Duplicitous, Evil Water

Tagline: Flash forward later in Season 2: Why is Dr. Jones all alone? Where did everyone go?

Timeline: Between September 23, 2044 and July 28, 2045, during episode 213.



Jones: I'm alone. The sole occupant of Raritan Valley National Laboratory. The last guardian of Project Splinter.



[Jones stands overlooking the empty room that houses the splinter machine. She lifts her glass and takes a sip.]

Jones: What am I to do now? Shall I follow? Pursue? Into certain death? I cannot.



[Montage of Jones writing in a notebook, loading a shotgun, setting up tin can alarms and trip wires, then reading a book called 'Firearms Manual Archive'.]

Jones: Despite my solitude and isolation, I know that I won't always be. I must learn. Adapt. Like Dr. Railly once said, not every caterpillar becomes a butterfly.

[Jones hears crackling on her handheld radio and rushes to answer.]



Jones: Hello? Is anyone there?

[Jones hears a noise in an outer room and finds a dead scav. She drags the body down a hallway.]

Jones: What am I protecting? My life? This mission? Is it more valuable than these marauders who search merely for food and warmth?



[Jones picks up her violin and starts to play. Montage of Jones looking at herself in a mirror, then standing with her glass while looking out over the splinter machine room.]



[A bang sounds as another scav trips a wire. Jones pulls the body down the hall.]



Jones: Without a purpose here, am I not better? Have I become just another savage?



[Jones sits near a doorway smoking a cigarette. A shadow cutting through the light can be seen at the entrance. Jones raises her shotgun and aims it at the doorway.

Jones: I am no longer alone.

[Jones rushes down a hallway to her room and shuts the door.]
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Tagline: Jennifer Goines has a few things to say about the end of the world. But what's truth, and what's her crazy?

Timeline: Early 2016, before or during episode 201.



[In the Emerson Hotel bar, a group of five people sit together at a table discussing various conspiracy theories.]



Man 1: Nuclear fallout.

Woman 1: Oh, well, it's not global warming.

Man 2: Interplanetary alignment.

Woman 1: No.



Man 1: You know what nobody is talking about? Tomatoes. You know, they're genetically altered now. With what? Alien DNA.



Man 2: It ain't about space aliens, man! But it is about space.



Woman 1: Now, we all know the moral destruction of this country will come at the hand of individuals who engage in hedonistic...

[Jennifer's head comes into focus in the background, where she's been reading a newspaper in a armchair.]



Jennifer: What about a plague? Huh?

Woman 1: It is a plague.

[Jennifer sets down her newspaper, stands and walks towards the table.]



Jennifer: No, a real plague. A genetically altered virus created by a very specific bioengineering company.

Man 1: Like the tomatoes.

Jennifer: No! Like a cold. But no cough-sniff, this is bleed-die.

Woman 1: That sounds like bullshit to me.

[Jennifer sits down at the table, removes a vial from her pocket and shows it to the group.]



Jennifer: Huh! Hm-mm. Exhibit A. Proof. Conspiracy in infancy. Heh! Let's play a game. Spin the vial!

[Jennifer spins the vial, like she's playing 'spin the bottle'. When it points towards the guy on her right, she sets the vial infront of him.]

Jennifer: Wanna know who shot JFK? What happened at Roswell? McDonald's secret sauce? Open that up, Alice. In a few months you can march right into the Pentagon, the Vatican, and find out all the answers you ever wanted to know.



[Man 1 picks up the vial, contemplates it for a moment, then hands it back to Jennifer.]

Jennifer: Oh, come on. You ain't got the stuff.

[Jennifer spins the vial again and sets it infront of Man 2.]



Jennifer: Spaceman Spiff! Here it is. The key to interdimensional time travel. The beginning to the end. The seed of death. The power to rule the world! The great bio reset switch. Crack that open. We'll all be playing 'Ring Around the Rosie' til we all fall down.

Man 2: You're insane.

[Man 2 hands the vial back to Jennifer.]

Jennifer: In the membrane! Sorry. Okay. Well, that only leaves one last brave soul who will either stop me from sending the world into an apocalypse, or take some initiative themselves and open Pandora's Box of paradox.



[Instead of spinning the vial, Jennifer points at each person around the table as she talks, landing on Woman 1.]

Jennifer: And my mommy said to choose the very best one and you are it!

[Woman 1 grabs the vial and looks at Jennifer.]



Jennifer: It's just a twist top.

[Woman 1 hands the vial back to Jennifer.]

Jennifer: Huh. You had your chance. I guess I'll hold on to this for now. Get ready, kiddos. It's 2016, Year of the Monkey. The Year of the Monkey! See you soon.



[Jennifer gets up, grabs the vial and leaves the bar. The group settles back in at their table.]



Man 2: That was weird.

Man 1: So, what were we talking about?

Woman 1: Tomatoes.

Man 1: Tomatoes...
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Tagline: The Witness brings salvation, or destruction. It's all a matter of perspective -- and time.



Olivia: What is a plague?

Jones: An epidemic, that lays waste to all in its way.

Olivia: Time is the true plague.

Jones: A plague devours life, leaving only a memory.

Olivia: But what if we could stop time?



Jones: What if you could end the destruction?

Olivia: Death itself would become the memory.

Jones: We carry on because of those memories.

Olivia: The Witness knows this.



Jones: He's our enemy.

Olivia: He will save us.

Jones: By destroying us.

Olivia: He is our savior.

Jones: A murderer.



Olivia: The one we love.

Jones: The one we fear.

Olivia: It is his will.

Jones: That we must stop.

Olivia: So we may live forever in the Red Forest.

Jones: And undo the damages that he has caused.



Olivia: The Witness knows...

Jones: I know...

Olivia: That he will...

Jones: Must not...

Olivia: Prevail.

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Tagline: The old Markridge is dead. Long live Jennifer Goines.

Timeline: Takes place prior to or during episode 13.

[Jennifer paces back and forth in the Markridge boardroom. The out-of-focus heads of two employees can be seen in the foreground.]



Jennifer: The old Markridge is dead. Consumer confidence is subterranean. Our stocks are falling faster than a weepy hipster off the Golden Gate. Under the old Markridge, we stole and sold back. Under the new, we will discover and give back.

[Jennifer stops pacing and places her hands on the boardroom table, leaning towards the employees on the other side.]



Jennifer: However, it's come to my attention that some of you don't like the new Markridge. That you're questioning not just my sanity, but my ability. Jeopardizing the future of everyone in this company.

[Jennifer takes a few steps, grabs a baseball bat off the floor with her right hand and starts slapping it against the palm of her left hand.]



Jennifer: You know what I love about baseball? Doesn't matter what you think of the coach, you are part... of... a... team.

[Jennifer rests the baseball bat on her shoulder for a second.]

Jennifer: Isn't that right, Roger!

[Jennifer swings the bat at the employee's head, then repeatedly bashes him with the baseball bat. The screen zooms out to reveal that the 'employees' are actually mannequins.]



[The view changes to show four mannequins seated along one side of the boardroom table and Jennifer's assistant at the far end.]



Assistant: That was Bill from R&D.

Jennifer: I thought toupée was Roger.

Assistant: The mustache is Roger. From accounting. Toupée is Bill.

Jennifer: From R&D?

Assistant: Right.

Jennifer: Bowtie is Richard and Dead Eyes is Dave.

Assistant [shakes head]: Flip them.



Jennifer: Dammit, I'm never going to get all these names.

Assistant: Wasn't the punchline that you were going to fire them all anyway?

Jennifer: Except Roger.

Assistant: Bill.

Jennifer: Whatever! What's the point?

Assistant: What does it matter if you know their names or not?

[Jennifer turns away from her assistant and quietly starts talking.]



Jennifer: I was in the room when those scientists died. I remember their faces. Terrified. Shaking. Begging not to die. But not their names. So the way I figure, if you're going to kill an animal, you look it in the eye, call it what it's called.

[Jennifer stabs a straw in the top of a juice box and and starts drinking.]



Assistant: Miss Goines?

[Jennifer puts the juice box down on the table.]

Jennifer: Enough with the questions, Kiddo. I've got seven billion names to learn.

Tagline: Jennifer Goines interviews a potential assistant. Guess how that goes.

Timeline: Takes place between episodes 11 and 12.



[Jennifer sits at the head of a table in a Markridge board room, possibly the same one from webisode #4. She scribbles on a notepad while muttering to herself.]



Jennifer: Glasses. Glasses for the lady suit. There's a nice lady suit. I built this from the ground up. Let's have a board meeting about that. Have my assistant call your assistant call his assistant. Interesting, very interesting. Whoa, firm handshake. I'll use my booming voice. You can have confidence...

[The camera zooms out along the table to show that Jennifer is not alone.]



[The Interviewee clears her throat. Jennifer looks up startled.]



Jennifer: Ah! Jesus Christ! How long have you been there?

Interviewee: Half hour. You told me you needed a minute. I think you said you were practicing your signature?

[Jennifer glances down at the notepad in front of her, filled with versions of her signature.]



Jennifer: Right. That was you?

[The woman gives a nod and a half smile.]

Jennifer: Right.

[Jennifer gets up from the table and tosses her hair, then heads for the decanter on the table behind her chair.]



Jennifer: Behind this magnificent head of hair is a brain being pickled by lithium. Alright... Job interview. Looking for an assistant.



[Jennifer pours herself a drink, turns back to the Interviewee, takes a swallow, then immediately spits it out. She sits back down in her chair while continuing to talk.]

Jennifer: Gotta be smart. Go getter. Good to go?

[Jennifer slaps the table, then interlaces her fingers and leans forward on the table.]

Jennifer: First question... ready, Freddie?



[The woman responds with a nod and half smile.]

Interviewee: Mmm hmm.



Jennifer: Are you real?

Interviewee: Yes...

Jennifer: Good.

[Jennifer scribbles something on her notepad, then turns the page.]

Jennifer: Moving on. Hmm... interesting. Says here that you have experience doing things.

[The woman nods her head.]

Jennifer: HR likes that. Me? I have none. An HR nightmare. Can you keep a calendar?

Interviewee: Absolutely! I'll make certain you're on time and in order...

Jennifer: Doesn't really matter, because I only need one for the next few years anyway. So...

[Jennifer gets up from the table, walks a few steps, then turns back.]



Interviewee: Okay... Why's that?

Jennifer: We could all be dead! Shake the 8 Ball, future's unclear.

[Jennifer steps forward and rests her hands on the table, leaning towards the other woman.]

Jennifer: Can I ask you something? [nods] Do I seem crazy to you?



Interviewee: I've worked for men who disguised their crazy with sane. I think you wrap your sane just fine in crazy.

[Jennifer contemplates that answer for a few seconds, then puts out her arm for a handshake.]



Jennifer: Welcome to Markridge, kiddo. [shakes hands vigorously] Kiddo!

[While still shaking hands, Jennifer leans forward and uses her left knuckles to rub the woman's head. A slight chuckle then Jennifer steps back.]

Jennifer: That, in your honest opinion... See, have you ever in other jobs been noogied?

[Jennifer makes the knuckle gesture at her own head.]

Tagline: When time is broken, it just needs a little help.

Timeline: ???



[Classical piano plays as Olivia (aka Striking Woman) carries a small wooden box across her office.]



[She sets the box on her desk and opens it to reveal brown dried leaves.]



[Olivia uses a spoon to transfer some leaves to a mortar, then crushes them with a pestle.]



Olivia: When are you right now? Somewhere beautiful? Serene? Close to what you love?

[Olivia spoons the crushed leaves into a pot, then strikes a match and lights the burner beneath the pot. She blows on the match to extinguish the flame.]



[Water is poured into the pot, then the leaves are removed to leave an orange-brown liquid.]



Olivia: What if all that could be destroyed? You'd do everything in your power to protect it, wouldn't you?



[Olivia lifts the pot and sips the tea.]



Olivia: No matter how awful it seemed at the time. Even if you had to compromise everything... yourself... humanity. You would, every time. Over and over again.

[The video of Olivia starts shaking. A montage of images flash on the screen, similar to what was seen when Cassie was given the tea, but interspersed with clocks and gears.]





Olivia: And when time is broken, when it stops working correctly, all that's needed is a little help to make sure all the gears inside continue to turn. And all those intricate pieces work together, as they should.







[The gears on one of the clocks stops, a minute hand resting on 12 is shown and the single chime of a grandfather clock can be heard.]



Olivia: Beautiful circle, the cycle.

Tagline: Leland Goines has an empire to protect.

Timeline: Takes place in 2014.



[Leland Goines waits at the front door of a home. A dark haired man opens the door and seems surprised by who he finds there.]

Brian: Leland... what are you doing here?

Leland: I was worried about you, Brian. Can we talk?

Brian: Yeah.

[Brian opens the door and steps aside to allow Leland entrance. He seems wary of his uninvited guest. Brian closes the door and turns to face Leland.]

Brian: Look, I'm sorry about yesterday. I was out of line.

[Brian, carrying his coffee cup, leads Leland through his house to his living room.]

Brian: And Leland, I understand bending the rules, but Christ... What we've done at Markridge? It goes way beyond that now. Government contract or not, creating this kind of pathogen...



Leland: It will never see the light of day. We just want the option, Brian. Keeps their bio warfare budget flowing. Which puts your kids through college.

Brian: Yes, I'm worried about my kids, Leland. Christ, you're a father. If this thing gets out, into the wrong hands...

Leland: Yes, such a scenario would be catastrophic, you're right about that. Sleeping won't work.[?] We're right on the edge with this research, but I'm with you. No reason we can't do the right thing.

[Leland and Brian settle into their chairs. Brian lets out a sigh of relief upon hearing what Leland said.]

Brian: You have no idea how relieved I am to hear you say that.



[Brian sets his mug down on a coffee table.]

Brian: I'm sorry. I'm flustered. Do you want a cup?

[Brian gestures to his mug.]

Leland: You read my mind.

[Brian gets up and heads into his kitchen while continuing to talk. He grabs another mug and fills it with coffee.]



Brian: I have nightmares... this new strain is so aggressive. It's a...

Leland: I have the strictest containment protocols, Brian. You know that.

Brian: I do...know that. I designed them, remember? But we both know that's, uh, not the case with your off-site labs.

[Brian returns to his living room and hands Leland his coffee.]

Leland: Oh, I see. That's why you're meeting with the Washington Herald next week?

[Leland takes a sip of coffee while watching for Brian's reaction. Brian looks taken aback.]



Leland: It's okay. If I were in your position, I probably would have done the same. But I built Markridge from the ground up.

[Leland watches as Brian takes a sip of his coffee.]

Leland: It's my life's work. I've given everything for her.

Brian: I'm not blowing the whistle.

Leland: I know you're not, Brian.

[Leland leans forward and puts his coffee mug on the table. He then settles back in his chair to observe Brian. Brian places his mug on the table, then suddenly clutches his chest in pain and gives Leland a shocked look.]



[Leland responds with a raised eyebrow and slight shrug.]



[Another pain has Brian falling back in his chair. Leland reaches into his pocket, draws out a small vial and holds it up while continuing to talk.]



Leland: One of yours. Seraphim serum. Fast, untraceable... honestly, it's a work of art. It will look like that arrhythmia finally got the best of you. I'm very sorry about this, Brian.

[Leland grabs the two coffee mugs from the table and carries them into the kitchen. Brian moans and gasps for breath, while clutching the chair arm with his left hand and his chest with the right.]

Leland: I know the pain is excruciating. But don't worry, your children will be taken care of. College, too.



[Leland washes out the mugs, then grabs a dish cloth and dries them.]

Leland: I'm not a monster, Brian. I know one man's life is nothing compared to the legacy he leaves behind.

[Leland walks back into the living room and wraps his scarf around his neck. He glances over as Brian's body relaxes in death.]



[Leland puts on his coat as he walks to the front door. He exits the house, but pauses to grab the newspaper on the front porch. Leland re-enters the house and tosses the paper on a table just inside the door, then leaves once more. He closes the door with a loud bang.]

Tagline: A team member leaves a last message.

Timeline: Takes place at the beginning of episode 9.

[Lasky is seen bringing his arm back down from turning on the camera.]



Lasky: I leave for Spearhead in a few minutes and so, uh, Dr. Adler, Dr. Scarfó... Rachelle, Julian. Um, thank you for making Project Splinter what it is and for making me feel a part of something special.



Lasky: And for coming oh so close to saving the world. I hope we get another chance.

[Lasky's voice becomes a bit verklempt.]

Lasky: Thank you for making me a better scientist. I will miss you both. I hope I didn't let you down.

[Lasky reaches forward to turn off the camera, but pauses, puts his arm back down and continues speaking.]



Lasky: If I could ask you one last favor... Could you make sure this future never happens? I'd greatly appreciate it.

[Lasky reaches forward once more and turns off the camera.]
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Tagline: The future of the mission - really, the future of the future - is up in the air.

Timeline: Takes place during episode 8.



[Lasky reaches forward to adjust the camera until he & Adler are in screen.]

Lasky: Hold on, I want to make sure we get this.

Adler: You're not going to like what I have to say. Jones is right. There's nothing in here about a cure for the 2040 mutation. [Adler lifts a stack of papers.] Don't feel bad, you're not the only one to get their hopes up. When it comes to selling snake oil, Fosters are the best of them.

Lasky: I heard Jones gave it to him pretty good. I would like to have seen that.

Adler: And get caught in the blast radius? No thanks. Too much history there. Trust me.

Lasky: So that's it? Mission's over?

Adler: I doubt that very much.

Lasky: Jones has a plan...

Adler: Doesn't she always? We're saving the world, Dr. Lasky, we can't give up now.

[Adler turns and leaves, carrying the papers with him. Lasky leans forward and turns off the camera.]
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Tagline: What's the best way to celebrate the end of existence?

Timeline: Takes place during episode 7.

[Dr. Lasky talks to the camera as his fellow scientists can be heard celebrating in the background.]



Lasky: This is it. We think Mr. Cole is in Chechnya 2015. He has an exact location of the virus and a plan to destroy it. At this point... it's just a matter of time.

[Rachelle joins him in front of the camera and hands him a drink. She gestures towards the camera.]

Rachelle: Which means you need to stop that and join the celebration, before we're all erased.

[They clink their glasses together and each take a sip.]



Lasky: Ah... are you going to miss anything?

Rachelle: About this place? God, no! Wait... are you?

Lasky: Well, I don't know. Maybe. If I'm being honest... it feels pretty good to be saving the world.

Rachelle: Well, I'm sure you, alternate you, will do just fine. You'll finish your doctorate and work on a number of world saving projects.

Lasky: Nothing like this though.

Rachelle: Let's hope not.

[Rachelle raises her glass again, just as the lights in the facility start to flicker. Lasky and Rachelle look around, then suddenly a red light starts flashing in the background and a loud siren can be heard.]



[Lasky swallows the rest of his drink, slams down the glass, then rushes off. Scientists in the background can be seen quickly leaving the room. Rachelle glances around, sets her glass next to Lasky's and leaves.]
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