What in the World! S3 Ep 2: The Programmer
INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY
The group continues staring at the old man in the wheelchair.
Daniel steps forward.
DANIEL
Who are you?
THE PROGRAMMER
I...
The old man chuckles.
THE PROGRAMMER
Just call me “The Programmer”.
The Programmer gives Daniel and the others a warm smile.
DANIEL
My name is-
THE PROGRAMMER
I know who you are Daniel. I know each and every one of you. I have for some time.
TYLER
So you’re not... God?
THE PROGRAMMER
No Tyler I am not.
GREG
So who are you?
THE PROGRAMMER
You all should take a seat. What I’m about to tell you will be a lot to take in.
Everyone but Daniel takes a seat.
THE PROGRAMMER
Is there something wrong Daniel?
DANIEL
Where’s Bailey?
THE PROGRAMMER
Take a seat. I’ll tell you.
Daniel takes a seat.
THE PROGRAMMER
Now, what I am about to tell you may seem... strange. But I assure you it is the truth.
The Programmer takes a deep breath.
THE PROGRAMMER
The world you know does not exist.
Pause.
GREG
What do you mean it doesn’t exist?
THE PROGRAMMER
For the past 30 years, you have been living in a computer simulation.
Pause.
JOEL
Like the Matrix?
THE PROGRAMMER
Yes. Except instead of it being a prison, it’s a safe haven. Humanity’s last resort.
TYLER
You just said 30 years. That’s not possible.
THE PROGRAMMER
You were placed in a stasis pod when you were plugged into the Refugium. That’s what all this is called.
GREG
But why?
THE PROGRAMMER
30 years ago, 2020 to be exact, the third world war began. Since we live in the age of nuclear power, it was devastating. In one day, 18 million lives were lost. Millions more died each day. Eventually, we realized that this war would only end when everyone was dead. But we needed to preserve humanity. That’s when the Refugium was born. A massive cryogenic operation involving four million people. Each one of them was placed in a stasis pod. Involuntarily, unfortunately. To keep the mind healthy and to deter suspicion, we uploaded their consciousness to the Refugium. A computer world that looks exactly like the world before the war. It worked. As far as they and any of you were concerned, they were living normal lives. No memory of the war.
The Programmer stares at the men who stare back in utter disbelief.
THE PROGRAMMER
I am very sorry for what has happened to you. But it was for the sake of our species.
TYLER
Our families?
THE PROGRAMMER
Never existed. For you all at least. The Refugium created your families.
GREG
So who exactly are you?
THE PROGRAMMER
I am in charge of watching over the pods and making sure the Refugium stays stable.
GREG
So you just sit here and watch over all of this?
THE PROGRAMMER
Well, I am the Refugium’s creator. I know this is a lot to take in but... now you know.
JOEL
Buddy, with the shit we’ve seen, this is actually kind of a nice break.
THE PROGRAMMER
Ah yes, the green sky.
DANIEL
You know about the green sky?
The Programmer takes a deep breath.
THE PROGRAMMER
I don’t know how they did it, but one of the fighting factions snuck in a virus into the mainframe. It remained dormant until now.
DANIEL
Is that what causes the green sky?
THE PROGRAMMER
Yes. The destruction of the Refugium.
TYLER
The people who get struck by green lightning. What happens to them?
THE PROGRAMMER
They are wiped from the simulator and the physical mind is terminated.
GREG
You mean they die?
THE PROGRAMMER
Unfortunately yes.
DANIEL
Wait, Joel was struck but he didn’t vaporize.
THE PROGRAMMER
When I realized that you all were the few survivors left, I created a code that would protect each of you from being wiped from the system.
GREG
What happens if you die another way?
THE PROGRAMMER
It puts the body in a state of shock. No one survives it. I was able to pull each one of you out in time.
The group looks at each other.
TYLER
What about Hudson? Were you able to pull him out?
The Programmer sighs.
THE PROGRAMMER
No. I wasn't able to in time. I didn’t anticipate Boss’ attack on your house. Before I was able to, his body had already gone into shock.
The group bows their heads in sadness and frustration.
THE PROGRAMMER
I’m truly sorry.
TYLER
It’s ok, I just thought maybe... since we got out, then maybe he did.
THE PROGRAMMER
He was a good guy.
DANIEL
Yes, he was.
THE PROGRAMMER
To be honest, you all are taking this very well.
JOEL
Well, it does explain a lot. I mean, it explains why I’m so cool and attractive. I’m programmed that way. Right?
THE PROGRAMMER
The Refugium uses an algorithm that determines how your life plays out.
GREG
Hold one. Are you telling me that the algorithm put me underwater in a tin can for four months and prevented me from having sex?
THE PROGRAMMER
Well, the algorithm only plays a small part.
DANIEL
Where’s Bailey? You said you pulled us out before we died. So where is she?
THE PROGRAMMER
She’s not here.
DANIEL
So where is she?
THE PROGRAMMER
She’s back in the Refugium.
DANIEL
What!
THE PROGRAMMER
I can explain.
DANIEL
You put her back into that hellhole?
THE PROGRAMMER
The Refugium is in trouble. Boss has to be stopped.
DANIEL
Boss is dead. He got vaporized.
The Programmer sighs.
THE PROGRAMMER
Boss is the virus. At least the manifestation of it. The thing is, he doesn’t know what he is. Most likely a flaw in his programming.
DANIEL
So why did you send her back?
THE PROGRAMMER
When Bailey woke up I told her everything. I told her that the Refugium was in danger and she... volunteered to help stop Boss.
DANIEL
Let me guess, you want us to help.
THE PROGRAMMER
Believe it or not, the Refugium is humanity’s future and right now, it’s in danger.
JOEL
How the hell do we kill a computer virus?
THE PROGRAMMER
I’m still working on that. But you can stop him on the inside. The source.
The group looks at each other.
DANIEL
We need to discuss it as a group.
The Programmer nods and wheels away to a control station.
DANIEL
What do y’all think?
JOEL
I say let’s do it. I mean, we have the chance to save the human race.
TYLER
I’m with Joel.
The group looks at Tyler surprised.
TYLER
Boss killed one of our friends. Don’t tell me you don’t want some payback.
DANIEL
Greg?
GREG
Payback’s gonna be a bitch.
DANIEL
Ok then.
Daniel turns towards The Programmer.
DANIEL
We’ll do it. For Hudson.
INT. POD ROOM - DAY
They enter a room containing six pods. In one of the pods is an unconscious Bailey. Daniel places his hand on her pod. Each one of them gets into their pod. The Programmer connects the wires to their heads and place masks on their faces.
THE PROGRAMMER
Once you’re in, I’ll be able to communicate with you and provide you with any assistance you need.
The Programmer presses a few buttons and everyone but Daniel loses consciousness.
THE PROGRAMMER
Daniel, I know you are mad at me and that you don’t trust me. But this is our last chance at a future. Without the Refugium, the human race will just become another extinct species. There is still so much that you all don’t know but not enough time to explain.
DANIEL
Just send me in. I’ll kill Boss myself. Then you can tell us EVERYTHING.
THE PROGRAMMER
Good luck Daniel.
Daniel nods.
The Programmer presses a button and Daniel loses consciousness.
Daniel’s consciousness travels through a blue digital tunnel. Suddenly, there are flashes of green light. Sparks of green electricity strike along the tunnel and there is a huge flash of green light.
EXT. SKY - DAY
Daniel wakes up. He is free-falling from a high altitude towards an island. He looks around frantically. He is dressed in a combat uniform. Around him, there are others who are also free falling.
Daniel plummets towards the island yelling.
END.