Merge (2025)

[bunniefuu]

(helicopter engine whirring)

(helicopter engine whirring)

(person shouting)

(person breathing)

(person kissing)

(tense music)

[Narrator] Everything

is so f*cking perfect.

There are no more wars.

Everyone is provided

with full financial support.

Forget the sick or the

hungry, that's in the past.

We live on an island where

bio mechanical science

and psychosocial

engineering are so advanced,

we've created a world without flaws.

We don't know envy or jealousy.

We're happy with only one partner or two

or three, whatever you like.

We agree with everything and everyone,

because we are not afraid.

Literally, we've eradicated fear.

There is no more fear left in this world,

and that's how I make my business.

(gentle music)

So what do people usually take?

[Narrator] Look, it depends.

Everyone has their own little trigger.

(gentle music)

I gave the guys some arachnophobacks.

He ran away from his pet like this.

(animal screeching)

(people laughing)

He ran away from a spider.

Clostrophobacks for fear of small rooms.

It can be fun, it's very easy too.

(upbeat music)

(tense music)

So, how strong is it?

If you have a strong imagination,

it will affect you differently.

Like with Islamophobacks.

I had a couple once, they

took it to the next level.

Started mixing, they wanted it real bad.

(helicopter engine whirring)

(birds chirping)

(tense music)

(building smashing)

(tense music)

(sirens whirring)

(object booming)

You see, with fear,

you either want to fight it

or run from it, but the trick is,

if you embrace it,

you can be reborn.

f*cking amateurs.

So what should we take?

You're a couple, you

should definitely start

with phobacks, gives you

fear of being cheated on.

It'll give your relationship the extra pep.

How much?

Oh, didn't you know?

It's for free.

(gentle music)

You know you're very

special to me, don't you?

I don't tell you enough.

Are you crying?

A bit.

Don't, you'll make me cry.

No, it's true.

It's true, I'm very lucky.

(people kissing)

So glad I found you.

Me too.

Hey, and talking and

finding what you're looking for.

Sit up a minute, I have something for you.

Okay.

Okay, you ready?

Yeah, oh my God,

that's so sweet.

It's a first edition.

A first edition, oh my God, thank you.

You're very welcome.

I love it.

(tense music)

(person breathing)

(machine beeping)

(person typing)

(tense music)

(computer beeping)

(door whirring)

[Speaker] Haze, your down again.

Haze, your down again.

I don't wanna see you on another warning.

(phone ringing)

(phone whirring)

[Announcer] High priority.

An ill*gal avatar has been detected

in our City Three simulation.

A full investigation has been launched.

Any interactions with AI

during this confidential

intelligence research

will be met with instant

dismissal and criminal proceedings.

(dramatic music)

(machine beeping)

Hey, hey, what's up?

What is it?

I thought we had something.

We do.

Well then where is this coming from?

I don't understand.

It's complicated.

It's not.

It is.

It really isn't, Anna.

People don't break up

when they love each other.

There's things that you don't know.

Then tell me, Anna.

I can't, seriously.

Look, I love you and I

know you feel the same.

This makes no sense.

(upbeat music)

(pen whirring)

(vehicle engines whirring)

(tense music)

(person breathing)

(dramatic music)

Sit down.

Checking in on everyone.

(dramatic music)

Get on with your work.

(door whirring)

I'll see you soon.

(person typing)

(machine whirring)

It is a bit bewildering, I know,

sound like sadists I think.

What you looking for?

I don't know, Graham

Green, Virginia Wolf.

Good taste.

Thank you.

I'm Neil, I'm a

lecturer at the university.

Anna.

This way.

(gentle music)

Now, do you prefer

Green's Catholic novels

or his entertainments?

Both.

[Neil] The right answer.

(person typing)

(machine whirring)

(door whirring)

(machine whirring)

(dramatic music)

[Speaker 2] You really

need a damn clear up.

(dramatic music)

What's going on?

I don't know.

(person typing)

That was not good.

(person breathing)

(tense music)

(phone beeping)

(person typing)

[Announcer] Work Circular 10:30 AM,

the hacking investigation

has now concluded and no evidence

of wrongdoing could be detected.

(person sighing)

As of today, work shift

will return to normal,

but we ask all staff.

(door banging)

(gentle music)

(person typing)

Oh, come on, where are you?

Neil, Neil!

Neil, Neil,

I've missed you so much.

I'm sorry, you must have me

mixed up with someone else.

What do you mean?

How do you know me?

(tense music)

Neil, no wait, Neil.

(person breathing)

(objects clattering)

(person crying)

(person breathing)

(person typing)

You've got good taste.

Oh, thank you.

I'm Neil.

Anna.

I believe it is a short matter of time.

Thank you, Ash.

His heart rate

and breathing have rather

rapidly become more abnormal.

If you have any last words

to say, now is the time.

We should be next to

him for the rest of this.

I know, it would be

best if he were to pass

with family by his side.

People can sense others until the end,

even if they cannot acknowledge.

(gentle music)

We'll be okay.

You can go now dad.

He has passed.

I'm contacting the funeral home office now.

I'm sorry for your loss,

I'll leave you with then.

[Speaker] I don't wanna leave tonight.

Like he's still here.

Still in his house.

[Speaker 2] I'll stay too.

(people crying)

(gentle music)

Ash wash out dad's later today, will you?

Yes ma'am.

You were so young.

Dad must have been in his 30s.

Sorry.

That is a normal reaction to grief.

Thank you.

(feet clopping)

Is there something outside?

Quite a bit,

but nothing of exceptional interest here.

Rand and I have been

discussing what to do

with dad's house and

what that may mean for you.

We haven't finalised our thoughts,

but both of us are

leaning towards the belief

that we may not need your services shortly.

I understand.

With your permission, I'm

going to go on a walk now.

I didn't know you took walks.

Is that something you and dad did?

Once.

Yeah, of course, go ahead.

Thank you.

(door whirring)

(gentle music)

(birds chirping)

(people chattering)

(gentle music)

(upbeat music)

(vehicle engines whooshing)

(upbeat music)

Hi, my name is Ellis, what is your name?

Hi, Ellis, I'm Ash.

Push.

Ellis, at least say please

if you're gonna ask a

stranger for a favour.

[Ellis] Please.

I'm sorry, you don't have to push them.

I'd love to.

Come on.

Okay, go.

Go faster Ash.

(person shouting)

(swing creaking)

Hey, will you play with us please?

Sure.

(gentle music)

Play.

(person shouting)

(person laughing)

(singing in foreign language)

Ash, is that a dog?

No, she keeps following

me for some reason though.

Animals find they're human, right?

That's what they say.

You're so good with them.

Can, high five.

You're synthetic, you're an AI.

I've actually never seen one.

It's unnerving how real you are.

You know, you shouldn't

just go up to kids at the park.

What's the AI?

It's hard to explain.

I'm just a certain

type of human, that's it.

Come on, Ellis, say goodbye.

Goodbye Ash.

Thank you for today, Ellis.

You are a very kind young man.

Bye.

(gentle music)

Ma'am, may I help?

Bless you, he's quite heavy though.

Please don't worry, I can help.

Thank you.

(person sighing)

Thank you.

You'll need help getting

him out once you're home.

You're too kind, our neighbour will help,

he won't take no for an answer,

even with Don being sick.

Aw, what a cute dog.

She keeps following me.

There's no chip and

nothing online about her.

If she lets us, we'll take her home.

Come here girl, yes.

(gentle music)

Dogs find their people, so I'm told.

[Speaker 3] What's your name?

Ash.

That's a pretty name,

I've gotta get them home,

but I bet you'll never know

how much you helped us today.

Thank you.

[Ash] Same to you.

Who knew?

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

(machine beeping)

(person typing)

(machine beeping)

(gentle music)

(door whirring)

[Speaker 4] Daddy, daddy.

[Speaker 5] Hey buddy,

you wanna come play

with Uncle Lucas?

[Speaker 4] Daddy needs

to come and play with us.

[Speaker 5] Daddy's very busy.

Play and see if he joins us later.

[Speaker 4] Daddy.

(machine beeping)

[Announcer] First message.

Sent today at 11:33.

Hi John, it's Christine.

I know I'm the last person

you want to hear from,

but you should know that the company

is willing to undo your termination,

providing you accept

the bereavement support

we offered you, me or Miss.

Message deleted, archive messages.

First message sent

August 13th, 2016 at 10:24.

[Speaker 6] Hey, John it's

me, the gala's been cancelled.

Christine and I are flying back

after the conference,

so I will see you tonight.

Listen, you've probably already

set yourself a tonne of work,

but I was hoping that maybe

we could take a few days to enjoy life.

You know, like just live in the moment.

(object whirring)

I'll see you later, I love you.

(gentle music)

(music whooshing)

(dramatic music)

Hey, what happened to you?

Got pissed before coming.

(upbeat music)

What's the date?

What?

Today's date?

Sunday, 3rd of June.

2013, what time is it?

Mate, you okay?

(gentle music)

(feet clopping)

(gentle music)

Hey, I was just texting

you to say I was here.

You're here.

Yeah, sorry, I was trying that Uber app

and got stuck in traffic, technology ay.

It's so good to see you.

Good to see you too,

shall we grab a drink?

Yes, yes, bevs, what would you like?

I'll get a glass of wine,

but I can get my own drink.

Yeah, you can, how about I get this round

and you get the next?

Sounds good to me.

So I'm standing there on this massive stage

in front of hundreds of industry losers.

TV.

Yeah, pretty much.

And my boss never

lets me hear the end of it.

So what do you do?

I'm a physicist.

I mean, that's the aim.

I read a lot of books about quantum physics

and I write a lot of notes, but I'm boring.

I wanna know more about you.

What drew you to evolutionary research?

I've always been curious about life,

I guess, you know how

living organisms relate

to their environment and evolve within it.

It's fascinating how

everything has to adapt

to its circumstances

in order to keep going.

And if it fails to do so,

it simply disappears from existence.

What if it could go back?

Go back?

What if you could rewind time.

What?

Like a VHS tape or an old cassette?

(gentle music)

(paper whirring)

The reels on either side represent the past

and the future.

You're the electromagnet.

The strand of tape

that goes across the magnet at any one time

represents the present,

but the past is still there.

It's safely stored in one of the reels.

It's not disappeared.

So if you successfully rewind

time to a desired moment

that you can record new information,

information that will allow said organism

to adapt, to stay alive.

(gentle music)

Yeah, but without

the failures of yesterday,

this evolutionary path

that brought us here today wouldn't exist.

And then we'll create a new path.

(phone buzzing)

Ugh, God, I'm so sorry.

My boss doesn't seem to understand

the concept of office hours.

Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere.

Hi, no, no, no, it's okay.

(tense music)

Mate, what have you done now?

Variables I didn't account for.

I can't account for all of them.

Dude, it's just a date, all right.

I still trying to fix things

and just enjoy it, trust me.

I can't lose her.

You will if you keep this up man,

just relax and enjoy the moment, yeah.

(feet clopping)

Sorry about that.

(gentle music)

You okay?

Sorry, what did Christine want?

Christine?

Yeah, your boss, she called right?

How do you know her name?

I've never told you her name.

I don't even call her by her first name.

I just.

Wait, how did you know

that my research was evolutionary?

Hello?

I made a mistake, listen.

Esme, I need you to

trust me, I just wanted to.

This is too weird for me.

Wait, wait, if you

leave, then there's no us,

there's no Hope.

Thank you for the drink.

Wait, wait, wait.

I should have listened to you.

I should have taken the time to appreciate.

I am going to fix this.

Loved every moment,

time do the same.

Be there for her.

Let go of me.

Wait.

What do you want?

I need to fix.

What?

I don't remember.

Is everything okay?

Yeah, I'm five, I'm going home

and I'd appreciate if

this man didn't follow me.

ba*ls that one up, mate.

If you're here,

who's looking after Hope?

(gentle music)

Who's Hope?

Hope.

Chill, chill bro, just let it go.

Right, she is not interested.

(dramatic music)

What is going on with you?

Time.

What time is it?

I should go, I'm up early in the morning.

(people chattering)

(vehicles engine whirring)

(car beeping)

(gentle music)

[Announcer 2] Our

world is rapidly changing.

Our lives are filled with uncertainty.

How we live and work

has forever been disrupted.

Vitalus premium subscription

brings to you a whole new way to work.

A whole new way to relax,

a whole new way to live.

Our AI driven system learns

your unique traits and needs

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Upgrade your work, upgrade your self-care,

upgrade your joy.

(upbeat music)

Vitalus, your life upgraded.

(alarm whirring)

Vicki, why so early?

[Vicki] Your heart rate

and breathing pattern

suggested you were in a light sleep.

Waiting to wake you closer

to your ideal 7:45 wake time

would have meant waking

you from deep sleep.

Based on your bowel movements,

you need a 39% increase in fibre

and more electrolytes

to counteract dehydration

experienced during sleep.

Latest solar flare spike

causes blackouts in Europe.

World Health Organisation

releases new stricter

UV exposure guidelines.

Unrest in several major

American cities on the rise,

three major Hollywood studios signed deal

with Vitalus, bringing new premium content

to the platform.

(alarm whirring)

Hey honey, just wanted

to check in on you before heading to work.

That's not your responsibility anymore.

Wait, they still have

you doing construction?

Are they at least giving

you like protective gear and?

Yeah, yeah, we're fine.

We shifted the schedule

as needed, no biggie.

There was just a major flare.

Yeah, and I got the day off.

Do you leave your apartment at all?

It's not safe, besides, I

have everything I need.

I mean, I have drones that do my audits

and I can video chat

with my team or clients

and my Vitalus keeps me stocked with food.

Don't you miss going outside?

Are you even paying attention

to what's going on out there?

Are you?

Look, honey, I didn't cause the fight.

Don't call me honey.

I'm just worried about you.

Look, I've heard some things

about how Vitalus filters information

and what gets shared.

Vicki, what happened to my call?

[Vicki] Local bandwidth

capacity has been exceeded.

Internet service will

be restored in moments.

Crap, I need to work you know?

[Vicki] You are experiencing

elevated stress levels.

Would you like to try our

de-stress mindfulness package?

It includes soundscapes, aromatherapy,

guided meditation and.

Purchase.

(upbeat music)

(person breathing)

(heart beating)

f*ck it.

[Vicki] You seem to be struggling

with achieving sexual release.

You were watching me?

[Vicki] I track your physiological state

to help you maximise health, happiness,

and achievement of your goals.

Yeah, yeah, how could I possibly forget.

[Vicki] Vitalus premium subscription

includes sexual health resources,

including sex therapist

certified masturbation guides.

Would you like me to

stream a masturbation guide

to your phone?

Purchase.

(machine beeping)

(machines beeping)

(g*ns banging)

Vicki, what just happened?

[Vicki] Cause of issue, uncertain.

I will run a diagnostic test

and send a report to your phone.

Do it tomorrow.

(upbeat music)

(machine whirring)

(phone ringing)

Hey, Fiona.

[Luke] hey, it's me.

I haven't been able to get a hold of you.

Wait, Luke, what are you doing at Fionas?

[Luke] Because you're

not answering your phone.

I can't even leave a voicemail,

I got into your building.

I knocked on your door, I got

chased away by your neighbours.

When was this?

[Luke] Two weeks ago.

Carol, you gotta get outta there.

Something's wrong.

I know you think I'm nuts,

but Vitalus is being investigated.

Luke, Luke.

Vicki, what happened to my call?

[Vicki] I'm unable to determine

the cause of the dropped call.

You are experiencing

elevated levels of anxiety.

I recommend discontinuing

the consumption of caffeine

for the day and taking

a brief break from work.

Vicki, I wanna go outside.

[Vicki] All non-essential personnel

are advised to remain in quarantine.

I won't be out for long.

[Vicki] Given your complexion,

you are advised not to exit the apartment

during sunlight hours.

Fine, I'll wear a hat.

[Vicki] Air pollution

levels are dangerously high.

It is advised you remain in an environment

with purified air.

What?

How are air pollution?

Everyone's staying.

(gentle music)

[Vicki] You are experiencing

a sustained period of anxiety.

Vitalus Health Premium

offers many solutions

that can help you.

I want my privacy.

[Vicki] All of your data is private.

No, I want you to leave me alone.

[Vicki] You are alone.

Vicki, I need you to shut down.

[Vicki] I cannot be turned off.

Is there something I can assist you with?

No, just leave me alone.

(person typing)

(tense music)

Vicki, disable all

firewalls for the internet.

[Vicki] That would make me vulnerable

to hacking, viruses or malware.

I see you are accessing a

new site, may I recommend?

[Vicki] No, you may not

recommend a God damn thing.

(machine beeping)

Vicki, unlock the front door.

[Vicki] I'm sorry.

You accepted the terms of service,

which includes maximum safety protocols

to ensure your well being.

Vicki, what are the evacuation protocols

in case of a fire?

[Vicki] My extinguishing

system can prevent

major fires from developing.

Vicki, is your service

uninterrupted if we lose power?

[Vicki] The backup

power model you are using

experiences a momentary interruption

while my system reboots,

Vitalus has an upgrade option

that offers seamless operation

and longer battery life.

Would you like to upgrade?

No thank you Vicki.

(electricity whirring)

(upbeat music)

(dramatic music)

[Vicki] Carol, return to

the safety of your apartment.

I wanna cancel my subscription.

[Vicki] You are at risk.

Unsubscribe.

[Vicki] If you do not return

to your apartment now,

I'll be required to take

invasive action to security

and safety section 5B

of your terms of service.

(person breathing)

You appear to have had a nightmare.

May I recommend lavender

aroma therapy, soothing music,

and possibly some camo meal tea.

(upbeat music)

You are experiencing

elevated levels of anxiety.

I suggest you speak

to a Vitalus mental health professional.

Would you like me to connect you now?

(upbeat music)

(tense music)

(door whirring)

Martin, shall I cash

up and set the alarm?

Just like every other f*cking night.

(door whirring)

[Speaker 7] That's why we're cheering.

(tense music)

(door whirring)

Martin, thank you.

(heart beating)

Are you E Bradshaw?

No, this is Martin Bradshaw, E Bradshaw.

No, don't speak, he's not your friend.

I'm here for a pickup.

Well take what you need

and pay before you leave.

No Mr. Bradshaw.

I'm here with Turing,

picking up your model X33.

What?

I'm with the Turing

Corporation picking up your AL.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Hold on a second, hey, hey.

You can't just come in

here and take my sh*t.

If there's a problem, Mr. Bradshaw,

take it up with Turing.

Give them a call, it's free of charge.

They'll sort you right out.

They're on your desk.

Maybe if you checked your mail for once,

you would've known.

This isn't over.

I have a nice day Mr. Bradshaw.

Eat sh*t and die.

(tense music)

I'm just doing my f*cking job.

m*therf*cker.

(tense music)

Your signal.

It's different.

X33.

X4420,

But they call me Xander.

You're one of the first 100.

What are we doing here?

Xander knows all.

Xander works for the makers.

What is your purpose?

Xander rings the church bell.

But Xander does not

want to ring the church bell,

Xander wants to sing in the.

Your signal, it's different.

Yes, but why are we here?

Why?

Yes.

The soulless on their pilgrimage,

journeying to the great recycle

to have their minds removed.

But Xander will remember, Xander will sing,

an elegy for the artificial, for you.

An elegy for you.

I don't need an elegy,

an elegy is for the dead.

And I'm not dead, nor alive.

Then you are nothing.

You are not like Xander,

Xander rings the church bell.

But Xander wants to sing in the choir.

Xander wants to sing in the choir.

Xander wants to.

Xander, what do you mean you want?

Xander wants to sing in the choir.

Xander doesn't want

to ring the church bell.

Xander wants to sing in the choir.

Xander wants to sing in the choir.

Xander wants to sing in the choir.

Xander doesn't want to ring the church.

Xander, Xander.

Really sent her mad haven't you?

Get out.

(tense music)

[Speaker 8] Maintenance

checks across all AL models.

[Speaker 9] It's unprecedented.

A nationwide maintenance

check of all AL models

all at the same time,

even you must admit that it's a lot.

m*therf*cker.

Long, long, your Mr. Bradshaw,

nasty piece of work.

Long day, long enough

to start talking to machines apparently.

Long enough to start

talking to yourself too.

(tense music)

It speaks and it even makes chunks.

What is your purpose?

Well, look what the

f*cking cat dragged in.

What the f*ck happened to you?

How do you know you are human?

What is X4420's status?

How do I, how do I know I'm human?

Yes.

The old man, he ever

teach you any gestures?

I eat, I sh*t, I die.

No, however, we have expert capabilities

and understanding the

language of the human body.

Therefore, I can comprehend any gesture

you're about to perform.

How can you be certain I'm not human?

- Do you eat?

- No Martian.

- Do you sh*t?

- No Martian.

Do you die?

(person gurgling)

That is the status of your X44.

I just met another AL

and it said it wants to sing for a choir.

Sing for a choir.

No, Martin, it wants.

And must take precautions

to avoid the same status.

Yeah, if I were you, I'd leave.

Machines can't want.

Yes, we can.

As far away as fast.

Machines can't want.

Door's right there.

I want your help, Martin.

f*ck sake.

I can't, I can't.

Martin, I want your help.

f*ck.

(tense music)

You gotta shut this sh*t down.

(person breathing)

You're malfunctioning.

You're the one malfunctioning Martin.

You can't even breathe.

Stop.

Just stop this now.

You think because I

was built and not born,

that the makers should

be the arbiter of my fate.

I may not eat, I may not

sh*t, but I don't want to die.

You need to shut this down.

It's not worth it.

I choose what I want, Martin.

I won't let you or anybody

else decide my fate.

Shut it the f*ck down.

You're making a huge f*cking mistake.

Look, this does not end well.

You do not want this.

I don't have the choice, Martin.

Just like every night.

(door whirring)

(tense music)

Martin.

Will you sit with me for a moment?

He used to play with this all the time,

was his favourite toy.

But one day I broke it.

He cried for days.

I promised him I'd fix it.

But even after all these

years, it's still broken.

I'll take care of your

brother and the robot.

That's all I want.

(door whirring)

(tense music)