Chapter Text
[INT. ARCHIVES, HALLWAY.]
[VENT BLOWS SOFTLY IN BACKGROUND.]
[THE ARCHIVIST GROANS IN PAIN AS FABRIC RUSTLES. HIS VOICE IS STATICY FOR A MOMENT AS HE SPEAKS, QUICKLY EVENING OUT NORMAL.]
Archivist
(wounded) Ha… Ma… Martin?
[SILENCE.]
(rising panic) M-Martin?! Martin?! Where are you?!
[FRANTIC SEARCHING; ANOTHER PAINED SOUND.]
[FOOTSTEPS COME DOWN THE HALLWAY.]
Archivist (cont’d)
(hopeful) Martin?
Jon
(offended) Martin? Do I really walk that-
[FOOTSTEPS STOP AS THE ARCHIVIST GASPS.]
What the hell- Who- Who the hell are you?!
Archivist
(growing stress) Oh no, no no no, this can’t be happening. I couldn’t have- no no no-
[THE OTHER JON TALKS OVER HIM AS HE CONTINUES TO SPIRAL.]
Jon
I have to be losing it. There’s no way you’re… you’re…
Archivist
(manic laugh) You? Yeah. Yes, it seems so.
[THE OTHER JON SLUMPS AGAINST THE WALL; FABRIC SLIDES.]
Jon
But then why do you- I, look so… bad…
[THE ARCHIVIST LAUGHS AGAIN, CLEARLY NOT OKAY.]
Archivist
I pissed off the wrong people is what happened.
[TRIES TO STAND; HISSES IN PAIN.]
I- I need to fix this and find Martin.
Jon
You need to lay down is what you- or I (grumbles) Whatever you are needs to be dealt with!
[THE ARCHIVIST LAUGHS.]
Archivist
Huh, I never realized how much of a prick I used to be.
Jon
(offended) What the hell is that supposed to mean?!
[SOMEONE ELSE WALKS INTO VIEW.]
Martin
(coming into view) Jon? Jon, did you find out what that bang was?
[THE ARCHIVIST GASPS, EXCITEDLY.]
Archivist
(relieved) Martin!
Martin
Jon, why are you- JESUS! There- There’s two of you??
[MORE PAINED SOUNDS FROM THE ARCHIVIST.]
Jon
(serious) Martin, call Tim and Sasha! Quick! We need to get rid of this… thing!
Archivist
I’m not that horrible looking, am I?
Martin
Of course not- Wait what?! I’m sorry, I’m… very confused…
Archivist
So am I. Could you help me up?
[MARTIN HESITATES.]
Martin?
Martin
Sorry sorry… Jon? I just… Why are there two of you and why does one of you look like they’ve been to war and back?
Jon
(getting annoyed) I don’t know but we need to deal with him! Or it, I don’t even know what it is!
Archivist
Simple; I’m you. Well, you from a different time that is.
[THE OTHER JON LAUGHS, NOT BELIEVING HIM.]
Jon
Oh sureee you are. Tell me something that only I would know then. Go on, prove it.
[THE ARCHIVIST SIGHS.]
Archivist
We really don’t have time for this…
Jon
Prove it.
[THE ARCHIVIST SIGHS HEAVILY AS HE WHIMPERS SLIGHTLY.]
Archivist
(grimly) Mister Spider wants more.
[THE OTHER JON STUMBLES BACK.]
Jon
(afraid) How did you…
Archivist
I told you already. I’m-
[HE HISSES IN PAIN LOUDLY.]
[MARTIN RUSHES OVER TO HELP HIM.]
Martin
Ar-are you okay?! You-You seem to be b-bleeding a lot and… Oh… oh god…
[WET SOUNDS AS MARTIN CHECKS HIM.]
[MARTIN HOLDS BACK A GAG.]
We need to get him to a hospital!
Archivist
(suddenly weaker) I’m fine, Martin. Really… I just… give me a moment, please.
Martin
No you’re not fine! You- come on, Jon! Come help me lift him up!
Jon
Me?
Martin
No, the one who’s laying on the ground bleeding out. Yes, you! Hurry!
[THE OTHER JON HELPS MARTIN AS THEY LIFT THE ARCHIVIST OFF THE GROUND. THE ARCHIVIST YELLS IN PAIN.]
We need to call 999!
[THE PAIR STUMBLE THROUGH THE HALLWAY.]
[FAINTLY, A TAPE RECORDER CAN BE HEARD BEFORE IT-]
[CLICKS.]
[INT. HOSPITAL.]
[MACHINES BEEP AND BUZZ IN BACKGROUND.]
[THE ARCHIVIST STIRS AWAKE; GROANS.]
Archivist
(groggy) Ugh… Where the hell…
[FABRIC RUSTLING AS BED CREAKS.]
Jonah (as Elias)
Hello, Jon.
[THE ARCHIVIST JUMPS IN FEAR.]
Did you sleep well?
Archivist
(grim) Jonah. What are you doing here?
[JONAH LAUGHS AT THE NAME BEING MENTIONED.]
Jonah
(fondly, as if a memory) Ah Jonah… It’s been awhile since someone has called me that.
[THE ARCHIVIST GROWLS.]
Archivist
(firmly) I’m not here to take you down memory lane, not again. Tell me what you’re doing here.
[STATIC BUBBLES UP HARSHLY.]
[JONAH SIGHS WITH PLEASURE.]
Jonah
Hm… Now that’s a first. It’s so… tingly and… strong…
[THE ARCHIVIST MAKES MORE ANGRY SOUNDS.]
[BED CREAKS.]
(mild fear) There’s no need for you to get up, Jon. I’ll answer your questions.
[BED CREAKS AGAIN.]
Archivist
Then do it. Tell me why you’re here.
[ONCE AGAIN THE STATIC CAN BE HEARD IN BACKGROUND.]
[JONAH STRUGGLES TO HOLD BACK HIS WORDS.]
Jonah
(compelled) Well, when I heard that my employees found a bleeding man in the archives who looked oddly like my newly appointed archivist, I had to see what the big fuss was about.
[HE SIGHS BEFORE LETTING OUT A LOW CHUCKLE.]
Even Gertrude couldn’t do that to me, much less tried. You aren’t what I thought you were, Jon. You’re something more.
Archivist
(angry) Shut up! I’ve dealt with enough of your bullshit.
[JONAH LAUGHS AGAIN.]
Jonah
Right. No need to beat around the bush, is there? You know who I am and I know what you are.
Archivist
So you know why I’m here then, I’m assuming? You always did like to do your “research”.
Jonah
Contrary to what you may believe, no. Whatever happened to you has made you too powerful for even me to see.
[THE ARCHIVIST LETS OUT A CURT LAUGH.]
I’m sure that makes your life easier, knowing that I can’t see what you’re hiding from me. (sighing) I suppose I should have seen this coming at some point; someone out there being even stronger than I am.
Archivist
You should have. And now that I know you can’t hurt me, I can finally do what I should have done the second I came face to face with you.
[AFRAID JONAH SOUNDS.]
[HE GETS FARTHER AWAY FROM THE ARCHIVIST.]
[THERE’S A LOUD STATIC AS THE ARCHIVIST COMMANDS THE EYE.]
Archivist (cont’d)
(bold archivist voice) Ceaseless Watcher, see-
[MORE FEARFUL JONAH SOUNDS IN BACKGROUND.]
[SUDDENLY THE DOOR OPENS, FOLLOWED BY TWO SETS OF FOOTSTEPS.]
[THE STATIC SHARPLY DISSIPATES.]
Martin
(worry) Is he alright? Did you-
Nurse
(overlapping) Mr. Blackwood! We told you that you cannot visit him yet!
[LOTS OF FABRIC RUSTLING AS THE NURSE GRABS MARTIN.]
Martin
I know but I need to know if-
[JONAH SIGHS IN RELIEF AS MARTIN SPEAKS.]
Jonah
(under breath) Thank god… (normal) Be seeing you, Jon.
[QUICKLY EXITS ROOM. MARTIN HUFFS AS JONAH PUSHES PAST HIM.]
Martin
(pleading) Please, let me see him. I need to know that he’s okay.
[THE NURSE SIGHS.]
Nurse
(firmly) You have ten minutes and then you’re out.
Martin
(grateful) Thank you! Thank you.
[FOOTSTEPS CLOSER TO THE BED.]
[DOOR CLOSES; CHAIR IS PULLED OUT THEN SAT IN.]
Martin
So did Elias-
Archivist
(quickly) Do you remember me, Martin?
Martin
(taken off guard) W-what??
Archivist
Do you remember me? Who I am, what we went through?
Martin
I uh… I don’t think I follow… I only just met you, well, this version of you I guess.
[THE ARCHIVIST SIGHS.]
Archivist
(let down) That’s what I thought… Seems you aren’t the Martin I was hoping for…
Martin
I- what? C-could you please explain where you came from and who you are? I want to hear what your story is before I ask anything else.
[BUZZING STATIC RISES THEN FALLS.]
Archivist
(muttering to himself) Hm, I guess that makes sense…
Martin
Wha-
Archivist
Well, you already know who I am. I’m Jon; Jonathan Sims. I seem to have gone back in time to before…
[MORE STATIC.]
Before I even recorded my first statement? Hm… That’s a good sign, I suppose…
Martin
What are- How do you even know all this stuff? How do you- (confused sounds)
[FABRIC RUSTLE; MARTIN LETS OUT A SMALL SOUND OF SURPRISE.]
Archivist
(warm) I know this is all confusing, Martin, but I promise I’ll fix everything and make things right.
Martin
(slightly flustered) I don’t-
Archivist
Look, I need you to believe everything that I tell you, alright?
Martin
I… I…
[MORE FABRIC MOVEMENT; MARTIN’S VOICE GETS CAUGHT IN HIS THROAT.]
Archivist
(honeyed) Please? For me?
Martin
(very flustered) I-I…! Al-alright then! Yes, sure!
[PLEASED ARCHIVIST SOUND.]
Archivist
(soft) Thank you.
[FABRIC MOVEMENT; MARTIN BREATHES.]
I know that you’d do anything for him; me.
Martin
(uncomfortable) Jon…
Archivist
Sorry. I forgot that you didn’t like me Knowing things about you.
Martin
What??
[THE ARCHIVIST LAUGHS.]
Archivist
Nevermind, just an inside joke.
[SHIFTS IN BED.]
Ask me your questions.
Martin
I… Okay, well… You said you're from the future, right?
Archivist
That is correct, yes.
Martin
So that means there’s two of you here now?
Archivist
It seems so, yes. Though, I’d like to change that if I can.
Martin
Oh, by going back to wherever you came from?
Archivist
…
Of sorts…
Martin
Okay okay, so that would explain why you have the same DNA as Jon, or I guess this world’s Jon. The doctors were quite confused when they saw that. (small laugh)
Archivist
I have no doubt. Honestly I’m surprised they didn’t lock me up or call the police upon seeing me. But, I suppose they’ve had worse things happen than this and Jonah always liked to keep me protected, so to speak.... (clears throat) Ah, also, I’d like to call him something else, if you don’t mind. The other Jon I mean. It’ll be confusing to be calling us both “Jon.”
Martin
You’re absolutely right. Is there something else you’d want to go by?
Archivist
Oh, I was thinking that the other Jon could go by something else, seeing as I am older than him. (small laugh) Plus, I’d rather have my own name back and feel at least a little bit human again.
Martin
(muttered confusion) Ah- what…?
[CLEARS THROAT.]
I mean, I’m sure we could work that out… I’m just not sure how happy Jon would be about that… (nervous laugh)
[THE ARCHIVIST LAUGHS.]
Archivist
He’ll get over himself. I don’t see why he’d be upset if everyone started calling him “Jonathan” instead of “Jon”.
Martin
Hm, I suppose you’re right…
[SHIFTS.]
Archivist
Anything else you wanted to ask me? I’m an open book.
Martin
Uh… Well, I guess how you got here? You haven’t explained why or how you’re here. But don’t rush, of course.
Archivist
It’s… complicated. Explaining it would take too long, but basically my boy-
[HE STOPS HIMSELF.]
Someone stabbed me in the heart, the world itself collapsed once I was unable to hold it together, and then I woke up here.
[VERY CONFUSED MARTIN SOUNDS.]
[THE ARCHIVIST LAUGHS SOFTLY.]
Archivist (cont’d)
I know, it’s a lot. I can explain it better once we return to the archives.
[SHIFTS.]
Martin
Whoa whoa, you need to rest still!
Archivist
I can assure you that I’m fine, Martin. Pain doesn’t really apply to me anymore.
Martin
A-anymore?!
[THE ARCHIVIST FORCES HIMSELF UP.]
[BARE FEET STEP ON GROUND.]
Jon, no! You can’t just-
Archivist
I’m fine, Martin. I don’t have a need for any of this stuff. See?
[FABRIC RUFFLES.]
Nothing, just a scar.
[MARTIN SEEMS VERY CONFUSED AND SHOCKED.]
Martin
(mildly afraid) How… H-how is that possible?
[FABRIC RUFFLES AGAIN IN BACKGROUND.]
Archivist
Here’s not the place to tell you that. Just know that it’s possible and leave it at that, alright?
Martin
W-what??
Archivist
Now,
[THE ARCHIVIST PULLS OUT HIS IVS WITH A WET, FLESHY SOUND.]
[SLIGHT GROAN.]
Let’s get back to the archives. I have work to do.
[FOOTSTEPS OUT.]
[MARTIN IS QUICK TO FOLLOW.]
Marin
Hey! Hey! No, you can’t just leave!
Archivist
Sure I can. Who’s going to stop me?
Martin
The doctors and nurses?!
[THE ARCHIVIST HUMS, AMUSED.]
Archivist
(amused) I’d like to see them try.
[BARE FEET WALK ON GROUND.]
[HURRIED FOOTSTEPS FOLLOW.]
Martin
(hushed yell) Jon!!
[ANOTHER TAPE RECORDER IS HEARD BEFORE IT TOO CLICKS.]
[INT. ARCHIVES, ARCHIVIST’S OFFICE.]
[JONATHAN MAKES UNHAPPY SOUNDS.]
Jonathan
(angry) You can’t just kick me out of my own office!
Archivist
(firm) It’s not your office anymore. Out.
[DOOR SLAMS.]
[JONATHAN HUFFS LOUDLY.]
Jonathan
(muttering to himself) Kicking me out of my own damn office… The nerve of that little-
[FOOTSTEPS TOWARDS HIM.]
(annoyed) What do you want?
Martin
J-Jon uh… He wanted me to collect all the statements we were working on and give them to him.
[JONATHAN GIVES A SMALL LAUGH.]
Jonathan
Did he now? Did you ask him why or are you just bending over for him?
[FLUSTERED MARTIN SOUNDS.]
Martin
(flustered) I-I’m not doing anything like that! He asked me nicely and I figured he had a good reason to ask for them.
Jonathan
I doubt it. All he’s done since coming here is steal my identity, my job and now my co-workers.
Martin
No one is stealing anything from you, Jon. He knows what he’s doing… probably…
[JONATHAN HUFFS.]
[SOFT KNOCK ON DOOR.]
Jon? I got those statements you asked for.
[DOOR OPENS; FOOTSTEPS INSIDE.]
Archivist
(pleased) Perfect. Thank you, Martin. I’m going to have to look through every one of these statements if I want to protect you all.
Martin
You still haven’t told us what you’re trying to protect us from. A boring workday? (laughs)
Archivist
Quite the opposite actually.
[PAPER RUSTLES AND FLIPS FOR A MOMENT.]
(mildly annoyed) Oh, you’re still here?
Martin
(nervous laugh) Y-yeah I uh-
Archivist
No not you, Martin. Him.
[OFFENDED JONATHAN SOUNDS.]
Jonathan
This is MY office.
[THE ARCHIVIST SIGHS.]
Archivist
Let me be clear,
[STANDS.]
(sharp) This isn’t your office anymore and there’s nothing you can do to change that. You don’t understand the forces out there, waiting for the perfect moment to attack when you least expect it. I know what’s best for all of you and I need a safe place to work and plan. Understand?
[JONATHAN DOESN’T BUY IT.]
[LOUD SLAM ON THE DESK; MARTIN AND JONATHAN JUMP.]
Archivist
I mean it. If you think this is bad, I can make your life a whole hell of a lot worse. Understand?
Jonathan
(quiet) Yes.
Archivist
(calmer) Good.
[SITS BACK DOWN.]
(oddly chipper) Now, why don’t you get us all some tea? I think we all need something to calm our nerves, don’t you think?
Jonathan
(snippy) That’s Martin’s job, not mine.
Martin
H-he has a-
Archivist
Martin. (tense) Jonathan, I’m asking you nicely to get us all some tea.
[LONG SILENCE.]
Jonathan
I’ll… go do that.
[AWKWARDLY LEAVES OFFICE.]
[QUIET MOMENT.]
Martin
(uncomfortable) I uh… er, I think I’ll just…
Archivist
I’m sorry for yelling, Martin. I’m just stressed and being back in a world that isn’t a living nightmare is… it’s hard adjusting to it.
Martin
It’s alright, don’t worry about it. I’m more worried about the other Jon. He seems pretty-
[DRAWER OPENS AS MARTIN SPEAKS; THE ARCHIVIST MAKES DISAPPOINTED SOUND.]
What?
[STATIC STARTS TO FLARE UP AS THE ARCHIVIST TALKS.]
Archivist
I’m looking for the uh… Ah, right.
[STATIC FADES; CLOSES DESK DRAWER.]
You wouldn’t mind heading up to storage to get me that box of old tape recorders, would you?
Martin
Tape recorders? Why on earth would you need those?
Archivist
I just do.
[MARTIN MAKES UNSURE SOUNDS.]
Martin
Could you give me a reason why first...? I just-
Archivist
(snapping) Do I need to?
[THE ARCHIVIST CATCHES HIMSELF, CALMER NOW.]
I’m sorry. I just need them, alright? I can explain everything once-
[MORE STATIC RAISING.]
(mournful) Oh… They’re…
Martin
(worried) Jon? Are you alright?
Archivist
Y-Yes, yes I’ll be…
[CHAIR CREAKS; STANDS.]
[HURRIED FOOTSTEPS.]
[VOICES COME INTO VIEW.]
Tim
(laughing) You’re not messing with me, are you?
Jonathan
(annoyed) Why would I be joking around?
[THE ARCHIVIST GASPS.]
Sasha
Because the idea of there being two of you doesn’t make sense? (trails off) How is that even… possible…
[BEAT.]
Tim
No. Fucking. WAY!
[THE ARCHIVIST STUMBLES BACK; A BOX FALLS OVER. HE BREATHES HEAVILY.]
Martin
(concern) Jon? Jon, are you alright? You- you’re sweating a lot and-
Archivist
(not fine) I-I’m fine. I’m fine.
Sasha
(concern) Christ, what happened to you?
Jonathan
This is what I was saying. He’s like me but looks like hell.
Sasha
No kidding…
[FOOTSTEPS CLOSER.]
Archivist
(breathing heavily, quiet) I can’t do this, not yet… It’s too much.
Martin
Jon?
[STUMBLING; DOOR CLOSES.]
Jon?!
[KNOCKING.]
[...NO REPLY.]
[MARTIN SIGHS.]
Tim
Soooo I’m guessing that’s why you called us here?
Martin
Yeah… It’s a bit confusing, but basically there’s two Jons now and that one is from the future? He also-
Jonathan
You mean claims to be from the “future.”
Martin
Fine fine, he claims to be from the future and he’s trying to protect us from something? H-He hasn’t actually told either of us what from, but he’s here!
[SILENCE.]
[MARTIN LAUGHS AWKWARDLY.]
I know it’s a bit out there but…
Sasha
Out there is a bit of an understatement. Bonkers is a better term.
Jonathan
Agreed.
Martin
Look, I know that. And I know that it shouldn’t be possible but… I don’t know, I believe him?
[JONATHAN SCOFFS.]
Jon… I know you don’t believe him but I do! Besides, what if he really is you from the future? Maybe he can help us sort through the archives or-
Jonathan
Or murder us in our sleep? Yeah, let’s just wait around here with that- that thing and see how long that takes!
Martin
Jon!
Sasha
He sort of has a point, Martin. What makes you so sure that it’s not someone pretending to be Jon from the future? For all we know, he could be here to hurt us or steal something.
Tim
(laughing) Like we have anything useful around here to steal besides old papers and tea.
[MARTIN HUFFS A BIT.]
Martin
(frazzled) He’s not going to steal from us! He has the exact same DNA as Jon and just look at him!
Sasha
(calming) Alright alright, you make a fair point. Jon, do you have any kind of scar that we could use to prove it’s the same person? Anything at all that wouldn’t be able to fade.
Jonathan
Why not just use my DNA? That should be enough to “prove” he’s me.
Sasha
For all we know it could have been altered. I want to see the proof with my own two eyes.
[JONATHAN SIGHS.]
Jonathan
Well, I have… a couple scars, but I don’t see how having the same scars as me would “prove” he’s a different version of myself.
Martin
No, no she’s right. If that Jon has the same scars as you in the same place…
Sasha
Then he has to be the same person. Exactly.
[MARTIN MAKES EXCITED SOUNDS.]
Martin
Well go on, Jon! Show us some scars of yours so we can prove you two are the same.
[JONATHAN MAKES UNSURE SOUNDS.]
Tim
What’s wrong? Everyone has some sort of scars, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. (chuckling) I have one on my left tit, you know.
[JONATHAN MAKES DISGUSTED SOUND.]
Martin
Why do you always bring that up given the chance?
Tim
Why not is the real question.
[MARTIN SIGHS, LIKELY ROLLING HIS EYES.]
Jonathan
(uncomfortable) Yes we’re all aware of your… ugh “tit scar”, Tim. I just don’t feel comfortable showing you all my scars.
Sasha
Why not? They can’t be that bad.
[HER AND TIM CHUCKLE A BIT. JONATHAN DOES NOT LAUGH.]
[AWKWARD LAUGH FROM PAIR.]
[MARTIN GASPS.]
Martin
(saddened) Oh, Jon… You poor thing…
[TIM WACKS HIM; MARTIN YELPS.]
Well what else am I supposed to say??
Tim
Literally anything but that, mate.
[MARTIN MAKES A SMALL SOUND.]
If you don’t feel comfortable showing us then you don’t have to. We get it.
[SASHA AND MARTIN HUM.]
Sasha
We won’t make you do something that you don’t feel comfortable with, Jon. I’m sure we can figure out a different way to prove you two are the same person.
[JONATHAN SIGHS.]
Jonathan
No no, it’s… fine. I’d rather not leave it up to your three to try proving he’s real. Lord knows you’ll use old photos or something against me.
[TIM SNORTS.]
Tim
(teasing) Yeah right. We all know that you’ve burned or hidden any photos of you from your spooky past.
[SASHA AND MARTIN GIGGLE WITH HIM.]
Jonathan
Let’s just get this over with.
[FABRIC RUSTLING.]
And none of you are allowed to speak of this ever again, am I clear?
[EVERYONE AGREES.]
[JONATHAN SIGHS; FABRIC ROLLS UP.]
[EVERYONE IS QUIET.]
Jonathan (cont’d)
(snippy) Is that good enough for you?
Tim
Yup, perfect. You can pull your shirt back down now.
Jonathan
(bitter) Brilliant.
[FABRIC FALLS BACK DOWN.]
Tim
How about you go have a cup of tea while we go fact check the other one?
[JONATHAN MAKES A SMALL “TCH” SOUND.]
Come on, guys. Let’s just give Jon a minute.
[TWO SETS OF FOOTSTEPS AWAY.]
[SHORT SILENCE.]
Jonathan
(unhappy) What are you looking at? Go prove your little friend is me.
[MARTIN MAKES A SCARED SOUND.]
Martin
(awkward) I-I uh… R-right…
[WALKS OFF.]
[JONATHAN SIGHS; SLIGHT FABRIC MOVEMENT.]
Jonathan
(muttering to himself) So fucking stupid…
[FOOTSTEPS ELSEWHERE.]
[A KETTLE HEATING UP IS THE LAST THING HEARD BEFORE FADING OUT.]