Omni Loop (2024)

[bunniefuu]

You're going to do incredible

things one day, Zoya Lowe.

You're going

to change the world.

And, so what does that mean?

Well, it's...

It... it means just that.

She has a black hole

growing inside of her body.

A black hole?

Yes, a small one,

about the size of a peanut,

right here between her lungs.

Oh, we have a pamphlet here

if you want to take a look.

So, what do we do?

What happens now?

Well, it's...

I'm sorry. Um...

There's not much

we can do for her.

Right now, my advice

is to take her home.

Try to keep her mind off of it.

Try to keep her distracted,

positive.

Just make her feel comfortable.

Comfortable?

How much longer does she have?

It's hard to say.

We honestly don't know.

And if it continues

at this rate, I'd...

I'd say maybe another week.

I'm sorry.

They're watching the game.

Hey, Mom.

How are you doing?

So, it sounds like we're gonna

get to take you home today.

So that'll be nice.

Yeah.

That's great.

Watch your feet!

It says here that it's most

common amongst astronauts

and that people

who have been exposed

to prolonged periods

of intense radiation.

You know, maybe we don't need

to read that right now.

Mom, are you experiencing

any symptoms yet?

It says it can cause

intestinal blockage,

but then also diarrhea.

I bought a new CD, you know?

Um, Soldiers of de Riddem.

Oh, there we go.

It's fine.

You know, I really don't need

a wheelchair.

Are you sure?

I got it right here.

Ah, sh**t.

Just give me one second.

Stupid thing.

You okay?

Yes.

I just don't wanna go

to the publishers tomorrow,

that's all.

Ah! Well,

they want to see you.

I mean, they're probably

super excited

about that last chapter we sent.

What do you got there?

Nothing.

Of course. I mean,

we wouldn't wanna rush you.

Um, I know the last chapter

you sent in was a little...

You guys will pull through this.

I know you will.

I know Zoya. She's a fighter.

Yeah. Thank you.

Definitely. We'll make sure

it gets finished.

We even have

a cover mock-up and everything.

And you said you didn't wanna

make any changes, correct?

Yeah.

All righty.

Then we'll want you

to sign here, and here.

And also here.

Thank you so much.

Don't mention it. It's our job.

The important thing is

that you're able to relax,

enjoy some quality family time.

Yeah.

Thanks.

I will.

Here we are again.

Was that your mother?

Yep.

I wouldn't worry

about her too much.

She's always like that.

I know.

Do you mind if I sit down?

Yeah, sure. Just be careful.

What do you mean?

Oh! Oh, my goodness.

Oh. Well, thank you!

How did you know?

Do you wanna hear a secret?

Sure.

I've done this before.

What do you mean?

I take a pill.

Tomorrow night, I take a pill

and I go back a week.

Back?

Right back to the hospital.

This has all happened before.

So many times before.

What are you sayin'?

I'm saying that

I've lived this week before.

I know what's gonna happen

in every second of every moment

of every day.

Because I've seen it all before.

From the wake up,

to the publishers,

to the lawyers, to the beach.

My mom. My birthday.

All of it.

From the bird sh*t...

To the bocce.

Bocce?

It's always the same.

We've... we've had this

conversation before?

Yes. Well, no.

Usually we talk about

how you see

the same people every day.

How you've been here

for eight years.

How quickly time passes.

Who are you?

It doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter

because you won't remember it.

You won't remember

anything I say.

'Cause tomorrow night

my nose will bleed.

I'll lock myself

in the bathroom.

I'll take another pill.

I'll go back a week.

And I'll see you there.

And I'll say...

"Be careful."

Oh, my goodness. Oh...

Thank you.

How did you know?

Lucky guess.

Very lucky. I'll say.

Thank you.

Don't mention it.

Oh, it's hard.

Wow.

I can't believe

I haven't seen this before.

You have.

You just don't remember.

Oh, wow!

Is that Professor Dulseberg?

- Yeah. Mean, old Dulseberg.

- Jesus.

He was even older

than I remembered.

Mm-hmm.

That was the last day at IGE

before they left for Europe.

Oh. Yeah, look at that,

you even got old Mark in there.

Oh, stop.

What?

Don't act like you didn't have

girlfriends before me.

I mean, I didn't.

Hmm.

- I had dates.

- Yeah.

- I had dinner.

- Sure.

Maybe a movie.

This one of your old textbooks?

Yeah. Chem.

So cute.

You always used to write

your name in 'em like that.

Oh, you always took such good

care of your books, too.

Yeah. They're probably

all outdated by now.

- Surprise!

- Surprise!

Wow! How unexpected.

Yeah, we know

it's not for a couple weeks,

but we thought it might

be fun to surprise you.

- Definitely.

- Oh, and we got presents.

Yes. Yes. Get them.

Oh, wait! She's gotta blow

the candles out first.

- Oh, yeah.

- Blow out the candles.

Yay!

Did you make a wish?

Yeah, yeah, yeah,

you gotta make a wish.

I wish we could do

something different.

What do you mean?

My nose is gonna

start bleeding soon.

- What?

- Wait, are you okay?

- I'm fine.

- Mom, what's going on?

Nothing. Uh, I just have to go

to the bathroom for a second.

I'll be right back.

Here I go again.

Hey, Mom...

How are you doing?

So,

we got some good news.

Yeah.

They're gonna let me

go home, right?

Yeah. They are. Isn't that nice?

Watch your feet.

It says intestinal blockage,

but then also diarrhea.

What're ya lookin' at?

It was a little rough.

Quality family time.

Have you ever gotten

a massage before?

Last week.

Awesome. How was it?

I didn't like the music

and your hands were cold.

He arrived last week in Miami.

This is where they keep him

when he's behind the scenes,

off exhibit.

After that, it's off

to Tampa, Sarasota,

pretty much everywhere.

The hope is to give people

one last chance

to see this majestic creature

before it disappears for good.

I spoke to the...

You wanna hear a spoiler?

The rhino dies this week.

Was that your mother?

I wouldn't worry

about it too much.

She's always like that.

Do you mind if I sit down?

Oh, goodness.

These birds are always sh1tting.

It's hard,

you know?

Seeing the same people

every day.

I've been here eight years.

You forget to be aware

of your surroundings.

You don't really know...

- What?

- I... I can't.

- Can't do what?

- I can't. I can't. I can't.

Are you okay?

Do you need any help?

Oh! Jesus! I'm so sorry.

Oh, yeah.

I'm really sorry. That's...

- No, I'm sorry.

- No!

I wasn't even looking

where I was going.

That's on me.

You're...

you're fine, thank you.

Why do you have this book?

Uh, I picked it.

I've never seen you here before.

Uh...

Where did you get this book?

Well, this is it.

I basically came in here

a few months ago.

Grabbed it.

Didn't really think

anyone would miss it.

I never even knew this was here.

Yeah, I mean, nobody ever really

comes in here, so...

I used to, all the time, with...

with my grandma,

when she first moved in.

I... I think these used

to be my books.

Yeah, that...

that would make sense.

Um, a lot of this stuff here

is donated by the residents,

I mean, upstairs is, like,

completely filled with junk.

Now why would you

choose this book?

I don't know. Trying to study.

I, um, I go to MDC right now,

the... the college.

I'm... I'm working in...

in a lab, so...

- Yeah.

- A lab?

Yeah, um, I'm working under

this guy, Professor Handel.

I don't know if you know him.

He's one of the people

who invented that machine

that shrunk that guy,

the... the nanoscopic man.

- Yeah, so...

- You... you work in the lab?

Yes. Um,

obviously not doing that.

Um, more grunt work,

kind of. But, um...

Yeah, I'm...

I'm actually studying time.

Time?

Yeah. How it, uh...

How it works.

How it moves mostly,

if that makes sense.

Paula Campos?

Yeah, that's, uh,

my name. What's yours?

Zoya. There you are.

I was... I was looking

all over for you.

You ready?

I f*cked it up.

Oh, I thought

that one was pretty good.

No, it's just this beginning

part is really tricky.

- Hmm.

- Uh...

What are you thinking about?

What if there was an answer?

Or, what... what if there was...

a solution for me?

Wouldn't it be worth trying?

What do you mean?

I mean, I've just been thinking

about all the work

I was doing at Princeton,

and all of my research, and...

Zoya.

What?

I mean, are we really having

this conversation again?

And you heard the doctor.

And you heard

what the doctor said.

- What if he's wrong?

- The doctor s...

What if he's wrong?

What if... what if there's

something that he doesn't know?

What if there's something

that we could do

that would make it

so that I don't have to die?

Well, so what, then?

You wanna go test out

all of your old college research

at a... at a lab?

Maybe. Rather than sitting

around here all week.

And what, spending time with us?

Um, that's not what I'm saying.

I'm just saying I... I'm s...

So tired of doing

the same thing day after day!

Hey, listen, I didn't wanna ruin

the surprise.

Surprise!

Surprise!

We know it's not

for a couple more weeks,

but we thought it would

be nice to surprise you.

Definitely. What a surprise.

And we got presents, too.

Yes, get the presents,

get the presents.

No. Um...

No?

Oh, well, she's gotta

blow her candles out first.

No, I think I...

What... what's wrong?

Nothing. Um, I just need

to step outside for a sec.

Why? What's wrong?

Yeah, what's up, Mom? You okay?

Yeah, I just need

to get some fresh air.

And we can do

the presents after.

- Okay. Yeah.

- Okay.

Oh, no.

No, no, your nose is bleeding.

Oh, I... I know.

It... it's... it's fine.

I'll be right back.

Hello?

Paula?

Yeah. Who is this?

It's, uh, Zoya Lowe.

We met yesterday at Carville.

Oh, yeah. Um, how are you?

What's, uh, what... what's up?

Nothing. Um, I'm good.

I just wanted to tell you that,

um, I'm gonna come find you

when I wake up.

I'm sorry?

I'm gonna find you

when I wake up

and we're gonna do this.

Uh, do what?

Something great.

What?

I just wanted you to know.

Ma'am, uh...

- Okay, um, I'll see you soon.

- What?

Hey, Mom.

So, we got some good news.

I know. You can

go sign the paperwork.

I already know.

They said I can

go home. It's fine.

Um... okay...

Well, we'll be right back.

What a play.

You know,

we actually had tickets

for the game tomorrow night.

Hmm. It's gonna be a great one.

Yeah. I think maybe we'll just

go to the beach instead.

What's that?

Fire exit. Someone must have

opened it by accident.

Hey, are you on duty?

Where do you wanna go?

South 4th Street.

- You got money?

- Yeah, why?

Why? You're wearin'

a hospital gown.

Yeah, I'll... I'll...

I'll pay you when I get there.

All right, get in.

Hello?

Oh, no, what do I do now?

Two seconds!

Hi.

Hi.

Paula.

Sorry, do I know you?

Could I have, um,

just a minute of your time?

You were at Carville

visiting your grandma,

and I ran

into you in the garden.

When was this?

Uh, four days

from now, technically.

Right.

Your name is Paula Campos.

You go to school at MDC.

Four days from now, you're gonna

go to Carville Retirement Home

to visit your grandma

and run into me in the...

Sorry, uh,

listen to me, listen to me.

Please.

My name is Zoya Lowe.

Uh, in four days, we meet,

in five days, I'll be dead.

Blood will pour from my nose,

from my ears, and I'm gonna die.

Okay. Uh, you don't look like

you're gonna die.

Yeah, except for

the black hole in my chest,

I'm really pretty healthy.

Yeah, okay, um...

I don't know why

you've come here, but if you...

Because... because y...

you took me to the library.

You showed me where you used

to read with your grandma.

Uh, y...you showed me

where you found my book.

You said you worked in a lab,

and that you were studying time.

And I said I was gonna

come back for you,

and we were gonna do

something great.

And I know all this

because it happened.

Because you were there,

and... and now I'm here,

like I said I would be.

And I... I just really need you

to believe me because it's true.

It's... it's... it's...

it's the truth.

Okay. Okay.

So you know everything

that's gonna happen?

This week. Yes.

How many fingers

am I holding up?

What?

South 4th Street.

Your name is Paula Campos.

My name is Zoya Lowe.

You work in a lab.

I have a black hole in my chest.

I'm from the future.

I know everything

that's gonna happen.

I know that you wanna put

your fingers up right now.

Go ahead. Do it.

Two.

Three.

Now the middle finger.

Now your cat's gonna meow.

And you're gonna ask me,

"Is this really happening

right now?"

And I'm gonna say,

"Yes. Yes, it is."

So you take 'em

just like regular pills?

Pretty much, yeah.

And you think you'll be able

to figure out how they work?

Hopefully.

In the lab. With you.

Very flattering, but, um,

H... h... have you not tried

to work this out before or...

I did, uh, 30 years ago,

but I never could.

Uh, okay, well,

what happened?

I don't know. Life.

You get distracted.

You move on.

You never even notice

you're making

some huge life decision.

Until you blink, look back,

realize you have

nowhere to move on to.

Have you tried maybe taking

multiple pills at the same time?

You know, maybe going back

further, all the way back?

It's not how it works.

I can only take

one pill at a time.

If I take another one now,

nothing happens.

I have to wait until

the other pill leaves my system

until I rejoin

the moment I left.

But you think

if you can break it down,

you'll be able to tweak it?

I do.

Then I can actually go back.

Back to when I was your age,

before I gave up and settled.

Before you had a black hole

growing inside your chest.

I wanna do all the things

I always thought I would.

I... I wanna figure out

what's in the pills.

I wanna figure out

what makes them work.

Make it so I don't only have...

five days left.

So I have 20, 30, 40 years.

I have my whole life.

Yeah, all right.

Let's solve time travel.

I feel like I should tell you

the lab isn't really... like...

The equipment's pretty old.

It's not really, uh, good.

I'm sure it's fine.

No, like,

you definitely know people

who work at better places.

Maybe. Maybe.

So...

I say not the, um...

- Yeah.

- Best, but, I mean, you know?

Where do you, uh,

where do you wanna start?

The pills don't really behave

like anything else.

They don't burn

or melt or dissolve.

It's... it's almost like they

were never even really there.

Uh, I don't totally understand

how that's possible.

It's like they're

constantly regenerating.

They're existing

in some kind of...

some kind of state of limbo.

Okay, well, maybe then we look

at the regeneration itself.

No, no, no.

Whatever mutations

are happening,

they're at such

a subatomic level, you'd...

you'd never be able

to read them.

And even if we did, we'd still

ultimately need to break down

the sequencing, right?

This is why I'm thinking

that we just replicate it.

That's what I was trying

to do at Princeton,

and this is basically

all the same...

- Uh...

- Equipment that they had there.

Even if it might be

the same equipment,

that doesn't mean we have to do

the same things you did, right?

I... I... I mean, do you even

still have your research

from back then?

No, but...

So what you're proposing

would take...

forever.

And... and... and that's, uh,

kinda crazy. No offense, just...

I think what we need to do is...

is... is break this down.

I know, but...

but there's no way to do that.

I'm telling you, I've...

I've tried so many times.

- Trust me, there's no...

- I... I... I... I trust you.

But it's not true

that there's no way,

because if it's happening,

even if it's at

a subatomic level,

it's still happening.

What we need, I think, is...

is a... a different way in,

like a... a... something

or... or someone.

I think I know somebody

who can help us.

Who?

Um, stay here, and I'll...

I'll just be right back,

two seconds.

Zoya? Zoya Lowe?

Zoya Lowe.

Professor Dulseberg?

Yeah, what in the world

are you doing here?

It... it's a whole, um...

I'm just...

I'm here to use the lab.

Lab? Why?

What do you need a lab for?

Uh, I'm testing

a compound with a friend.

We're trying to see

if we can replicate it.

Replicate? Compound?

Sir. Professor.

Why don't you come

into my office? We'll discuss.

Um, o... okay.

I... I guess I didn't realize

you were teaching here.

Oh, yeah.

You know, thanks

to your friend Mark. Harrison.

You remember him?

He's at IASA now.

- Brilliant man.

- He... he got you this job?

Yeah. Yeah, can you believe it?

Me, needing help to get

a job at community college.

What the f*ck?

Now they put my office out here

in the middle of nowhere.

Out in the f*cking parking lot.

Takes forever to get anywhere.

They told me

it's because of insurance.

You believe that?

Said I had to be near

handicapped spaces or...

or something. Because of my age.

Oh, well,

you sure look good.

- I'm 107.

- Oh, wow!

Yeah, you know,

I'm really curious

to know what you've been up to,

Zoya Lowe.

Who the f*ck are you?

Uh...

What are you doing in my office?

Oh, I was, uh...

She's... she's with me.

What?

Yeah, yes.

Uh, well, hello.

Uh, we were working,

uh, we are working, uh,

across the building in the lab.

Yeah, well, so why do

I see you in my office,

rifling through my desk? Huh?

You're right, and I'm sorry.

What... what, are you

a student here?

- Uh, kind of.

- Kind of?

I'm working in

with Professor Handel in...

in the, um, in the assisting.

Well, this is typical

Zoya Lowe behavior.

Yeah, is it not?

Oh. Uh...

Thinking you can do just

whatever you want to do.

Uh, wait, I...

no, this isn't her fault.

Yeah, I am sure, yeah.

You know,

I remember you, Zoya Lowe.

Oh, yes, I remember very well.

I remember telling everyone,

before you showed up,

how brilliant you were.

How brilliant!

I showed them your...

your test scores,

and I showed them your papers.

And I said, "Oh, my God,

what potential, what talent."

But no, no,

it was not like that.

No, you were...

you were entitled.

You were lazy.

You were impatient.

You... you... you

squandered every

opportunity that I gave you.

In the four years

that I knew you,

never, never, not once...

did you ever give me any reason

to believe that you were...

Anything.

You shouldn't have

gone in there.

- Okay, well, I'm sorry,

like, I didn't think...

- You don't just do that.

...it was gonna be

that big of a deal.

You don't just... go in

like that without telling me.

I said sorry.

I should have told you.

That was stupid, okay?

It was.

This whole thing is stupid.

'Cause some old man yelled

at you? He's like a thousand!

He's gonna die tomorrow.

- Oh, no, that?

- Yeah!

No, that was true.

That was true. He was right.

You wanna know how I got

into IGE and Princeton?

Why my test scores were so high?

'Cause I knew all the answers.

I got something wrong,

I'd just restart.

Go back five days.

He's a 100% right.

I'm not smart enough.

Oh, well, no, that...

that is not true.

You don't even know me.

Well, do...

do you at least wanna

know why I was in there?

What I was getting?

Wh...what is it?

What's gonna help us

break down this pill?

Oh, an... an empty box.

A nanoscopic man.

I guess what happened

was they shrunk him,

but they didn't realize

they didn't know how to stop.

So he's just

been shrinkin' ever since.

I can't see him at all.

Oh, I mean, no one can.

They didn't know how to fix it

or really what to do with him.

So, just left him in a drawer.

Yeah, it's pretty shitty.

Such a waste of research.

So you brought him

to a meat locker?

It's a dry-aging room.

You can't put him

anywhere room temperature

- Because, you know, bacteria,

and mold, and all that stuff.

- Mmm.

So we needed somewhere

cold enough that, you know,

stuff wasn't rotting,

but not so cold

that he would freeze. So, yeah.

Plus, Luiz is a friend anyway.

Good luck.

Can you, um, plug

this in for me, please?

Back.

He has a transmitter

in his suit,

so that way

he can communicate with us.

And he can reply?

Yeah, right through

that display.

- That's crazy.

- Yeah.

Handel showed me how to use it

for research purposes, but...

sometimes I just like

talkin' to him.

He's actually

a really chill dude.

And he already knows

what we need?

I am telling him right now.

The other thing in his suit

is a particle detector.

I was thinking...

It is... it's a...

- Yes.

- Wow!

He might be able to analyze

the cell structure for us.

- Then relay everything back.

- Yeah.

- Just drop it through the top.

- Nice.

Thanks.

Like that?

Yeah, perfect.

How long

do you think it'll take?

That I don't really know.

I mean, time moves so fast

for him, you know?

He... he's like, uh,

the opposite of the edge

of the universe,

where everything moves

really slowly.

He's so far inside

that a hundred years

could go by in, like, a second.

Is he ever gonna die?

I don't know.

I mean, my thought is

he just keeps shrinking

until he gets so small he...

disappears for good.

Yeah.

Is that it?

Wait, what... what's happening?

Oh. Uh, yeah, okay.

Um, just a minute.

Whoa. Uh...

You were right.

Uh, th... It's, uh,

constantly changing.

It's, like, it's cycling through

all these different structures.

This is a...

I was right.

Y... yes. Very.

Thank you.

I never asked

how you got these, by the way.

Do you remember?

Um...

yeah.

It was such

a whatever moment.

I was 12.

I was walking by myself

in this golf course

in the back of our house

and...

it was just lying there.

And you just took it?

Well, had my name on it.

I remember looking around,

thinking it was

some kind of prank,

but I didn't see anybody.

Then I heard...

I heard this voice...

this little whisper,

in the back of my head.

What did it say?

It said that I was going

to change the world.

Yeah.

Well...

Time to change

the world, I guess.

Yeah...

Maybe.

We're gonna need to go through

and synthesize the compounds

to test them out.

Or maybe it'll be

like it was 30 years ago.

We start with the simplest

structures, work our way up.

Running

into the same walls,

getting stuck

in the same places.

No, it won't.

'Cause you'll be with me.

Ready?

I don't think anybody else

matters, it's us.

Doing this, it's just us.

All the time in the world.

Yeah.

In some ways,

that scares me even more.

I could have

all the time in the world.

And still...

...I can't do it.

Okay, well, start over.

All we ever do is start over.

Hey, Mom.

Well, we'll get there.

These pills

had your name on them.

You... you had to have

found them for a... a reason.

Yeah, unless it was

a coincidence or a mistake.

Unless I'm just someone

who wasn't meant

to leave a mark.

I'm not upset,

I'm just saying some of them

are clearly better than I am.

- That's not true.

- Okay.

It's not, you know?

And they're probably saying

the exact same thing

to their parents about you.

Yeah, sure.

I have no idea

where you got this from.

Because I see them!

I'm in class with them!

I'm watching them play,

I'm with them every day!

And this isn't like

Miss Bronca's class at Cypress.

Some of these kids are like

the best pianists in the state.

- And you're not?

- No, I'm not. I'm really not.

Not compared to someone

who's been playing since

they were four years old.

I really don't like hearing you

talk about yourself like this.

- I don't. I think...

- Like, what? Realistically?

I don't think

there's anything wrong

with being a music teacher

instead of a composer.

I never said there was.

Did I say there was?

I just don't want you to quit.

I'm not gonna quit.

Great.

You promise?

Yes.

Good.

Because you can be

anything you set your mind to.

Don't forget.

I know.

I already know

I'm gonna be a scientist.

Yeah? Like me?

Yeah. Just like you.

That's good.

Two seconds!

I feel like I should tell you.

You know, the lab

isn't really all that great.

I know.

Ready?

Yeah.

Hello. Hi, good morning.

How are you?

Yeah, um, well, I...

I just saw your email,

and so I wanted to,

uh, ask if, um...

Right. Okay.

Do you... do you know

when you're coming back or,

um...

Okay. I just, uh...

Uh, I wanted to be

your assistant for a reason.

And I guess, uh, if I knew

that you were going

to be going on sabbatical,

then I wouldn't have...

Of course. Yeah.

No, no, that's, um,

that's understandable.

I understand. You...

Thank you, uh, and, um, yeah,

and good luck with everything.

Yeah, I completely understand.

Of course. Of course.

Yep.

f*ck!

Okay. Uh...

Uh, two seconds!

There's gotta be

someone who can help, right?

Like, didn't... didn't anybody

help you at Princeton?

Like who?

Like, my ex-boyfriend,

or Dulseberg, or...

Okay, well, what

if we take it to a lab?

Like, an actual working lab?

There's gotta be

something we can do.

Oh! Whoa, whoa,

whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

Oh, my God!

- Call fire!

- Oh, uh...

I think...

are they gonna be okay?

They'll be fine.

I don't mean to overstep

or anything, but, um...

There's clearly so much

potential in this work,

and in the pills,

and... and in you, and...

I just... It's a little

f*cked up, right?

Like, nobody,

I don't know, cared, or...

- Oh.

- Or supported you, or, like...

No, it wa...

It really wasn't like that.

I mean, uh, it was more...

I don't know.

I remember when I graduated,

my group got invited

to this special

two-year program at CERN.

All the most brilliant minds

in the world.

Everyone was going.

And I just remember

Donald saying...

Well, just make sure that's

what's gonna make you happy.

And that's all it took?

Well, yeah,

I mean, he was right.

I don't completely enjoy

this part of it.

I love the part

where you solve something,

but the rest of it, it's just...

- I don't know.

- I... I guess, I just...

I think I would've gone.

Yeah, instead of taking years

of research and hard work,

and shoving it in a box.

Wait...

Wait, do you still

have that research? Like...

I wish.

The last time I saw it, I think

it was with my mom's stuff,

but...

Well, where's your mom?

Um, your nose is, uh...

Uh, yeah.

Does... does that mean it's...

Yeah.

Wait, you'll come find me,

right?

Like, when you...

when you wake up?

Yeah.

I always do.

Hey, Mom.

It's a pill

that takes you back in time.

- And we've met before?

We've had

this exact conversation.

- So what did I say?

- Last time?

- Sure.

- You asked me if I kept

any of my old research,

and you asked me

where my mom was.

Do you really think we're

gonna find anything in here?

Well, considering she held on

to the high school textbook

I wrote, yeah.

Maybe.

What? Oh, here we go.

Sandra Lowe.

Okay.

Does it look like anything or...

Um, mostly

her psychology papers.

Anything

interesting, though, or...

Yeah.

If you're into mid-century

childhood development theories.

Not no.

There we go.

Anything?

A very stinky box.

That's good.

Ugh.

Man!

That is really smelling

like sh*t. Okay.

Oh, f*ck.

What's that?

It's, um, a newspaper article.

About Mark.

Uh, who... who's Mark?

Nobody.

They got promoted at the IASA.

It's pretty f*cking good

for a nobody.

Yeah.

I think that's about

what my mom said at the time.

Wow...

She kept that.

Didn't keep any of my work.

He arrived last week in Miami.

This is where they keep him

when he's behind

the scenes, off exhibit.

After that, it's off

to Tampa, Sarasota,

pretty much everywhere.

The hope is to give people

one last chance

to see this majestic creature

before it disappears for good.

Mrs. Lowe?

Your husband was just

in here looking for you.

My husband?

He looked very worried.

Estaba llorando, desesperado.

- Where?

- Uh, just at the entrance.

Excuse me, where's my husband?

- The guy?

- Yeah.

Uh, he just left.

Hey, Zoya, it's Donald.

We're at the hospital.

- Where'd you go?

- Zoya! Zoya!

Hey, where'd you go?

A woman there, the caretaker,

She said that if

it's not in the archives,

then it probably isn't gonna be.

Hey, uh...

she said my husband was here.

Uh, okay...

Uh...

Are you really not gonna go?

I just don't think

it makes any sense.

Didn't you say it was a really

great opportunity, though?

Yeah, but, like, a great

opportunity for what?

To spend two years hanging out

with Dulseburg and Mark?

So that they can

feel progressive

for having a woman

on their team.

Like, oh, God,

I don't need that sh*t.

- That sounds awful.

- I'm sure it wouldn't be

that bad.

Oh, it would be.

You know it would.

You would be in Europe, Zoya.

Doing what you've always wanted

to do with some of

the most talented people

in the world. I mean, so what

if it's a little frustrating?

Because I would

miss you, you idiot.

Because...

I don't wanna be

without you right now.

We'll figure it out.

I just wanna make sure

that whatever you're doing,

that's what's gonna

make you happy.

You miss them.

Hmm?

Oh.

Yeah, I guess I do.

Well, you'll see them soon.

Right? I mean,

that's why we're doing this,

so you can be with them.

I guess.

I mean,

not I guess. It... it is.

And it'll be

worth it. Right?

It's... it's just hard.

Leaving them all the time.

It... it's just hard

going back and...

And doing it all over again,

only to wake up

and hear her say...

Hey, Mom.

Like, not even

a second has passed.

So, we got some good news.

Have you ever thought

about what it's like

when you disappear?

Um...

I don't know.

Should I go check on her?

Uh...

Uh, no.

I... I'm sure she's fine.

Like, if it carries on or if...

Yeah, I guess I just...

I always imagine

it disappeared along with me.

I never imagine...

them still

in the living room, like...

waiting for me.

Huh, I didn't realize

that rhino died today.

Whoa.

Uh, you were right.

It's... it's constantly

changing,

but within

these different structures.

Yeah.

I was right.

Where do you wanna start?

I... I was thinking

we just wanna

synthesize the compounds

and then test from there.

Yeah.

I think a good place

to get started might be

synthesizing the compounds

and then testing from there.

Yeah.

I was, uh,

thinking maybe synthesize

the compound and...

What are we thinkin'?

I don't know

if I can do this again.

- Uh...

- We... we've tried everything.

We always end up

at the exact same spot.

Okay, uh, I mean,

this is complicated, obviously.

It's just going to be

a matter of time before...

No, no.

No, we've tried everything.

We've tried every possible

combination of things.

And then we've tried

those things again.

And then

I've forgotten about them.

Okay, um, maybe

we reach out for help.

- Like, a colleague

from Princeton.

- Who?

- Mark.

- Uh... yeah.

- You said he works

at the IASA, right?

- Mark's not going to help us.

- Oh.

- Paula.

Do... do we know that?

It... uh...

I... I... I'm not sure

we've exhausted

all of our options.

There's gotta be something

we can do or... or try.

I...

I need to go back.

I need to be with my family.

You have no idea

how long it's been.

I mean, you're right,

I... I don't know.

I don't even

really know who you are.

I... I... I... I just...

All I know is you're some lady

who came to my apartment

asking me for my help

to solve time travel.

And I believed you.

I... uh, uh...

I risked my job for you.

- I stole the nanoscopic f*cking

man for you!

- Why?

Do you really think

you're the only person

who has a reason to go back?

- I'm sorry.

- No, mm-mm.

It's good, it's all good.

Um, you were right,

and good luck with your family.

Hey, Mom.

Were you actually

gonna take one?

I don't know.

Uh...

I thought about it...

And I just kept having

this image of me being, like,

s... swallowed by a black hole.

And...

I...

I kept thinking of all

the times that you've left.

Times I don't even know about.

If you've ever even offered

them to me before,

if... if...

if I would've taken them then,

I just... I kept... I just...

- Yeah.

- I don't know.

I never asked

why you were doing this.

I g... I guess I was selfish

enough to think

you were just doing it

to help me.

I do wanna help.

I know.

But that's not why

you keep opening the door.

I don't need you

feeling sorry for me.

Okay.

It's so...

So stupid.

Um...

I was 15, and I...

I took the car out.

I... I wasn't supposed to,

um,

and I drove over...

a nail.

And I... I thought, uh,

I thought they would notice.

I thought my parents

would notice.

And, um...

But they didn't.

And the tire blew out.

You... you were a kid.

I...

I guess.

We're gonna do this.

We're gonna go

to Princeton, find Mark.

We'll get you back there.

I really, really

wanted to go back...

After I lost my dad.

How old were you?

But I only found the pills

a week after he died,

so I kept trying and trying,

but I was always a day late.

Were you close?

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

He was a really,

really good dad.

He used to tell me these...

Science-fiction fairy tales

where an ordinary girl

turns out to be...

empress of the galaxy or...

- Sweet.

- Yeah.

Yeah.

He always made me feel like

I could have achieved anything.

You did a lot, though.

Did I?

I mean,

I look

at other people, like Mark or...

Whoever.

My life seems really small.

I don't think so.

I don't.

Besides,

we're gonna go back, right?

You and me, we're gonna fix it.

I hope so.

You were the only one

ever made me feel

like I could actually do it.

- Really?

- Yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

You can feel it.

Can't you?

It's as though we've lived

a whole lifetime together.

Have we?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Uh, uh, your nose.

Oh, yeah.

It's time.

You'll... you'll come back

to find me, right?

When...

when you,

uh, wake up or...

Yeah.

I always do.

Hey, Mom.

Yeah?

What is it?

I... I need something.

From you.

- Is that Zoya Lowe?

- Yes.

And I need you to help me

find Mark Harrison.

Mark Harrison?

The last time we talked,

you mentioned him,

and I know you guys are close.

- The last time we talked?

- Mm-hmm.

You know,

I remember you, Zoya Lowe.

I know.

I know. I know!

- I...

I know.

And there was a time

when I really did care

what you thought about me,

but I just don't anymore.

And, yeah,

you're probably right.

I probably

am still impatient and lazy.

And entitled or whatever!

But I'm trying.

And regardless

of what you, or anybody else,

used to think about me,

I'm going to do this, so...

Hmm, well...

Uh, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Good luck.

It's been a long time.

10 years.

You look good.

Okay.

- What?

- Yeah.

Well, nothing. Just... yeah.

You guys are back

in Miami now, right?

How's that goin'?

It's good.

Yeah, it's good.

Um,

Donald's teaching at UM

and finishing up his postdoc,

so it's just me

and Jayne at home.

Oh, right.

Yeah.

It's good.

It's... it's nice to be

back home and...

And...

to be close to my mom again.

God,

I could never move back there.

Even moving here

from Europe was hard.

Yeah. You get used to it.

Are you still, uh, working on

any of your old research?

Oh, um,

not really.

No, I mean, with him gone

all day and, um...

Jayne at home, it just didn't

make sense, you know, to...

I mean,

I guess it never really

did make sense, right?

I thought it did.

I didn't mean that.

I just mean...

I'm just... I'm saying, um...

I can't really imagine anything

more frustrating than working

on something you know

is probably impossible to solve.

It's not impossible.

Okay.

I'm not trying to start a fight.

- I'm just saying you look good.

- I...

Happy?

I always knew

you'd make a good mother.

Wow.

That sounds so completely

demeaning coming from you.

Well, I meant it as a, uh,

genuine compliment.

You seem happy.

I am.

I'm glad to see you.

You should, uh,

let me know

next time you're coming to town.

We could catch up for real.

Yeah, I will.

Uh, hi. Uh, can I help you?

Hi.

Um, I'm an old friend

of Mark Harrison's.

Is... is he...

Uh, it's my... my father,

but, uh...

Been getting kind of,

uh, weaker and weaker

in the past few years.

I didn't even

really see much of him.

Yeah, he looks so...

Yeah.

I think the, uh, last time I saw

him was maybe four months ago.

And he wasn't in good shape.

He wasn't eating.

He wasn't sleeping.

All he did was work.

We tried to talk to him, but...

I don't know.

Yeah, I'm sorry

if this is, like...

No, no, it's fine. It's fine.

Um, my therapist says I should

actually talk more about it

to help accept it or whatever.

She said that's why

it would have been good to do

some type of memorial service

or something.

I never, um...

I wish I'd known.

No. No, it's fine.

Yeah.

You guys knew

each other from, uh, college?

- Princeton.

- Oh, yeah.

What was he like back then?

He was... really brilliant.

- So smart.

- Yeah.

That's what everybody says.

So smart.

Ended up shovin'

all his stuff in here.

All his awards and sh*t.

Wow.

The Hinckley Prize?

Yeah.

You think that would be enough.

Is this...

is this

everything he was doing?

Yeah, I guess.

Yeah.

This is...

Everything I've been working on.

Yeah, well, at least you seem

like you're handling it better.

Oh, my God.

This is mine.

He kept my research.

I'm sorry. I can't...

I can't believe this.

Do you know how long

he was working on this?

Uh, I don't... I don't know.

It's a long time.

You know?

I just...

I f*ck' hate bein' down here.

I just keep

remembering him saying

that one day

I'd actually be proud of him.

Like...

as though this is the sh*t

that was gonna make me proud.

God!

I'm really sorry.

Yeah.

Me too.

You have any kids?

Yeah.

One.

About your age.

They... they work

on this type of stuff, too?

Uh, no.

No.

No, she's a pianist.

Just got engaged.

That's great.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Hey, Zoya.

We're at the hospital.

Where'd you go?

Mom, where are you?

Why aren't you answering

your phone right now?

We're really worried.

Please pick up.

Zoya, honey,

just please pick up your phone.

I miss you so much, mom.

I really don't wanna lose you.

This can't be how I lose you.

This can't be it. Please.

Please,

I have to see you again.

I... I thought

you would never...

Just... just please,

please, please...

I keep thinking about

the last thing I said to you.

- About how I was gonna

go fill out paperwork.

Please.

- Why didn't you say anything?

- Just please, Zoya.

Mom, I don't...

I can't... I can't lose you.

I don't know

how to be a person without you.

I don't know what to do.

Oh, god.

Come back please.

Please, I miss you so much.

This is the f*cking worst,

please come back.

Mom, I just want you

to know I love you so much.

I just wish

I could see you one more time.

I wish I could hear you.

Anything.

I wish I could hear you

say anything to me.

Please.

Please, I just wish

you would come home.

Mom, where are you?

Why aren't you answering

your phone right now?

I miss you so much, Mom.

I don't wanna lose you.

Please pick up.

I hope you're getting

these messages.

This can't be how I lose you.

This can't be it.

Please.

Please,

I have to see you again.

Please, please, Mom.

Mom, where are you?

Why aren't you answering

your phone right now?

We're really worried.

Please pick up.

I miss you so much, Mom.

Come back please.

This can't be it, mom.

This can't be it.

Please pick up the phone.

Please. I miss you so much.

Jayne.

Jayne.

Jayne.

Mom.

- I'm so... I'm so sorry.

- Why are you sorry?

I'm sorry we scared you.

No, you didn't.

You didn't. I just...

- You were passed out.

- I missed you.

Watch your feet.

You guys wanna listen

to some music?

Yeah, sure. What have you got?

Well, I, uh, I got a new CD.

I am not sure. Oh.

Soldiers of de Riddem.

No!

Yeah. Sounds good.

- Play it!

- No!

I don't know

what kinda music this is, but...

What? No, Dad.

She's being nice.

She doesn't wanna

listen to that.

Put on something

we actually wanna listen to.

I honestly think we're all gonna

really enjoy this.

I mean, look at that.

Look how happy they all look.

They do look happy.

Get ready.

Ready for the riddem.

It's forbidden

to hate on the riddem.

- Morris understands.

- How much you pay for that CD?

This was $1.99.

I talked him down from $2.50.

You think I've lived

a good life?

Yeah. Of course.

Well, don't...

Don't talk like that.

Please. Are...

Are you okay?

Well, I'm dying.

That's kind of

the opposite of okay.

I just...

I can't stop thinking about...

What could have happened,

you know? Like...

Everything I could have done.

All the other versions of me...

And my life, and you, and Jayne.

Do you think there's

an alternate timeline

where I do go on,

where I don't die

of a black hole in my chest?

Maybe.

But maybe that's a timeline

where we don't meet.

Where we don't have Jayne.

Who knows?

She grew up too fast.

- It went by so fast.

- Hmm.

Blink of an eye.

I still remember so well

when she was a baby.

She was so little.

Take her to the beach.

Remember how excited

she used to get by everything.

Just, "Yeah!"

Yeah.

I remember this one day...

where she wasn't.

I took her to the beach

and we just laid there.

Just staring up

at the clouds and like the...

Mm-hmm.

The top of the palm trees.

Listening to the ocean.

Just her and me.

With her little...

Her little finger

wrapped around mine.

Just totally silent.

I've relived

that moment a million times.

I wish I could be back there.

Right now.

With you two.

What would you change

if you could?

Hmm.

Probably buy

a different album instead of...

Soldiers of de Riddem.

Come on.

You wouldn't change anything?

I don't know.

I mean, there's things

I could change I guess.

Hmm.

I don't know that I wanna risk

losing this moment with you.

What about you?

- Hmm?

- What would you want?

More.

More days.

Aww...

he's beautiful.

How did

you know that song?

I don't know.

Just from hearing it.

It's an original.

I know.

It's perfect.

Two seconds!

Hi.

Hi.

Do I know you?

No.

But I know you.

This has your name on it.

Yeah.

I always thought

that was for a reason.

That it meant

they were supposed to be for me.

Maybe they are or were.

Maybe you solved it,

and... and you go back,

and you give the pills

to yourself, and...

Or maybe I was only

supposed to have 'em

so I could give 'em to you.

Here.

Take it.

- What is...

- It's our work.

It's all the work

we did together.

Wait.

Uh, this is... I can't.

You can.

You can and you will.

You don't have to worry so much.

Your parents would be proud.

What?

Did I...

I... I told you about...

Yeah.

And I told you about mine.

And we sat on the floor.

Talked about the future.

I know your life isn't

exactly what you want it

to be yet,

but you'll get there.

Whatever you end up doing,

you'll be okay.

You'll be more than okay.

You don't need me.

Yay!

Bravo! Yay!

Did you make a wish?

Yes, I did.

- What was it?

- I did.

- She can't say.

- I'm not telling you!

- She can't tell you.

- Yeah.

- It won't come true!

- That's just an urban legend.

No, that's how it works.

- Okay, it's present time.

- No!

- Oh, yes!

- I'm so bad at presents!

- No, no, no, no, no, no, no!

- Hey, sit down.

This is from me and Morris,

so you better like it.

- You better.

- Hmm.

What do you hope it is?

- I don't know.

I don't...

I don't even know...

if I remember...

Uh, did I...

did I never open this before?

What do you mean?

Did... did I never make it

this far...

before?

We're thinking

about naming it Zoya.

- You okay with that?

- You are thinking

about it or you are?

Oh, my God! I'm so happy!

You're gonna be s...

such a good mother.

Oh, no, Mom. Your nose.

- Oh, oh.

- You okay?

This is it.

Hmm?

This is it. Um...

Thank you for this.

Um, I'm...

I'm sorry I wasn't better.

And, I'm... I'm sorry

I wasn't always there.

- Oh, Mom!

No, no, Zoya, Zoya.

You're fine. You're fine.

You don't have to say that.

You're gonna...

you're gonna be okay.

I know.

I am...

I'm gonna miss you so much.

I couldn't have asked

for a better week.

I love you, Mom.

I love you guys so much.

And all of a sudden,

she could see the whole world.

Past and present.

She could see it all.

And she saw a little girl...

walking along

all alone in the world.

And she could see

her whole future.

All the wonderful times

with friends and family.

And also all the hardships,

and struggles, and mistakes.

She could see it all.

And she wanted to reach out

so desperately and hold her,

but she couldn't.

So instead, she looked

at the girl's entire life

in front of her.

And with tears in her eyes,

she whispered...

You're gonna do incredible

things one day,

Zoya Lowe.

You're gonna change the world.