Taz
OMG did you feel that?
Taz
I felt an earthquake.
Erik
I didn’t feel anything.
Taz
Are you being serious right now?
Taz
The ground definitely shook!
Taz looks up at her best friend, Erik, defiantly.
He’s sitting right across from her in class.
He raises an eyebrow and texts back.
Erik
You must have fallen asleep…
Erik
I don’t blame you for nodding off. This lecture is hella boring.
Taz
I’m not tired! Wide awake.
Erik
Are you sure you haven’t had trouble sleeping again?
Taz
No — I haven’t been sleepwalking, if that’s what you’re implying.
Taz
Not since the night we saved Lacey…
Suddenly Taz drops her phone, and clutches her desk.
Erik looks at her quizzically.
She picks up her phone again…
Taz
There it was again! Didn’t you feel it??
Taz looks around at the students next to her.
They’re all swiping through their phones.
Ignoring the professor, who’s droning on.
Erik
Don’t you think other students would notice if the ground was shaking?
Taz
I know what I felt, Erik.
Taz
There it is again! It’s like little tremors.
Taz
Here, I’ll prove it to you.
Taz
Every time the ground shakes, the water ripples.
Taz
I’ll send you a snap of it.
Taz opens Snapchat to send Erik a video…
But a strange filter pops up on screen.
At the bottom of the screen are written the words…
It looks like some sort of digital clock…
Taz hits record, and the clock begins to flash a time:
Taz glances up at the clock in the lecture hall. The time reads 12:30.
She looks at the time on her watch. 12:30.
She looks back at the strange filter.
She sends the video to Erik.
Erik
Taz, I can’t even see your water bottle behind that obnoxious filter.
Erik
Is that from that robot S.A.M. who helps you see ghosts?
Taz
He’s an A.I., not a robot! And the ghosts are called Dark Matter. But look—
Taz
This filter is flashing the wrong time.
Erik
Last week we practically brought somebody back from the dead.
Erik
So no, the time being wrong on your phone is not something I would consider to be weird.
Erik
It’s probably just a glitch.
Taz
What if it’s trying to tell me something?
Erik
Taz, I promise — everything is just fine.
Taz
What if something is about to happen to us? To you?
Erik
And even if it does — we’ll get through it.
Suddenly, the entire building begins to reverberate.
And this time, everyone can feel it.
The ground shakes beneath their feet.
Water bottles and textbooks tumble off desks.
Students jump out of their seats and scream.
The lights flicker on and off, and then…
The lecture hall goes dark.
Taz hears Erik’s frantic voice call out her name.
A beam of light streams into the room from above—
Taz looks up as the roof of the lecture hall begins to CRUMBLE.
Chunks of the ceiling rain down on the students’ heads.
Erik pushes Taz, knocking her three feet away, just in time…
A giant chunk of plaster comes crashing down right where she was just standing.
A few moments pass and the dust clears…
And then there is complete silence.
The earthquake has stopped.
Confused students look around at their new surroundings.
Piles of rubble cover everything.
And Erik is nowhere to be seen.
Taz
Erik, can you hear me?!
Taz
If you can hear me — I’m going to get help, okay?
Taz reaches for her phone to call 911—
But the screen has been smashed to pieces.
Through the cracked glass, she can just make out the time.
She looks up as a team of firemen enter the ruins of the lecture hall.
A couple of the firemen make their way over to Taz.
Taz
My friend — my best friend—
Taz
You have to help him.
Taz
He saved my life…again.
The firemen start to examine the pile of rubble—
As another firefighter tries to evacuate students from the lecture hall.
Taz
His name is Erik Roberts.
Taz starts to get jostled by students rushing out of the room.
One of the firemen takes her gently by the arms, trying to escort her out with the other students.
Taz
I can’t — I won’t leave him.
Why won’t they listen to her?
Taz
I can’t just sit and do nothing while Erik is…is…
Taz breaks free from the fireman’s grasp and runs.
She hears the fireman call after her.
But Taz keeps running, through rubble and debris, until she is outside on the quad.
There, students lie on stretchers, receiving medical care.
She looks up, taking in her surroundings.
The students and teachers desperately waiting for news.
She knows what she has to do.
Taz
I’m coming back for you, Erik.
Moments later, at the PSI Lab
S.A.M.
Greetings, Tasneem.
Taz
I came as fast as I could.
Taz
There was an earthquake. It came out of nowhere. Destroyed part of campus!
S.A.M.
Indeed. That was why I sent you that filter.
Taz
I couldn’t figure out what it was trying to tell me…
Taz
If I had, I could have saved Erik from the earthquake!
S.A.M.
That was not just an ordinary earthquake.
Taz
I felt it. Everyone felt it.
S.A.M.
But you were able to feel it before the others.
S.A.M.
Did that not strike you as odd?
S.A.M.
What you experienced were the effects of a wormhole being opened.
S.A.M.
A rip in the fabric of space-time. A portal.
S.A.M.
It seems a wormhole has been opened right here on Stanford campus.
S.A.M.
And it was done with the use of Dark Matter — that is why you felt it first.
Taz
I don’t care about Dark Matter right now—
Taz
A part of the building…it fell on Erik!
Taz
He pushed me out of the way, but he couldn’t save himself.
Taz
S.A.M., I just lost my twin sister…
Taz
I can’t lose Erik too.
Taz
He’s all I have left.
Taz feels an uncomfortable squeezing in her chest.
A tear rolls off her cheek and splashes onto her phone screen.
She feels distraught. And utterly alone.
But then, a thought occurs to her.
Taz
Then he’s a ghost, right? He’s Dark Matter?
Taz
That means maybe I can bring him back…
Taz
Just like I brought back Lacey Owens last week?
S.A.M.
I am afraid it is not so simple, Tasneem.
S.A.M.
Tasneem, you are incredibly gifted.
S.A.M.
You have the power to see and do things others cannot.
Taz
Yes, like convert dead souls — Dark Matter — back into the living!
Taz
That’s what I did for Lacey!
Taz
We did it, together. Erik helped me…
Taz’s eyes fill with tears.
S.A.M.
Lacey was a different situation altogether.
S.A.M.
She was converted into Dark Matter while she was still alive.
S.A.M.
Her entire being, body and soul, became Dark Matter.
S.A.M.
That’s not the case with Erik.
S.A.M.
Erik has passed away.
S.A.M.
His soul has left his body.
S.A.M.
His body remains under the rubble in that building.
S.A.M.
While his soul now exists, alone, as Dark Matter.
Taz begins to sob uncontrollably.
Taz
There has to be another way.
S.A.M. makes a whirring sound, as if he’s thinking.
S.A.M.
There might be another way, but…
S.A.M.
It is very dangerous, Tasneem.
S.A.M.
I am not certain you are ready.
S.A.M. thinks again for a moment, and then speaks.
S.A.M.
You are meant to train for years, develop your powers and complete missions before using such an advanced filter.
Taz
What advanced filter?
Taz
If there’s a filter than can bring Erik back, you HAVE to give it to me!
S.A.M.
I am sorry, Tasneem. It is not advisable.
Taz
I can’t let another person I love die.
Taz
But of course you wouldn’t understand that…
Tears stream down Taz’s face as she storms out of the lab.
Taz enters her dorm room and breaks down, sobbing.
Then, she hears the sound again — S.A.M.’s ringtone.
She looks down at her smashed phone.
There’s a text from S.A.M.
Taz squints, reading through the cracked glass.
S.A.M.
While this goes against my better judgment…
S.A.M.
I can send you a filter that may help.
S.A.M.
The wormhole remains open.
S.A.M.
If you enter it, and travel back in time—
S.A.M.
You may have the opportunity to save your friend.
Taz’s phone buzzes, and she swears it sounds like a sad sigh.
S.A.M.
But beware. Time travel can lead to unintended consequences.
S.A.M.
If you choose this path, things may never be the same again.
Taz
I promise I’ll be careful.
S.A.M.
Very well, Tasneem.
Taz’s phone chimes, and a new filter pops up on her screen.
At the bottom of the screen are written the words…
Above the filter is some sort of time dial.
S.A.M.
Set the dial to the exact time in history you would like to visit, and press Go.
Taz looks at herself through the filter anxiously.
The time dial floats on the screen beneath her face.
With a shaking finger, Taz turns the dial back.
Suddenly, the air in front of her seems to rip open before her eyes.
S.A.M.
Simply step through the wormhole to begin your journey.
S.A.M.
Your mission is to change the past…
S.A.M.
Without altering the future.
S.A.M.
Good luck, Tasneem.
Taz takes a deep breath, and steps through the hole.
Her vision blurs, and everything goes dark.
Taz slowly opens her eyes…
And finds herself on the floor of her dorm room.
She picks herself up and rubs her head.
And a guy — wearing nothing but a towel — enters.
Taz
What are you doing here?!
Taz
And please, put on some clothes!
Guy
I can be naked in my own room!
Guy
Have you been drinking? Please don’t ralph on my carpet.
Taz
I am NOT drunk. This is my dorm room, okay?
Taz looks around the room…
Her artwork has been replaced with posters of Duran Duran and Bon Jovi.
A clunky, ancient PC sits where her laptop once was.
A clock hangs on the wall, and the time reads 12:30.
A Ghostbusters calendar is taped below it.
Taz
Where’s all my stuff?!
Taz
And my sister’s artwork…
Guy
I don’t have time for this. I’m running late for class.
Guy
Leave now, or I’m gonna call the cops.
Taz
I think I’m just confused…
Taz crosses to the calendar on the wall.
It’s turned to the page for October…
Guy
Um…you’re looking right at a calendar.
Taz
Oh my god, oh my god…
Taz
S.A.M. said it was risky, but I didn’t listen.
Taz
How am I going to save Erik if I’m stuck in 1989?!
Guy
I’m going to call and get you some help.
He takes his phone off the wall and starts to dial 911.
But Taz SMACKS the phone out of his hands.
Guy
HEY! I’m trying to help you!
Taz
Look, I know this is all crazy, and I’m sorry.
Taz
But I need you to not tell anyone about this.
Taz
I’m just…lost. I was looking for my friend.
Taz
I was trying to help him, and I think I screwed things up even worse…
The guy’s expression softens when her voice breaks.
Guy
What can I do to help?
Taz
Um…maybe put some clothes on?
Taz
I think I know what I need to do.
Taz
Do you know someone named Dr. Montgomery?
Guy
The physics professor?
Guy
I know her very well, actually…
He scribbles down an address for Taz on a slip of paper.
He tries to chase after her—
Taz slips quietly into the same lecture hall that was destroyed by the earthquake…
Only, it’s still standing.
The hall is still full of bored students…
But no one is distracted by a cell phone.
Students turn and stare as Taz finds a seat in the back of the classroom.
Her outfit stands out like a sore thumb among ‘80s fashions.
At the front of the room is a small but powerful woman in a suit and glasses.
Dr. Montgomery
And if you are able to harness a high quantity of Dark Matter…
Dr. Montgomery
You could, theoretically, open a wormhole.
Dr. Montgomery
And travel through time.
The classroom erupts into muffled chatter.
Dr. Montgomery
That’s all we have time for today. Please read Chapter 12 before class next week.
As students begin to file out of the room, Taz approaches Dr. Montgomery.
Taz
Dr. Montgomery, I need your help. I—
Taz
There was a wormhole. In the future. And it caused an earthquake—
Taz
It killed my friend Erik.
Taz
So I traveled back through time—
Dr. Montgomery
You do understand that I’ve devoted years of research to wormholes?
Dr. Montgomery
I don’t appreciate you mocking me.
Taz
I’m not! I need to help Erik!
Dr. Montgomery takes in Taz’s clothes.
Her eyes narrow and she opens her mouth, as if to say something…
But then a handsome man enters the lecture hall.
It’s the naked guy from her dorm room!
Only, now he’s dressed — quite well, actually — in a suit and tie.
And something about him seems strangely familiar to Taz.
Guy
How was class, Professor?
Dr. Montgomery
Another scintillating discussion. Could you please help this young woman?
Dr. Montgomery turns to Taz.
Dr. Montgomery
My assistant Lionel can answer whatever questions you may have.
Dr. Montgomery slips a few papers into her briefcase.
And then tucking it under her arm, she leaves the room.
Taz turns to back to the guy.
Taz
I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to say it.
Taz
I’m Tasneem Singh. I go by Taz.
Taz
I’m from the future. 2018.
Lionel stares at her blankly.
Taz
In the future, Professor Montgomery goes missing.
Taz
And her assistant, S.A.M., keeps her lab going — it’s called the PSI Lab.
Taz
S.A.M. recruits me to join the lab, because I have special powers.
Taz
But then, something terrible happens.
Taz
There’s this earthquake and my friend, Erik, gets trapped in the rubble and dies.
Taz
So S.A.M. gives me a filter to hop through a wormhole and travel back in time.
Taz
But I stupidly set the dial too far back.
Taz
And now…I’m stuck here…in 1989.
Taz
That’s why I need Dr. Montgomery’s help!
Taz
I have to find a way back to the future.
Taz
Or…Erik will stay dead, forever.
Lionel
Okay, wow. That’s a lot to process.
Lionel
But first of all, it’s a pleasure to formally meet you. I’m Lionel Rex.
Taz’s jaw drops. Lionel Rex!
That’s why he looked familiar in his suit and tie…
Dr. Rex — the same man who just last week captured Taz…
And turned Lacey Owens into Dark Matter using a giant satellite dish.
But right now, he’s young, with a smile that could melt hearts.
Rex seems to blush under Taz’s intense gaze.
Rex
Oh, I’m not a doctor yet — it’s just Rex.
Rex
But listen…I believe you.
Rex
You said you have powers?
Taz
In the future we call my powers the Touch…
Taz
I can control Dark Matter…and I can see it with a special filter.
Taz holds out her smashed phone.
Taz
I can see ghosts…with my phone. But it’s pretty broken right now.
Rex touches Taz’s phone in awe.
Rex
This is…this is astounding.
Rex
I’ve dreamt of this kind of technology, but never imagined it so small.
Rex
You said this was some kind of telephone?
Taz
Yeah, a smart phone, it…goes on the Internet.
Taz
Yeah, it’s this whole thing…
Rex
This is amazing. You’re exactly what — I mean who — I need.
Taz
Yeah, if you call killing people research.
Rex is obviously caught off guard.
Rex
I think you must have me mistaken for somebody else…
Rex
I study physics — wormholes are my focus area.
Rex
And what you’re telling me — about Dark Matter — this could lead to a huge breakthrough.
Rex
Together, we may have what we need to open the first manmade wormhole.
Taz
Wormholes are dangerous.
Rex
They need not be, if used properly.
Rex
I want to open wormholes to help people.
Rex
I want to change the course of history. Stop wars from happening.
Rex
Stop people from dying senselessly.
Rex
And right now…I want to help you get back to 2018 and save your friend.
Though he may be evil someday, right now he seems genuinely concerned for her.
And she doesn’t have much of a choice…
Rex
Meet me out by the Dish at 4:00 p.m.
Rex
It’s a large satellite dish on the edge of campus, up on a hill.
Taz
Unfortunately, I know exactly where it is.
Rex
I’ll get you back home.
Taz stands by the Dish, waiting for Rex.
Taz watches as a young couple laughs together on the grass, under a giant redwood tree.
Rex
There you are! Sorry I’m late!
Rex
Come on, let’s get started.
But she decides to follow Rex.
He leads her into the Dish’s control room, beaming with excitement as he points to a small TV monitor on the wall.
Rex
I have built a device that measures the amount of Dark Matter in the area.
Rex fiddles with a few knobs and dials.
Rex
As you can see, there is very little Dark Matter surrounding us right now.
Taz
That’s weird. In the future, the Dish is surrounded by Dark Matter.
Taz opens Snapchat on her phone.
The quality is grainy, but Taz sees her Dark Matter Meter pop up on her screen.
She points her phone at the window outside.
And it shows her the same thing as the TV monitor on the wall.
She snaps a picture and shows it to Rex.
Rex
Indeed. Not nearly enough Dark Matter to open a wormhole.
But Rex doesn’t seem deterred.
He looks at Taz meaningfully.
He flips a switch on the control panel, and a familiar hum grows in Taz’s ears.
Taz’s heart skips a beat.
Rex
I have been collecting Dark Matter, using the power of the Dish, for the past four years.
Rex
However, the process is quite slow.
Rex
With your powers, Ms. Singh…
Rex
Perhaps you could help speed things along.
Rex points to the control panels and looks at Taz inquiringly.
Rex
Will you give it a try?
Rex
It may be the only way to save your friend.
She recalls what the future Rex told her last week—
The only way to collect a lot of Dark Matter…
Is to convert living matter.
In other words, she would have to blast a living being with a beam from the Dish.
And turn them into Dark Matter, forever.
Rex told her that day that Taz had already helped him once before…
Through the cracked screen, she sees her background picture—
Taz and Erik and her dead sister, Jaz, goofing off together.
She misses them both, so badly.
She has to get back to the future, so she can save Erik.
Taz walks toward the control panel, and looks through the window up at the Dish—
A large, eerie satellite dish looming over the rolling Stanford hills.
Taz turns a dial and watches as the Dish rotates slowly toward the young couple in the distance…
Kissing beneath a large redwood tree.
Taz points the Dish’s beam directly at them…
She looks up at Rex, who gasps as realization dawns.
Rex
Wait…what are you doing?
Taz turns up the dial, and a loud hum erupts in her head.
A beam shoots out from the Dish…
Traveling straight toward the kissing couple…
And hits the giant redwood tree behind them.
Rex looks at his grainy TV monitor on the wall…
And a smile spreads across his face.
The area is now teaming with Dark Matter.
Taz sighs, realizing she is giving Rex the insight that will endanger Lacey’s life in the future…
Taz
You need living matter to create Dark Matter.
Taz
That’s why I converted the tree.
Rex
You really are incredible.
Rex
We now have the Dark Matter we need to open a wormhole!
Rex runs outside the control booth, and Taz follows behind dejectedly.
He pulls a gun out of his coat pocket.
Rex
Don’t worry, it’s not that kind of gun.
Rex
This is a Dark Matter Concentrator.
Rex
It’ll direct all the Dark Matter in the area to one spot, and, theoretically…
Rex turns the gun on and points it at an empty patch of grass in front of them.
Taz watches in amazement as a small rip appears in the air.
Rex’s arms begin to shake.
The gun begins to waver, as Rex loses control of the beam…
And the rip starts to close up again.
Puts her arms around his…
And focuses the gun onto the undulating rip in the air…
They both stand and watch together as a wormhole opens up before them.
Just then, the ground starts to shake beneath their feet…
Taz opens Snapchat to her Wormhole Hopper, and this time, she sets the dial carefully…
She looks back at Rex one last time, as everything rumbles around them.
Taz
Thank you for your help.
Rex
Go. Save your friend.
Rex
I’ll see you in the future, Ms. Singh.
And steps through the wormhole.
Taz’s vision starts to blur…and the last thing she notices is the time on her phone.
Blinking in bright red lights.
And as she opens her eyes…
She realizes that she’s back in class.
She turns. Her friend, Lacey — the girl Taz saved last week — is shaking her.
Lacey
Hey, wake up. You fell asleep.
Taz
Oh, Lacey…I’m so glad to see you.
Taz
How long was I out for?
Lacey
I don’t know…five minutes?
Lacey
Are you feeling okay?
Taz
Yeah, yeah. What day is it?
Taz
It has to do with my…you know…
Lacey gives her a strange look.
Taz
Just tell me. Please.
Then Lacey looks down, muttering under her breath.
Taz shudders at this word…she thought Lacey was her friend.
She looks at the guy sitting in front of her and sighs with relief.
She whispers his name louder…
But he still doesn’t respond.
Confused, Taz grabs her pencil and pokes him in the neck.
All of Taz’s muscles tighten in shock.
Taz
Sorry…I thought you were someone else.
Taz grabs her things and turns to leave.
But suddenly, the building begins to shake.
Taz dodges screaming students, desperately trying to fight her way out of the building.
She runs towards her dorm as the ground continues to shake.
Taz enters her dorm room and throws her things down.
She looks around the room.
There’s artwork. Her laptop. Pictures of her and Jaz when they were kids.
She opens up her laptop and goes to Facebook.
She clicks through her friends.
Then, she hears a door open.
Taz
This is definitely my room. I do not need to see a naked guy right now.
Taz stands and turns, prepared for the worst—
Jaz
Hey, did you feel that earthquake? An entire building fell. It’s crazy.
Taz runs and pulls her sister into a tight hug, tears streaming down her face.
Taz
I can’t believe you’re here.
Jaz
Um, yeah. I live here. With you.
Taz beams at her sister and pulls out her phone to take a selfie.
Taz
Just capturing the moment…
Taz looks at the selfie lovingly, but then frowns and looks back up at Jaz.
Jaz
You’re so weird, Taz.
Taz
Nothing, it’s just…you’ve never called me that before.
Jaz
Um, I call you a weirdo every day.
Jaz
I mean, I still love you. You’re my sister. I have to.
Jaz
But you’re super weird.
Taz looks at her sister again…
But her personality is so different.
This is not the free-spirited, warm-hearted twin sister Taz grew up with.
Suddenly, Taz remembers her mission.
Taz
Yes, Erik. My best friend?
Jaz
Uhh…pretty sure you don’t have any friends. No offense.
Jaz
Is Erik that guy you hooked up with on Tinder last week?
Taz searches through her pictures and finds one of Erik.
Jaz
He’s cute. Set me up.
Taz
Ew, no. You’d never go out with Erik.
Taz
You guys were like brother and sister.
Taz
I don’t understand. Why does no one know who he is?!
Taz
It’s like he doesn’t exist…
Jaz
No one knows who you are, but you still exist.
Jaz
Oh my gosh, what is with you today?
Jaz
This is just how we talk.
Taz
No. It’s not. Jaz would have never talked to me like that.
Taz
You’re not like Jaz used to be…
Taz
And Lacey was acting weird too…like we aren’t even friends.
Taz
If everything is different…
Taz
Maybe…Erik DOESN’T exist.
Taz
Maybe he never existed in this timeline.
Jaz
So he’s your imaginary boyfriend? Sad.
Taz goes back to her computer…
She searches for the date she saw on Rex’s calendar—
A Wikipedia article pops up for the 1989 Bay Area earthquake.
Taz
It says here that the same day I was there…there was an earthquake.
Taz
Just like this one. But worse.
The time of the earthquake was 5:04pm.
A massive earthquake occurred in history…at the exact time she and Rex opened the wormhole.
Jaz
What are you talking about?
Taz clicks on one of names of the dead and an image pops up.
She stares in disbelief at the picture of a handsome 22-year old man dressed in 1980s clothes…
With smiling eyes she’d recognize anywhere…
Taz
He…died in the earthquake.
Taz
He was on the Bay Bridge when the earthquake caused it to break apart…
Taz
And he didn’t make it.
Taz
He never had a chance to meet his wife.
Taz
Which means that Erik was never born.
Taz’s chest heaves, as she realizes the full implications of what she’s just learned…
Taz
I…I killed so many people.
Jaz
Okay, you are seriously freaking me out.
Jaz walks into the next room.
Just then, Taz hears a familiar chime.
Taz pulls her phone out of her pocket.
The screen hasn’t been smashed.
S.A.M.
Welcome back to the future, Tasneem.
Taz
At least you’re the same…
Taz
Everything else here is so different.
Taz begins to sob again, her chest heaving.
Taz
Everything is so wrong.
S.A.M.
It seems that your journey into the past altered many events in the future.
S.A.M.
You have created a new, unique timeline.
S.A.M.
Your friend Erik was a casualty of this time rift, it seems.
S.A.M.
Put simply, the friend you went back to save never existed here.
Taz
S.A.M., I have to go back.
Taz
I caused that giant earthquake…which killed Erik’s dad, and all those other people.
Taz
And my sister, Jaz…she’s alive.
Taz
But she’s nothing like the Jaz I knew.
S.A.M.
I am afraid that temporal anomalies are par for the course when it comes to time travel.
S.A.M.
Temporal anomalies — disturbances in the space-time continuum.
Taz
I was just trying to save Erik…
Taz begins to get hysterical.
Taz
I have to go back…to before the earthquake started.
Taz
I have to stop those people from dying!
Taz
Please, help me go back…
S.A.M.
You have already risked your life once today—
Taz
Erik would do it for me.
Taz
How can I get back to the old timeline?
S.A.M.
The last time you attempted to alter history, things did not turn out so well…
Taz
I’ll fix everything this time.
Taz
I’ll be more careful.
Taz’s phone whirs for a few moments…
S.A.M.
The wormhole you used to enter this timeline is still open.
S.A.M.
There is nothing to stop you from re-entering it and going back to 1989.
S.A.M.
But you must be very careful.
S.A.M.
You may encounter yourself in the old timeline.
S.A.M.
The other version of you, who went back to 1989 to save Erik the first time…
S.A.M.
She will still be there, preparing to open the wormhole with Dr. Rex.
S.A.M.
You must NOT let her see you. That would be disastrous.
Taz
Okay. I’ll be careful.
Sure enough, the Wormhole Hopper filter comes up on the screen.
Taz sets the dial to a few minutes earlier than last time…
October 17, 1989, 12:25pm
Taz
But if I go…if I restore the timeline…
Taz
Jaz might be gone again.
S.A.M.
That is highly likely, yes.
Taz
Can’t I just…open another wormhole later? Go back and save her?
S.A.M.
I am afraid it is not so simple.
S.A.M.
Sometimes, our destinies are written in stone.
S.A.M.
The path our life takes us down makes our future inevitable.
S.A.M.
And your sister Jasline…if she were the same person you knew…
S.A.M.
It might not be possible to save her from going down that path again.
Taz
But this Jaz…she isn’t the Jaz I knew.
Taz
I don’t want to lose Jaz again…
Taz
But maybe, one day, I’ll find another way to save her.
Taz
Maybe her destiny isn’t written in stone.
S.A.M.
I am a highly sophisticated neural network, Tasneem, not a person.
S.A.M.
I do not feel things like hope.
S.A.M.
This choice is yours alone to make.
Taz hesitates for a moment…
She hears Jaz in the other room yelling at their mom on the phone.
Taz
But S.A.M. — this time I need to convince Dr. Montgomery to help me.
Taz
Last time…she didn’t believe anything I said.
Taz
How can I prove to her that I’m from the future?
S.A.M.
Hmm…I think I have an idea.
Taz leaves her dorm before Rex comes out of the bathroom.
And she walks into Dr. Montgomery’s lecture hall.
This time, Taz is prepared.
Fitting right in, she’s dressed in acid-wash jeans and has her hair in a scrunchie.
Taz hides in the back of the room, making sure she isn’t seen, by anyone.
Just then, Taz sees her other self walk conspicuously into the lecture hall dressed in futuristic clothes.
As the lecture ends, Taz ducks down as her other self walks toward Dr. Montgomery.
She stays hidden, and sees Rex enter the room.
As Dr. Montgomery starts to leave, she watches Rex begin to speak to her other self.
So she quickly slips out of the lecture hall to stand behind the doorway…
Just as Dr. Montgomery exits the classroom.
Taz grabs the professor’s wrist.
And pulls her into an empty classroom nearby.
Taz
Dr. Montgomery, please.
Dr. Montgomery
You…how did you get out of the lecture hall already?
Dr. Montgomery
I was just talking to you.
Taz
I traveled through time again.
Taz
You were talking to a different version of me.
Taz
I’m from a different timeline…
Dr. Montgomery looks down at Taz’s clothes.
Dr. Montgomery
You…were dressed rather differently just a moment ago.
Taz
I tried to fit in this time.
Taz
But now you can see — I really did travel through time.
Dr. Montgomery stares at her, the color draining from her face.
Taz
Please, Dr. Montgomery. You know this is possible.
Taz
Your research has told you it is.
Taz
And your assistant…he helped me get here.
Taz
No, S.A.M. He’s a Sentient A.I. Mainframe that you create, in the future.
Taz
Will you help me, Dr. Montgomery?
Taz
I have to get out of here fast—
Taz
Before Rex walks out of that classroom with the other version of me.
Taz
S.A.M. said we can’t be seen together.
Dr. Montgomery stares off into space for a second, as if she’s calculating something.
Dr. Montgomery
Well, if that’s what Sam wants, it’s probably what I would want.
Dr. Montgomery
After all, he is my creation.
Taz
That’s something he would say too.
Taz
Thank you — but we really don’t have much time.
Taz
Rex and I will open a wormhole in a few hours to send me back to the future.
Taz
It will cause a huge, destructive earthquake.
Taz
That’s why I need you to take this—
Taz hands Dr. Montgomery a list.
Dr. Montgomery
What is it?
Taz
A list — of all the people who will die in the earthquake today.
Taz
I need you to use the school directory and call them — tell them to evacuate.
Dr. Montgomery
And if they don’t listen?
Dr. Montgomery
Okay. I’ll do it.
Dr. Montgomery
And then I must have a stern talk with Lionel.
Dr. Montgomery
His cavalier experiments with Dark Matter are rather troubling.
Dr. Montgomery
I must warn him to stop, else I will need to cut his funding.
Taz
You should. In the future…Rex is evil.
Taz
The way he uses Dark Matter — sometimes it kills people.
Dr. Montgomery
Thank you for that insight.
Taz
Thank you, Dr. Montgomery. For everything.
Taz
I promise…I’ll try to find you. In the future.
Dr. Montgomery
I certainly hope you do, Tasneem. It will be wonderful to see you again.
Dr. Montgomery doesn’t know what the future has in store for her.
Dr. Montgomery
Is there anything else I can do?
Taz
Well…there is one thing.
Dr. Montgomery
Say the word.
Taz
Can I borrow your car?
Taz speeds through the streets of San Francisco in Dr. Montgomery’s red Porsche convertible.
She ties a bandana over her face — hiding her identity.
She glances down at the clock on the dashboard.
Seven minutes until impact.
As she nears the Bay Bridge, she spots it—
Tim Roberts’ 1983 Ford Mustang — Erik’s future car.
And it’s moving closer and closer to the Bridge.
And slams down on the gas, hurtling after Tim’s speeding muscle car.
She finally catches up to him at a light.
Taz studies Tim carefully.
Tim turns, lowering the volume of his car’s radio, which blasts ‘80s music.
Taz
Look, you need to pull over. Park somewhere. Don’t cross the bridge.
Taz
Something bad is about to happen.
Taz
No. Look, I know this sounds weird. But please…
Tim shakes his head at Taz and floors it, speeding off.
Taz
That’s how you want to do this? Fine.
Taz
I’ve come this far. I’m not giving up on Erik.
Taz revs her engine, speeding off after Tim.
And just before they reach the Bay Bridge…
Taz SLAMS the Porsche into Tim’s Mustang.
The force pushes Tim off the road and into a guard rail.
Taz CRASHES into the guardrail, totaling Dr. Montgomery’s car.
But as the dust clears…Taz sees Tim.
But his car is a mess of metal.
Taz breathes a sigh of relief…
But then Tim barrels toward her on foot.
Tim
What the hell was that!
Taz
You’ll fix it. Trust me. You never, ever give up on that car.
Suddenly, the ground begins to shake…
Cars slip and slide, crashing on the road around them.
Drivers scream as the bridge in front of them shakes and buckles.
Taz and Tim stand there slack-jawed, observing the chaos unfold.
Tim
How…how did you know this was going to happen?
Tim
I…how can I repay you?
Taz
By keeping yourself safe, and getting married.
Taz
I’ll see you in a few decades.
Taz
And…say hi to Erik for me.
Tim
Erik? Huh, I like that name…
She opens Snapchat and the Wormhole Hopper pops up on her phone.
It’s blinking the current time—
And steps through the wormhole.
Erik
You were, like, totally snoring in the middle of class.
Taz blinks her eyes open…
She’s back in the lecture hall.
As her vision comes back into focus, she realizes who she’s looking at.
Taz stands and pulls Erik into a hug.
The entire class stops and stares.
But Erik doesn’t seem to notice…he just relaxes into the hug.
Taz
I’m so, so happy to see you.
Erik
Um, I’m happy to see you too, Taz.
Taz glances down at her phone.
She grabs Erik’s hand and pulls him out of the lecture hall.
Erik
Hey! What about class?!
Taz
Don’t worry about it. Follow me.
She pulls Erik into the hallway and wraps him in another hug.
Taz
I can’t believe you’re here.
Erik
Taz, are you feeling okay?
Taz
Amazing. I feel amazing.
Taz
There’s just one thing.
Taz
There’s about to be a huge earthquake.
Taz
This entire building is going to crumble.
Taz
We need to get everyone out of here.
Taz
I know it sounds crazy, and I know I’m weird, but—
Erik
Why would you think that?
Taz
That’s all everyone’s been saying to me all day.
Erik
Well, I don’t think you’re weird.
Erik
I think you’re this crazy awesome chick with powers.
Erik
And I mean crazy, like…good crazy.
Erik
Yeah, you’re the most amazing person I know.
Erik
So if you say there’s about to be an earthquake…
Erik turns to the wall, where there’s a fire alarm…
Students and professors start running out of classrooms.
Erik
Then there’s about to be an earthquake.
Taz smiles as water sprays from the ceiling, drenching both of their clothes.
Erik holds out his hand…and Taz grabs it.
Together, they run out of the building.
The ground begins to shake.
Students on the quad in front of the building scream…
As the building they were just in begins to cave.
Erik
Wow. You were right!
Erik
You just saved, like…a thousand people.
Taz
No — we did. Together.
They’re both soaked. They’re both sweaty and out of breath.
There’s nothing to do but laugh.
Taz pulls Erik into another hug.
Erik
Look, Taz, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.
Erik
And there’s nothing like a near death experience to make you realize…
Erik
What’s important. Who’s important—
Just then, Erik’s phone begins to ring.
Erik
Oh, just my dad. I can call him back.
Taz
You should talk to your dad.
Taz
He really, really cares about you, Erik.
Taz
And there was just an earthquake. He’s probably worried.
Erik
Hey Dad…yeah, Taz and I are both fine…
Erik
We got out right before the earthquake hit.
Erik
Yeah, I love you too, Dad.
Taz’s phone begins to ring too.
S.A.M.
Welcome back to the future, Tasneem.
Taz
You already used that line. In another timeline.
S.A.M.
Did I? Well, then, I am quite predictable it seems.
S.A.M.
I take it that all went according to plan?
Taz
But S.A.M…I just can’t shake the thought out of my head.
Taz
I saw my sister today. My dead sister. Alive.
S.A.M.
A temporal anomaly…
S.A.M.
The Jaz in this timeline is gone, Tasneem.
Taz
Well I’m going to find her, S.A.M. I’ve heard her voice.
Taz
I’ve seen her in the Dark Matter.
Taz
I’ll find her — no matter what it takes.
S.A.M.
That is the spirit, Tasneem.
Taz
Huh? I thought you said I wasn’t ready?
S.A.M.
There are others out there who have the Touch, Tasneem.
S.A.M.
But not giving up on the people you love?
S.A.M.
That is why we chose you.
