A Sliders Fan Script
by Ashe P. Kirk
Episode 2 of my "Season 6 in the 2020s" series
Completed: 26 July 2022
Arturo
Since the incident that left me stranded here, I've been trying - mostly in vain - to build a new sliding device.
Cole
Dad! --
D'ya wanna be my guinea pig?
Mallory
Absolutely not.
Missus Mallory
Maggie says you've been tired a lot.
Mallory
There's somethin' wrong with me.
Maggie
Well, the truth is... Quinn isn't gone.
Mallory
That explains... a few things.
Mallory As Quinn
Interdimensional beacon -- Transmits a signal to other worlds with coordinates leading back here.
Arturo
I've been sent a message from another world.--
It's got to be for me.
Mallory As Quinn
P-Professor?
Arturo
Do you recall when you abandoned me, Mister Mallory?
Mallory As Quinn
We were so sure we had the right one.
Maggie
This is our chance. --
Professor, take us to Earth Prime.
Mallory
For Remy.
Mallory As Quinn
Well, you know me. Can't resist an adventure.
Maggie
"Typhoid Remy the Saviour" - oh my god! He really did it! --
I think we found him.
Quinn
Mallory, you're severely sleep deprived - you're hallucinating.
Mallory
All this time, I thought you were gone.
Quinn
Well those nanites did a number on me, sure. --
They didn't consume me --
I was just... trapped. --
Maybe some simple sharing could have saved us both this crap.
Mallory
...Sharing. --
Is that possible?
Kelly
I got you insect patties.
Rembrandt
Yeah, well, if I was meant to eat ants I woulda been born an anteater.
Fade to black
In a near-perfect facsimile of the original basement where the adventure started, the old tube television is set up and pointed towards a red armchair, just as it once had been. Beside the armchair is a small table with an old landline phone- the push-button style.
Quinn Mallory, looking the same as we saw him last time in Mallory's hallucination, sits on the seat and puts up his feet on the beaten-up footrest.
He produces a remote control, and switches on the TV. Static snow fills the screen.
Quinn leans forward and gives the television a smack on the side.
Quinn
Come on... old piece of junk.
He looks around the back of the TV and fiddles with the connections.
The flickering light from the TV becomes solid, though we can't see what's on it now, it's turned away from our view.
Quinn moves back, inspecting.
Quinn
Better.
He sits back down and watches.
Cut to:
Mallory awakens on the bed with a start. He's alone. The clock reads 4:31PM.
He stands, and heads for the shower.
Clothes hit the floor, and the room starts to steam up.
From this basement, we can hear the shower running. It's tinny; coming from the TV.
Quinn cringes as he looks away from the television. He looks down at the telephone beside him. Dare he?
With a wicked smirk, he picks up the phone and holds it to his ear.
Quinn
Missed a spot.
Mallory, deep in the mists of the shower, reacts with a start.
Mallory
What the hell! Can't a guy get some privacy?
Quinn's eyes twinkle with mischief as he continues to talk into the phone.
Quinn
Relax, it's nothing I haven't seen before.
Mallory
This... arrangement... has not started well, Quinn.
He starts putting shampoo in his hair as Quinn speaks through his mind.
Quinn (V.O.)
Sorry, I just couldn't help myself there. Promise I won't do it again, okay?
Mallory
Thank you. We agreed only to communicate when necessary, right?
Quinn (V.O.)
Right. Just remember, I'm always here ready to help.
Mallory (V.O.)
All right. Over and out.
Quinn hangs up the phone and settles his gaze back on the television.
As it was last time, a run-down but populated lobby with people coming and going. Our Clerk is back at the desk, without much to do other than engage in conversation with Arturo, who is at the desk looking down at her.
Clerk
So you're in town just to meet Typhoid Remy? I hate to be the one to tell you this, but the guy's a recluse. When he's not on stage, he's in hiding.
Arturo
I'm an old friend of his, and I have the impression he'd very much like to see me.
Clerk
Well good luck with that. I wouldn't have the first clue how to find the guy.
Arturo deflates.
Arturo
I see. Well, nevertheless, I shall be at his concert tonight.
Clerk
Poor guy. I get the impression people don't go to see him so much for his music, more just to see the guy that saved us.
Arturo
(wistful)
Such is fame, my dear. Back in the sixties, The Beatles performed to crowds that couldn't hear a note of music over the screaming all around them. I could never understand the bloody point. I suppose those young ladies were there for the experience, more than the music they could hear on their record players any time they liked.
Clerk
Still, I have to wonder if it's hollow for him.
Arturo
Perhaps so. There's a reason The Beatles gave up live performances at the height of their popularity.
Clerk
I wouldn't have taken you for a Beatles fan, really.
Arturo
Oh, I have never been one, my dear. But in my travails, I've found ways to appreciate even things I personally find distasteful.
He looks around the lobby. Around him, people are helping each other, handing out food and water, giving medical care.
Arturo
This... mutual aid society you have here. I've seen some very nasty outcomes of a communist society, but perhaps this gaggle of kind people helping one another - this is what it could have been, with the right guidance.
Clerk
Huh, you're pretty insightful... for a boomer.
Arturo
(introspective)
Yes, I've spent long years thinking about things that could have been. Envisioning infinite choices branching out into infinite timelines.
The society which I thought to be the endpoint - the pinnacle - was just an illusion. Time went on, ugly truths were laid bare.
Arturo leans heavily on the counter.
Arturo
The places I've lived most of my life may have the veneer of civil society, but underneath is a rot that eats away at it every day. One day that society will too collapse from that rot.
Will they be able to pick up the pieces as well as your people, I wonder?
There's a moment of silence from Arturo. The Clerk is stunned at this dark turn.
Clerk
Are... are you asking me that question?
Arturo chuckles, and places his hand on her shoulder.
Arturo
No, no, I'm merely thinking aloud. Carry on.
He turns to leave, and at that moment, Mallory steps out of the elevator.
Mallory
Professor!
Arturo turns to him in jovial surprise.
Arturo
Ah, Mister Mallory. Perfect timing. Come.
He puts his arm around Mallory's shoulders, and leads him towards the exit.
Mallory
Where's Maggie?
As if on cue, Maggie enters the hotel.
Maggie
Right here. Still can't get a hold of any way to contact Remy. We're just going to have to find a way to reach him at the concert.
She smiles warmly at her husband.
Maggie
I'm glad you're okay.
(beat)
You are okay, right?
Mallory
Yeah Mags. I'm good.
Maggie
Then I guess we have a concert to attend.
The house is packed. This venue is well-maintained; it seems to be the liveliest possible environment in this depopulated world.
Spotlights move through the crowd, converging on the curtains. A live band plays a familiar intro - "Tears In My 'Fro."
The crowd goes wild.
The curtains open, and there he is - the distinguished, grey-haired Rembrandt "Cryin' Man" Brown.
He bursts into song, and his singing voice is drowned out by renewed cheers. Finally, deep in the crowd, we see the three sliders. Mallory, Arturo, and Maggie are standing among throngs, looking up in near disbelief.
Maggie
(barely audible)
It's him.
She reaches to Mallory and holds his hand. Mallory exchanges a warm look with her.
Crossfade to:
Time Skip to Song Climax
As the song reaches its climax, Remy unexpectedly locks eyes with Mallory.
This causes his voice to falter for a moment, before recovering. He finishes the song in a slightly rushed demeanour.
As the band closes out the song, he re-establishes eye contact with the sliders.
Rembrandt
Thank you all for comin' tonight. I love you all!
As the crowd cheers in reply, Remy indicates towards the backstage using quick eye movements. Mallory nods to signal that he understands.
Rembrandt
But I'm afraid I'm not feelin' so well right now, and I may have to cut the concert short. My deepest apologies, ladies and gentlemen.
The crowd has a collective disappointed reaction.
Distant Audience Member
It's okay, we still love you, Typhoid Remy!
Distant Audience Member #2
Get well soon, Remy!
This comment causes the crowd to cheer and applaud as Remy leaves the stage, and start chanting "Get well soon!"
Rembrandt dashes towards his dressing room. A Security Guard is posted outside the door. Remy nods to him.
Rembrandt
Hey Bill, there's going to be a few guests showing up in a minute - let 'em in, will you?
Security Guard
Yes sir.
He enters the door, giving Bill a pat on the shoulder as he goes.
Rembrandt nervously sits at the mirror, staring at his reflection.
Rembrandt
(muttering)
It was them, wasn't it?
Then, the door behind him opens. He looks to the door through the mirror. It is them.
Rembrandt
I know I can see you, but I can hardly believe what I'm seeing.
He spins around on his stool. The palpable excitement on his face is undeniable. And then the tears come.
Rembrandt
(pointing to his eyes)
These ain't no stage tears.
He launches himself towards the trio, and they reciprocate. It's a great big four-way hug.
Maggie
I thought we'd never see you again.
Mallory
I was convinced you were dead.
Rembrandt
Guys, how is the Professor here? I don't get it.
Arturo
Mister Brown, it's a convoluted story and we haven't the time at this moment. I'll fill you in at a later date. The crux of it is that I'm the very same Professor you first slid with.
Rembrandt
You're kidding?
Maggie
We're nearly out of time, Remy. We have to slide back soon.
Rembrandt
How soon?
Arturo retrieves the timer from his coat.
Arturo
Twenty minutes on the dot.
Mallory
Before then, we want to hear everything that happened after you slid here.
Remy steps back. He has a thousand yard stare.
Rembrandt
Well, I didn't die instantly like that Seer guy said. I mean - that's pretty obvious by now, right?
He sits back on his stool, and gestures for the others to find a seat.
While he talks, they do just that.
Rembrandt
In a way though, it does feel like my life ended that day.
See, I was kinda lucky. Bein' on the Kromagg "Most Wanted" list means they don't wanna kill you right away. They gotta interrogate first.
That was their mistake. Every one of those monsters that tried to put me through torture again - well, they all caught the virus, and spread it to others.
Pretty soon they all had to vamoose to prevent their own extinction, but not before taking what people they could with them for slaves.
Mallory
So that's why the population is so...
Arturo
Decimated.
Remy nods bleakly.
Rembrandt
Since then, I've been "Typhoid Remy the Saviour." But after everything I've been through, I can't seem to relate to anyone any more.
Performin' is the only thing that's ever made me happy without fail, but... the high's just not what it used to be.
I spent all my time slidin' trying to find my way back here, but since I've been here I've felt less at home than ever.
Remy fights back tears.
Rembrandt
"Cryin' Man" ain't my stage persona anymore - guess it's just my regular one.
Quinn is on the edge of his seat, watching all of this play out.
Finally, he picks up the phone.
Quinn
Hey...
Mallory looks away from Rembrandt as Quinn's voice rings through his mind.
Quinn (V.O.)
Mind if I step in? Just for a bit.
Mallory swallows.
Mallory
(whispering)
Sure, go on.
Maggie
Hmm? Did you just say something?
Mallory as Quinn
Not for a couple days, actually.
Quinn stretches Mallory's body, and rolls his neck.
Maggie meets his eye, and a smile creeps onto her face.
Maggie
Welcome back.
Quinn winks.
Rembrandt regards all this with confusion.
Rembrandt
Somethin' wrong?
Quinn stares into Remy's eyes, smiling warmly. Rembrandt stares back, and for a moment they're all silent.
Maggie and Arturo briefly make eye contact, both having an understanding that Rembrandt doesn't yet have.
Mallory as Quinn
It's really good to see you, Remy.
Rembrandt squints.
Rembrandt
Q-ball?
Quinn smiles, and moves forward, arms extended, for an embrace. Rembrandt is all too happy to receive it.
Rembrandt
Brother, I always knew you were still in there.
Maggie
How... how did you just take over while Mallory was still awake?
Mallory as Quinn
Well as it turned out, communication was key to our reconciliation. We had a chat, and worked out a few things.
Maggie
So, he knows you're in control right now?
Mallory as Quinn
Sure does. And what's more, he can see and hear everything happening right now.
Cut to:
In place of Quinn on the armchair, Mallory now sits, watching the TV.
We see that the TV is showing Quinn's point of view, and as such, Rembrandt, Maggie and Arturo can be seen looking towards the "camera."
Mallory glances beside him, at the phone. He lifts it to his face.
Mallory
Tell them I'm doing okay like this. It's sort of creepy, but... tolerable.
Mallory as Quinn
He says he's doing okay.
Maggie sighs in relief.
Maggie
This seems like a healthier dynamic than before.
Mallory as Quinn
I sure hope so.
(beat)
Well, since we've all been reunited, it would be a shame to have to separate again in twenty minutes.
He takes Rembrandt's hand.
Mallory as Quinn
Will you slide with us?
Rembrandt
(awkward laughter)
Why do I feel like you're proposing to me?
He lets go of the hand and feels around in his pockets.
Pulling out his phone, he swipes and taps a few times.
Rembrandt
I have one confidant in this world, and I just want to get her perspective.
Mallory as Quinn
Who is it?
Rembrandt
Wade's sister. Kelly. Only one round here I have somethin' in common with. Shame it's grief, huh?
He puts the phone to his ear.
Rembrandt
Hey girl.
(beat)
Yeah I had to cut the concert short. You'll never guess who stopped by...
The phone conversation continues in the background, as we move to focus on Maggie, Quinn, and Arturo.
Mallory as Quinn
So I won't be stealing any more sleep from Mallory. We're gonna have to work out a timeshare.
Maggie
(flirty)
Heh. I always thought of that body as luxury real estate.
Mallory as Quinn
(disregarding the flirtation)
But ultimately, I need to find out if there's any way I can have my mind moved out of here.
Arturo
Moved where, Mister Mallory?
Mallory as Quinn
That's the million dollar question, isn't it?
(beat)
How much time we got?
Arturo
A few minutes.
Mallory as Quinn
(enthused)
Surely the greatest minds in the multiverse putting their heads together can think of something. Come back to my house and we'll brainstorm. I can't wait to introduce you to Diana.
Maggie
(wryly)
I for one can't wait to explain to Cole where we've been for two days.
Rembrandt ends his call, and returns to the other three.
Rembrandt
Well, I guess this is goodbye.
Mallory as Quinn
You're not coming?
Rembrandt
(grinning)
Goodbye to Earth Prime.
The foursome laugh with excitement.
Rembrandt
Kelly said something to me just now that really put things in perspective.
She told me that places aren't home if there's nobody left to fill 'em with memories. Not having the people I care for the most in my life with me can make any place feel just as alien as any random world we've come across, you know?
(saccarine)
What I'm tryin' to say is... wherever you guys are - that's my home.
Mallory as Quinn
Then welcome back, man.
Meaningful looks are exchanged by all, except for Arturo, who's looking at the time.
Arturo
It's time. Look sharp.
(beat)
In three. Two. One.
Arturo lifts the timer, and opens the wormhole right there in the dressing room.
The quartet of sliders jump, one by one, into the wormhole. The last to go is Remy, who takes a deep breath of Earth Prime air - perhaps for the last time - and walks into the light.
Fade to black
Rustling noises can be heard. Someone's searching the room.
From behind the desk, Cole's head pops up.
Cole
I found something.
Now we see Cole has been joined in this room by Diana Davis, on all fours on the floor, feeling around for something.
Diana
What is it?
Cole
That's what I'd like to know.
They lift the beacon device. Diana's brow furrows when she sees it.
Diana
Let me see that.
She inspects it, noticing that it's been opened up and not been reassembled.
Diana
Huh, whatever it was, it's broken. But... it's sophisticated. Who could have made this?
Cole
Don't ask me. But it's our only clue to finding Mom and Dad.
Diana
I'm sure I've seen some of these configurations before.
She shakes her head.
Diana
Well, I'll take it with me and disassemble it some more. Might offer some kind of evidence.
Cole nods in agreement.
Cole
Thanks for helping out, Aunt Didi.
Diana
Of course. Now come on, I'll make some lunch.
The pair exit to the Entryway.
They head in the direction of the other side of the staircase, where the kitchen is, but before they get there, the two start being pelted with waves of wind.
A bright light.
Cole
What the hell is that?!
Diana
You've got to be kidding me.
The vortex in front of the door, precisely where the last one had been when the sliders had left here, shines dramatically.
And then, Mallory appears, followed closely by Maggie, Rembrandt, and finally, Arturo.
Cole
No freakin' way.
Diana
(wonder)
After all these years. My god.
The vortex closes, and the group is left standing in silence for a moment.
Maggie
(awkwardly)
Oh. Hey Cole. Hey Didi.
(beat)
Ta-da! We're home!
Mallory offers a weak smile and wave.
Mallory
Miss us?
Cole
So, you just slid here before our very eyes, and that's all you've got to say?
You realise I've been worried sick?
Mallory
(facetious)
Sorry Mom!
Cole relents, and laughs.
Rembrandt
So uh, got any good beef around here? I'm hankerin' for a real burger.
Diana
Rembrandt...
Cole
Wait, did you just say Rembrandt? Oh my god.
Diana rushes over to him and hugs him.
Diana
You all owe me an explanation here. But for now, who wants lunch? I think I could rustle up some burgers, since it's apparently a special occasion.
Gathered around the dining table: Rembrandt, Mallory, Maggie, Cole, Diana, and Arturo.
Before each of them is a plate with a burger and fries, each in varied states of consumption.
They're engaged in animated conversation, each occasionally taking a bite from their burger or popping a fry.
Diana
So they really call you Typhoid Remy?
Rembrandt
(swallowing)
Typhoid Remy the Saviour.
Diana
And you left a world where you were idolised? A celebrity?
Rembrandt
Wouldn't be the first time. Besides, ain't I an idolised celebrity here too?
Diana
(laughing)
Guess you make an impression wherever you go.
Maggie
(admiring)
He really does.
Rembrandt
Fame and fortune - that used to be all I wanted in the world, y'know? Before all the sliding business happened. Now I don't know what I want. I just know who I want it to be with.
Mallory
Right here, at this table. This is it, man. All our friends and family together. And...
He taps his head surreptitiously.
Rembrandt
(quietly)
Not all.
He looks to the end of the 8-seater table. Two empty chairs.
Arturo
Miss Welles...
Maggie
And Colin.
Cole whips their head around at this name.
Arturo
I didn't see much literature on this Colin fellow. Who is he?
Cole moves to say something, but doesn't get anything out.
Rembrandt
He's Quinn's brother. And we all failed him.
Diana
Well, now that we have sliding tech again, maybe we still have a chance to find him.
Cole
What happened to him?
Mallory
We don't really know for sure. Just that he became Unstuck, like Doctor Geiger was.
Diana
After spending years, maybe decades, unstuck, Geiger gained some measure of understanding of the vortex, and was able to orchestrate his own stabilisation in a magnetic field.
Maybe Colin has learned some tricks by now too. He might be leaving a trail for us to find him even now. You never know.
Arturo
You are a sharp tack, aren't you Miss Davis?
Mallory
There's a lot of brains in this room right now. Surely we can think of something.
Maggie
Well when we're done here, all the genuises can get together in the study and... do whatever genuises do to figure this stuff out.
Cole
Can I sit in? I know I'm not a superstar quantum physics whatever, but I can understand some things.
Arturo
You do seem to have a little more to you behind your youthful, imprecise language. What field?
Cole
Neuroscience.
Arturo
A noble pursuit, and one which may prove relevant to... certain issues at hand.
Maggie looks searchingly at Mallory.
Mallory
Yeah, it might be time to have "the talk," huh?
Cole furrows their brow.
Cole
This isn't going to be the birds and bees, is it?
Mallory chuckles.
Mallory
Not unless you still need to hear that from me.
Cole
Most definitely not.
Mallory
Okay look, everyone else knows except you and Diana, so I might as well get it over with.
Diana
What is it?
Mallory
Well, it's about Cole's, uh, other Dad.
Diana
Quinn?
Mallory
Yeah. In a minute you're going to see me behaving kind of different to normal.
That's because I'll be him.
Cole
(excited)
What! That's so cool!
Diana
Wait, that was only meant to happen for a short period after the merge. You said yourself he was gone after the nanotech treatment.
Mallory
Well, that's what I thought until like, two days ago. Turns out he's been in there the whole time, like trapped or something.
Cole
Dad. If there was ever a reason to scan your brain...
Mallory
(sighing)
I know. I guess it's alright if you do it.
Diana
I can't believe he's survived for so long. That's amazing.
Mallory's demeanour abruptly alters. Quinn has arrived.
Mallory as Quinn
Yeah, well, I wouldn't call it much more than mere survival. Do you know what it's like to see through someone else's eyes as they do and say things that you have absolutely no control over? It's a special kind of Hell.
Diana
Quinn?
Quinn gives a quick nod, before meeting Cole's nervous eyes.
Mallory as Quinn
So, Cole. Nice to finally meet you.
Cole
This is... a lot.
Mallory as Quinn
We can stop any time, just say the word and I'll hand over the reigns.
Cole
No. I never imagined I'd get to talk to you, and now... I really don't want it to end. There's so much I want to ask you!
Mallory as Quinn
It's all right. We have time. I'm not going anywhere - least not 'til we figure out some way of getting me out of here. But, in the meantime, the nerd squad needs our help.
He gestures towards Arturo and Diana.
Mallory as Quinn
Alright people, in the study, let's talk shop.
Rembrandt
Look, Maggie and I might not be eggheads, but we could still be of use. Let's put all our heads together on this one.
Quinn, grateful for the help, nods.
And so, the full cast gathers in the study: Mallory under the control of Quinn, Rembrandt, Maggie, Diana, Arturo, and Cole. Each takes their own little section of the room, with Quinn taking point, leaning against the front of the desk, a whiteboard on wheels perched beside him.
Arturo
With you at the helm like some sort of lecturer, Mister Mallory, I feel as though our roles have been reversed.
Mallory as Quinn
Professor, I'd never dream of it.
Quinn stands and claps his hands together loudly.
Mallory as Quinn
Okay class, listen up.
Arturo rolls his eyes, but can't help smiling at the ribbing. Much has changed about their dynamic.
Mallory as Quinn
We all want to find my brother, and, if we can, separate my mind from Mallory in some way. Which one needs to come first is open to debate. And how we do it is very much open to suggestions.
Cole
(raising a hand)
Umm, hello, yes, I am once again asking you to have your brain scanned.
Quinn points his marker at her.
Mallory as Quinn
Perfect, that's a great first step. We'll do that tonight.
He writes on the whiteboard:
"Brain scan ASAP"
Mallory as Quinn
Next!
Cole
(to self)
Wow, different handwriting. Cool.
Diana
I might be able to build a portable magnetic field that you can use to contain Colin off-world if you have to.
Mallory as Quinn
Great thinking as always, Diana.
Continues writing on the whiteboard.
"Portable Mag Field"
Arturo
My sliding tech has the capacity to trace external vortex activity. Perhaps it can be configured to Colin's quantum signature - should we ever find that.
Maggie
Really? Like the tech we used to track Rickman?
Mallory as Quinn
Exactly, and I'm likin' where this is going. I'm thinking a brand new, state of the art timer with all of these additions, and more.
Added to the whiteboard:
"Tracing modules - quantum sig - new timer"
Mallory as Quinn
What else?
Rembrandt
Yeah, I thought of somethin'.
Mallory as Quinn
You have the floor.
Rembrandt
Remember that freaky-ass world with the dragon?
Mallory as Quinn
Oh, yeah, I almost--
(beat)
Remy, great thinking!
Arturo
I'm sorry, but did you say dragon, Mister Brown?
Rembrandt
Yeah, I guess it must have been with the other Professor.
Arturo
What in God's name would a dragon have to do with any of this? If there even was such a thing.
Rembrandt
Well, it was a really strange one. There were like, these wizards? And a sword that only a Mallory could wield? Real Lord of the Rings stuff.
Cole
Kickass! I wanna wield a magic sword. I'm a Mallory too.
Arturo
Get to the point, man.
Rembrandt
Well, the wizard guy thought Quinn was immortal, right? So he did like, this spell to possess his body. And it worked, too.
Mallory as Quinn
That's correct. Much like I'm using Mallory's body now, Gareth did in fact do the same to me.
Rembrandt
But who knows if such a thing is possible outside that world. And even if we could do it-
Arturo
There'd be no willing vessel to accept that transference.
Mallory as Quinn
True. We don't have some kind of blank "tabula rasa" style body to put me in.
Cole
Unless you could, like, clone yourself somehow.
Maggie
Even then - we've seen a world where they had that technology, but the clones weren't blank. They were people with minds of their own, who'd just been kept in isolation so they appeared "simple." It was barbaric.
Rembrandt
But Quinn, remember that world with the robots? That mad scientist was ready to put your brain straight in a robot body that looked just like you.
Mallory as Quinn
That's right, and as I recall, we just sort of left it on the table singin' “Tears In My 'Fro”.
(beat)
Okay, let's put these two ideas on the board, knowing they both have potential issues attached.
More scribbles on the whiteboard:
"Magical possession spell - no vessel available. Different natural laws??"
"Robot Quinn - brain transfer"
After writing these, Quinn reviews what he's written and laughs at the ridiculous nature of the scrawl.
Mallory as Quinn
Let's never let anyone else see this whiteboard, huh?
Moments pass without any new ideas.
Mallory as Quinn
Alright, let's take five. Keep thinking, though.
Quinn takes a seat on the desk, and falls deep into thought.
Then, without warning, Cole is there, just in his periphery, and he is startled out of his reverie.
Cole
Sorry.
Mallory as Quinn
Oh. It's fine.
Cole
It's so weird to see you acting this way.
Mallory as Quinn
You want your Dad back?
Cole
No. I mean, yes and no. The way you described being trapped watching someone else makes me worried for him right now, but also I don't want you to go either. The... I dunno - confidence? - you exude is so interesting to me.
Mallory as Quinn
If it makes you feel any better, he has an open line of communication with me. If he's getting uncomfortable, he just needs to let me know and I'll swap us out.
Cole
You have a lot of control of what goes on in there, don't you?
Mallory as Quinn
Yeah. I've had a lot of time to study the only thing I had open access to.
Cole
I feel like there's so much I could learn from you.
Mallory as Quinn
Well, I'm an open book.
Cole
Do you think you could control involuntary processes in the brain stem? Could you will your own heart to stop?
Mallory as Quinn
It's theoretically possible, but I've never ventured to try that, for obvious reasons.
Cole
What about writing, editing, and removing memories stored in the neocortex?
Mallory as Quinn
Oh, easy.
Cole
That's a frightening level of control.
Mallory as Quinn
Yeah well your Dad's lucky I'm such a benevolent guy, I guess.
Cole
What about tampering with sensory input? Could you make hallucinations?
Mallory as Quinn
In times of vulnerability, yes. Such as severe sleep deprivation. That was how I first properly met your old man.
Cole
So, if Dad took DMT, you could have a field day.
Mallory as Quinn
Hmph. Yeah, probably.
Cole
(hesitantly)
Hey... I was named after your brother, wasn't I?
Mallory as Quinn
You sure were.
Cole
Sorry I didn't turn out as--
Mallory as Quinn
--A boy? Heh, don't sweat it. I'm beginning to wonder if I have a gender at this point. It has so much to do with how others see you. And they haven't seen me at all in a long time.
Cole
I'm seeing you now.
Metaphorically, of course. Even though the visual input I'm getting right now is of my Dad, my brain is cross-referencing with everything it knows about him, and telling me you are not him.
Brains are pretty good at picking up on these things, at least when you know the person.
There's a moment of closeness, and then Quinn abruptly blinks away from the front. Mallory returns.
Cole
Whoa, something just happened, didn't it?
(squinting)
Dad?
Mallory
Wow, you really are perceptive.
He playfully punches their shoulder.
Cole
Did Quinn just do that to check if I was lying?
Mallory
Nah - I did. You get a pass on that one, kiddo.
Cole draws their Dad into a hug.
Cole
You're a dork.
Mallory
Oh, believe me, I know.
Back when I was sliding, I saw this movie called “The Matrix” on one of the nicer worlds, and I started dressing in this long black leather trench coat like the characters in the movie.
Thought it was so badass, but it made these loud rubbing sounds whenever I moved.
Cole
Oh my lord, please tell me you have photos.
Mallory
I can do you one better, I still have the coat.
Cole bursts into laughter.
Cole
(wheezing)
I need to see it on you.
Mallory
I'll put it on for the brain scan. We can get two dorky looks for the price of one.
Arturo
Mister Mallory... everyone. I'm afraid I'm reaching the endpoint of this slide, so I must bid you farewell. I'll return tomorrow evening, how's that sound?
Maggie
That sounds perfect. Thanks for everything, Professor.
The group stands around the open portal, as Arturo says his goodbyes. He hugs Rembrandt, who's teary-eyed.
Arturo
Come now, I won't be gone long. No need to get weepy on me.
Rembrandt
Yeah, I know, I know. I'm the Cryin' Man, remember? Don't let a few tears put you off.
Arturo
Adieu, my friends.
He walks into the portal, and it closes.
Cole smiles broadly, turning to her father.
Cole
(singsong)
So, who wants a brain scan?
Cole sits alone, waiting. Cole has the box of components next to them and is rummaging through it, pulling out long wires and sensors.
A reclining chair is set up in the centre of the room.
A laptop is set up with a high-tech interface. A 3D model of a brain in one panel, and a some tech mumbo jumbo in another. At the top: “Awaiting Signal.” There is also a large blank pane which will later serve as imaging.
Cole plugs a cable into the laptop.
Mallory (O.S.)
Well, how do I look?
Mallory bursts into the room, wearing his old ankle-length leather coat, last seen at the end of Season 5. The coat whooshes and billows as he moves.
Cole can't help but laugh.
Cole
Oh man. You look like "wish dot com" David Boreanaz.
Mallory
I choose to take that as a compliment.
Cole jumps up with a whole lot of wires.
Cole
Okay, take a seat and I'll rig you up.
He sits on the chair, and she begins to stick sensors onto his head, as well as placing a round cap over his hair.
Mallory
I bet I look stunning now. Just like Neo.
Cole rushes back to the computer.
Cole
Alrighty, let's begin. I need one scan with you, and one with Quinn.
The “Awaiting Signal” message on the laptop changes to “Connection Established.”
The 3D brain shows a glowing line track from top to bottom, then left to right, then front to back. As it does, the formerly blank panel shows cross-sections of brain in correspondence with the line on the 3D model.
Different areas of the brain have different colours associated with them, with the intensity of colour corresponding to amount of activity.
A loading bar moves across the screen.
Then, the current view is replaced with a larger version of the 3D brain, but with the colours shown in the cross sections all laid out in three dimensions. Some technical text and numbers are overlaid in various places, with a line pointing to different sections of the brain.
Cole is able to use her fingers on the screen to rotate, move, and zoom the brain, as well as move inside and outside of it.
Cole
Interesting...
I need Quinn to compare to. Can he come out to play?
Mallory closes his eyes for a moment, and opens them as Quinn. He raises a thumbs up.
Mallory as Quinn
You got it. Scan away.
The process on the computer is repeated, with varied colour patterns from the last time.
Once it completes, Cole looks intently at the screen.
The screen now contains two panels, each with one of the 3D brains from each subject.
Cole
(distracted)
You can take off the gear now, Quinn.
Quinn does so, before joining them in looking at the scan.
Mallory As Quinn
I might be able to help you out here. What have we got?
Cole
Well, Dad's on the left and you're on the right. I can see that when you're not in control, there is a large concentration of activity in these five areas that seem to be working together in a way that the rest of the brain is not.
She points at bright red spheres in each of the five areas of the brain, all on the left side.
Mallory as Quinn
The nanites would have gone into each section of the brain and rounded up the part of my mind there.
And then after a while, they started to make connections again - like seeking like - independently from the rest of the brain, allowing me to reconstitute without being blended up with Mallory again.
Cole
And when you take over, it's like you spill out of there and there's little bits of you spread all over the brain. At the same time, Dad's brain activity dulls a little.
They zoom in on the right-side brain, and we see small areas of bright red spread throughout the brain, with the other colours that were there on the left-side brain muted.
Cole
But there's a marked difference in brain wave signature between the two of you. I can see exactly where your influence is and isn't.
(under breath)
So cool.
Mallory as Quinn
Show this to your Professor and you'll have a fan for life, huh?
Cole
Oh, he's definitely gonna love this. Doctorate, here I come.
Quinn puts an arm around Cole, giving a quick squeeze.
Cole
That's the first hug I've had from you.
Mallory as Quinn
Was it everything you imagined?
Cole
Better.
(playful)
Though, the noise of that stupid coat diminished the experience.
Arturo sits hunched over a control panel. He tinkers at it with a soldering iron, looking through a magnifier.
The sound of the doorbell chimes, muffled from his vantage point.
Arturo checks his watch - it's 9PM.
Arturo
Rather late for visitors...
Then, a muffled woman's cry, followed by a smashing sound.
Arturo jumps into action, switching off the soldering iron and dashing up the stairs.
Missus Mallory stands frozen at the front door, a broken tea cup litters the floor at her feet, along with its liquid contents.
The door is still closed, but in the smart doorbell monitor, we see the video feed of the other side of the door.
There in the dim light of the porch, we see Quinn Mallory and Wade Welles.
Arturo swings open the door, and there they are.
Wade regards the pair with trepidation, while Quinn merely stares at Missus Mallory; wordless, unreadable.
Wade
Uhh. Hi.
Arturo
Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Cut to Black