Terminator: The Connors Chronicles

"Boundaries" F05E10

Written by Lumir G Janku

This document is fan-produced fiction based on the television series, Terminator - The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and two seasons worth of fanfiction, F03 and F04, written by CJ Carter. This is done in spirit of fan fiction, to have fun and enrich the total fan experience beyond the limitation of the original story vehicle. In that spirit, and holding to the long tradition of free promotion and support that fanfic brings to the fictional verse, this story is being made available to the show fans for entertainment purposes.
Copyright 2011 Lumir G Janku

2. ACT ONE FADE IN: INT. JACK PARKER'S HOUSE -- NIGHT PARKER is already in bed, watching HERNANDEZ slip into her semitranslucent nightgown. He can see her silhouette against the night stand lamp and follows it with his eyes. It reminded him of paintings of old Chinese aquarelle masters, the interplay of utility and form in their perfection. Hernandez slips under the cover, beside Parker, turns her head and looks at him with her large, almond eyes. HERNANDEZ Jack, I quit. PARKER What? Quit what? HERNANDEZ From the police force. PARKER You're not serious. HERNANDEZ Deadly serious. PARKER What you'll do? HERNANDEZ You mean beside being your girlfriend? PARKER Yeah, that. HERNANDEZ I've got a job offer. As a head of one of Zeira's security divisions. PARKER I should've seen that coming. HERNANDEZ Jack, beside avoiding a conflict of interest, there's a fringe benefit. I'll be close to research. And given the position status, I may have a first come--first serve advantage. PARKER For the change to human form?

3. Hernandez NODS. PARKER (CONT'D) You're... were the best officer I've ever had. HERNANDEZ What happened to the insubordinate pain in the butt? PARKER Part of your charm. HERNANDEZ Hire a cyborg as a replacement. Better yet, a male cyborg. No temptation. PARKER You mean no competition. HERNANDEZ You wouldn't! Would you? PARKER If you were a human female, I'll leave it open ended. You're not. I wouldn't. HERNANDEZ Even if there was a chance of... transformation? PARKER You'd still be you. I hope. HERNANDEZ Tooth and nail. I like myself the way I am, how I tick. PARKER What about the case? HERNANDEZ Unsolved. Put it on ice. PARKER But you still-HERNANDEZ Yes, I'm on it. Zeira wants to handle this in its jurisdiction. PARKER Politics.

4. HERNANDEZ Yep, in part. There are rumors that Department of Internal Affairs may establish a special C police branch. PARKER So you'd switch again? HERNANDEZ Nope. I want to stick with Zeira. I need to be close to research. PARKER Okay, very much in agreement. Now, can I whisper sweet nothings into your ear? HERNANDEZ Pretty please! INT. FRESNO, ALEX'S RESIDENCE -- EARLY AFTERNOON ALEX enters the basement room and looks at the Miesse's bed. MIESSE is still asleep, gently snoring. ALEX Fred! Miesse jumps up and almost falls over when stepping on his foot. MIESSE What? What? ALEX Fred, wake up. It's a lunch time. Your leg seems to be sleeping too. MIESSE Yeah, damn, it's like from rubber. What time... I slept that long? ALEX Probably trying to catch up. Stay put, I'll be right back. Alex disappears for a few second behind the door frame and then returns back with a food tray. MIESSE I see you're serious about fattening me up. It may be easy if every meal smells so good.

5. ALEX I take it as an oblique thank you. MIESSE Sorry, thank you! ALEX Before we get you into a shape-MIESSE (laughs) That be a pear shape! ALEX Not a full pear. I've been pulling strings here and there in the morning. I've got you a new ID through witness protection. However, that's a formal arrangement. In reality, you'll be a part of investigation team. MIESSE CFL? ALEX Yeah. MIESSE Couldn't go without that special? It gives me willies. ALEX (shaking her head no) I told you this won't be cheap. But you don't have to be involved directly. I'll find something that won't make you swimming in sweat every night. MIESSE Thanks! ALEX My main concern is you being effective, rather than your well being and mental health. MIESSE Thank you regardless! ALEX All right. Your name is Spencer Towsend. If I, Tawny or Alexei addresses you as Uncle Spencer, that's you.

6. MIESSE Am I a rich uncle? ALEX Are you joined with your hip to that hoard? MIESSE Thought it was funny. No, I realize it's gone for all practical purposes. ALEX Not entirely. You are entitled by a law to ten percent finders' fee. I made it a part of the negotiations and got okay for that. MIESSE Wealthy uncle, then. Really, I did not expect that. How about I'll let you speak and thank you just once at the end, rather than repeating myself. ALEX Uncle Spencer, you'll be expressing gratitude for years to come, you owe me big time. MIESSE No problem, I know I do. So, can I get out, catch some sunshine? ALEX No, we need about two weeks to get your physique changed enough. Too risky to let you out, it would be tempting the fate. MIESSE What if I die from boredom before two weeks are over? ALEX Don't worry. I'll find things for you to do. You also need to write a detailed report about your meetings with Martin. Don't leave anything out. Even minute data may be important. MIESSE Hold on a sec. You said out. Does that mean outside and that I won't be confined to this nice cell?

7. ALEX Sort of. You need to stay down here for a week. We need to make sure we're off the CLF radar. Then you can move within the house, kitchen, living room. After two weeks, I think you may be able to get out for short walks. MIESSE Sounds bearable. Say, what happens to my contacts? ALEX You can't get in touch with them. We need to find a middleman. Make a list, the fees you paid for info and I'll get someone trained. MIESSE Should be a human. Your field staff are Cs, right? ALEX Someone from outside, not from my current agent roster. I'll let you give your okay for the choice. MIESSE Appreciate it. I don't want my contacts spooked out. ALEX I wonder why you want to keep your network... intact. MIESSE What if I want to write a book, eventually? ALEX Right! Should have though of that... I've got a contact in a publishing house. MIESSE A good ID cred? ALEX Yes. Uncle Spencer, now eat, food is getting cold! MIESSE Yeah, I'm starving. And thank you! END OF ACT ONE

8. ACT TWO EXT. ISLAND BEACH -- NIGHT JOHN is unsure why he finds himself on a beach. He looks to the right and left, but despite the moonlight, he seems to be alone. He turns, facing inward and sees CAMERON. JOHN Cameron, what you're doing here? Cameron turns toward John and has no face. John realizes that it's Ay. JOHN NO! AY John, please, don't be alarmed. Ay's face appears, it's Cameron's face. JOHN Who are you? AY Why, Ay-meron, of course. John, give me your hand. JOHN Do I have to worry? AY (shaking her head no) No, you don't. Cameron's safe. JOHN Why are-AY ...you here? Cameron called me out. I'm not sure she thought it through, really. But she needed some help. Some advice. JOHN I thought you've merged. AY I did. We became one. But it was like sending this island adrift. Cameron... we realized that we need a sanctuary. A place for inner voice.

9. JOHN How do I fit into that arrangement? AY (smiles) It's not your inner voice. JOHN Not sure-AY You're a connector. A link to many threads. You have your own inner voice in your own sanctuary. It's a special configuration that you call your intuition. JOHN I suppose. But why-AY ... are you telling me? You went asleep. You inner voice. There are things, threads, unraveling. Their ends are frayed and they drift about in whichever way. But they would clot in order of their own choosing. You can't be just alone when that happens. JOHN Are there-AY ... other inner voices that you know of? Yes. There are some that we talk to. With. JOHN Who-AY ... are they? Alena. Tawny. Alexei-JOHN I don't-AY ... know Alexei. We do. Martin, Tia, Sid, Shawna. There are many more. Some bring ideas. Some just listen and do. Some aren't yet in their time. Urug, Nadine, Eicca, Radeca, Yaacov, Samarand, Pavla, Felice, Sabina.

10. JOHN Why do you need-AY There is only one John Connor now. Ay puts her palm on John's chest. JOHN You've said now. Why? AY This John Connor. JOHN I thought... Was there another one? And Cameron? AY There's only one Cameron Connor. JOHN How would I know-AY You listen. You'd know what to do. JOHN Would I-AY ... see you again? You're looking at me every day. <beat> John you have to go. Ay touches John's lips with hers. AY John, I love you! CAMERON John, I love you!

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CONNORS' APARTMENT -- NIGHT John opens his eyes and looks at Cameron. She is sleeping. Her expression is very peaceful and perhaps there is a hint of smile on her face. JOHN I love you, Cameron. INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CATHERINE'S OFFICE -- MORNING CATHERINE picks up her ringing phone. CATHERINE Mr. Tuck, good morning.

11. TUCK We've lost JC. He's not responding. CATHERINE When? TUCK Happened during the night, at 3:17 AM. I should've been here. CATHERINE No. It's not your fault. You need your rest like everyone else. Is Savedge doing autopsy? TUCK She's already on it. CATHERINE Keep me posted. TUCK Of course. What we do now? CATHERINE We have John's stem cells. That's enough for time being. TUCK Do we restart? CATHERINE No. But we need to figure out the cause. I'm worried about Cameron. TUCK She's much older and seems to be doing well. CATHERINE We need to be sure that there's no connection. I'll let Lauren do a full Cameron's checkup. TUCK She's about to be released, right? CATHERINE Yes, in 4 days. TUCK I'll let you know as soon as we figure it out. CATHERINE Thank you.

12. INT. DANILO'S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM -- MORNING MIA is picking her RINGING phone and at the same time giving a baby bottle to Alena. MIA Yes? JOHN (O.S.) I hope that I'm not inconveniencing you. I'm on my way to your place. Cameron just went for a checkup, so I've time to kill. MIA John, knowing you, it must be something more. JOHN (O.S.) Yeah, I've got a new transcript. MIA Ay? JOHN (O.S.) Yes. MIA What-JOHN (O.S.) I'm at the door. Mia opens the front door and lets John in. MIA Let's go to the back, help me with the crib. JOHN She's sleeping. MIA Yeah, I wish I could just drop like her, she can do it in a second. Mia and John get to the garden bench and sit down. Mia puts Alena's portable crib beside her. MIA (CONT'D) Show me. John hands Mia a transcript printout. Mia reads it and her face seems to be getting more serious with every paragraph.

13. JOHN What you make of it? MIA I need to make a call. Give me a minute. JOHN Do you need privacy? MIA (dialing, shakes her head no) Catherine, need to verify something. <beat> Is JC gone? <beat> Corroboration from another source. <beat> I'll send you a report later today. <beat> Yes, with me. <beat> I hope she's fine. <beat> We should wait for the result before jumping to conclusions. <beat> Okay, spontaneous shutdown. But consider it tentative. Les is in? Okay, after she's done. Mia ends the call and looks at John. JOHN Mia, JC? What the hell is going on? MIA Catherine wanted a backup. JOHN Damn. Should have known! I think I'll have a word with Catherine. MIA John, you don't... Catherine wanted a control sample, the backup was a secondary consideration. JOHN But I said-MIA You've made your decision based on your state at that moment.

14. MIA (CONT'D) Catherine did not want to protract the process, so she gave you a white lie. JOHN How can I trust her after this? MIA She has to make decisions that consider many things. Sometimes they're not exactly popular. JOHN I'm not sold. MIA JC expired last night. JOHN Is that what you meant by a control sample? MIA (NODS) Yes. JOHN Is Cameron okay? The checkup... it's not just related to the release. MIA Correct. We need to find out what happened with JC. JOHN Oh! That's why... Ay knew! Do you think she had anything to do with it? MIA No. She just... maintains connections. JOHN What do you think? Is Cameron safe? Straight up. MIA Yes, I think so. I'm sure that the checkup results will be very good. JOHN So what happened to JC?

15. MIA Spontaneous exit. JOHN But why? Can you elaborate? MIA Do you recall some of the sci-fi novels that dealt with time travel? The paradox... the concept that two of the same can't occupy the same space. JOHN Yeah, but-MIA Yes, time displacement works differently. I'm trying to give you a metaphor. JC was becoming aware. The connection with AY was a catalyst, perhaps. He yielded, two of the same minds can't occupy the same mindscape. JOHN That doesn't bode well for cloning. MIA It seems. Unless... the purpose is Cameron's type of graft. JOHN So if, say, John Henry was-MIA Would work. We've got the pattern. JOHN All right. I get the picture. MIA John, go talk to Catherine. Just ask for an explanation and hear her out. Don't be judgmental. No prejudice. You need to clear the air out between you two. JOHN Good idea. MIA Next time you talk to Ay, get her to tell you last names. END OF ACT TWO

16. ACT THREE INT. FRESNO, ALEX'S RESIDENCE -- AFTERNOON ALEX pours "Moss" into a cup in the kitchen. She raises her voice to be heard in the living room. ALEX How much? HERNANDEZ Half, thank you. ALEX Cream, sugar? HERNANDEZ Sacrilege! ALEX (laughs) Okay, a good point. Alex bring the cup to the living room and sets it on the coffee table. Sabina Hernandez NODS and turns her eyes to Alex. She seems to be very focused. HERNANDEZ Thank you! ALEX How did you get to handling Martin's case? HERNANDEZ I was a police officer before Catherine hired me. I was at the crime scene. ALEX I see. I wondered where you got such a detailed information. Why did you quit? HERNANDEZ Personal reasons mainly. And there was a slim chance that the case would get solved if I stayed at PD. ALEX Why is the case so interesting to you?

17. HERNANDEZ Because it does not make much sense. K based cyborgs don't do... it's out of their modus operandi. ALEX How would you know? HERNANDEZ Being one, I should know. ALEX Say what? You're pulling my leg, right? HERNANDEZ What do you mean? No, why? ALEX I thought... I couldn't tell! HERNANDEZ (turning her eyes upward as if for a prayer) Thanks Jack! ALEX Your personal deity? HERNANDEZ (ringing laughter) Sort of. My boyfriend. ALEX You're amazing! I can't detect any C quirks in your patterns. HERNANDEZ I am very glad to hear that. You've got no idea how glad. ALEX I wonder, what's your I've got something, a show that needs to be of and you seem to be fit. work load. little side taken a care an excellent

HERNANDEZ Is it related to Martin's case? ALEX Sort of. Indirectly, but there's a thread.

18. HERNANDEZ Anything related to the case interests me. My problem is a lack of leads, not the opposite. ALEX Very good. Now give me a handshake again. HERNANDEZ Why... sure. ALEX I still can't tell, you've got the human mannerism pat down. All right, give me a minute. Alex brings a terminal from the desk at the window, places it on the coffee table and turns it on. She locates a file and turns the screen toward Hernandez. ALEX (CONT'D) Now read this report. It does not take a minute for Hernandez to read through 10 pages. HERNANDEZ I'm on. Let's meet Uncle Spencer! ALEX You're sure that it won't interfere-HERNANDEZ I need leads. I like his style, too. ALEX All right. He has his veto, but I think he'll say yes. Let's go. Follow me. Alex and Hernandez descend to the basement. Alex knocks on the door. ALEX (CONT'D) Uncle Spencer, can I have a word with you? MIESSE Sure. Let yourself in. Alex opens the door and enters and Hernandez after her.

19. MIESSE (CONT'D) Sorry, did not know you brought a visitor, I'd fix that bird nest on my head. ALEX Uncle Spencer, meet Sabina Hernandez. She's applying for the job of a middle... woman to handle your contacts network. Miesse approaches Hernandez and shakes her hand. MIESSE Excellent! What are your qualifications, Ms Hernandez? HERNANDEZ Sabina. I was a police officer. MIESSE Was? HERNANDEZ Got suspended for insubordination. My big mouth, I guess. Got another job and I'm interested in your... offer. There is a pay attached to it, right? ALEX Right. Nothing spectacular, but it is a decent coin for a part time work. MIESSE Right. Alex holds the purse, I manage. When can you start, Sabina? HERNANDEZ I... does that mean I've got the job? MIESSE I've got good vibes about you. Yes. HERNANDEZ I can start right away. MIESSE Well, I'm not done with the list, did not expect Alex finding someone so fast. Can you come here the upcoming weekend? We'd go over the details and you can officially start then.

20. HERNANDEZ Yes, of course. Saturday? MIESSE 10 AM here. We'd have two four-five hour sessions, one Saturday and one Sunday. That should get you started. HERNANDEZ Thank you Mr-MIESSE Uncle Spencer. HERNANDEZ Uncle Spencer. Have a nice day! MIESSE Likewise. And be on time! Alex and Hernandez exit Miesse's room. Alex puts her finger in front of her lips. Hernandez NODS. They go back upstairs, to the living room. HERNANDEZ That went well. ALEX He wouldn't hire a C. HERNANDEZ Serious? ALEX Yeah. You don't need to tell him. HERNANDEZ There's really no reason why I would, intentionally. But now I won't. He seems to be a charming fellow. ALEX Well, looks can be deceptive! HERNANDEZ (wide smile) Well, you're right about that. Hernandez checks her watch. HERNANDEZ (CONT'D) Gotta run, Moss' going back in an hour and I don't want to miss the ride.

21. ALEX You should get your own transportation. HERNANDEZ Already taken care of, I should have my car in a day or two. ALEX Have a good one, Sabina, and see you Saturday morning. HERNANDEZ Pleasure, Alex. See you on Saturday. INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CATHERINE'S OFFICE -- LATE AFTERNOON Cameron's team -- Catherine, Toshiro, Lauren, Les, and Mia, together with John are at the conference table. It's two days to the scheduled Cameron's release. LAUREN I've read Mia's report. It's a plausible explanation. I don't see any biological reason for the exit, nor there was any biological reason indicated by autopsy. The heart simply stopped pumping. In my view, we've got nothing to worry about. Cameron is in excellent physical and mental shape. TOSHIRO If I may, just a pet theory of mine. Let's suppose that there are individual time frame differences how clones react to their environment, or as the case may be, to the lack of stimulus. Cameron was getting input in spades since the project started. JC, after he was transferred to the B5, what was he getting? At least under Les' management, he was talked to. It may be quite a simple cause--he died from boredom. LES Very likely the lack of stimulus is the real culprit, as Toshi says. There may be some threshold under which the clones are viable. Maybe 6 years lab time.

22. LES (CONT'D) Then without a fill, there simply may be no reason to continue. Every aspect of their existence is known to them, except the non-existence. It may be tempting to pick the unknown. JOHN I hope we're not just rationalizing. I'm trying to get into his shoes. Simply put, if I was to be a vegetable, I would like my plug to be pulled. I suppose, as we were identical biologically, there may have been a strong correspondence as the basic mental construct go. CATHERINE We may not see the whole picture, but I say we're fairly close. Mia's theory seems to go perhaps too far into an uncharted territory, but she's often right. A confluence of several factors. Let's close this chapter and get back to what we came for. Lauren, the monitoring system--is it ready? LAUREN Yes. Cameron still has the option to choose whether the monitoring would be implemented or not, but I'll be more comfortable knowing that she's all right at any time. JOHN I understand the hub function, but how Cameron sends the signals? TOSHIRO Through a small implant chip that would monitor vital functions. JOHN How big is it? LAUREN It's really small flat device that goes under the skin at the skull base, and has porous carbon coating to prevent rejection problems.

23. LAUREN (CONT'D) She won't notice it by touch and it would provide both us and her with a peace of mind. It just monitors the basic vitals, nothing more, but that's what we need. JOHN Toshi, you said something about a watch, is that... does that have the same function? TOSHIRO No, it's a hub that would work outside of your house, the house hub covers roughly 50 meter radius. May seem like redundancy, but the watch is a mobile in fact, so it would work wherever there is a coverage. It's reception radius is 2 meters. It needs to be recharged once a while. That's why we need a dual system. CATHERINE So, if we implant it now, Cameron's free to go? LAUREN She's free to go, implant or not. But as I said, I'd feel more comfortable if Cameron is linked in. CATHERINE Well, then there is nothing holding us back to do it right now, is there? LAUREN No. I don't think we need to vote on it. CATHERINE Any objections? <beat> None it seems. Let's go then. Lauren, you can get your implant injector on the way? LAUREN Yes, of course. END OF ACT THREE

24. ACT FOUR INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CONNORS' APARTMENT -- EVENING CAMERON is with her back to the main door, focused on her terminal screen, annotating a lengthy document. The door opens and Cameron is not aware that beside JOHN, the whole team of Project Cameron enters with him. CAMERON John, give me a minute, I'm almost done, then we can go dining. CATHERINE Hi Cameron, I think there's been a change of plans! Cameron turns quickly on her swivel chair, with an expression of surprise on her face. CAMERON What days is this? Did I jump forward in time? JOHN (laughs) No. But everything is ready. There's no reason for you to be here two days longer. CATHERINE We agreed for a release effective immediately. We would like to offer a monitoring implant before you leave. It would provide us with your vitals and peace of mind and an ability to get alerted immediately if there is a problem. It is up to you to decide if the implant is applied or not, of course. CAMERON What is it? Can I see it? LAUREN It's so small that you can barely see it, I've it ready in the injector. It is 1 millimeter wide and 3 millimeters long. CAMERON But if it is that small, it would have a minimal reach.

25. LAUREN (showing a palm sized wall box) The hub transmitter's located in your house, just like this one. (showing a nice looking lady watch) And if you go outside, you'd wear this watch. It's a modified cell phone. CAMERON It all sounds good. I suppose it is better be safe than sorry. Let's do it! Lauren approaches sitting Cameron and pulls her hair aside to apply the injector, and squeezes the release. LAUREN How does it feel? CAMERON Like a pin prick. Already forgotten about it. Cameron is smiling and gets up. Cameron heads toward Catherine and opens arms for a hug. Catherine's hug is a tiny bit robotic, perhaps on purpose. CATHERINE We'll miss you, I enjoyed our close contact very much. Please remember, any time you feel like talking, just call or drop by. CAMERON Thank you, yes, I will. Lauren's turn, she hugs Cameron without words. Toshiro is next. TOSHIRO Don't be a stranger. And submit the application soon! To me or to Neal. CATHERINE What application? CAMERON Toshi wants to hire me. To work for Neal. Who, I'm not sure knows about it yet. CATHERINE What a great idea! Yes, please do!

26. Les gives his typical bear hug. LES I feel like letting my daughter go to experience world! Be well, Cameron! CAMERON (smiling) I will, father! MIA You'll be 15 minute walk from us. I hope to see you often. Cameron reciprocates Mia's hug and NODS. CATHERINE You have packing to do... good night and good luck! INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CONNORS' APARTMENT -- LATER JOHN All packed? CAMERON Yes. Ready. What about the terminals? JOHN We have our own, already plugged in, just turning on the switch is all that's needed. The data transfer is already in progress. In the doorstep, Cameron looks over the room one last time. INT. LOS ANGELES, CONNORS' HOUSE -- LATER EVENING JOHN and CAMERON enter. They stop in the hallway, John still holding the handle of a dolly with stacked boxes. JOHN Our castle. CAMERON A big house, I could get lost... Give me a short tour. John, dropping the dolly's handle, takes Cameron's hand and leads her through the house. JOHN Living room.

27. JOHN Kitchen. JOHN (CONT'D) Storage closets. JOHN (CONT'D) Washroom. John leads Cameron upstairs. JOHN (CONT'D) Bathroom. CAMERON Spacious. I like the big tub. JOHN Next. Storage, for now. JOHN (CONT'D) My study. JOHN (CONT'D) Your study. CAMERON Why is it so... empty? JOHN I thought you'd want it that way, no clutter. You can arrange it any way you like. CAMERON I hope I can get back to guitar and ballet. I don't have such a control of my body I had then. JOHN It may take a while, I know you can do it if you put your mind to it. I've got to get those Acevedos back from our country home. Do you recall the songs you've learned? CAMERON Some. Not all of it. Bits. But that should help me to get started. JOHN Bedroom. CAMERON Strange. I remember this bed.

28. JOHN It's new. CAMERON Actually the sheets and coverings' pattern. JOHN I think that it is one of your last memories before the Brandi's attack. Damn, if I knew... Cameron puts her hand on John's shoulder. CAMERON John, that's behind us. I hope you're not blaming yourself. And by-the-way, I thought that you liked your new, softer and gentler Cameron! JOHN (smiling) I am not convinced about that, you have pointy elbows! Cameron prepares an elbow slug, but then stops before hitting. She makes a fist and hits John instead gently into a shoulder. JOHN Cameron, I think I'll get you boxing gloves! Okay, hungry? I can make something real quick. CAMERON You brought some food? JOHN Yeah, I stocked up the fridge a few days ago. CAMERON Let's go back to the kitchen, I'll check the fridge and let me try whip up something. JOHN Oh! A bonus! CAMERON Now, Now! I can still decide that my offer isn't in cards.

29. JOHN Scrambled eggs? With bacon? Sauteed onion... CAMERON What? No bread? JOHN In the freezer compartment. Just put in the oven for 4 minutes at 350 and it will be crispy and tasty. CAMERON Toasty. JOHN Just right. Cameron is still standing, not making a move. JOHN (CONT'D) Waiting for something? CAMERON You'll always tell me what to do? JOHN What? Thought that I can have an input! CAMERON This time, I'll let it slide! Cameron quickly pulls the eggs, bacon, green onions and bread from the fridge and John watches in amazement. It's like a choreographed dance--no extraneous movement, a synthesis of function and form. By the time the timer on the oven rings, it is all ready and the next few seconds on plates. JOHN It's probably more treat to watch you that to eat. CAMERON I hope it tastes good too! Can we go to the back? I saw a garden table with chairs there. JOHN We better go quick and eat before sundown. CAMERON We can turn on the lights?

30. JOHN We could. But we'd be eating bugs with it as a side dish! CAMERON June bugs! I really don't like them in any form! Let's hurry, please!

INT. LOS ANGELES, CONNORS' HOUSE, BEDROOM -- NIGHT CAMERON is sitting on bed. JOHN is already in it, under the cover. CAMERON You know, I dreamed all this time in Zeira Med about a pillow fight. I am not really sure where it's coming from. JOHN You are not serious. CAMERON You think so? Cameron grabs quickly a pillow and slugs John over the head, laughing. JOHN She is... John retaliates, and fight goes on for about 15 seconds. John stretches his arm forward in a defensive posture and calls out. JOHN (CONT'D) Enough! You win! CAMERON I am a badass ninja, admit it! John suddenly freezes and looks confused. CAMERON (CONT'D) John what is it? Did I say something to upset you? JOHN No, it is just... weird. One day, long time ago, Riley said almost the same thing to me.

31. CAMERON I am sorry. I... JOHN Nothing to be sorry about, it was so reminiscent that I almost jumped into that time for a second. CAMERON Interesting. How human memory works. For me it is a bit different. JOHN How different? CAMERON I guess that's because of my memory system, of my chip implant, I recollect more systematically, I don't have yet much of that associative memory type. JOHN I think you have more of it than you think and in time you'll get more of it yet. It adds up in time. But I am glad you have your memories in any form. JOHN (CONT'D) (reaching for the light switch) Well, good night. CAMERON John! JOHN What? CAMERON About these little Connors-JOHN Oh! <beat> When do we start? CAMERON Today, sweetie, today! John turns off the lights. END OF ACT FOUR

32. ACT FIVE INT. LOS ANGELES, MAIN PUBLIC LIBRARY -- DAY C MARION CORVINO (apparent age 26) is turning pages of Rembrandt Works with reverence. Or it may be prudence, as the pages, with yellowed out margins, are perhaps somewhat brittle. Tilted at an angle, a large sturdy folder of 60 by 40 inches, with ties on the sides and top arranged in neat knots and loops, is resting against her chair. Marion hears a voice from behind her and it takes her two seconds to realize that the voice is for her. She turns her head to her left and sees a man in his late seventies standing off the side and slightly behind her. MARION Pardon me? FORREL I've seen it. The reproduction can't tell you even the half of the story. JOSHUA FORREL moves closer to Marion and offers his hand. FORREL (CONT'D) Joshua Forrel. Marion reciprocates, shaking Forrel's hand. MARION Marion Corvino. FORREL Would you mind if I grab a chair beside you? MARION Please. I want to hear more. FORREL Marion... Can I call you Marion? MARION Yes, or course, that's my name. FORREL (pointing at the lower center of the reproduction) See here, where they join their hands? He used so much paint that the sleeves and hands became a relief. As if trying to make the painting come alive.

33. MARION You're right, I can't see it on the reproduction. I'd love to see it. FORREL It's lost, like many other works of art. There may be still some private collections locked in vaults somewhere. MARION I hope these are found. Forrel looks into Marion's eyes, as if trying to match his memory with Marion's features. FORREL You look just like your mother. MARION No, you're mis-FORREL I know that you're a C. It doesn't matter. You're her daughter in ways that do not reveal themselves on the surface. MARION How? FORREL I can perceive the legacy. I'm not sure why it is there, or how it got there. It is expressed in many minute ways. MARION But you just met me. FORREL No. I was watching you for a while. Here, in the park, selling your drawings and aquarelles. It was surprising to me when I first noticed. Then I got used to it, almost expected it. MARION You knew her-FORREL Yes. I was at her side when she died, shortly before your--

34. MARION Production. FORREL Inception. That's what it really was. MARION Did she... at Zeira? FORREL Yes. Cancer. No one could help her. She fought it for years. MARION I'm sorry to hear that. FORREL Don't be. It was a release. You should have seen her face when she passed. It was so peaceful. MARION Does Zeira's bank has her-FORREL Gene bank? Yes. I believe that the samples collection started some time before she died. They took her image before autopsy and that is what you've received. Somehow, in that moment, something else got passed through. Passed on. MARION I'd love to believe that. But I'm not sure that it's possible. I wish it was. John Henry says-FORREL You know him? MARION Yes, he's my teacher. FORREL What does he teach? Isn't he... in Tibet? MARION Philosophy, or rather the way of life. Yes, he's in Tibet, but he's coming back, for a while.

35. FORREL It would be interesting to meet him. MARION I could... I can introduce you to him. FORREL Can you? I'd appreciate it. Marion NODS. FORREL (CONT'D) (pointing to her portfolio folder) May I? MARION Yes, of course. Marion lifts her folder, places it on the table and starts releasing the knots of ties. There is something in her movements that makes Forrel smile. MARION (CONT'D) You're smiling-FORREL I can see your mother imprint in many things you do. Marion smiles back. FORREL (CONT'D) You didn't object this time. MARION What if you're right? I'd like to think that. Marion closes the book, pushes it aside to make room and opens her folder. Forrel looks at pictures, pausing for a few seconds when he flips the previous one. FORREL This one is excellent. A common object coming alive. Is it recent? MARION (NODS) I've made that 5 weeks ago. You like it? You can have it.

36. FORREL Can you show it to me every time I ask? I'd prefer it that way. MARION (smiles) Would you ask often? FORREL I think I would. When did you start with art? Right after-MARION No. I was a nurse at St. Johns for a while. Six months. I liked the work. But it wasn't my calling. FORREL Must have been a bit of a struggle when you started with art, no? MARION I... I'm quite frugal. Had savings, some help from friends, so it was not that hard. I had enough to buy a house. It's tiny and I've got to fix it up once a while. But it's all I need. And I do sell. It's enough to get me by. FORREL Yes, I know. Seen it. I'm glad people are buying. There is more to the sustenance than the food on the table. MARION Can I... I'd like to hear more about you and my... mother. FORREL Not much to tell about me. I'm a veteran. Fought at EM. The only survivor from my unit. It's not a happy memory. Your mother, that's different. She was a light, even if flickering for years. She had a knack for drawings, but she didn't do much of it. It was more of a potential. She had a beautiful voice. She sung sometimes. It was harder as the disease progressed, the invader was slowly clipping her wings. Forrel pauses, drifting into his memories.

37. MARION You loved her. FORREL (NODS) Not for the ability to draw or sing. These were just expressions of herself. It was her large heart and the overflowing well of life. She was, to the very end, an optimist. It wasn't that she were not aware of the darkest facets of the human existence. Despite it. MARION I wish I could have known her. FORREL (wry smile) There wouldn't be you if she was still alive. It's the wheel of life, she passed on to give you your chance for being. From what I can see, she'd be proud. MARION (her eyes seem to lit up) You think so? FORREL There aren't many things I'm sure of, but this one... no doubt. Both Forrel and Marion fell silent. Marion's face changes expression as she goes into introspection. FORREL (CONT'D) Marion, what is it? MARION I don't know if I can measure up. I'm not human-FORREL The secret is not being human, it's becoming one. The process. That is what that actually means, being human is becoming human. We could go anywhere and I could just point out to you those that are seemingly human but became mere automatons. MARION I've never heard this before, wouldn't consider that possible.

38. FORREL The folder... is it all your art? MARION No, I have a... many more at home. It's those that I think would sell. FORREL Can I see them all? MARION Oh, yes, of course! I'd love to... show them to you. My house is in East End, but it's just one hour walk, it's a nice day. Let me return the book and we can go. INT. EAST LOS ANGELES, MARION'S HOUSE -- LATER There are pictures pinned on the walls all around. Forrel walk around and focuses on one picture at a time. FORREL Amazing! You've been busy. MARION (smiles) Yes, it's the only way, to get good at it, I know of. A faint buzz intrudes into the quiet space. Marion pulls a cell phone from a pocket of her light jacket. She looks at the display. Forrel look by the corner of his eye, unintentionally. It shows "14-10T-CLG". FORREL You must be doing rather well. A nice toy you have! MARION (laughs) No, it's a... present. From John Henry. He needs me to... I... am to call others when he's in town. FORREL Others? MARION Students. You know, I think that John Henry would really like to talk with you. If you're here at 9 AM tomorrow, I can take you to the class. END OD ACT FIVE

39. ACT SIX INT. ZEIRA CENTER, HERNANDEZ' OFFICE -- AFTERNOON SABINA HERNANDEZ scrolls, on her screen, through pages of material. Her face reveals a bit of frustration. She hears a KNOCK on her door. HERNANDEZ Yes, come in, please! The door opens and SAVEDGE peeks in, as if unsure whether she won't disturb. SAVEDGE May I? HERNANDEZ Yes, please! Hernandez motions with her hand toward an empty chair near her desk. HERNANDEZ (CONT'D) You remembered something. SAVEDGE (shaking her head no) Wish I did. Savedge notices the dense text on the display. She points casually to it. SAVEDGE (CONT'D) That's how I feel. Must be frustrating. Anything? HERNANDEZ No. It's like with Martin's exit, all the bridges that may have been there to the CLF are burned. SAVEDGE CLF? HERNANDEZ The initials of the outfit he was connected to. SAVEDGE That's something. Do you know what it stands for? HERNANDEZ Cyborg Liberation Front.

40. SAVEDGE Liberation from what or whom? HERNANDEZ Skynet. SAVEDGE But... NO! He wouldn't! HERNANDEZ I think every now and then, people... or cyborgs, can surprise us. I just wish I could pin down to what degree he revealed what he knew. SAVEDGE This really makes me mad. They say that we should regard the dead with respect, but I've got a hard time to apply it in this case. <beat> I'm so dumb! I'd scream if I were alone. Arrggh! HERNANDEZ You couldn't-SAVEDGE No. I could've piece it together that there's something wrong. It was a small voice in my head, when we were discussing politics, or rather when the discussion was forced upon me... I didn't listen. HERNANDEZ Everyone makes mistakes. It's a part of learning process. SAVEDGE Don't try to make me feel better! HERNANDEZ (smiles) As you wish. Did you pay me a visit to see how the investigation's going? SAVEDGE Maybe, in part. You've said you'd like to meet John Henry. HERNANDEZ He comes here when he's back from his trips, no?

41. SAVEDGE Usually, not always. He sees Weaver, for an hour or two, and that's about the extent of it. He spend most of his time with his students. HERNANDEZ Students? Are you one? SAVEDGE (NODS) Yes. There's a class tomorrow morning. Would you like to come? HERNANDEZ But that's during work hours! SAVEDGE I shift my working hours. Unless there is something very urgent I have to attend to, my supervisor gives me a green light to rearrange my schedule. HERNANDEZ Tuck? SAVEDGE Yes. He's not much into John Henry's teachings, but he goes out of his way to accommodate my classes. In your case... you're your own boss, right? HERNANDEZ Sort of. As long as I keep my reports coming, Catherine is happy. SAVEDGE First name basis, huh? She must like you a lot. HERNANDEZ (laughs) I think it's more of a working relationship. Sort of a shortcut displacing formalities. In that sense, it may be somewhat expensive. SAVEDGE Weaver has her circles. Two, in fact. Her inner circle, quite small, and another circle, for everyone else. Just the way she is.

42. HERNANDEZ Maybe. Well, what about the class? Where, when? SAVEDGE Tomorrow in the morning. I'll come at 9 AM and take you there. Do you have a ride? HERNANDEZ Speaking of which, where's my car? I am supposed to get it today. SAVEDGE The day's not over yet, I'm sure you will, if it's Moss as the delivery agent. HERNANDEZ Yes, Moss. Coffee and cars, everything else and what not. SAVEDGE All right, I'll get here at 9:40. By a car, it takes 15 minutes to get to the place. HERNANDEZ By the way, I am Sabina. SAVEDGE Irene. My pleasure. See you tomorrow. INT. LOS ANGELES, CONNORS' HOUSE -- EVENING CAMERON sits behind a desk in her study, making notes on her terminal. The room is otherwise empty, waiting to be furnished. The DOOR BELL sound interrupts her concentration for a moment. She saves her entry and walks downstairs to the main door and opens. It takes her a second to realize that in front of her stands John Henry. CAMERON John Henry! I did not expect... please come in. JOHN HENRY Thank you, Cameron. John's home? CAMERON No, he went to our country home to get some of our stuff. He should be home later tonight.

43. JOHN HENRY Maybe next time. CAMERON Can I get you something? JOHN HENRY A glass of water, thank you. Interesting, you already think like a human. CAMERON (smiling) Maybe because I am one? Cameron fetches a glass of water and sits down beside John Henry. JOHN HENRY Yes. It just seems... unusual. At least to me. This is the first time we're talking after your transfer. CAMERON Hope not the last time. You've been... tell me about your trip. JOHN HENRY Not much to tell. I've been visiting monasteries in Tibet, trying to collect fragments of wisdom-CAMERON How it went? Well, I hope. JOHN HENRY Not as I expected. The whole philosophical system of Tibetans is geared toward finding answers in oneself. It has been a frustrating experience. The good people there know I'm a cyborg, but it's not that they fully understand it. CAMERON They presume that your experiential reality is the same like it's for them? JOHN HENRY Not entirely.

44. JOHN HENRY (CONT'D) It's their insistence that the answers lie within. They don't, in my case. What you put in is what you get out. CAMERON I don't believe that's true. You can-JOHN HENRY Basically, that's how I am. I could rationalize it to be otherwise, but that doesn't change the way I'm made. I know my limits. However, it was not a fruitless adventure. Beside gaining some insight into the human mind, I found some fragments of human history that are quite interesting. CAMERON Can you... what kind of fragments? JOHN HENRY It will take me a while to piece it together. There's a thick layer of mythological and cultural overlays, so it is not easy to get to the kernels of possible truth. At least I know what I should be looking for next time I go there. CAMERON I hope you'll keep me in the loop. I'd like to know what you find out. JOHN HENRY Yes, if there's one first to know, you're my choice. CAMERON Thank you. JOHN HENRY I was planning to stay longer, but it was a couple of weeks ago that I started to realize that my answers are more close to home. In fact, they are sitting right in front of me. Cameron is mockingly looking around her, then she laughs.

45. CAMERON I'm not sure I can give you answers that the wise men couldn't. I'm not that far from a child. I was born, literally, almost yesterday. JOHN HENRY It actually works in your favor. You have very limited wall of patterns that people acquire through their life experience. CAMERON It may be a disadvantage. The acquisition of patterns is an adaptation to functioning well in the social environment. I sometimes feel a bit naked, having to figure out how to react while others do it naturally. Almost naturally. JOHN HENRY Catherine was sending me briefs about your progress. I say that you're better off the way you are. CAMERON Maybe. The patterns can be sometimes a hindrance when adapting to new situations. There's a golden mean somewhere, it's a little difficult to find it. JOHN HENRY I think you will. You've been always unique. As a cyborg... no one is probably better equipped than me to assess that, as I still carry your former essence within me. Catherine could've ask me to bootstrap you as a cyborg again, when the damage to your chip become apparent. She chose not to. Beside the gene pool considerations, there was another aspect that was compelling to her. CAMERON What is that? JOHN HENRY She wanted to find out if you'll have a soul, by making you a human.

46. CAMERON Do I have one? JOHN HENRY We're about to find out, at some point. I think you do. All humans do have it. The only thing is--most of them aren't aware of it. CAMERON John Henry, but I don't really know what is it... what is the soul? JOHN HENRY I can only provide a second hand, washed out description. It is something that is not a part of my makeup. It won't be much of help. CAMERON Are you sure that you don't have a soul? JOHN HENRY Yes. Once my system wears out and breaks down, I'm done. I could encapsulate my essence, that who I am, into a data track in one fashion or another, hoping to continue, if someone deems that desirable. I'm more durable than humans. But I can't transcend. I'm a Flatlander compared to humans. CAMERON But if it exists, wouldn't humans already know what the soul is by now? As far as I can tell, opinions vary. No one's really sure not only what it is, but also whether it is. JOHN HENRY Catherine is convinced that it does exist. She told me about some of her experiences, which I am bound to keep private... she did encounter it. CAMERON Very helpful!

47. JOHN HENRY (smiling) Yes, I know. I just don't want to influence you by giving you something that may be second hand rendition. But if you want some form of analogy, try to find some reference to Borovec and Hercik. They tried to tackle the question from the viewpoint of physics and mathematics. Just remember, it was an analogy, but it did crudely encapsulate the possible nature of it, and its mechanism. CAMERON John Henry, do you think cyborgs can't have it? No chance in hell? JOHN HENRY Interesting turn of a phrase. It's been always fascinating to me how human mind can string together tenuous connections that may seem to be, on the surface, coincidental. But to answer your question... No, they do not have it. As far as I can-John Henry does not finish his sentence. He seems to be submerged into his thoughts, and seconds are ticking away. CAMERON John Henry, are you okay? JOHN HENRY Yes, I just... I can't be entirely sure that it's not possible. Perhaps, under certain circumstances... This world seems to be designed in a way that there is always some room for exceptions, a margin for error is built in. But there's a certain path for cyborgs, to be sure. John Henry looks at Cameron with a focused gaze. Cameron is looking into John Henry's eyes for a few seconds. CAMERON (NODS) Yes. END OF ACT SIX