooks,
Ellie.
The press is so eager
for your perspective.
Is that my Ellie Belly?
Lucas, I was just saying
to your wife--
You okay?
Yeah, fine.
You-- you-- you told them?
Ye-- yeah, everything.
They know I'm retiring, right?
Loud and clear.
And ev-- everybody's in there?
Yes.
We can all go in together.
She's not coming.
Right, but we were
just discussing--
No, she's not coming in.
Uh, I'll be right back, okay?
And so friends, Americans,
citizens of all countries,
let me tell you,
it's great to be back.
A year ago, the world thought
Commander Lucas Bello
was lost forever...
discovering
the possibility of a multiverse
or parallel worlds.
Good news, Elenore.
Your husband's a specimen.
Test results from this morning.
-Hi.
-Mm.
You want the spoilers?
-Sure.
-He's about 11% faster,
stronger, smarter
than he was before
he went through that door.
Was that expected?
No.
So, is that a red flag or what?
Um, it could be a good day.
He's excited.
Performs well.
Um, or it could be--
might be
the result of the transfer.
Okay.
Um,
what are the other
possibilities?
Well, we're testing for that.
The data's still
a bit scrambled.
Scrambled,
or could, um, could the--
Could the ring have switched
signals with another version
of itself?
What are you talking about?
Um,
what if there's
a parallel universe so close,
so close to ours
that there's another you
doing the same experiment.
Um, and their Lucas
walks through at the exact
same time as our Lucas, and...
they switch places.
Yeah, we thought of that.
I'm not saying it's impossible,
because there are infinite
possibilities, but the chances?
No, no way.
The EgoTag, it has a signature
that matches down
to the billionth place.
We're still sifting, but--
Hey.
-Hi.
-Hi.
Those the results?
Mm-hmm.
They good?
Mm.
Something wrong?
So do we just sit?
Sure.
If you like.
Is there anything you
wanna talk about?
Well, I just came back
from an alternate dimension.
We could talk about that.
And how are things going?
Fine.
Fine.
In my brain, it was--
I was gone for like a second.
And what about you, Ellie?
Do we have to do this?
No.
Uh, we're evaluating
him to return to work,
but he's retiring.
Right, but I just need
the evaluation to get back.
Why?
Um, I don't know.
Uh, just, uh, in case
we change our minds.
I don't know.
It's just-- it's-- it's--
It's an evaluation, I pass,
and then-- and then we go.
- There's no pass or fail.
- I'm only here to help.
Okay, good.
Lucas, could you give us
the room for a moment?
- Yeah.
- Yeah, you got it.
I thought you might
like a moment alone.
Losing a husband,
only to have him return.
He didn't return.
Can't be easy.
Or...
Anyway, um, I don't
think he's my husband.
Tell me more.
He told a story
that never happened.
Fake memory.
Just for the sake of argument,
could he have forgotten
the memory or misremembered?
No.
It w-- it wasn't
a random memory.
You know what?
Forget it.
Hey, there.
You ran off,
I didn't have a key.
I would've, uh, texted
but I don't have a phone
anymore.
Walia offered me a-- a car.
I-- I guess my old
one's gone now.
Yeah.
Hey.
It's weird.
I-- I went to work for a day,
and when I came back,
my wife had sold all my stuff.
Ellie, c-- c-- can
I h-- can I hold you?
I don't even know what's
happening anymore.
I'm so sorry, Ellie.
I don't know what I
would do if I lost you.
Hey, you hungry?
I don't know.
Oh.
Um...
Ah.
No, it's o--
We could just--
We could just sit together.
Yeah.
Just give me a minute.
I am gonna make you
the perfect combination.
You always do that.
You know, it's funny.
I was just thinking,
it could've been worse.
You could've been
remarried when I got back.
Oh.
Do you remember that dinner
by the bridge?
You had a seersucker suit on.
Oh, yeah.
Do you remember
what color it was?
Yeah, it was a...
It was a lemon yellow.
We played Would you rather?
- Did we?
- We did.
I said,
"Would you rather
swim fully clothed
to that bridge, or uh--"
"Dance fully naked on the deck?"
Swim.
Dance.
And then I asked if
you still wanted kids.
Yeah, someday.
When I know I'll be around.
What?
What's-- what's wrong?
Then you asked
me what was wrong.
Do you remember that?
I think so.
I said,
"I wanted to know when."
When I said,
"When I'm gonna be around."
But when is that?
I don't--
I just took a job.
I don't-- I don't-- I don't
remember this part.
You needed more time, you said.
I said, fine, um, uh, but
I'm in my mid-30s, so...
Yeah.
You know, it's funny.
It's I--
I, uh, I don't remember this.
I mean, I-- I believe you,
I just--
It wasn't a big fight.
But why do we
have to do this now?
You're the one
raising your voice.
- I have-- like, why--
- Why can't I talk about it?
Can I have one
year at my new fucking job?
We decided to wait until you
retired and...
...we had dessert.
It's getting late.
Mm, yeah.
Thanks for this.
Oh!
Rohan.
- Oh, my man.
- Oh, my man.
- How are you?
- My man!
You were dead, man.
Yeah, I was just between
realities, you know?
-Hi.
-Hi.
Mm.
Now that is a handsome man.
Which one?
Oof, take your pick.
I think we already did.
Mm.
Technically,
I was between realities.
And what,
they don't have postcards
between realities?
No, just no stamps, okay?
How are you?
How's the insomnia?
Mmm.
Oh, God, sorry to hear it.
Mm.
I know. I know.
What's it been?
Five years
or something like that?
Uh, no, man, we did the lake
house a year ago.
You don't remember?
- Oh, God, that was...
- Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
That was-- that was
right before I left.
Yeah. God, no, no,
just it feels like forever.
You know, uh--
The way he describes it,
he was gone for a second.
Oh, really?
How weird.
Yeah.
How weird for both of you.
You know, I-- I read
your eulogy at the Kennedy
Space Center.
Best speech I ever gave.
-Oh, yeah?
-Now you ruined it.
Oh, come on, I'm doing
you a favor.
-Oh, yeah?
-You get to do it again.
Okay?
I heard mixed reviews.
Seems like his old self.
He does seem like that.
Mm-hmm.
- Hi.
- Good to see you.
You too.
I have someone you can meet.
Oh.
Uh, Alicia, can I talk to you?
Elenore.
Where's-- where's--
where's your champagne?
I-- I ha-- I had some.
Um, I-- can I ask--
Um, could we get some more
champagne please?
You should have some champagne.
Oh, okay.
Sure, fine.
I...
Listen.
Hmm.
I-- I think something went
wrong and the guy who came back
isn't Lucas.
Of course something went wrong,
how many times
do I have to say it?
No.
He has memories that never
happened to me,
and I have memories--
Mm, don't know.
I mean, maybe he mistook
the occasion
that you were remembering
for a different one.
It was our engagement.
Oh.
I don't think he knows.
Are you saying that two
things went wrong
with my experiment?
I'm saying I'm scared.
I got it.
We pull off the EgoTag.
If he is an alien, poof, he
disappears into a fine mist.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I bought 100 bottles,
you don't want it?
Uh, I gotta go.
Yeah.
Before-- before the eulogies?
It's time to pay your respects
to our dearly departed
and recently returned
second favorite astronaut.
All right, let's go.
Uh, get yourself a drink and,
uh, gather around, everybody.
It's time for the, uh,
serious part of the evening.
What?
I can be serious.
Yes, you tell them,
sweet cheeks.
Thank you.
Now, uh, ev-- everybody,
uh, we are gathered here
to deliver our saddest,
most heartbreaking eulogies
for this dead man right here.
Hey, you wanna lay on the couch?
No.
No.
No, absolutely not.
Come on.
Uh.
No.
- Okay.
- And, uh, no cheating.
Mm-mm, no saying how
nice it is to have his sorry ass
home again.
I'll go.
Lucas Bello was an
extraordinary individual.
Throughout his illustrious
career,
Lucas contributed
significantly--
-Hey. Hi.
-Hi.
To the advancement
of space exploration.
Missions were marked
by groundbreaking
discoveries and...
You having a good time?
- Yeah. I mean...
- But beyond the accolades
and accomplishments...
...this part is
kinda weird, but...
Hmm. Mm-hmm.
...touched with his
genuine warmth...
It's nice.
It is nice.
...the very essence
of courage, intellect,
and unwavering dedication.
So, um...
But he also had a knack
for turning the most...
...this isn't my world, is it?
Um...
How did you know?
Hey there.
Lucas' true legacy--
How did you know?
Lies in the countless
lives he touched with his
-genuine warmth and compassion.
-A lot of little things.
In those moments,
Lucas's unwavering support
and, uh, unshakable
friendship helped me
find strength and solace.
Um, Lucas and I shared
countless hours of, um...
Besides, you're not my Ellie.
Oh, my God.
I thought I was going crazy.
What do we do?
Well, we could announce it
right now, bum everybody out.
That seems like a bad idea.
To Lucas!
To Lucas!
Okay.
I am coming.
It was beautiful, honey,
and I don't care
that if I'm breaking the rule.
Uh, I don't care.
Um, Elenore...
Hi.
...isn't it a miracle...
-Hi.
-Hi. I, um, I'm drunk.
I was drunk. Um...
God, I am so happy for you.
Did you really mean
what you said before?
Are you, um-- did you tell him?
Who-- who are you?
Do you wanna speak?
No, no.
Go ahead.
She-- she is overwhelmed,
as she should be.
Uh, we are all so
grateful to be here...
Is he yours?
No.
And really, there is one
person that we have to thank,
because she swore--
Really?
How different is it?
Not very.
She would never give up.
We could be, uh--
And she didn't.
Neighbors.
Yeah.
You deserve all
the credit, Alicia.
- Mm.
- To Alisha!
Uh-huh.
To Alisha! Speech!
Speech!
Speech!
Yeah! Speech, yeah.
Come on!
Speech! Let's hear it.
Ugh.
Lucas Bello was
my best friend.
Now he is dead.
Nothing will ever be
right in the world again,
and it's all my fault.
That's all.
Good night.
Stay as long as you want.
Finish the food.
Hey, you wanna walk home?
It's like three miles.
Yeah, yeah,
we've had a few drinks.
All right, sure.
So your Ellie is a bit
of a lightweight, huh?
Ah, yeah, but you're both
snappy when you drink.
What's she like?
I don't know.
I don't know if
it's a good idea.
Come on, I'm out here freezing.
She's just like you.
She's even got
the three freckles
behind her ear.
I used to kiss them.
Yeah, my Lucas used to do that.
What'd he call it?
Sprinkles.
Sprinkles.
Yeah.
Yeah.
How is she different?
I don't know.
Come on.
No, uh, really, I-- I--
I think she wore more makeup,
or maybe you did something
with your eyes, or...
Less eyeliner?
Yeah.
You walk different.
How?
You stare at the ground.
Or maybe mine does
too now, I don't know.
I don't know what makes
a difference between you
and what could've
changed in a year.
I mean, maybe there's
a trillion different versions
of Lucas who were
stupid enough to leave
a trillion different versions
of Ellie to cry for a year
on her own.
I don't know.
You know what this feels like?
Like my husband died
and my mind spent a year
creating a ghost.
How am I different?
Barely noticeable.
It's uncanny when you
see it though, isn't it?
I was gonna say,
if we're so similar,
if it's down to the last
decimal point, right?
Mathematically
identical or close to it,
we could accept it.
you know, I could
accept it, right?
Because we're not-- we're
not separate humans,
we're us.
You know, I came back
from a mission changed a little,
damaged. You too.
We always married.
We always loved each other.
But we didn't.
Close.
We pretend nothing happened.
Or something did, but not this.
I don't think that I can.
Yeah.
That's what she'd say too.
Hi.
Get in.
We're going to the lab.
How many cars do you have?
What?
Oh, I dunno.
I was just lying on my bed,
letting the hangover wash
over me.
When I sobered
up enough and remembered
what you said
about the experiment.
He knows.
You spoke with him
about it at the party.
Well, did you ask
him about his world?
Do you have, uh,
like, a solar system?
Uh, yeah, of course.
Of course, we
have a solar system.
On what side is
the human heart?
Uh, it's-- it's center left.
Do you have the Hadron Collider?
Yeah.
What's the price of gold?
No idea.
What's the most recent
scientific advancement?
Alicia Barnes discovers
the multiverse.
Aha!
You're even more of
a suck up than he is.
What else?
I don't know.
A bunch of celebrities died.
You wanna talk about that?
It's the little things
from what I can tell.
Do you have the Fields
Medal, and did I win it twice?
One time, yes.
Second time, you got beat
up by this kid in Sheboygan.
Please.
There is no kid in Sheboygan.
Hmm.
Okay.
If you are an
overlapping parallel,
you could be different
in a million ways.
We can't triangulate
where you're from,
or we could just reset
the beacon.
You could be any possible
Lucas, but the data,
uh, from your tag is
still computing,
and it says that you
are the same,
so the differences must
be microscopic.
Our worlds could be
on top of each other.
I mean, there are probably
worlds where we're all pandas
or something,
or I'm a ballet dancer
and you're a fisherman, maybe.
Uh, yeah.
There are worlds
that blew themselves up.
Huh.
Or who knows?
Everything is possible.
But for this cosmic fuck-up
to happen, we needed
to have crossed with a world
that still had me create
this experiment and still
had you walking through
the door
at the exact moment that we did.
And that is so vanishingly tiny
a chance.
What do we do now?
We will launch as many
probes as we can to search
for the second tag with
the same number as yours.
So you're saying you wanna
send a few dozen messages
in a bottle into what could
be trillions of worlds?
Yeah, and they're all
trained on you.
If one comes back
with different coordinates,
then maybe we could locate him.
I-- is it, uh, uh, illegal?
Uh, would be if there were
laws for this sort of thing.
Well, uh, then why
are we-- we doing this?
Because I sent him out there.
Well, what if I just walked
back through the door?
Suicide, probably.
There isn't a-- any chance?
Not a chance of a chance.
I can't even begin to tell
you how improbable this is.
It's like two snowflakes
are the exact same copy
of each other, but those
snowflakes are all
the snowflakes everywhere.
Hmm?
Look, every evolutionary
step, every event in history,
every...
Everything that all
three of us chose in life,
all broke in the same direction,
and we finally get you
walking through that door.
But the second you found
out that there is another you,
you might have started
to make counterfactual
decisions for no other
reasons other than to
assert your individualness,
which is, in fact,
the exact sort of thing
that our Lucas would do.
So you are right back
to where you started.
This was a bad idea.
I'm sorry.
I-- I don't know where he is.
It's okay.
Hey, sorry.
Sorry.
Sorry I'm late.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Are you all right?
Yeah. I was just, uh,
I was just walking around.
All night?
Where were you walking?
Just places I like to go.
The climbing gym,
the fabrication lab
at the engineering school.
What were you looking for?
I just wanted things
I'd recognize.
Did Ellie ever come to any
of these places with you?
-No.
-Yes.
You came to the 3D printer
to use to-- for the earrings
you were designing once.
Right.
Do you feel estranged
from everything else?
I don't know.
How does that make
you feel, Ellie?
I don't know.
Um, he could have called.
I don't have a phone.
Get a phone.
Are you-- you waiting for
me to get you a phone?
Well, I c-- I can't get a phone.
I-- I tried.
I don't--
I-- turns out I have no
bank accounts.
Well, that's what you do
when someone's dead.
No, I'm not-- look,
I'm not blaming you.
I'm, I-- I didn't think you'd
want me home anyway.
It feels invasive.
Right? It doesn't-- it doesn't
feel like-- it doesn't feel
like my place anymore.
And why would that be, Lucas?
Nothing.
Sorry.
This is just-- I'm sorry.
It's just-- just kind
of a weird dynamic.
It is a bit weird, isn't it?
Ellie, why don't you tell Lucas
how you felt about last night?
Actually, I-- I don't blame you.
In fact, when I think
about it,
I-- I really appreciate
you did that.
Wow, that's very
gracious of you, Ellie.
S-- so do we win therapy?
You can't win therapy.
Then what's the point?
Lucas, do you
want to be back home?
Of course.
Look, I know I'm not the--
I know I've changed.
But if you're open,
maybe we could--
We could start fresh, you know?
Not to replace anybody,
but maybe we could just
keep each other company.
- Good.
- That's very good.
Ellie?
Yeah.
Okay.
How about this?
For the next few days,
you two could revisit the places
you frequented together.
Reminisce a little.
You might feel less
estranged when you
remember everything
the two of you have shared.
We'll revisit again
in a few days.
That won't work.
No, but listen, I think
I have a better idea.
What? Stop reminiscing
immediately and go somewhere
we've never been?
Yeah, that's exactly it.
Have you been to the Palacio?
No, but that's because
you're a cheapskate.
Wait, are you a cheapskate?
No.
Yeah.
Maybe a little, but that's good,
'cause I haven't been either.
Let's go.
What do you think?
Therapy kind of works.
Mm-hmm.
Something bubbly?
-Mm-hmm.
-Yeah.
Could we start with champagne?
Very good, sir.
Yeah.
Oh, thank you.
How chivalrous.
Yes. There you go.
Nothing but the best.
Oh.
All right.
This is good,
this is good champagne.
-It is.
-What is that?
It is.
Don't even-- don't worry.
Don't worry about it.
Don't look at it.
Trust me on this.
-Cheers.
-Cheers.
Do you remember the old
Italian waiter who sang
to you on our honeymoon?
-And then--
-Mm.
Sat with us
for a whole 10 minutes?
Yes.
Oh, my God.
That was, uh...
Tell me something that
you've never told me before.
Oh, okay.
Um, before I stepped
through--
Mm-hmm.
I ordered a basket of candy
bars from around the world.
Yeah, that-- that came already.
Oh, God, yeah.
About a week after
you disappeared.
Of course, yeah.
For some reason in the back
of my head, I thought it was--
I thought it was
still in the mail.
I don't know.
You tell me something.
I don't know. I'm...
There isn't anything.
Did you eat the candy bars?
Yeah, one night.
Yeah.
One night, huh?
I was grieving.
Well...
Roasted mushrooms
with chimichurri,
and a smoky avocado crostini.
Thank you.
Now I just want a candy bar.
What was she even talking about?
I-- I don't know.
I don't know.
-Thank you.
-She has that, uh, the accent.
Yeah.
It's like...
I-- I...
Garbanzos con espinacas.
Mm.
Aged garlic humus
with asparagus spears.
Wow.
I'm sorry, how many--
how many more plates?
Six more.
Wait, what is that? I like that?
That's from the movie
we saw with the professor.
What movie?
Oh, I never saw it.
Hmm.
Then I-- I guess that's
the first time that you've
liked something about me.
True.
True.
Well...
And for your final course...
Oh, God.
...a coconut rice pudding
with a brulee top
and macadamia dust.
Ooh, macadamia dust.
I tap. I can't.
I cannot.
- No.
- Yeah, nope.
You're gonna let your date
eat you under the table?
What was the favorite?
Tuna tartare, seaweed taco.
Number 4 for me.
- Number 4?
- Mm-hmm.
Can't beat the roasted
mushrooms.
How dare you?
Mushrooms, number 1,
chicken liver, number 2.
Ch-- chicken-- chicken liver?
You-- you like--
Yes.
You like
the slimy chicken liver?
I said what I said.
I know you're very cute.
Very cute,
but you're very wrong.
Crostini's number 3.
Oh, God.
Okay, s-- look, stop. STOP.
-No.
-This is gibberish.
You're disrespecting
the tuna taco.
-Admit it.
-Disrespecting?
Yeah, admit it.
Admit you're wrong on that.
-I will not admit it.
-Admit it.
-Say it with your mouth.
-I...
Lucas, Lucas, I was dizzy
when I ate the tuna, flustered
by your handsomeness.
-Flustered?
-Flustered.
Uh-huh.
How can you-- please forgive me.
No.
-No.
-Yes.
-I will never.
-Please.
Mm-mm.
Mm-mm.
One sec.
Okay.
Gimme one sec, all right?
-Okay.
-I'm coming right back.
-Okay.
-Don't worry about it.
I'll give you one sec.
Don't worry about it.
I'm coming right back.
-I'll trust that.
-Uh-huh.
Did you pay the bill?
Yep, and I spoke
to the authorities
about your rankings.
-Oh, yeah?
-Yeah.
They said my tuna taco
was correct, and that I was
such a good person that I
won a free night at the hotel.
Oh.
Really?
And you're expecting me to...
Beg forgiveness.
Beg?
What?
What's wrong?
You laughed.
Oh.
Yeah.
You didn't like it?
No.
No.
It's just-- it's-- it's not you.
It's just-- it's-- it's--
It's just something that
happens when it feels so good.
It's--
I've always done it.
Oh.
All right.
Okay.
Your Ellie doesn't--
No.
We're not the other person.
I know.
God, it's so easy
to imagine you are.
Your face, I used to stare at
your face, or I don't know,
her face,
for God knows how long.
Hours.
It's torture now.
Hey. Look.
I'm sorry. Um...
Phew.
This is a...
This is a terrible
situation to be in.
You didn't have to bring
me here.
Look, maybe-- I think we just--
I think we need some space.
Okay? so--
I mean, maybe you stay here.
I'm-- I'm gonna go.
What, you're leaving?
What?
Is that what you do?
Look--
When you're turned on, I'm
your wife in a fun new outfit.
And then a switch flips
and now I'm the other woman?
It's really selfish.
Look, fine, fine.
What do you want?
What do we--
Do we just--
do we abandon them?
Well, are they
dead or aren't they?
I have no idea.
None of you have any idea
what's going on, you know?
Here's an idea,
don't run bumbling
experiments that could
ruin everybody's life
when you have no idea
what will happen!
That's not fair, Ellie.
How is that not fair?
I stayed.
I waited for you.
You left.
If there's a chance
that they--
There's an infinitesimal
chance, Ellie.
There's-- it's so small,
there's no math for how small.
So what do we do?
Well, you don't want me.
I mean, do you wanna stay
and-- and-- and get a divorce?
No.
No, of course not.
Or do you wanna take your
chances through the door?
Do it again?
Ellie, I never should've
done it in the first place.
Why?
Why did you go then?
Why?
I'm sorry.
Ellie, I'm sorry.
No.
You have to send him back.
It's okay.
I don't need coffee.
And you said
you left him in the hotel.
Yeah.
That's a $100 billion
piece of research
just wandering about.
Okay.
But what is he to me?
Do you want us
to keep him in the labs?
For how long?
Until we make headway
with the probes,
till we're ready
to send him back out.
I can't promise
anything will come of it.
Maybe he goes out
and never comes back,
like the first--
All right.
How about this?
What if he is your husband?
But he's not.
I know he's not, actually.
But practically, in all
senses, he is your husband.
I-- I'm telling you, he's not.
Okay.
How do you know if someone
is just behaving differently
because they have new inputs?
Say, for example, a person
hates basketball now
because his father died
and they watched it together.
A person gets kicked
in the head by a horse,
and suddenly, his whole
personality changes.
New medications, whatever.
How do you know
they're the same person
with an adapted personality
rather than a completely
different one
from a different universe?
You see what I'm saying?
Yeah.
The fact is, I could be
switching every morning
from one Alicia, happy,
buzzed with coffee,
to my depressed-ass
self every night.
Are those two different people?
I tried.
What happened?
It felt wrong.
What kind of wrong?
He loves her.
He's only
just lost her and he's grieving.
She's probably a big-time bitch.
It only gets harder
if people find out.
Well, what if he won't
keep up appearances?
For you? He'd do it.
You can tell him if he doesn't,
Walia will invoke every clause
in that contract with an army
of lawyers and demand
that he goes around the world
telling everybody
that Distant Aeronautics
discovered the multiverse.
That would not be good.
Mm.
But if you can give me
a bit more time.
Okay.
Yeah.
Thank you.
Oh, don't thank me.
I'm counting on the other
Alicia to figure it out
on her end.
She's probably super smart.
Okay, can we just
hold for one second?
Yes.
Hello!
Hi.
Um, well, we're really right
back in the swing of things.
And, um...
Astronaut training.
This guy Lonie, I remember,
uh, uh, I was telling--
I was telling him about that--
You did, really, yeah.
I was telling him about...
Morning.
Hey!
Morning.
So, are you ready?
Yeah.
You sure you wanna come?
Uh, do you want me to?
Well, how could I
want anything else?
Do you always answer
a question with a question?
Why?
Do you like it?
I don't know.
Should I?
Uh, it's really just
little mathematical
differences in a wave equation.
What did it feel like?
It-- it's--
it just felt like blinking.
Did you see anything
in the alternate universe,
- like aliens?
- No.
No, no, no.
And what about you, Ellie?
What is it like to be
married to the first
inter-universal explorer?
Oh, uh, well, amazing.
What is it?
-It's amazing.
-Oh?
-Yeah.
What did you imagine
it to be like for him?
Who knows?
Uh, he could've seen
dinosaurs or, you know,
gone to a universe full
of smoking hot babes
and he wouldn't be
interested in coming back.
Oh, no, no.
She-- she keeps me very
interested in coming back.
-Thank you so much.
-Thank you.
-Have a good one.
-Thank you.
Who's next?
Uh, I don't know.
-How many are in?
-Can I get some water?
How many more do we have to do?
I'm having a wonderful time.
Being Mrs. to an American hero
isn't just a privilege,
it's a responsibility.
For a s-- for a second back
there, I thought
you were gonna say smoking
hot dinosaurs.
I should have.
You would leave
me for dinosaurs.
-Here.
-What is-- what is this?
Makeup remover.
Oh.
Thanks.
Hey, Ellie, I, um...
You know, whatever...
Whatever you said
to him before he left,
mine said something
like that to me too.
I-- I'm sorry.
Don't apologize for him.
No, I'm sorry for me.
Well, Lucases leave Ellies.
That's the problem.
I just--
I know he'd want me to say it.
What do you think--
What do you think your
Lucas would do right now?
Five minutes.
You ready?
Yep.
Uh, we'll be right there.
-Lucas?
-Yeah, yeah, we're all good.
Thanks, Vicky.
Do you think he'd pretend
nothing happened?
Hmm.
I don't know.
What would you do?
Come here.
Huh?
You got something.
Oh.
Thank you.
Maybe you just stay here with
me.
Um, lucky man.
If you really think about it,
it's not even climate change,
it's climate exchange.
We're about to have an infinite
resource pool.
Why colonize Mars?
We can just colonize
a vacant Earth.
Oh!
There he is, everybody.
Our cosmic man.
Hey.
How it's going?
-Hi.
-Interviews go well?
Uh, yeah, fantastic.
Yeah.
Smile for socials.
-Oh, uh...
-Sure.
Ellie.
Everybody say multiverse.
-Oh, um...
-Multiverse!
Gorgeous.
Oh, let's do a...
Let's do one of these, yeah?
-Hmm?
-Hey.
Oh.
Hey, uh, what if we
take one more, huh?
What do you say we do one more?
Quinton, come get this on video.
We're gonna do a ceremonial
removal of the EgoTag--
I don't--
- What?
- I don't think that is, um--
- No, no.
- And donate it
to the Smithsonian.
-I don't think--
-Don't touch that.
Our head of research, everybody.
Care to tell us why?
Because I have more
experiments to do on it.
Because science.
Because in what world do you
take off his tag without asking?
Well, could you
tell us about the experiments?
No!
Are you a child?
I already said no.
How long do you want me
to stand here all day
and say no?
Thank you, guys.
Thank you so much.
We will have time for
some questions in just
a few minutes from our
fantastic CEO right here,
Mr. Walia. Um--
Uh, uh, always happy
to take questions.
That's why we brought
you here today.
Is it secure?
Yeah, it's fine.
What in the world made you think
you could take of your tag?
Hey, I didn't know
he was gonna do that.
You would have disintegrated
in front of everybody.
You think we want
that on our conscience?
Of course not.
Look at this.
Yeah.
Oh, do I have to explain?
This has been
to other universes.
Yours specifically.
It came back last night.
The EgoTag signal
traced wasn't yours.
It was his.
Are you saying that you
can get him back?
Where is she?
I hope so.
Oh, there she is.
I was trying to clean up that,
uh, that colossal mess
that you just made.
Don't come in here like that.
This is my building!
Ellie, we have a team
of brilliant scientists
that can take this over.
Oh.
Are you saying that you
can replace Alicia Barnes?
Yeah, I just want you to
think about the fact that--
We would go with her.
What is this?
Hmm?
Where's Lucas?
You think you can fire me?
It's been a long time coming.
We have to move forward.
I could set up another
reactor in two weeks.
Not with my patents, you can't.
Your patents?
Oh.
Huh! That's rich.
- Yes, my patents!
- I bought them.
You weasel.
You think you own this?
You think you own this?
You haven't created
anything in your life apart
from your morning smoothies.
And there you are
thinking you've acquired
an entire field of science.
Do you have any sense
of how many little decisions
it takes to make something?
All you have is one single
path to an idea
that any idiot could have.
And yet there are billions of
other ways of getting there,
you dummy.
I don't have to steal
from the company I built.
I could just make
another one tomorrow.
Do you know what you just did?
I have to call security now
because you just made this ugly.
Lucas, what are you--
Ellie.
No.
Ellie, listen.
Please don't do this.
There's no version of
me that doesn't love
every version of you.
Maybe some of them stay
and try to convince you
to love them.
Maybe some of them are willing
to settle for what we have,
but you don't want that.
And there isn't a version
of me that wouldn't die
for what you want.
I'm gonna walk through
the door and God, I don't--
God, I hope--
I hope he comes out.
You-- you-- you don't know that.
But--
No, he will.
He will.
He'll come through.
If he's anything like me,
he'll come back for you.
Stop this now!
Listen to me.
If you wanna fire me, fine.
But if you want your
precious mascot to please
all your shareholders,
you need Lucas Bello.
I have Lucas Bello.
Not that one.
Are you telling me
this isn't Lucas Bello?
That's what I'm telling you.
Now, do your PR team
a favor and let me fix this.
Go ahead.
What, did you think I
would keep him here?
Thank you.
T-minus one minute
to initiation.
Let's go, lovebirds.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Taking position.
Stepping through
in 5, 4, 3,
2, 1.
Can I have my ring back?
Yeah.
-Hi.
-Hi.