Message from Kate
INT. AAA MAILBOXES, HONG KONG, 1997 - DAY
Kate leaves a message for Ai.
KATE (V.O.)
Mom, I got a letter here for Raul Arteaga, but its not from Sara, its from Hans Cloutier. Not sure what to do. The usual protocols don’t really apply here right? Or do they? I’m going to ‘lose’ it for a couple of days until I hear from you. I’ll reach out to Carpet Museum if you’re busy. Just let me know, ok? Miss you! Kate.
Message from Hans
INT. HANS’ STUDY - LATE NIGHT
SFX of a room in Paris fade up. We hear Hans, writing in his study late at night.
HANS (V.O.)
Raul, you are a fucking loser. A Grade A asshole. What are you doing with my daughter? You have no idea who she is, how could you? You’re an abomination, crawling through the sewers of time to take my Sara, my girl... There was a time when she was everything to me.
Beat as he drinks something.
HANS (V.O.)
My wife, Claudette... well she was a fucking bitch let me tell you, but we were almost happy together during those years when Sara was little, and we lived in the 8th on a quiet little street, Rue de Vézeley right near the Parc Monceau. Ah I fucking loved that apartment. But Claudette was making a lot of money, so we could afford it. And she had family money, too. She had money coming out of her ears, I tell you. She didn’t have the slightest idea about how to treat anyone- she was rude to waiters and cab drivers, it was terrible, terrible to see. I thought having a child would soften her, you know, warm up that stone cold heart. And it did, but only a tiny bit, not enough. Or maybe she would’ve understood later on, when Sara was older? But she died. She died and she left all her money in a trust for Sara. Didn’t leave me a fucking centime. Ha. A bitch to the last. Her family got me a job in the Service. Like they were doing me a favor, you know? So I work my ass off, I work harder than any of those fuckers. And at first, I just did it to earn my place, you understand. To belong. But the more I understood what the Service was doing, the more I believed in it. And when they asked me to handle the Red Hand Operation- to keep Algiers as part of France, to keep time ironed out and smooth, I thought: well of course you’re giving that to me, who else could possibly handle it? Jean? That pencil pusher couldn’t iron a wrinkle out of a shirt. And Trotsky? We never trusted Trotsky. He was too charming. You can’t trust people who are charming, not really. They’re too in love with themselves. So if anyone asks, I am the Red Hand. I am the unseen, underpaid soldier on the front lines of time, fighting the chaos and the mistakes and car crashes history.
He takes a drink of something.
HANS (V.O.)
Raul, you must understand. I read your file- you work for your money. Your parents were middle class, they did fine but you don’t own a diamond mine or anything! We buried Sara’s mother and I started working, and Sara has been taking care of ME ever since. Can you believe it, Raul? I get an allowance. My bills are paid. Its torture, its a cage. And I keep time safe! And straight and orderly! And now, what? You appear, an accident, a pile up on the highway, and you want to take the last thing I have left. So fuck you. I’m coming for you Raul. I’m coming for you and I’m not stopping until the work is done. Watch your back. Not that will help. Because you’re a loser, always have been, always will be. And I’m not. I’m a winner, Raul. And I will beat you. Sincerely, Hans Cloutier.
Backgrounds fade out.
Message from Raul
INT. THE THREE WALLED ROOM - ANYTIME
Raul writes a letter to Ai.
RAUL (V.O.)
Dear Ai, you’re gone, so I don’t know if Kate will get this letter to you or not. I’ll ask. She’ll probably answer with one of her super snarky answers that tell me nothing and make no sense. Is she really your daughter? I know time isn’t what I thought it was, but its still weird- she’s probably, what, seventeen? And you’re 25 maybe? So that makes no sense. To me. Maybe it does to you.
Beat.
RAUL (V.O.)
I’m wondering if this thing you’re doing to me and my life is such a good idea. I’m starting to think that maybe I’d like my life back. I mean, I know- it wasn’t much of a life! I know! I was only coasting- only going where I was taken, only half there. I don’t know why that is. I never wanted anything before. Can you imagine? Not wanting anything? Its just my nature- or that’s what I told myself. And it was a super power, let me tell you. If you really don’t want anything, people start giving things to you just to see what happens. Its like trying to flirt with a priest.
Beat.
RAUL (V.O.)
If all I got out of this was this new perspective on life- that there are systems working behind the scenes, that there are people like you fighting for people like me- that would be enough. It would! It would be enough. Plus, we spent the night together in Manchuria, which was very special. And I’ve lost a few pounds. So I’m good. Let’s maybe call it quits while I’m ahead, ok? I’m not sure what happens from here, but I think it may be... I think its going to hurt. Yours, Raul.
Message from Sara
INT SARA’S OFFICE - DAY
SARA
Dear Raul, if I’m honest, I don’t believe that I ever become a writer- and not a writer that anyone would know, certainly. And not a writer of sex books! C’est ridicule. I know its quite fashionable now to question our society- to wonder if something more suitable to actual human life isn’t possible, if we are just clever enough to discover it... But haven’t we discovered so many things about the way it works? We are children- a we play in order to learn. We are teenagers, we make mistakes and try everything, so we make sure teenagers aren’t in charge of anything too important. We are young adults, so we fall in love and make children and work. Then we are older, and we sit and help the young people decide what to do. Then we fade into old age, where we keep our wisdom to ourselves, because everyone else is too young to understand... Isn’t this the life we already know? How much more can there be?
Message from Vinnie
INT. VINNIE’S APARTMENT, HONG KONG 1997 - EVENING
Vinnie is drinking a beer and typing a strongly worded email into his green and white Apple G3.
VINNIE
Dear Sir or Madame... no. Hey Evnika... that aint it. Shit!!
(Psyching himself up)
Come on now. To Whom It May Concern. While I am grateful to be part of this excellent team, I must say that I feel I could contribute a LOT MORE to our work if I was given a larger role. I have been baby-sitting Mr Wu for THREE WEEKS now, and its just a total waste of my time and talents. I mean, dude just drools on himself. Like CONSTANTLY. So much drool. And I like him just fine...
He pats a silent body.
VINNIE
Seriously bro, its not you- you seem... whatever... perfectly nice...
(Back to typing)
...But that’s not the point ok, I just think you guys don’t see that I have a lot more to offer here than being a glorified nanny!! I’ve been shadowing Ming and Ai for so many cases now I’ve lost count! The Aztech affair, Dubai, Outer Mongolia... I mean so many cases! I’ve been paying close attention, ok- and its true, they’re amazing, no doubt. And I’m not saying I could be a Candle like Ai, I mean, I’m pretty hot but I’m not, like, THAT hot. But for sure I could cover Ming’s job... I mean come on! I have great interpersonal communication, I’m flexible, I can adapt, I always hit a deadline except for that one time... AND I have a degree from Northwestern for crying out loud! Where did Ming go to school? With Confucius? That’s some dated technology bro. We need an upgrade.
He takes a swig from his bottle.
VINNIE
So I am formally requesting a promotion and commensurate salary bump starting immediately. I hope you can see that I’m an essential part of our team. Yours Truly, Vincent.
Click. Another swig. He re-reads the letter, and comments either to Mr Wu:
VINNIE
That’s so good. I’m totally gonna get a raise. Cheers, Mr Wu. Ooops, oh shit, I spilled beer on you... goddam it!
Another Message from Sara
INT. CLAIRE’S APARTMENT, PARIS, 1959
Claire is getting dressed in the background as Sara types this in episode 106.
SARA (V.O.)
Dear Raul, I was sad when I read your last letter- I didn’t know that Hong Kong was in such turmoil. It’s chaotic here in Paris, sometimes there are bombs, street protests every week... And always some workers are on strike. Always! Since the bombing in the market, when I was with Claire... I’m starting to pay attention now. Life is capable of such sudden and intense acts of violence. And that suddenness makes it even more cruel, doesn’t it?
From across the room:
CLAIRE
You almost done? We have to go soon.
SARA
Coming.
SARA (V.O.)
Claire says we have to go. I’m not sure where... Why do I even listen to her? Its this power she has, hypnosis or something. But, let me tell you what, Raul, let me tell you- if I wasn’t so sure that you’re there, on the other side of this letter, I wouldn’t listen to a word she says. My life has a hole in it, it always has... like seeing a coat on the back of a chair. It belongs to someone, someone who’s coming right back. And it’s you, isn’t it? The person who owns the coat? The one who’s just around the corner? The one who’ll be back in five minutes?
CLAIRE
Sara?
SARA
(in french)
Yes I’m coming!
SARA (V.O.)
I have to go. I will see you, I will be with you, somehow. But between then and now, what will happen? I don’t know. I’m afraid. I’d like to hold your hand, that would help, I think. Ahh is that too much? But you know what I mean. Just to feel your hand, that would be... enough. Meanwhile, stay safe. Yours, Sara.
Message from Trotsky
INT. ISTANBUL AIRPORT - 1972
A pay phone at the airport.
TROTSKY
This is Frederique--
GERMAN
Ja?
TROTSKY
The future enters into us...
GERMAN
Und verwandelt sich...
TROTSKY
Long before it happens...
GERMAN
Deckname?
TROTSKY
RH5307. Trotsky reporting....
GERMAN
Fortfahren.
TROTSKY
I need to speak to the Director.
GERMAN
Grad?
TROTSKY
Code Black.
GERMAN
Bist du sicher?
TROTSKY
Yes.
GERMAN
Einen Moment.
TROTSKY
I’ll wait.
A beat.
TROTSKY
Madame?
SET DRESSER
What is it, Trotsky? We’re in the middle of a mission.
TROTSKY
Yes, well that’s the thing. I resign...
SET DRESSER
I’m sorry. What?
TROTSKY
I said, I resign- I’m out...
SET DRESSER
You realize what this means? We won’t protect you.
TROTSKY
Yes I understand...
SET DRESSER
All access revoked. You’re a non-person.
TROTSKY
Got it...
SET DRESSER
You asshole. How are we going to stop them?
TROTSKY
You’ll have to figure that out on your own, I’m not your guy anymore. So yeah, go fuck yourself, Madame.
Message from Ai
INT. CAFE IN ALMATY - AFTERNOON
Ai sits in a cafe after her encounter with Evnika.
AI
Dear Sanzhar and Damira. I need to let you know this will be my last job for the Museum. At least, for now. I’ve been doing this work with you for a long time- and its brought me so a lot of joy. More than that, it gave me purpose. Ah, Ming hates that word. Mùdì (purpose). He’s right, it is a shitty word. But when I was younger, before I met you, I was like Raul... Aimless. And he wears it better than I did, let me tell you! Ha. When I was back in Xiamen, well, I did NOT contribute to the greater good. Those were wasted years. I do not regret them, you know that, but still.
Beat.
AI
If you think Kate is ready, then she should take my place. I think she will be a perfect Candle. I don’t want her to get stuck in the mailroom. And she has fire, you know she does. She knows all my tricks. I think she has a few of her own. Plus she’s tough as hell! Jiānrèn rú dīng (tough as a nail). She can help the Museum fix any future problems. Or past ones. You know what I mean.
Beat.
AI
There is a cost to this mission I hadn’t anticipated. I apologize if this causes you any inconvenience. I remain firmly convinced that we are right- we need to protect the mistakes, the fuck ups, the Zāinàn (catastrophes). But right now, after meeting the set dresser at the opera... I’ve given what I can for our cause.
Beat.
AI
We can discuss this further when we’re done with the Sara and Raul problem. Meanwhile, Wo shì ni de péngyou (I am your friend), Ai.