Dialogue: There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

V

Got a tough customer with that Vasquez – even for a badge.

Joshua

He is set in his ways, like so many men.

V

1AThis braindance – I'm curious, tell me more.

Rachel

1ATitle's "The Passion" – we're speakin' to the LCD, of course. And it's gonna revolutionize BD.

V

1AHow so?

Rachel

1AWell, Stephenson's furlough is only so long. We can only scroll the last bit with him.

1ABut we'll fill in the run-up to the finale with BD doubles and emobank assets. It'll feel like Stephenson, though.

V

1AHow is that even possible?

Rachel

1AGimme a break, we're part of EBM. Infinite investment in tech. Couple of years and we won't be using actors anymore. I dream of the day…

V

1ASo why Josh? Sounds like you don't even need him now.

Joshua

1AThe Son of Man's agony – you can't weave it strictly out of digital threads just yet.

V

2BAnd you? Get any say in all this?

Rachel

2BHe forced the writers to go with the Christian Gospel according to Luke. They'd originally opted for John.

V

2BMm. Guess that's important for…

Joshua

2BJohn's version is crude and over the top – the Gospel of Luke speaks more to my sensibility.

2BBesides, Luke's Christ is prepared for what awaits him. I want the world to understand that – feel it.

V

3ASound like an actor who really wants to become the part.

Joshua

3AI only have one shot at this, I... I need to make it count.

V

3AReally believe you're like Jesus?

Joshua

3AI... I believe we should all follow his example.

V

3BSo what is it you want to convey, exactly?

Joshua

3BThat Christ was merciful and continues to die for the world's sins.

Rachel

2BChatter's pointless – that's enough. Stephenson can't be distracted, he has to focus now.

V

1BVasquez – he blue inside and out?

Rachel

1BMight as well've been born with a badge.

V

1BMust have some solid dirt on him, then.

Rachel

1BThe studio's majority stakeholder's a corp. Unlike you, Vasquez would clearly mind having enemies in high places.

V

Can we please talk about something besides faith?

Josh, your night. Topic of choice?

Joshua

Uhh... I-I dunno, heh, I-I spent years not talking to anyone…

V

OK. Nothing hard. What do you do to relax?

Joshua

Uhhh, haha, well let's see I... I-I read scripture, watch braindances and movies. Did you hear about the remake of "Badlands Raid"?

V

4AYeah, kicks the original's ass, trust me.

4BOriginal's always the original. And ten times better.

4CNever saw either – braindances aren't my thing.

V

5AJoshua and I are talking, so fuck off, will ya?

Rachel

5AExcuse me?! Realize the stakes here. Tomorrow, this guy's gonna create his masterwork.

5AHe needs to focus, keep his head in the game and put in the performance of his lifetime. There aren't any do-overs.

V

5AJoshua?

Joshua

5AI'd... like to rest, now…

Rachel

5APerfect timing. Your job's done here – you can go. And don't worry, you'll get your fuckin' money.

Joshua

5AGoodbye, V.

V

5BRelax, Rachel.

Joshua

5BYes, why, I don't know anything about you. How do you spend your leisure time? What do you do to unwind?

Rachel

5BNone of your fuckin' business.

Joshua

5BI mean it as a serious question.

Rachel

5BI meditate.

V

6ADidn't take you for one with a spiritual side, you being, well, heh... you.

6BGreat to have an outlet, something to give you peace of mind.

Joshua

6BTrue peace of mind can only come through the spirit of divine grace.

Rachel

5BKnow what your problem is, all of you?

5BYou refuse to understand that spirituality can only ever be personal.

5BAnd why the fuck are you here, anyway? For the free meal?

V

7ATell you exactly why. I--

Rachel

7ANo! I don't give the slimmest shit what you have to say!

V

7BBack off me, OK?

Rachel

7BAnd maybe you should fuck off, huh? You're not part of our group!

5BUgh! All this talk about grace and salvation and transformation! I could puke.

5BTake it from a BD producer, religion's an elaborate lie. All of 'em.

Joshua

5BBut, heh, Rachel...

Rachel

5BNo, we're done for the day. Finish your meal, we'll put you up at the studio.

5BAnd you? Get lost. You'll get your fee soon.

Joshua

5BGoodbye, V. I am truly glad to have met you.

Johnny

Props – really well played, that.

V

What do you make of it all?

Johnny

Guy just might be the biggest nutjob I've ever seen, but it's still corporate exploitation.

V

8AYour cynicism's startin' to wear thin on me.

Johnny

8AWe could talk in circles, but who cares what we think. What would it change? Corps'll continue grow rich off his type, and the masses'll live on with their pipe dreams.

V

8AHang on, where's rebel Johnny? Seem to have lost him.

Johnny

8AWell, I found him. He's inside that guy. He's the real rebel.

V

8AMake up your mind. Which is it – nutjob or messiah?

Johnny

8AHe's fucked in the head, the world's fucked in the head – and you're fucked in the head 'cause MY fucked up head is inside it.

8AGuess if you want to save the world, that's the first step – get fucked in the head.

V

8BI just feel bad for him.

8CDoesn't matter, long as he's a better man than he used to be…

Johnny

8CWe could talk in circles, but who cares what we think. What would it change? Corps'll continue grow rich off his type, and the masses'll live on with their pipe dreams.

V

8CHang on, where's rebel Johnny? Seem to have lost him.

Johnny

8CWell, I found him. He's inside that guy. He's the real rebel.

V

8CMake up your mind. Which is it – nutjob or messiah?

Johnny

8CHe's fucked in the head, the world's fucked in the head – and you're fucked in the head 'cause MY fucked up head is inside it.

8CGuess if you want to save the world, that's the first step – get fucked in the head.

V

8DDon't even feel sorry for him... in the least.

V

9AWhaddaya think? God exist?

Johnny

9AFuck. Kill me, please.

V

9AC'mon, serious question.

Johnny

9AWhat, why? So you flatlined, then got your beat back. Don't tell me that's left you wondering if a construct can even be saved.

V

10BTruth is I died and rose again. Plain and simple.

Johnny

10BUh-huh. So, what was that? A miracle? What's it make you – a messiah, a phoenix or a factory-restored, early model Archer?

V

10BI got no fuckin' idea what it was and neither do you.

Johnny

10BTell you exactly what brought you back – a clever bit of corpo tech. If there's a true messiah among us, I'll tell you who it is – Saburo Arasaka.

V

10BMhm, one you'd summarily execute if you ran into him.

Johnny

10BSee, that's why I'm me and you're you. You drop to your knees before gods. I drop them, pop 'em right between the eyes.

V

10BTruth is I died and rose again. Plain and simple.

Johnny

10BUh-huh. So, what was that? A miracle? What's it make you – a messiah, a phoenix or a factory-restored, early model Archer?

V

10BI got no fuckin' idea what it was and neither do you.

Johnny

10BTell you exactly what brought you back – a clever bit of corpo tech. If there's a true messiah among us, I'll tell you who it is – Saburo Arasaka.

V

10BMhm, one you'd summarily execute if you ran into him.

Johnny

10BSee, that's why I'm me and you're you. You drop to your knees before gods. I drop them, pop 'em right between the eyes.

V

10CGonna tell me you don't think about being a digital psyche? Possible consequences thereof? Really?

10CI mean, are you already dead? Or alive till the last existing digighost of you is shredded?

Johnny

10CMeanin', like am I gonna ascend to digiheaven?

V

10CDescent to digi-hell's more likely, but... yeah. If there is life after death, is Silverhand already livin' the afterlife? Meanin' I'm talkin' to his animated epitaph?

Johnny

10CI don't give it an ounce of thought – surprise. To me I'm just that... me. No netherworld, no happy wonderworld, just duped, digital psyches.

V

10CGonna tell me you don't think about being a digital psyche? Possible consequences thereof? Really?

10CI mean, are you already dead? Or alive till the last existing digighost of you is shredded?

Johnny

10CMeanin', like am I gonna ascend to digiheaven?

V

10CDescent to digi-hell's more likely, but... yeah. If there is life after death, is Silverhand already livin' the afterlife? Meanin' I'm talkin' to his animated epitaph?

Johnny

10CI don't give it an ounce of thought – surprise. To me I'm just that... me. No netherworld, no happy wonderworld, just duped, digital psyches.

V

Agh, weird as fuck, today. Heh, just kinda... unreal. But reality beckons.

C'mon. We got places to trash.

Rachel

Wait up a sec. I wanna talk.

So, what do you think about our next, big BD star?

V

13AHe's got some organic chips loose, needs psychiatric help.

Rachel

13AHmm... my thoughts exactly. But it's too late for that.

V

13BHe's a true believer if I've ever seen one.

Rachel

13BHe's a true nutcase, that's what he is. But that's beside the point.

V

13CNah, he seems nice... y'know, for a murderer.

Rachel

13CNice? Maybe. But I'd go with completely lost and unhinged.

13CSome people are only nice because they're afraid of getting hurt. Or 'cause their religion tells 'em to be.

V

13DHonestly? Can't rightly make up my mind about him.

Rachel

13DLemme help you out.

13DStephenson's a very disturbed man whose obsession with guilt is driving him to the brink of insanity.

V

If he's as crazy as you say, why's he so important to you?

Rachel

Because Stephenson's got a little somethin' that's in short supply but in very high demand.

That little somethin's called authenticity. In that brain composed entirely of cat shit at this point, he truly believes what he says.

V

14AAh, sounds like the perfect BD actor.

Rachel

14AMhm, and one incapable of fucking up in any way.

V

14BThink he might be more self-possessed than you think.

Rachel

14BLook, you're no shrink and neither am I. We're both just out to get paid.

Stephenson could be a fat, old, fucking gold vein for our studio…

V

And that's my concern because...?

Rachel

You're fucking with his mind, asking probing questions. You're making him doubt, and most importantly, jeopardizing my investment.

So I'm prepared to pay you double what he's promised you to quietly walk away.

Johnny

Don't do it, V.

V

15AMy answer's no.

Rachel

15AWhy do I think you don't understand what I'm offering you… ?

V

15AUnderstand just fine. Let's go inside.

Johnny

15ANot bad, for a petty merc off the streets…

V

16AGrown curious how this'll all end.

Johnny

16AIn pain and profit, that's how. One's sacred, the other's insane, though who knows if they aren't congruous concepts.

16ABut yeah, I'm curious, too. And I've been surprised before.

V

16BCorporats... think they can solve everything with eddies...

Johnny

16BAnd you proved her wrong. Just don't make her desperate, she's liable to bite back.

V

16CJoshua deserves better company than us.

Johnny

16CC'mon, two sinners is just what Jesus of Arroyo needs.

16CA thief and a terrorist. I'm in!

Vasquez

15ASeen every kind of dirtbag in this city. This Jesus shit ain't foolin' me.

15AYou even think about makin' a break for it, your ass is goin' down.

Rachel

15ANobody's paying you to open your mouth, Vasquez.

V

15BFine. Deal.

Rachel

15BVery wise choice.

Johnny

15BFucking pathetic.

Rachel

15BDon't follow me in. I'll tell Stephenson you said goodbye.

Joshua

15BI'm sorry it had to end this way.

Vasquez

15BFuck off.

Rachel

15BJust go already!

V

15CPlease, I know the kinds of budgets BDs get. You can do better than that. Lots better.

Rachel

15CFine! Triple... and you disappear like the morning dew off North Oak front yards.

V

15CDeal.

Johnny

15CFucking pathetic.

Rachel

15CVery wise choice.

15CDon't follow me in. I'll tell Stephenson you said goodbye.

Rachel

Chatter's pointless – that's enough. Stephenson can't be distracted, he has to focus now.

Policewoman

Hm. Thought you'd look more, I dunno... professional.

Whatever. Get in.

Rachel

Don't worry, Olga, we'll fix this. Trust me.

We'll be on schedule. Help's on the way.

Ugh, finally!

We're late.

Stephenson's been asking for you all day. He's in his dressing room, go talk to him.

V

1AWanted to see me?

Joshua

1AIt seems you're the one friend I have. Hm. What does that say about me?

V

1AWhat exactly's goin' on?

Joshua

1AWhat am I doing...? Why... why'm I here? Or maybe I'm insane after all...

V

2AIt's crazy, what you plan to do.

2AGonna kill yourself, while the studio'll reap profits long after you're gone.

Joshua

2AIt's too late. I can't not do it anymore.

V

2BHey, listen to me – you got this.

2BCome this far already – got nothing to face but your fear.

Joshua

2BOK. I'll try.

V

2CGot pure intentions, I know, but you're putting them to waste doing this.

2CSomething like this... It's just not worth you dying for it.

Joshua

2CIt's too late now. There's... there's no going back.

V

2DKnow what I think? You're a true rebel, a revolutionary.

Joshua

2DI-I don't understand.

V

2DWanna give people something true, something real.

2DStudio thinks they've found a sucker to make a fat buck on. But you're using them, you're gonna change the world.

Joshua

2DI'd... never thought of it that way…

1AI'm... I am so afraid. Will you pray with me? A prayer of your choice.

V

3ADon't wanna pray, but I'll be right here by your side.

Joshua

3ABreathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

3AAct in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.

3ADraw my heart O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.

3AStrengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit...

3AThat I always may be holy. Amen.

V

3BI don't wanna pray.

Joshua

3BOK, then, um... just give me a second.

V

3CFine, sure.

V

4AOur Father, who art in Heaven...

Joshua

4AOur Father, who art in Heaven...

V

5AHallowed be thy Name.

Joshua

5AHallowed be thy Name.

V

6AThy Kingdom come...

Joshua

6AThy Kingdom come...

V

7AThy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven...

Joshua

7AThy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven...

V

8AGive us this day our daily bread...

Joshua

8AGive us this day our daily bread...

V

9AAnd forgive us our trespasses…

Joshua

9AAnd forgive us our trespasses…

V

10AAs we forgive those who trespass against us...

Joshua

10AAs we forgive those who trespass against us...

V

11AAnd lead us not into temptation...

Joshua

11AAnd lead us not into temptation...

V

12ABut deliver us from evil...

Joshua

12ABut deliver us from evil...

V

13AAmen.

Joshua

13AAmen.

V

4BPardon us, our Father, for we have sinned against thee.

V

14AForgive us, our King, for we have transgressed. For You are a good and forgiving God.

V

15ABlessed are You, Lord, gracious One who pardons abundantly.

V

16AO behold our affliction and wage our battle. Redeem us speedily for the sake of Your Name.

V

17AFor You, God, are the mighty redeemer. Blessed are You, Lord, Redeemer of Israel.

4CGiver of vital breath, of power and vigor.

V

18AHe whose commandments all the Gods acknowledge.

V

19AThe Lord of death, whose shade is life immortal.

V

20AWhat God shall we adore with our oblation?

V

21ANe'er may he harm us who is earth's Begetter.

V

22ANor he whose laws are sure, the heavens' Creator.

V

23AHe who brought forth the great and lucid waters.

V

24AWhat God shall we adore with our oblation?

4DLord, through Your divine wisdom and guidance You bestow good fortune.

4DI pray You do so this day, upon Joshua, upon me.

Rachel

1ATime to start. Let's go.

Joshua

1AI truly hope Zuleikha is praying for me now.

1AWill you stay with me, to the end?

1AI would like you to wield the hammer. Nail me to the cross.

Rachel

25AUghh... let's do this.

25AYou're gonna have to say some lines, a few. We'll put them up on the prompter for you.

V

26AAll right, Joshua. I'll do it.

Joshua

26AOh, thank you!

V

26BNuh-uh, no way.

Joshua

26BThen please, just stay at my side.

V

26BAll right.

Rachel

26BPhew... let's do this.

V

26CUh, no. They're gonna nail you to a cross... Not about to even watch that.

26CDid what I could. All I could, really. But that…? No, just no. Sorry.

Rachel

26COK, tough, done with that. I'll contact you later.

26CC'mon. Everything's set. Can't hesitate now.

Johnny

1A"Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and save us!"

V

28A"Do you not fear God? You stand condemned under the same sentence."

Joshua

31A"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

V

34A"We are punished justly, for we receive what our deeds deserve. But this man has done no wrong."

V

35A"Remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Joshua

37A“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Joshua

37A“Father, Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit.”

Rachel

37AAmen.

Rachel

37AProbably my hardest gig, that, but... I got through it.

V

37AWhat now?

Rachel

37AGoing home. Where I'll sleep for two days straight.

37AI'll be in touch about your compensation soon.

V

40ABe waitin' for your call.

Rachel

40AYep. Later.

V

40BShouldn't release the BD. World shouldn't see it...

Rachel

40BThat's not up to you, that's not up to me.

40BHeh, I'll call you.

V

28AI... I can't do this...

Joshua

1A"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Rachel

1AJoshua?

Joshua

1AThis is it. My time has come.

1AI want you to walk with me.

1AI'd like you to wield the hammer... Nail me to the cross. Please.

V

1AWanted to see me?

Joshua

1AI wanted you by my side when my soul departs this world.

1AI have no friends, no family, only strangers as my company.

V

1AStill, uh, set on scrolling this braindance?

Joshua

1AI am more determined than ever.

Rachel

Olga? We've got a situation...

Somebody just tried to drop our star.

That psycho's out hiring professionals! It was only matter of time.

'Cause he's a fucking nutcase, that's why!

What a cunt!

V

Want me to come... to come with you?

Joshua

Heh, I need you.

Rachel

You're outta your fuckin' mind!

Joshua

Hey, another word from you and I'm callin' the studio. Don't make me ruin your career.

Nobody and I mean nobody, will harm a hair on your head. I'm just uh, heh... borrowing you.

V

What the hell is this?

Joshua

Hhmm... What's your name?

V

V.

Joshua

Josh Stephenson. But you probably knew that already…

Your... associate – what was his name?

V

4ABill Jablonsky. Ring a bell?

Joshua

4ASadly, yes.

4A"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom!"

Vasquez

4AWait a sec, you're V? Eh, I heard o' you!

V

4ACan't say the same about you.

Vasquez

4AWe can't take her, out of the question. She's way too big a threat.

Joshua

4AWell I want to give her a job.

Vasquez

4AAgh! Christ on a stick…

Johnny

4AFinally! Somethin' that isn't a complete snorefest. Could binge-watch this all day if I had some popcorn…

V

5BI'm not goin' anywhere.

5BScrew this, I'm out.

Joshua

5BAahh... such a shame.

5BIt's OK – go. Nobody's going to stop you.

V

4AGonna tell me what it is you want from me?

Joshua

4AWell, this one time Rachel is right – we can't stay here.

4ACome with us. You'll find out all you need to know on the way.

Vasquez

4AGotta object, strongly.

Joshua

4ANoted. But you don't have a vote here.

Johnny

4AHah! That's it. Got no fuckin' idea what this is about, but if you don't go with them I'm never talking to you again.

V

6AAll right. I'll go with you.

Rachel

6AUgh, move it. We're running late.

V

First, gonna tell me what the hell's going on.

Joshua

Loo-- I can explain, just... don't go! I... I need you.

It's OK. You don't need to tell me. My name is Joshua Stephenson.

Aaaand your... associate – what was his name?

V

You're insane if you think I'm getting in that car.

Joshua

Haha, I just, ah... I, um... I really need you, please…

Rachel

Ugh, ditch the bitch. We gotta go.

Joshua

No. She's coming with us. She has to.

V

Why do you need me? Why so badly?

Answer's no.

Rachel

Now can we go?

Joshua

Aughh... Such a shame...

V

Ah, no thanks. Just be on my way, now.

Joshua

Please? I need you. Really.

Truck driver

The fuck are you doing? Stop!

Vasquez

NCPD! Stay where you are! And get that goddamn semi outta here!

Joshua

We take her with us.

Rachel

What?!

Vasquez

Gregor? Busted an attempted hit on my guy…

Yeah. One cazh.

Bill Jablonsky. No priors, but run a deep sweep just to be sure.

Thanks, I owe you. No patrol car and stay off the frequencies, too. Can't have this comin' back.

This… this… what a fuckin' mess…

Told you drop it, dickhead…

Shoulda listened, shoulda fuckin' listened…

We're clear to go. Boys from the precinct'll mop up here.

Drop it, or I shoot!

Joshua

Wait!

No! Stop! Stop the killing!

Vasquez

They're here to kill you!

Joshua

It's not their fault! Shoot the girl and our deal is dead!

Rachel

Vasquez! Shoot!

Vasquez

Right, let's just all shoot holes in each other.

Rachel

For crying out loud, fuck! We can't leave her here! Media vultures'll be here any minute!

Vasquez

NCPD! Stop right there!

Lieutenant Vasquez, NCPD! Stop right there!

Bill jablonsky

You're protecting a murderer!

Rachel

Already ID'd him. Bill Jablonsky.

Ugh, wastin' time here!

Ugh, wastin' time here!

Vasquez

You fucking idiot!

Bill jablonsky

Stop the damn car!

This is it, let's go!

Bill jablonsky

8AStay close, I'm going to blow the motherfucker to bits myself!

8AI'm gonna do it... I'm gonna fucking kill him!

Fuck! Brake, I said! Brake!

Rachel

Ugh, wastin' time here!

Bill jablonsky

Out. Go. Now.

Protester

The Messiah did not sacrifice his life for your profits!

Protester

Look in your hearts! Come to your senses!

Protester

Blasphemy! An offense to God!

Protester

Filthy paws off the Gospel!

Protester

Lord! Rain fire and brimstone down upon Sodom!

Protester

Hands off 'Murica!

Protester

"Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!"

"She has become a dwelling for demons"

"and a haunt for every impure spirit!"

"A haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal."

"For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries."

"The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,"

"and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."

Vasquez

Hey, you!

V!

Rachel's been waiting for you.

V

1AWhere do I go?

Vasquez

1AStraight down this street – building with the officer out front.

V

1AThanks.

1BWhat's goin' on? Joshua all right?

Vasquez

1BDon't fuckin' know, don't fuckin' care. Get in there.

V

1CGuess some people didn't like the idea of recording somebody's agony road…

Vasquez

1CBunch of killjoys, that's all. Billions're gonna watch the braindance.

V

1CStudio's not afraid of a scandal, getting caught up in it?

Vasquez

1CYou kidding? Scandal's what they live for.

1CI'd be out there, too, if I could be. But I got a family to look after, and the job's what it is...