Time After Time (2017) s01e06 Episode Script
Caught Up In Circles
1 H.
G.
: My name is H.
G.
Wells.
My friend John is Jack the Ripper.
He's escaped from 1893 in my time machine, and I am the only one who can catch him.
[Electricity crackling.]
Henry Ayers Mother, Pauline.
Father John Stevenson.
Henry! John's gone back to Paris to save his son's life.
Brooke: I've developed an enhancement drug from his own genetic makeup.
900 pounds means he has He has the strength of six men.
Dr.
Meyers, what can you tell me? Cedric: Your father was a brilliant scientist, but he didn't do the original research.
Gah! There was no name on the files other than "Utopia.
" There's still time to stop it all if Vanessa But her family destroyed ours.
Don't forget that.
Henry! Henry! [Explosion.]
H.
G.
, wake up! Help him! - Why would I? - Help me get him to the time machine.
- I am not going back.
- Please.
H.
G.
: You really should let me get up.
No, you need to rest.
What I need is a kiss.
[Knocking at door.]
Come in.
You look much better.
How are you feeling? Sore, but alive, thanks to you, Jane, and John, it seems.
The man is full of surprises.
But I have another one for you.
Project Utopia So you know what it is? No, but I went to visit an old colleague of my father's, and he said that this was all the research my father used to build Anders Enterprises, except it wasn't his.
He stole it from another scientist.
- Who was the other scientist? - I don't know.
His name isn't in any of the files, but look whose name is.
John Stevenson? Project Utopia's about John? How is that possible? There's bloodwork and a genome code of some sort.
This file is dated 1980.
John has never been to 1980.
Not yet, anyway.
Maybe the project hasn't even happened yet.
Either way, there are people in this time period who know about it.
I found my father's colleague dead after we spoke.
Oh, God.
They ruled it heart failure.
The timing is suspicious.
How do we find out who created Utopia? What it means? Why don't we start with John? Perhaps he can tell us something.
Mm.
We have John locked in the spare room.
And we've removed anything sharp or dangerous.
He's been cuffed and chained to the wall.
So don't go beyond the chair, and you'll stay out of his reach.
If you need us, holler.
[Door closes.]
See you're alive and well.
Yes.
Thank you.
No, thank you for rewarding my good behavior so handsomely.
There's something urgent that I must discuss with you.
Take these chains off first.
One act of decency cannot undo your sins.
[Snarling.]
I saved your life! You want my help? Go to hell.
To await your arrival, no doubt.
Why did you save my life, John? Why not let me die? 'Cause we were friends once.
We still are.
But you can't get past the disappointment of your failed ideology to accept that.
I'm well aware of my disappointment, John.
I'm staring at it.
You're also staring at the man who saved your life.
Obviously.
Because you need me alive as your ticket to the time machine.
Or is it something else? [Scoffs.]
This isn't one of our chess matches.
There's no need to sacrifice my rook for your knight.
Mm.
I always did fall for that move.
Because you have a perception problem.
To you, everything is left and right, good or bad, black or white.
This world isn't so rigid.
It's a nasty, messy place.
And to survive, you must be willing to soil your hands, take advantage when need be.
What about when someone takes advantage of you? [Sighs.]
I'm not sure I follow.
We have discovered that someone is conducting medical research based on your DNA, and we don't know who, but it's part of a Project Utopia.
Have you heard that name before? Utopia? Sounds like something you would make up.
I can assure you, it isn't.
John, there are people out there who know about us.
Wait Come to think of it, I did encounter someone with a medical interest in me, oh, a few days ago.
You know what else they want? Your time machine.
Do hope it's in a safe place.
Who is it, John? Tell me.
You know I can't do that.
It appears we have a bit of a stalemate, old friend.
You want information, I want my freedom.
Who shall bend first, I wonder? The people behind this They're very dangerous, perhaps more dangerous than you.
I'm fully aware of how dangerous they are.
But I assure you, there is no one here more dangerous than me.
[Clock ticking.]
You feel okay? It's burning some.
It's just the restriction enzymes as they enter the bloodstream.
That's what's modifying your genetic code.
The pain will subside.
[Door opens.]
You guys sit tight.
How's Wells? He's fine.
He bumped his head.
And where's John? Vanessa has him locked up.
Not exactly sure where, but he's in the house.
I could have told you all of this over the phone.
So why did you summon me? Because we need to move right away.
You mean today? Everything we want is under one roof Wells, John, and the time machine.
We can get everything all at once.
- Yes, but - Okay, wait, I'm sorry.
Is this putting a wrinkle in your schedule? John knows me.
Vanessa and Wells know about Project Utopia.
It's only a matter of time before they all start talking.
So you need to stop dragging your feet.
We're ready.
Okay.
Today's the day.
What do I have to do? Did John tell you anything? Very little.
He claims to know more, but refuses to say unless we free him.
He may be telling the truth, I don't know.
I'm gonna bring this to my team, see if my scientists can make heads or tails of it.
I'm not sure that's wise.
Well, I'm willing to take the risk.
We need answers more than I need to spare my father's name.
Your father didn't just steal the research, Vanessa.
He killed for it.
Your father murdered Robert Holland in order to obtain it.
My father did what? When Jane and I went to your parents' home in 1980 we saw your father kill Robert Holland.
Your father didn't have the money to pay Robert what he wanted for the stolen research, and there was a fight.
He killed him and covered it up.
And saved his company.
And I know we should have told you sooner, but you You held your father in such high regard, and I didn't want to destroy him in your eyes.
I'm so sorry.
This is why it's imperative we find who created Project Utopia.
[Footsteps approaching.]
So sorry to interrupt, but I was looking through all the patients' names on the test files, and it turns out they're all deceased.
But then I found a woman's signature, a nurse who worked on the project, Phyllis Johnson.
- She's still alive? - Yes.
She's retired, 68, lives in Harrison, New York, just about an hour from here.
I think I know someone I can ask about the files, someone not connected to my company.
Jane and I will speak to Miss Johnson.
We will get to the bottom of this.
Thank you.
This is it.
It's rather eerie, wouldn't you say? At least they don't have to decorate for Halloween.
Ah, yes, All Hallows' Eve.
Do people still bob for apples? Not if we can help it.
[Knock on door.]
[Locks rattle.]
[Door creaks.]
Can I help you? Hello, uh, I'm Jane Walker, and this is George Wells.
We're here to see Ms.
Johnson.
Hi, I'm Sam.
I wasn't aware she was expecting guests.
She's not.
We just have a few questions for Miss Johnson regarding work she did on a research project a few years ago.
It's for academia's sake.
I see.
Oh, she loves to talk, but I'm not sure she'll be much help.
Advanced dementia.
Some days you can't reach her at all.
We'd still love to try.
Okay.
So, she doesn't get too many visitors, and, like I said before, she gets confused very easily, so don't overwhelm her with too many questions.
She gets agitated.
It's the meds.
It's the only way to keep her from wandering off.
Ms.
Johnson.
You have visitors.
[TV plays indistinctly.]
Hello.
Hello, Ms.
Johnson.
I'll be in the next room.
[Cellphone rings.]
Hello? Dr.
Monroe, it's Sam.
Ms.
Johnson just received two guests A woman named Jane and a man named George.
[Sighs.]
Sam, I'm gonna need you to do something for me.
Anything, Dr.
Monroe.
I worked on many research projects for many different physicians.
Miss Johnson, would you mind taking a look at this document? Is that your signature there? Yes.
It's my signature.
Do you remember working on this particular research project? I'm retired now.
Yes, we we realize that.
Did you work on a project called Utopia? H.
G.
Wells.
You know me? H.
G.
Wells.
I've read every one of his books.
Wells wrote of Utopia in "The Time Machine.
" But my favorite book is this one "The Island of Doctor Moreau.
" Why is that your favorite book, Ms.
Johnson? Because it's about me.
How is it about you? The dangers of science.
You're talking about your research.
Do you remember which doctor you worked for? I can't say.
[Coughing, wheezing.]
Ms.
Johnson, are you okay? Yes, thank you.
I-I need a minute.
[Wheezing.]
I got a call from Sam.
Wells showed up at Phyllis Johnson's house today.
What, how'd he find her? Is she lucid enough to talk? She's gotten better recently.
Tell me you're not experimenting on an old lady.
Sam will bring Wells to us.
We need to move now.
Brooke, thank you so much for coming and agreeing to look at the medical file.
It's my pleasure, Vanessa, really.
I wish I could explain all of this to you.
Griffin said that discretion is very important.
Well, I've got some phone calls to make.
- I'll leave you ladies to it.
- Thank you, sweetie.
Yeah.
[Ominous tone plays.]
[Lock beeps, clicks.]
[Computer beeping.]
[Door opens.]
Yeah? No, I'd love a sit-down with Heller.
Does he have time this week? He's essential to get on our side.
I'll just be a second.
Do you mind? - I'll just drop my stuff.
- Thanks.
No, of course.
Right.
No, I agree.
Right.
Absolutely, the 3rd is perfect.
Talk to you soon.
[Laughs.]
Sorry about that, Martin.
I came in looking for Wells and got a phone call.
H.
G.
had to run out.
He asked me to come in and do some work.
Really? Anything special? That's confidential.
I signed a non-disclosure with Ms.
Anders.
Let me get out of your way.
Phyllis: I was the phlebologist.
I would collect all the samples.
Right, but who were you working for? When? I-I-I'm sorry.
What were we talking about? You were talking about Utopia.
Do you remember which doctor you worked for? Oh, I don't know if I can talk about that.
Can I? Oh, I get so confused these days.
Please, Miss Johnson, think.
Who created Project Utopia? He died a long time ago.
But who was he? Well, I can't tell you, Mr.
Wells.
Why not? Because one should never know the future before it happens.
What does that mean? We just want a name.
Well, I suppose it doesn't matter now.
Monroe His name was Dr.
Monroe.
Monroe.
As in Griffin Monroe? Yes, that's his son.
And his daughter is a doctor, Brooke Monroe? She's my doctor, yes.
She's so good to me.
She comes by every week to give me my medication.
[Coughing, wheezing.]
Brooke and Griffin's father created Project Utopia.
The research Vanessa's father killed for.
[Coughing, wheezing.]
Ms.
Johnson, are okay? I'll get Sam.
You call Vanessa, you warn her.
Sam? [Ominous tone plays.]
Excuse me, sir.
Hello? Ugh! [Crashing.]
[Gasps.]
[Menacing.]
Where are you going? I need to leave now.
You can't change the future.
I understand that.
Do you? Ahh! [Grunting.]
Please, Ms.
Johnson.
Ah! Ah! Ugh! Phyllis: It was, um I'm sorry, it's the pills.
[Groans.]
H.
G.
! Oh! Are you okay? Oh, my head.
The man's a beast.
- [Grunts.]
- We have to warn Vanessa.
Right.
[Cellphone ringing.]
She's not picking up.
Keep trying to call her.
And you don't know who John Stevenson was? Not a clue.
Thank you.
I'm having trouble making sense of some of the DNA encoding in the file.
Do you have any idea what the research is about? It's very complicated, and some of it might be encrypted.
Is there any other work that came with it? No.
That's all I have.
I'm gonna have to study it a bit more.
Is there somewhere I can set up my laptop? Yeah.
How about the dining room? It's this way.
[Cellphone vibrates.]
Hey, Carl.
- How's it going? - Hey.
What's on your hand? [Groans.]
Oof! [Thud.]
[Dart gun fires.]
[Grunts.]
[Grunting.]
Brooke: The numbers seem to be an equation for removing trace elements from DNA sequences, but How's it going? Can I help? It's over your head, big brother.
Mine, too.
If I only I knew the methodology behind the experiment.
Um, perhaps there's something else in the files or the laptop that could help.
Oh, I thought there was no more research.
I'm sorry, Brooke.
I'm just not able to share that information.
Sweetheart, if this really is as important as you say it is.
No, Vanessa, if there's something I'm not supposed to know, I completely understand.
[Sighs.]
Vanessa, Brooke is my sister.
You can trust her.
[Door opens.]
There's more in the office.
I'll go get it.
H.
G.
, Jane, is everything all right? Uh, Vanessa, may I speak to you in private? It's important.
I'm sorry.
I'll be just a minute.
[Sighs.]
I thought Sam had them.
Obviously something went wrong.
Did you download the override program into the time machine? Where are you going? To get what I came for.
What about the rest of Cedric's files? It's all evidence.
You get the files.
They figured us out.
We have to move now.
Robert Holland stole research from Dr.
Monroe? Dr.
Monroe died years ago.
And now Brooke is continuing her father's research.
Why are they doing this? Griffin and I have been together for over two years.
This would mean that it's all been a lie.
No, there has to be another explanation.
Vanessa, wait.
Where are they? The time machine We have to stop them.
Vanessa, I'm so sorry.
It's okay.
Go.
Go check the time machine.
Vanessa, wait.
They are very dangerous.
No, go.
I'll get Doug.
Go find them.
Checked the basement, no sign of Stevenson.
He's here somewhere.
Search the first floor and meet me upstairs.
[Phone rings.]
Alex? Cut the power.
[Ominous tone plays.]
Doug? He has a pulse.
What is that? A tranquilizer dart.
We have to go.
Mm! H.
G.
? Where are you? [Muffled grunting.]
Agh! Ah! [Gun cocks.]
Move.
[Ominous tone plays.]
[Keys rattle.]
[Suspenseful music plays.]
[Breathing heavily.]
Shh.
[Click.]
What is that? Emergency generator.
What's going on out there? They want the time machine.
Who does? Griffin and his sister Brooke.
Oh, Brooke Monroe She wants more than that.
This one's locked and steel-plated.
He must be in there.
[Banging.]
They know we're here.
[Banging continues.]
Jane.
Give me the keys.
You know I can't do that.
[Drill whirs.]
They will not hesitate to kill you.
Neither would you.
[Whirring continues.]
Get under the bed.
What? You heard me Get under the bed.
[Whirring continues.]
Jane.
You have to trust me now, Jane.
[Ominous music plays.]
[Door opens.]
Hello, John.
Oh, hello again, Brooke.
So nice to see you.
It's good to see you, as well.
What are two here for? Project Utopia? So you know about that.
Well, I know that you tied me up and took my blood, my DNA, and God knows what else.
We don't have time for this.
Nick.
[Link snaps.]
See you brought your friend.
[Ominous tone plays.]
So, where to next? Anywhere but here, surely.
Let's go.
Ah.
So what do you have lined up for me this time around? Some more leather straps and chains? You'll see.
Good, we're all together.
Hello, Mr.
Wells.
Now, if you'll just follow me to the time machine.
I think not.
Then I'll have to kill you.
I think not.
You've gone through a lot of trouble not to kill us.
He makes a good point.
All right, enough.
Let's go.
And here we are, H.
G.
, another stalemate.
Unless you want to move your rook.
Ah! Oof! Ugh! Alex, the time machine.
[Grunting.]
[Groaning.]
[Choking.]
Aahhh.
Aahhh! [Gasping.]
Well, suppose we're even now.
He's alive.
Brooke is going to try to take the time machine.
Well, we can't let her do that.
You'll help me stop her? I'll do more than that.
John.
He's waking up.
That's impossible.
Go.
Stop Brooke.
John, I can't allow you to kill this man.
You're really concerned for him? You must be joking.
Meet me in the ballroom.
Wait.
How do I know I can trust you? You don't.
Doug? Doug? Anyone? [Shuffling.]
Vanessa.
[Chuckles.]
This has just gotten out of control.
I didn't want things to go this far.
You're looking for the files.
My father's life was stolen from him.
He died in disgrace.
Project Utopia was his.
How can you blame me for something my father did 30 years ago? Sweetheart, I am not blaming you.
But it's time to make things right.
Now, where are the files? I give them to you, then what? When Brooke gets the time machine, H.
G.
Wells, and John Stevenson, I'm done.
Then you and I can go back to our lives.
You're insane.
I'm not giving you anything, and you're not taking the time machine.
I really do love you, Vanessa.
Griffin.
That's why this is so hard to do.
Ah! Shh, shh.
Vanessa, come on.
[Muffled screaming.]
Ah! I'm sorry.
Go to hell.
Griffin! Griffin! Open the door! [Beeping.]
They must have changed the passcode.
[Pounding on door.]
Door's been reinforced.
Can you blow it open? Yes, ma'am.
Damn it.
Go get her.
[Ominous music plays.]
Smart move.
You had someone take the time machine to another location.
Your father, Dr.
Monroe, he created Project Utopia.
What was his research about? His dreams were similar to yours.
He wanted to improve upon the weaknesses of the human race.
Except your methods are immoral.
You obviously have a narrow way of seeing things.
Your men, their strength is enhanced.
How? Is that what this research is about? It's much bigger than that.
The woman you met today, Phyllis, she's alive because of the drug therapy my father created years ago.
And I'm continuing it.
What has it got to do with me and John? How about this? I'll tell you everything you want to know if you tell me where the time machine is.
It's somewhere you'll never find it.
Hmm.
Well, then, you may as well have just killed Jane yourself.
Where is she? I'm sure my men have found her by now.
Oof! Where's Jane? I haven't the slightest.
I was a bit indisposed.
Jane's in danger.
[Suspenseful music plays.]
[Sighs.]
Jane.
Oh.
[Tense music plays.]
Don't be alarmed John is with us.
But you're fine, you're all right? - You haven't been harmed? - Fine.
What about the time machine? Martin took it to the secure location I discussed with him.
It's safe.
Everything's fine.
John killed Nick.
Don't worry.
This isn't over.
What are you going to do with him? Best we don't discuss that, sir.
Is there something you wish to say to me, Jane? You didn't have to kill that man.
I assure you, I most certainly did.
And I wouldn't have been able to kill the bastard without Wells' help.
Although despicable, John's actions did most likely save our lives.
Oh, things aren't so black and white after all, are they, H.
G.
? We searched the entire house.
I found Vanessa's phone, but she isn't here.
Perhaps she fled to safety? She would never have left you, and she would have checked in with me by now.
[Sighs.]
Clever, clever girl.
[Door opens.]
Why did you take Vanessa? That was never part of the plan.
I had to improvise.
Wells moved the time machine.
I can't override it if I don't know where it is.
Where is she? Why? You want to se her? I doubt she wants to see you.
If you've hurt her We lost our best chance of getting the time machine, and Vanessa is all you're worried about? Let me talk to her.
Maybe I can convince her to help us.
Oh, God, you couldn't be more delusional.
She knows everything now.
Your little romance is over.
You swore we could do this without Vanessa knowing I was involved.
You really believed that? You really thought that we could just take the time machine and she would go back to stuffing envelopes for your big Senate campaign? You were going to torpedo my life from the very start.
Your life was a fantasy.
And yours isn't? Down here with your Frankenstein experiments? Those are Daddy's experiments.
All these years I have put up with this obsession, but I am done sacrificing everything for a dead man.
Alex.
Show my brother out.
[Ominous tone plays.]
So you'll turn against me, too? What would Daddy think about that? Don't be melodramatic.
Go home and get some rest.
Tomorrow's a big day.
H.
G.
: Vanessa's in grave danger.
Griffin is a deceitful charlatan.
He and his sister are capable of anything.
You're right about that.
I suspect they'll want to exchange her for the time machine.
- And for the both of us.
I've been in Brooke's clutches before.
Not an entirely pleasurable experience, started off well, but Mysterious doctor, strange human experiments I think it's all what you based your novel on.
Except for Vanessa getting kidnapped That really isn't in here.
Yes, we're also not on an island.
Sure we are.
Manhattan is an island.
May I see that please? No, we discussed this.
You won't write it the same way if you read it now.
But there could be clues inside.
That's why I'm reading it.
[Cellphone rings.]
Vanessa's phone.
It's Brooke.
Hello? H.
G.
Wells.
I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to talk more earlier.
When and where do you want to make the exchange? Well, see how easy this is.
I'll call you back with more details.
You are not gonna do this.
She might kill Vanessa anyway.
John: She's right about that.
Brooke Monroe is not bound by the same moral code as you.
Fortunately, neither am I.
So you're going to continue to help us.
First time, H.
G.
, it appears our goals are aligned.
[Suspenseful music plays.]
G.
: My name is H.
G.
Wells.
My friend John is Jack the Ripper.
He's escaped from 1893 in my time machine, and I am the only one who can catch him.
[Electricity crackling.]
Henry Ayers Mother, Pauline.
Father John Stevenson.
Henry! John's gone back to Paris to save his son's life.
Brooke: I've developed an enhancement drug from his own genetic makeup.
900 pounds means he has He has the strength of six men.
Dr.
Meyers, what can you tell me? Cedric: Your father was a brilliant scientist, but he didn't do the original research.
Gah! There was no name on the files other than "Utopia.
" There's still time to stop it all if Vanessa But her family destroyed ours.
Don't forget that.
Henry! Henry! [Explosion.]
H.
G.
, wake up! Help him! - Why would I? - Help me get him to the time machine.
- I am not going back.
- Please.
H.
G.
: You really should let me get up.
No, you need to rest.
What I need is a kiss.
[Knocking at door.]
Come in.
You look much better.
How are you feeling? Sore, but alive, thanks to you, Jane, and John, it seems.
The man is full of surprises.
But I have another one for you.
Project Utopia So you know what it is? No, but I went to visit an old colleague of my father's, and he said that this was all the research my father used to build Anders Enterprises, except it wasn't his.
He stole it from another scientist.
- Who was the other scientist? - I don't know.
His name isn't in any of the files, but look whose name is.
John Stevenson? Project Utopia's about John? How is that possible? There's bloodwork and a genome code of some sort.
This file is dated 1980.
John has never been to 1980.
Not yet, anyway.
Maybe the project hasn't even happened yet.
Either way, there are people in this time period who know about it.
I found my father's colleague dead after we spoke.
Oh, God.
They ruled it heart failure.
The timing is suspicious.
How do we find out who created Utopia? What it means? Why don't we start with John? Perhaps he can tell us something.
Mm.
We have John locked in the spare room.
And we've removed anything sharp or dangerous.
He's been cuffed and chained to the wall.
So don't go beyond the chair, and you'll stay out of his reach.
If you need us, holler.
[Door closes.]
See you're alive and well.
Yes.
Thank you.
No, thank you for rewarding my good behavior so handsomely.
There's something urgent that I must discuss with you.
Take these chains off first.
One act of decency cannot undo your sins.
[Snarling.]
I saved your life! You want my help? Go to hell.
To await your arrival, no doubt.
Why did you save my life, John? Why not let me die? 'Cause we were friends once.
We still are.
But you can't get past the disappointment of your failed ideology to accept that.
I'm well aware of my disappointment, John.
I'm staring at it.
You're also staring at the man who saved your life.
Obviously.
Because you need me alive as your ticket to the time machine.
Or is it something else? [Scoffs.]
This isn't one of our chess matches.
There's no need to sacrifice my rook for your knight.
Mm.
I always did fall for that move.
Because you have a perception problem.
To you, everything is left and right, good or bad, black or white.
This world isn't so rigid.
It's a nasty, messy place.
And to survive, you must be willing to soil your hands, take advantage when need be.
What about when someone takes advantage of you? [Sighs.]
I'm not sure I follow.
We have discovered that someone is conducting medical research based on your DNA, and we don't know who, but it's part of a Project Utopia.
Have you heard that name before? Utopia? Sounds like something you would make up.
I can assure you, it isn't.
John, there are people out there who know about us.
Wait Come to think of it, I did encounter someone with a medical interest in me, oh, a few days ago.
You know what else they want? Your time machine.
Do hope it's in a safe place.
Who is it, John? Tell me.
You know I can't do that.
It appears we have a bit of a stalemate, old friend.
You want information, I want my freedom.
Who shall bend first, I wonder? The people behind this They're very dangerous, perhaps more dangerous than you.
I'm fully aware of how dangerous they are.
But I assure you, there is no one here more dangerous than me.
[Clock ticking.]
You feel okay? It's burning some.
It's just the restriction enzymes as they enter the bloodstream.
That's what's modifying your genetic code.
The pain will subside.
[Door opens.]
You guys sit tight.
How's Wells? He's fine.
He bumped his head.
And where's John? Vanessa has him locked up.
Not exactly sure where, but he's in the house.
I could have told you all of this over the phone.
So why did you summon me? Because we need to move right away.
You mean today? Everything we want is under one roof Wells, John, and the time machine.
We can get everything all at once.
- Yes, but - Okay, wait, I'm sorry.
Is this putting a wrinkle in your schedule? John knows me.
Vanessa and Wells know about Project Utopia.
It's only a matter of time before they all start talking.
So you need to stop dragging your feet.
We're ready.
Okay.
Today's the day.
What do I have to do? Did John tell you anything? Very little.
He claims to know more, but refuses to say unless we free him.
He may be telling the truth, I don't know.
I'm gonna bring this to my team, see if my scientists can make heads or tails of it.
I'm not sure that's wise.
Well, I'm willing to take the risk.
We need answers more than I need to spare my father's name.
Your father didn't just steal the research, Vanessa.
He killed for it.
Your father murdered Robert Holland in order to obtain it.
My father did what? When Jane and I went to your parents' home in 1980 we saw your father kill Robert Holland.
Your father didn't have the money to pay Robert what he wanted for the stolen research, and there was a fight.
He killed him and covered it up.
And saved his company.
And I know we should have told you sooner, but you You held your father in such high regard, and I didn't want to destroy him in your eyes.
I'm so sorry.
This is why it's imperative we find who created Project Utopia.
[Footsteps approaching.]
So sorry to interrupt, but I was looking through all the patients' names on the test files, and it turns out they're all deceased.
But then I found a woman's signature, a nurse who worked on the project, Phyllis Johnson.
- She's still alive? - Yes.
She's retired, 68, lives in Harrison, New York, just about an hour from here.
I think I know someone I can ask about the files, someone not connected to my company.
Jane and I will speak to Miss Johnson.
We will get to the bottom of this.
Thank you.
This is it.
It's rather eerie, wouldn't you say? At least they don't have to decorate for Halloween.
Ah, yes, All Hallows' Eve.
Do people still bob for apples? Not if we can help it.
[Knock on door.]
[Locks rattle.]
[Door creaks.]
Can I help you? Hello, uh, I'm Jane Walker, and this is George Wells.
We're here to see Ms.
Johnson.
Hi, I'm Sam.
I wasn't aware she was expecting guests.
She's not.
We just have a few questions for Miss Johnson regarding work she did on a research project a few years ago.
It's for academia's sake.
I see.
Oh, she loves to talk, but I'm not sure she'll be much help.
Advanced dementia.
Some days you can't reach her at all.
We'd still love to try.
Okay.
So, she doesn't get too many visitors, and, like I said before, she gets confused very easily, so don't overwhelm her with too many questions.
She gets agitated.
It's the meds.
It's the only way to keep her from wandering off.
Ms.
Johnson.
You have visitors.
[TV plays indistinctly.]
Hello.
Hello, Ms.
Johnson.
I'll be in the next room.
[Cellphone rings.]
Hello? Dr.
Monroe, it's Sam.
Ms.
Johnson just received two guests A woman named Jane and a man named George.
[Sighs.]
Sam, I'm gonna need you to do something for me.
Anything, Dr.
Monroe.
I worked on many research projects for many different physicians.
Miss Johnson, would you mind taking a look at this document? Is that your signature there? Yes.
It's my signature.
Do you remember working on this particular research project? I'm retired now.
Yes, we we realize that.
Did you work on a project called Utopia? H.
G.
Wells.
You know me? H.
G.
Wells.
I've read every one of his books.
Wells wrote of Utopia in "The Time Machine.
" But my favorite book is this one "The Island of Doctor Moreau.
" Why is that your favorite book, Ms.
Johnson? Because it's about me.
How is it about you? The dangers of science.
You're talking about your research.
Do you remember which doctor you worked for? I can't say.
[Coughing, wheezing.]
Ms.
Johnson, are you okay? Yes, thank you.
I-I need a minute.
[Wheezing.]
I got a call from Sam.
Wells showed up at Phyllis Johnson's house today.
What, how'd he find her? Is she lucid enough to talk? She's gotten better recently.
Tell me you're not experimenting on an old lady.
Sam will bring Wells to us.
We need to move now.
Brooke, thank you so much for coming and agreeing to look at the medical file.
It's my pleasure, Vanessa, really.
I wish I could explain all of this to you.
Griffin said that discretion is very important.
Well, I've got some phone calls to make.
- I'll leave you ladies to it.
- Thank you, sweetie.
Yeah.
[Ominous tone plays.]
[Lock beeps, clicks.]
[Computer beeping.]
[Door opens.]
Yeah? No, I'd love a sit-down with Heller.
Does he have time this week? He's essential to get on our side.
I'll just be a second.
Do you mind? - I'll just drop my stuff.
- Thanks.
No, of course.
Right.
No, I agree.
Right.
Absolutely, the 3rd is perfect.
Talk to you soon.
[Laughs.]
Sorry about that, Martin.
I came in looking for Wells and got a phone call.
H.
G.
had to run out.
He asked me to come in and do some work.
Really? Anything special? That's confidential.
I signed a non-disclosure with Ms.
Anders.
Let me get out of your way.
Phyllis: I was the phlebologist.
I would collect all the samples.
Right, but who were you working for? When? I-I-I'm sorry.
What were we talking about? You were talking about Utopia.
Do you remember which doctor you worked for? Oh, I don't know if I can talk about that.
Can I? Oh, I get so confused these days.
Please, Miss Johnson, think.
Who created Project Utopia? He died a long time ago.
But who was he? Well, I can't tell you, Mr.
Wells.
Why not? Because one should never know the future before it happens.
What does that mean? We just want a name.
Well, I suppose it doesn't matter now.
Monroe His name was Dr.
Monroe.
Monroe.
As in Griffin Monroe? Yes, that's his son.
And his daughter is a doctor, Brooke Monroe? She's my doctor, yes.
She's so good to me.
She comes by every week to give me my medication.
[Coughing, wheezing.]
Brooke and Griffin's father created Project Utopia.
The research Vanessa's father killed for.
[Coughing, wheezing.]
Ms.
Johnson, are okay? I'll get Sam.
You call Vanessa, you warn her.
Sam? [Ominous tone plays.]
Excuse me, sir.
Hello? Ugh! [Crashing.]
[Gasps.]
[Menacing.]
Where are you going? I need to leave now.
You can't change the future.
I understand that.
Do you? Ahh! [Grunting.]
Please, Ms.
Johnson.
Ah! Ah! Ugh! Phyllis: It was, um I'm sorry, it's the pills.
[Groans.]
H.
G.
! Oh! Are you okay? Oh, my head.
The man's a beast.
- [Grunts.]
- We have to warn Vanessa.
Right.
[Cellphone ringing.]
She's not picking up.
Keep trying to call her.
And you don't know who John Stevenson was? Not a clue.
Thank you.
I'm having trouble making sense of some of the DNA encoding in the file.
Do you have any idea what the research is about? It's very complicated, and some of it might be encrypted.
Is there any other work that came with it? No.
That's all I have.
I'm gonna have to study it a bit more.
Is there somewhere I can set up my laptop? Yeah.
How about the dining room? It's this way.
[Cellphone vibrates.]
Hey, Carl.
- How's it going? - Hey.
What's on your hand? [Groans.]
Oof! [Thud.]
[Dart gun fires.]
[Grunts.]
[Grunting.]
Brooke: The numbers seem to be an equation for removing trace elements from DNA sequences, but How's it going? Can I help? It's over your head, big brother.
Mine, too.
If I only I knew the methodology behind the experiment.
Um, perhaps there's something else in the files or the laptop that could help.
Oh, I thought there was no more research.
I'm sorry, Brooke.
I'm just not able to share that information.
Sweetheart, if this really is as important as you say it is.
No, Vanessa, if there's something I'm not supposed to know, I completely understand.
[Sighs.]
Vanessa, Brooke is my sister.
You can trust her.
[Door opens.]
There's more in the office.
I'll go get it.
H.
G.
, Jane, is everything all right? Uh, Vanessa, may I speak to you in private? It's important.
I'm sorry.
I'll be just a minute.
[Sighs.]
I thought Sam had them.
Obviously something went wrong.
Did you download the override program into the time machine? Where are you going? To get what I came for.
What about the rest of Cedric's files? It's all evidence.
You get the files.
They figured us out.
We have to move now.
Robert Holland stole research from Dr.
Monroe? Dr.
Monroe died years ago.
And now Brooke is continuing her father's research.
Why are they doing this? Griffin and I have been together for over two years.
This would mean that it's all been a lie.
No, there has to be another explanation.
Vanessa, wait.
Where are they? The time machine We have to stop them.
Vanessa, I'm so sorry.
It's okay.
Go.
Go check the time machine.
Vanessa, wait.
They are very dangerous.
No, go.
I'll get Doug.
Go find them.
Checked the basement, no sign of Stevenson.
He's here somewhere.
Search the first floor and meet me upstairs.
[Phone rings.]
Alex? Cut the power.
[Ominous tone plays.]
Doug? He has a pulse.
What is that? A tranquilizer dart.
We have to go.
Mm! H.
G.
? Where are you? [Muffled grunting.]
Agh! Ah! [Gun cocks.]
Move.
[Ominous tone plays.]
[Keys rattle.]
[Suspenseful music plays.]
[Breathing heavily.]
Shh.
[Click.]
What is that? Emergency generator.
What's going on out there? They want the time machine.
Who does? Griffin and his sister Brooke.
Oh, Brooke Monroe She wants more than that.
This one's locked and steel-plated.
He must be in there.
[Banging.]
They know we're here.
[Banging continues.]
Jane.
Give me the keys.
You know I can't do that.
[Drill whirs.]
They will not hesitate to kill you.
Neither would you.
[Whirring continues.]
Get under the bed.
What? You heard me Get under the bed.
[Whirring continues.]
Jane.
You have to trust me now, Jane.
[Ominous music plays.]
[Door opens.]
Hello, John.
Oh, hello again, Brooke.
So nice to see you.
It's good to see you, as well.
What are two here for? Project Utopia? So you know about that.
Well, I know that you tied me up and took my blood, my DNA, and God knows what else.
We don't have time for this.
Nick.
[Link snaps.]
See you brought your friend.
[Ominous tone plays.]
So, where to next? Anywhere but here, surely.
Let's go.
Ah.
So what do you have lined up for me this time around? Some more leather straps and chains? You'll see.
Good, we're all together.
Hello, Mr.
Wells.
Now, if you'll just follow me to the time machine.
I think not.
Then I'll have to kill you.
I think not.
You've gone through a lot of trouble not to kill us.
He makes a good point.
All right, enough.
Let's go.
And here we are, H.
G.
, another stalemate.
Unless you want to move your rook.
Ah! Oof! Ugh! Alex, the time machine.
[Grunting.]
[Groaning.]
[Choking.]
Aahhh.
Aahhh! [Gasping.]
Well, suppose we're even now.
He's alive.
Brooke is going to try to take the time machine.
Well, we can't let her do that.
You'll help me stop her? I'll do more than that.
John.
He's waking up.
That's impossible.
Go.
Stop Brooke.
John, I can't allow you to kill this man.
You're really concerned for him? You must be joking.
Meet me in the ballroom.
Wait.
How do I know I can trust you? You don't.
Doug? Doug? Anyone? [Shuffling.]
Vanessa.
[Chuckles.]
This has just gotten out of control.
I didn't want things to go this far.
You're looking for the files.
My father's life was stolen from him.
He died in disgrace.
Project Utopia was his.
How can you blame me for something my father did 30 years ago? Sweetheart, I am not blaming you.
But it's time to make things right.
Now, where are the files? I give them to you, then what? When Brooke gets the time machine, H.
G.
Wells, and John Stevenson, I'm done.
Then you and I can go back to our lives.
You're insane.
I'm not giving you anything, and you're not taking the time machine.
I really do love you, Vanessa.
Griffin.
That's why this is so hard to do.
Ah! Shh, shh.
Vanessa, come on.
[Muffled screaming.]
Ah! I'm sorry.
Go to hell.
Griffin! Griffin! Open the door! [Beeping.]
They must have changed the passcode.
[Pounding on door.]
Door's been reinforced.
Can you blow it open? Yes, ma'am.
Damn it.
Go get her.
[Ominous music plays.]
Smart move.
You had someone take the time machine to another location.
Your father, Dr.
Monroe, he created Project Utopia.
What was his research about? His dreams were similar to yours.
He wanted to improve upon the weaknesses of the human race.
Except your methods are immoral.
You obviously have a narrow way of seeing things.
Your men, their strength is enhanced.
How? Is that what this research is about? It's much bigger than that.
The woman you met today, Phyllis, she's alive because of the drug therapy my father created years ago.
And I'm continuing it.
What has it got to do with me and John? How about this? I'll tell you everything you want to know if you tell me where the time machine is.
It's somewhere you'll never find it.
Hmm.
Well, then, you may as well have just killed Jane yourself.
Where is she? I'm sure my men have found her by now.
Oof! Where's Jane? I haven't the slightest.
I was a bit indisposed.
Jane's in danger.
[Suspenseful music plays.]
[Sighs.]
Jane.
Oh.
[Tense music plays.]
Don't be alarmed John is with us.
But you're fine, you're all right? - You haven't been harmed? - Fine.
What about the time machine? Martin took it to the secure location I discussed with him.
It's safe.
Everything's fine.
John killed Nick.
Don't worry.
This isn't over.
What are you going to do with him? Best we don't discuss that, sir.
Is there something you wish to say to me, Jane? You didn't have to kill that man.
I assure you, I most certainly did.
And I wouldn't have been able to kill the bastard without Wells' help.
Although despicable, John's actions did most likely save our lives.
Oh, things aren't so black and white after all, are they, H.
G.
? We searched the entire house.
I found Vanessa's phone, but she isn't here.
Perhaps she fled to safety? She would never have left you, and she would have checked in with me by now.
[Sighs.]
Clever, clever girl.
[Door opens.]
Why did you take Vanessa? That was never part of the plan.
I had to improvise.
Wells moved the time machine.
I can't override it if I don't know where it is.
Where is she? Why? You want to se her? I doubt she wants to see you.
If you've hurt her We lost our best chance of getting the time machine, and Vanessa is all you're worried about? Let me talk to her.
Maybe I can convince her to help us.
Oh, God, you couldn't be more delusional.
She knows everything now.
Your little romance is over.
You swore we could do this without Vanessa knowing I was involved.
You really believed that? You really thought that we could just take the time machine and she would go back to stuffing envelopes for your big Senate campaign? You were going to torpedo my life from the very start.
Your life was a fantasy.
And yours isn't? Down here with your Frankenstein experiments? Those are Daddy's experiments.
All these years I have put up with this obsession, but I am done sacrificing everything for a dead man.
Alex.
Show my brother out.
[Ominous tone plays.]
So you'll turn against me, too? What would Daddy think about that? Don't be melodramatic.
Go home and get some rest.
Tomorrow's a big day.
H.
G.
: Vanessa's in grave danger.
Griffin is a deceitful charlatan.
He and his sister are capable of anything.
You're right about that.
I suspect they'll want to exchange her for the time machine.
- And for the both of us.
I've been in Brooke's clutches before.
Not an entirely pleasurable experience, started off well, but Mysterious doctor, strange human experiments I think it's all what you based your novel on.
Except for Vanessa getting kidnapped That really isn't in here.
Yes, we're also not on an island.
Sure we are.
Manhattan is an island.
May I see that please? No, we discussed this.
You won't write it the same way if you read it now.
But there could be clues inside.
That's why I'm reading it.
[Cellphone rings.]
Vanessa's phone.
It's Brooke.
Hello? H.
G.
Wells.
I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to talk more earlier.
When and where do you want to make the exchange? Well, see how easy this is.
I'll call you back with more details.
You are not gonna do this.
She might kill Vanessa anyway.
John: She's right about that.
Brooke Monroe is not bound by the same moral code as you.
Fortunately, neither am I.
So you're going to continue to help us.
First time, H.
G.
, it appears our goals are aligned.
[Suspenseful music plays.]