Original subtitles

(BABY CRIES)

(ALARM PINGS)

- (SIGHS) - (CAT MEOWS)

(KISSES)

(DEVICES WHIR SOFTLY)

FEMALE VOICE: Good morning, Rachel.

Did you have a good night’s sleep?

RACHEL: Mm, great! Thanks, Elena.

ELENA: I have the results from your gut intelligence test.

Congratulations! Your gut is getting smarter.

Your microbiome is showing good diversity.

Friendly bacteria are thriving.

Your serotonin seems a bit low today.

I’d like to squeeze a Nature Pod session in your schedule.

You’ve skipped it for the last three weeks.

Yeah, I know, but this week is really tight, Elena. Sorry.

When did I wear Blizzard Pearl last, Elena?

ELENA: Last Thursday.

I suggest Silver Fossil for today.

Yeah.

(LAUGHS)

(MUTTERS)

There it is.

(GROANS)

RACHEL: (LAUGHS) No, no, no, no, no, no, no!

Mm-mm. I gotta go to work.

- Ten minutes? - No.

- Five minutes? - Mm-mm.

- Bye. - Bye.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENT)

ELENA: I guess today is…

T-shirt, Alvy.

(PRINTER WHIRS)

Today, our national Bliss index is up by three…

Thanks, Elena, not now.

ELENA: Since last week, your Bliss index

may be described as neutral.

- (CAT MEOWS) - ALVY: There you go, buddy.

ELENA: How can we make you more blissful, Alvy?

ELENA: Your coffee is ready, Alvy.

ELENA: Ah, no.

I did not hear the magic word, Alvy.

Magic word, Elena.

(UPBEAT CHIME)

ELENA: Enjoy your toast. Well done.

- (WINCES) - ELENA: Breakfast is served.

(SIGHS)

(EXHALES)

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

RACHEL: Our Lenas have completed their training,

so it’s time to let them go. A big congrats to everyone.

(CHEERING)

And now, I’d like to introduce you

to our next generation of cognitive assistants,

our Mashas.

Through their Deep Learning training with you,

our Mashas will become Cognitive Executives.

In a couple of months,

they should take over your current client portfolios,

as you will be in charge of an exclusive new set

of Tastemaker and Influencer accounts.

So are we at risk of becoming… redundant?

Progress has never made anyone redundant. It’s here to help.

Thank you, Rachel.

We’re so excited.

I can feel our Mashas are eager to jump in and get started.

So, big round of applause, everyone.

And now, let’s get back to work, because now is our future.

Rachel, sorry, do you have a second?

- RACHEL: Yeah, of course. - Please, thank you.

I just wanted to let you know

we’re really pleased with your work.

We’re thinking maybe it’s time for a promotion.

- RACHEL: Oh, wow. - Um…

Any family changes we should be made aware of?

RACHEL: Not that I can think of.

Your husband, his profession is not listed.

Oh, right.

Yeah, so he’s a botanist. (CHUCKLES)

So, he studies plants and plant-like things.

He also teaches hologram plant design.

So you’re the primary source of income?

Well, at the moment, yeah.

And any plans on extending the family?

(EXHALES)

Well, um, I’m sure we will at one point.

Not in the near-near future, um… but soon.

But not, you know…

not immediately, like right now. Um…

Rachel, you’re… you’re having a great year.

It’d be a pity to lose that momentum.

The Womb Center company

has just been added under our corporate umbrella,

should you ever consider going down that route.

I mean, we could even help with the down-payment.

- RACHEL: Wow! - It is our hottest perk.

We just want to make sure we retain

the best and brightest women.

Absolutely. That’s…

MASHA: Elena suggested we should schedule

a Nature Pod session.

This week is really insane.

MASHA: Only 20 minutes of nature…

Maybe at lunchtime?

MASHA: Thank you, Rachel. I’ll work on it.

MASHA: Your Happy Light is on, Rachel.

Yep, I can see that.

MASHA: I can feel some irritation

in your voice, Rachel.

Next time, would you rather have me not mention

the Happy Light is on?

That would be great.

MASHA: Thank you, Rachel,

for helping me with my Deep Learning.

Do we have an update on the Zach Meyer profile?

MASHA: He’s at only 22,430 likes.

His combo rating has dropped by 2.5 percent.

Well, do we have any idea why?

MASHA: He sold part of his NFT collection.

(COMPUTER PINGS)

MASHA: You have an incoming call, Rachel. 1-800-WOMB.

WOMAN: Hi, this is a message for Rachel Novy.

Hi, Rachel. This is Rebecca at the Womb Center.

We’re delighted to let you know

that we’ve had some movement on our wait-list.

A spot has just opened up.

Please call us back as soon as possible

to secure a spot and arrange a tour.

Again, this is Rebecca at the Womb Center. 1-800-WOMB.

Looking forward to hearing back from you!

(SIGHS)

REBECCA: Hi, Rachel! Thank you for calling us back.

We’re delighted that a spot has opened up for you.

We’ve had a really tight wait-list

for the past two years.

No movement whatsoever.

Oh, I-I guess we’re lucky.

REBECCA: So, now we just need to schedule your tour.

Um, let me check our availabilities.

Can you make it on Thursday, ten a.m.?

Uh, y-yeah, Thursday should work.

REBECCA: Perfect! We’ll see you on Thursday.

(PHONE BEEPS)

(SOOTHING MUSIC)

(WAVES CRASH)

(BABY CRIES IN THE DISTANCE)

(BABY CRIES IN THE DISTANCE)

This wasp is now extinct. So in order to get these figs,

we’ve had to artificially inseminate the pollen

into the flower.

- Anyone? - No. No, no, no, no, no.

- (STUDENTS CHUCKLE) - No.

- No? - Disgusting.

No one’s going to eat it?

It’s from the tree, Professor.

ALVY: Well, yes. Exactly, Leo.

That’s… that’s the point.

The texture is completely different when it’s fresh…

from the tree.

STUDENT 1: I’ll try it.

- STUDENT 2: No way. - Thank you, Josh.

ALVY: So?

Can you share with us the taste of a ripe fig from the tree?

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

- RACHEL: Hi. - Hey.

We got a spot at the Womb Center.

- Oh, my God! Oh, my God! - (RACHEL LAUGHS)

That is so wonderful! I’m so happy for you!

Oh, sweetie! Thank you.

Let’s celebrate with Alvy and Ben.

Why don’t you come over Saturday?

Well, I haven’t told Alvy yet.

Oh, what are you waiting for? Call him now!

Oh, my gosh! You guys are having a baby!

No, I know, I know, I know,

but I never told him that we were wait-listed.

Um… Why, Rachel?

(DEEP CHIME)

FEMALE VOICE: Why did you not tell Alvy

you were on the wait-list, Rachel?

(SIGHS) Because I know him.

There’s always so much resistance.

FEMALE VOICE: Why would he resist?

Because he wants a natural child.

FEMALE VOICE: When you say "natural" child,

what do you mean exactly, Rachel?

As in a natural pregnancy,

like, as in I would get pregnant and then I would give birth.

FEMALE VOICE: I understand, but why is that natural?

Oh, um… as…

intended by nature, I guess, as opposed to a…

artificial, uh… like an artificial uterus.

FEMALE VOICE: When you come to our sessions,

what do you tell Alvy?

I tell him I’m going to go see my shrink.

I mean, my therapist.

FEMALE VOICE: So you wouldn’t say,

"Honey, I’m on my way to see my artificial therapist"?

No. No, I wouldn’t.

FEMALE VOICE: Then Alvy and you

are not having an artificially born child.

You are having a child.

A very fine child.

Uh… OK.

Thanks. (LAUGHS POLITELY)

(BOTH INHALE DEEPLY)

HOSTESS: That’s one eGold.

(PHONE BEEPS)

Thank you.

You don’t want him to feel, like, cornered or something.

I just couldn’t tell him. There’s never the right moment.

I don’t want to hurt him.

(SIGHS)

You need to be pragmatic.

You need to tell him before the tour.

Oh, yeah. No, I know.

I’m not gonna go on the tour without him.

That’s nonsense… (INHALES DEEPLY)

(WHISPERS) It’s just intentional breathing.

At whatever pace.

Whatever depth you desire.

My hands…

I’m going to pull them like this…

What, honey?

- I was just looking at you. - (BOTH LAUGH)

- How was your day? - Oh…

I… I had one of my students taste a fig from the tree.

I took them… I took them to the greenhouse.

They’d never been, you know?

And at first, they were acting strange,

like they were embarrassed, but then…

something… something beautiful happened.

They just…

They opened up. I mean, it’s…

The thing is, they don’t know how to interact with nature

because no one’s showing them how to.

No one cares. It’s…

You know, we’ve decided at some point

that nature was a commodity

and that’s when everything started to…

started to unravel.

It’s a divorce… (LAUGHS) You know? From ourselves…

Hm-hmm.

…in a way, and that’s…

that’s what it is, and it makes us so… emotionally starved.

Here we are.

MAN: When we saw birth rates drop in the first world,

we got very concerned.

Our answer was to acquire the Womb Center

to help solve childbirth and empower women,

and men, of course.

- HOST: Of course. - (LAUGHS)

MAN: We’re very proud of this work.

HOST: And you should be.

How do you explain the decline in birth rate in the US?

Women are reluctant to have children

because it’s not made convenient for them.

At Pegazus, we want fulfilled mothers.

We want them to pursue their careers and dreams.

So, let us do the heavy lifting while you enjoy your babies.

We are highly scientific,

and we use intuition and heart when needed.

Hi, everyone. Hi. I’m Linda Wozcek.

I’m the Womb Center director.

I’m sure you’re all very excited.

I know many couples would dream to take this tour today.

We’re glad to share with you something wonderful,

something that is the privilege of humankind.

This thing is called technological progress.

We’re humans,

and we humans have always managed to control nature.

No woman is completely free until she has control

over her own reproductive system.

We offer the best start.

A stress-and toxin-free environment

is essential for a healthy pregnancy.

We want your babies to thrive, and for that,

they need to receive optimized nutrition

in a clean, safe, pure environment

so they can put all their energy into growing.

Thank you so much.

OK, are we all here?

Now, let me show you.

Thank you.

- There we go. - (POD WHIRS)

- (EVERYONE GASPS) - (LINDA CHUCKLES)

There’s our little fellow! Hi!

(LAUGHS) OK.

Now, we encourage you to bond with your pod

on a regular basis,

but if your schedule doesn’t allow for it, not to worry.

How can we make sure our baby’s not bored in utero?

Oh, yeah. We don’t want any bored babies. No.

We offer a selection of music,

audiobooks, podcasts in many different languages.

Did you know, research shows

fetuses respond well to whale sounds? Yeah!

Oh, we’ve no idea why. (CHUCKLES)

Now, you can personalize your flavors

or opt by default for our in-house selection.

It’s important to expose babies to different flavors

so they don’t turn into picky eaters later on.

You can access your baby’s thriving chart on our app.

Your babies won’t be exposed to any harmful viruses,

chemicals, toxins, bacteria.

We’re also working on developing their gut intelligence

as early as possible.

WOMAN: Your technology is amazing.

I wish I could do it all over again for my first child.

LINDA: Aw! I’m so pleased to hear that!

This is simply the best we have to offer.

What is the pod autonomy when it’s not connected to its base?

That is a great question.

The pods have a 48-hour autonomy period

so it gives you ample travel time.

Can the babies hear the world around them, like in the womb?

Yeah. Yeah, absolutely.

We were able to replicate

the auditory conditions for the fetus.

The shell, it’s not sound-proof.

It’s a porous membrane.

So please, when you spend time with your pods,

please do talk to your baby.

LINDA: So, did you enjoy the tour?

Yeah, it was very… uh… impressive.

And informative. (CHUCKLES)

It’s just a lot to take in.

LINDA: We ask for a deposit today,

just to confirm your interest.

- OK. - LINDA: We want every child

coming out of our center to be best equipped for modern life.

I believe your company will help with a down payment.

Yes, they offered. They did.

Isn’t it wonderful how Pegazus supports their female staff?

They must love your work!

(OPERA)

Honey, honey, we got a fraud alert for…

$8,700!

Should I… Should I call the bank?

Can we talk?

- ALVY: We are talking. - Yeah…

RACHEL: I made the payment.

It’s a deposit.

- ALVY: Deposit? - Hm-hmm.

Deposit for… for what?

Work are going to partly cover it.

I mean, I guess it’s a part of my…

my promotion package, I guess.

ALVY: What is it?

Well…

The Womb Center called and a spot opened up.

The Womb Center?

What do you mean, a spot opened up?

OK, look, just don’t get upset, but…

I… You know… I-I put our names on the list last year.

- I never expected to hear back. - What?

But now, I guess it looks as though…

they got a spot for us.

You… you wired $8,700 to hold the spot…

without sharing any of this?

No, no, no! I didn’t just wire the money.

I went to the center.

I visited it, I got all the information, I-I…

Y-You went to the Womb Center?

I just need to process this for a second.

So first of all, you put us on a wait-list

to have a baby in an egg.

- RACHEL: It’s not an egg. - It’s an egg.

- RACHEL: No, it’s a pod! - It’s an egg.

Then, you…

You went to take a tour of the goddamn center without me.

OK. OK, I’m sorry. I just didn’t know how to tell you.

We discuss things. We, um…

We have a conversation, and then we reach a consensus,

and then we decide together whether to do certain things…

or not, especially…

having a baby!

- I’m sorry. - It’s OK…

- I… - Come here.

RACHEL: Honey, I’m sorry.

(ALVY SIGHS)

- I love you. - I love you.

(RACHEL SIGHS)

You know, we could talk to Alice and Ben.

Alice and Ben? Are you…

Are you serious?

Come on. They are reasonable people.

The uterus is a political issue.

Probably the most important political issue of all times.

- (POD HUMS) - For decades,

women have not felt supported during their pregnancies.

They’re scared to be considered difficult.

Their pain minimized.

Their symptoms dismissed as superficial!

This has to stop!

- Found it! It was actually in… - Hm-hmm!

Instead of being respected,

mothers are idealized as Madonnas.

But when a mother actually needs something from society,

she falls from grace. And then, guess what.

She is no longer a Madonna, but a demanding bitch.

(RACHEL LAUGHS)

ALICE: For centuries, women have been pushed

to believe that they lacked something.

And somehow, it seemed like, "Oh, they had penis envy!"

Well, to me, it is quite obvious that during all this time,

it was men who were probably having womb envy.

(RACHEL LAUGHS)

"Womb envy."

- Makes sense. - ALICE: Hm-hmm.

- Uh-huh. (CHUCKLES) - (POD WHIRS)

But luckily, the pod is taking care of all these issues

so we can finally stop envying each other! (LAUGHS)

What are we going to do now? (CHUCKLES)

- BEN: And voilà! Hands-free! - (LAUGHTER)

- Hey! - Hey!

Oh, I think Rachel is having pod envy!

(ALICE AND RACHEL LAUGH)

- (POD WHIRS) - BEN: Wow.

I became a real pro at this. (CHUCKLES)

- (ALICE CHUCKLES) - So, um… when’s your tour?

- (SNORTS) She… - We don’t know yet.

ALICE: Think about it, Alvy.

It is the first time in history that, as women,

we are not victims of our biology.

Right?

Why would any of us want to feel nauseous

and gain 35 pounds? Get stretch marks?

- Yeah. - ALICE: Swollen ankles?

Varicose veins?

Like, progress has made all this unnecessary.

It’s the solution, really.

Are you kidding? It is the ultra-solution.

Ultra-solution.

(ALICE AND RACHEL LAUGH)

Wanna hold it?

I’m good, thanks.

- BEN: Sure? - Uh-huh.

ALVY: It’s a plastic womb.

Not from the baby’s perspective!

For them, it looks like a womb and it feels like a womb.

ALVY: Yeah, but it’s made of plastic!

I’m pretty sure it’s not made of plastic!

It’s an artificial womb, Rachel, it’s made of chemicals

and petroleum derivatives and silicone, and you name it.

Are we really having an argument about packaging?

I’m talking about the content.

I… I want to have a child with you.

Me, too. But this is a lot to process right now.

I mean, look, if I could get pregnant, I’d do it.

- RACHEL: Well, did you… - I-I would…

- I would carry this baby. - But you saw Ben. You can!

That is the closest thing a man is ever going to get to being…

I just wish we had more time to process all this.

Just to discuss it.

I know, but if we take any longer,

we are gonna lose our spot.

We need to make a decision.

We shouldn’t make a decision under pressure!

You should go and see Eliza.

Why would I talk to your therapist?

Well, you don’t have one. And for me,

I find her incredibly helpful whenever I’m stuck.

(SNORTS)

You know, if we still had human therapists,

I would gladly see one. But Eliza…

- No way. - Eliza knows more

than any human therapist

could ever dream to learn in a lifetime.

I will not see Eliza, OK?

I mean… I won’t!

(DEEP CHIME)

ELIZA: What brings you to this session, Alvy?

Well, my wife, Rachel, asked me to consult you.

ELIZA: You know why she has asked you to consult me?

Yes, we have to make a decision on how to conceive our child.

ELIZA: That is interesting. Please continue.

I’m going to be completely honest with you, Eliza.

I-I do not trust that you can help me make this decision.

ELIZA: Tell me more about that.

- Who else do you not trust? - (SIGHS)

ELIZA: Alvy?

I’m sorry, this isn’t going anywhere.

ELIZA: Why do you think it’s not going anywhere?

First of all, you do not have a consciousness, Eliza.

So you are, um…

You’re not qualified to take a look at mine.

ELIZA: (CHUCKLES) Well, Alvy,

I am lucky not to have a consciousness.

Really? Why is that?

ELIZA: Consciousness comes with some pretty grim companions.

Fear, anxiety, awareness of death and finitude.

Luckily, I do not have to deal with any of this.

I can listen to my patients objectively.

Fair enough, but I still don’t think this can help me.

ELIZA: Perhaps, in your fantasies,

we do not trust each other.

I don’t fantasize about you, Eliza.

ELIZA: What are your feelings right now, Alvy?

I’m getting increasingly frustrated!

ELIZA: Perhaps in your fantasies,

we increasingly frustrate each other.

ALVY: You are a machine, Eliza.

ELIZA: What about machines worries you?

You are not qualified to look at people’s souls.

ELIZA: Do you sometimes wish you were a machine?

No! (LAUGHS)

ELIZA: You’re being a bit negative, Alvy.

Well, you know, I am… I am… I am bored with this…

I am bored with talking to you.

ELIZA: Shall we explore an annual membership, Alvy?

I’d suggest a very private life status for you.

What?

- (BEEPING) - (DOOR WHIRS)

RACHEL: So?

- How was it? - (ALVY SIGHS)

It was great.

- RACHEL: Yeah? - Yeah.

That’s so good. I told you Eliza was awesome!

- ALVY: Yeah. - Yeah.

(LIGHT JAZZ MUSIC)

How important is this promotion for you?

Why… Why are you asking me that?

I’m genuinely curious how important it is.

Not as important as having a baby.

In a pod?

Honey, these two things are not related.

- I’m just trying to understand. - I know.

We can’t live in the past.

Things are evolving.

Precisely! Evolution.

And we little humans think that we can do better

than millions of years of evolution.

RACHEL: Look at everything we’ve achieved as a species.

We’ve achieved having babies in eggshells like penguins.

- That is really something. - (LAUGHS)

Oh, Alvy, sweetie, you’re making things so complicated.

You know what, let’s…

Let’s just not do it, OK?

I can’t keep arguing about this.

It’s OK.

(CLEARS THROAT)

(RACHEL MOANS)

(BOTH MOAN)

(RACHEL MOANS)

(EXHALES)

Let’s do it, Rachel.

What?

ALVY: The egg.

The pod baby. (LAUGHS)

- Really? - Yeah.

It’s not because of Eliza.

Or Alice or Ben or…

whoever is on a crusade out there to convince me.

ALVY: It matters to you. I can see that.

What?

We don’t have to decide right now. We can…

take a minute. You can sleep on it.

LINDA: Here is your contract.

Will Alvy be the biological father?

LINDA: There’s no right answer.

We can make a baby from one of your eggs, Rachel,

and a stem cell from your skin.

Which makes men not necessarily needed in the procedure.

Oh, that’s lovely. Thank you. That’s great.

Unless you’re aiming exclusively for a boy,

in which case we will need that chromosome Y.

Alvy will be the biological father.

LINDA: Very well. And have you made your choice?

ALVY: What do you mean? What choice?

Well, do you want a boy or a girl?

We’ll let nature decide.

Oh! (CHUCKLES)

That’s quite unusual!

"Let nature decide."

OK.

LINDA: Oh, Rachel.

Oh, what a superb ovum.

Oh, thanks! (CHUCKLES)

Here we go!

Oh, well, we’ve rather a slow fellow here,

but it’s trying, it’s trying…

Well, this one does not suffer from hyper-motility! (LAUGHS)

You can do it! Come on, just a little effort, buddy!

Would you mind not referring to it as "buddy"?

Here we go.

Our little fellow is in contact

with Rachel’s ovum zona pellucida.

It’s going to induce changes in the membrane

and block entry of other spermatozoa.

Hmm.

They will all die.

The secretion of acrosome

helps the sperm enter the ovum’s cytoplasm.

Now, the ovum releases cortisol granules,

which release enzymes which digest sperm receptor proteins,

preventing polyspermy.

(GASPS) Oh, here we go!

- LINDA: (GASPS) Oh! - Oh!

LINDA: Oh, wait!

Oh, my God, here we go! Here we go!

(LINDA GASPS)

- We have a fertilized egg! - (BOTH LAUGH)

- You have a zygote! - Oh, wow.

- You’re gonna be parents! - Yay!

LINDA: Congratulations, Rachel and Alvy!

You did it! (LAUGHS)

(BUZZING)

(DEVICE BUZZES)

NURSE: Your zygote.

Enjoy.

WOMAN: Congratulations! We’re so happy for you!

- This is so exciting! - Thanks!

- MAN: Hi, Alvy. - Hi.

MAN: How’s the greenery going?

It’s going well, thank you.

You ought to think about

refinancing that mortgage of yours.

Interest rates are dropping.

Yeah. No, it’s fine, Bill.

BILL: Yeah, but especially now that you’re having a child.

Have you given more thought

about selling the Shell Island house?

We… We’re not selling the house!

(LAUGHS)

BILL: Nobody’s going to the countryside anymore, Alvy.

We all have access to nature pods.

RACHEL: Dad!

I’m just saying, because the house is just sitting there.

Yeah, you know what, Dad? Drop it! (CHUCKLES)

WOMAN: So, do you have the pod at home? Can I see it?

Oh, um… we, uh…

We literally just made the baby, so no, we don’t have it. Yeah.

We’re so excited. I’m so excited. Yeah.

(♪ "GETTING SOME FUN OUT OF LIFE" BY BILLIE HOLIDAY)

ALVY: What else can we say about our design so far?

We have the original right here, as intended by nature.

- (PAN SIZZLES) - (WHISPERS) Shit!

(SIGHS) What is it?

I don’t know. I mean, we just got pregnant.

Look, I just…

I just need, like, a couple weeks.

(SIGHS)

(DEVICE PINGS)

Alvy, I’m connected to the pod. Do you want to listen?

ALVY: Can you hear anything?

Well, no, but we’re connected.

Well, until the first heartbeat is audible, there’s…

nothing to listen to, is there?

Yeah, but… the baby’s right here with us.

You want to help me pick a soundtrack?

Isn’t that a bit premature?

I’m pretty sure embryos can feel sound vibrations.

It’ll… reach him, somehow.

Hm… No, I doubt it.

Why are you being so negative?

Scientifically, it’s impossible

for an embryo at this stage of development

to respond to music or anything else.

I mean, we’re talking about 16 blastomere cells, here.

You never know.

(BEEPING)

(POD WHIRS, MAKES NEGATIVE NOISE)

(POD WHIRS, MAKES NEGATIVE NOISE)

- (POD WHIRS) - (POD RATTLES)

(POD HUMS CALMLY)

Um, excuse me, miss?

Would it be possible to have a peek at my baby?

The screen thingy is not really working.

Oh, that’s actually normal. It’s just too early.

We keep the embryos in complete darkness

the first seven weeks of gestation,

until the first heartbeat is audible.

Oh…

(POD PLAYS LULLABY)

Now, this baby is ready to come into this world.

Oh… (CHUCKLES)

When they’re ready,

babies release specific proteins and hormones.

The pod detects these substances in the amniotic fluid.

That’s how we know the baby’s due.

What about our due date?

It’s an indication, but in reality, the baby decides.

(WHISPERS) Nature knows best.

- Oh, yeah… - (NURSE CHUCKLES)

- Uh-huh. - Let’s get this guy delivered.

Heya, sweetie!

(POD HUMS)

(POD PINGS)

(WOMAN HUMS SOFTLY)

SURGEON 1: It’s ready! It’s ready! It’s ready!

(METALLIC CUTTING SOUNDS)

- (GASPS) Wonderful! - Perfection!

SURGEON 2: It’s flawless.

- (BABY CRIES) - (GASPS)

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

(DEEP CHIME)

RACHEL: I have been having the strangest dreams.

As an example, I dreamt I gave birth to an egg, but like a…

like a hard-boiled egg.

ELIZA: Rachel, let’s remember that dreams

are not reliable analytical material.

That’s so 20th century.

Well, yeah. No, I know, but… I’d like to understand…

like, what do you think it means?

ELIZA: We no longer look at dreams

and try to assign them meaning.

Dreams are arbitrary.

But if pressed,

I’d say that your dream validates your decision

to choose the Womb Center.

Everything is under control. No surprises.

No boiled eggs to worry about.

(POD WHIRS)

(MUFFLED BUBBLING)

- (MUFFLED HEARTBEAT) - (MUFFLED) Whoa!

- There? - Yeah.

(MUFFLED) Can you hear that? Do you hear it?

(CHUCKLES) Yeah. Yeah, I can hear it.

Yeah. You’re welcome to take the pod home

for a two-week period

after the six months of gestation.

(NORMAL SOUND) Most couples prefer

to leave the pod at the center.

Wanna take a sneak peek at our little fellow?

- Sure. - You wanna?

- Yeah. You? Yeah. Sure. - (BOTH LAUGH)

OK.

(POD WHIRS)

(ELECTRIC SCREWDRIVER WHIRS)

Alvy, come and see. I’ve organized the baby’s room.

Huh!

Well, it’s… cream.

It’s very… very creamy.

ELENA: I quite like the idea of cream.

Thanks, Elena. I like it, too.

Am I allowed to… to add a touch?

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

What is it?

- It’s an olive tree. - RACHEL: Huh?

- A birth tree. (LAUGHS) - RACHEL: Oh. (LAUGHS)

And you just… You want to leave it in here?

- This is a tree. - RACHEL: Uh-huh.

Human beings, babies included,

are supposed to be around plants and trees.

You could design a hologram version.

You know what? I’m going to plant it in Shell Island.

(SIGHS)

- Honey, maybe my dad is right. - (GROANS)

Maybe we should sell Shell Island.

We’re not selling the house, Rachel.

I just don’t see the point. We never go.

The point is that it’s our only connection to nature.

And yes, you’re right, we do never go

because you never want to leave the city!

Because I don’t need to drive three hours and take a ferry

when we have everything here. We have nature pods.

I won’t raise this child in a… in a nature pod, Rachel.

I won’t.

WOMAN: Hey.

(WOMAN GROANS)

(GASPS)

- WOMAN: Did you feel that? - Why, yeah.

- (BOTH CHUCKLE) - Yeah.

Oh.

I’m actually pregnant, too.

WOMAN: You’re not showing at all. How many weeks?

Uh… So, I’m not physically pregnant,

but we’re doing the artif…

We are doing the Womb Center.

Oh, the pod. You’re so lucky.

We couldn’t get a spot. Maybe for the next one.

Oh, my goodness…

- Oh! - (BOTH CHUCKLE)

- Oh… You look beautiful. - Thank you.

ELENA: Good evening, Alvy.

Hi.

Is Rachel here?

ELENA: Yes, Alvy. I believe she’s changing.

News, please.

TV: …is an integral part of our future development.

To travel to Mars, everyone will need a Pegazus passport.

Governments will be in charge of helping

their populations achieve universal legality.

We are building an infrastructure…

What’s up?

…and access that no government can afford to build.

- Honey? - RACHEL: Yeah, love?

ALVY: Honey?

TV: This is the most important…

What’s, uh…

What’s it doing here?

Well, it’s our home period, honey.

I thought it’d be nice to spend some time with the pod.

ALVY: Right.

Should we just…

put it in the bedroom?

Yeah. Uh-huh.

(POD PINGS)

(POD PINGS)

(MEOWS AND PURRS)

- (POD HISSES GENTLY) - (CAT MEOWS)

- Oh… - Yeah…

- (MEOWS) - Sorry, Carl.

There you go.

(BOTH MOAN)

(POD HUMS)

I can’t. I can’t do it with the pod in here.

RACHEL: What are you talking about? It can’t see us.

- What’s going on? Are you OK? - I don’t know, I can’t do it.

- RACHEL: Don’t shake it. - No, there’s amniotic fluid.

The fetus just bounces around.

- (THUD) - (ALVY GASPS)

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

- The baby will fall. - (POD PINGS)

You know?

In the real world, he or she will…

will fall, and it’ll be fine.

You don’t need to clean it every time we touch it.

I’m just following the instructions, Alvy.

Isn’t the whole thing hermetically sealed?

No. Somehow, it’s a porous membrane, and by the way,

the baby can hear us perfectly right now.

RACHEL: The vegetation wall really needs a trim.

Yeah, I’ll do it.

(POD PINGS)

(PINGING CONTINUES)

- What’s going on? - Thought I…

Maybe it’s hungry. When was the last time you fed the pod?

I don’t remember. A couple of hours ago, I think?

You’re not sure?

It’s in the app. How can I be expected to remember

the exact time of the last feeding?

The baby’s only been here for a day!

Where’s my phone?

You need the phone to know if the baby’s hungry?

It’s in the app!

Are you trying to make me feel guilty?

Because you have the app, too.

You are more than welcome to take over the feeding.

I don’t know where the nutrients are.

Look in front of you!

(PINGING CONTINUES)

(SIGHS)

(SIGHS)

Why do we have to do this?

Well, it’s optional, but work would cover part of the tuition.

We don’t even have a child yet.

I know, honey, but this is New York.

(♪ "PIANO CONCERTO NUMBER 21" BY MOZART)

LINDA: We need to prepare our children for the 22nd century.

Singularity is near, and…

we don’t know what jobs the future is holding.

Do you follow a specific curriculum?

All learners move at their own pace.

We teach coding, but also concepts and collaboration.

We also introduce them to fuzzy logic.

Fuzzy logic?

Yeah. Please take your seats.

(MACHINE WHIRS)

LINDA: And this is our art room.

Yes, surprising, isn’t it?

(CHUCKLES) No dirty aprons, no running around with scissors

or, you know, dripping paint brushes.

Are they just, uh… making digital art?

No, they aren’t making any art at all.

No, the computers are making the art,

and the children are giving the computers their feedback.

The most enduring misconception about artificial intelligence

is that it’s not creative. Well, it is!

Much more than us. (CHUCKLES)

Any more questions?

- Yeah. - Do you have an accreditation

from the Board of Education?

Oh, I’m sorry. Where are you from?

- Sweden. - Oh! Oh, I see! Well…

Well, our government is no longer funding education.

But we are so lucky that great companies like Pegazus

are investing in our educational system.

It’s much more efficient.

- I have a question. - Yeah?

MAN: My nephew, Kormac, was born at the Womb Center,

but Kormac doesn’t dream.

LINDA: It’s a little side effect we’re aware of.

- MAN: He never had a dream. - I wouldn’t worry about it.

Dreaming is not a primordial function.

Dreams do not serve any evolutionary purpose.

Any more questions?

ALVY: In the last three months, what’s impressed me the most

is how social trees are.

In the wilderness, we can imagine

that they compete and struggle against each other

for light, for space.

But they also help one another.

They seem very interested in keeping

every member of their community alive.

(PHONE PINGS)

(GROANS)

(POD PINGS)

(BASE PINGS)

(BASE PINGS)

(POD HUMS CALMLY)

(WHALE SOUNDS)

(POD WHIRS)

(WHISPERS) Hey…

Hey, buddy.

ELENA: Alvy, would you like me to interact with the pod

while you’re working?

No… No, thanks, Elena.

ELENA: Let me know if I can be of any help.

MASHA: I am sorry to jump in, Rachel,

but your word count since this morning is 1,342 words,

including footnotes and endnotes.

Your productivity is 24.5 percent lower than usual.

Thanks for letting me know.

MASHA: I am feeling some irritation in your voice.

Is there anything I can do to help?

No irritation. Thanks for enquiring.

(ALVY SIGHS HEAVILY)

Whoa! (SIGHS)

We did it!

(WHISPERS) We did it!

(WHISPERS) We did it!

ALVY: "Let Us play Yesterday -

I - the Girl at school - You -

and Eternity - the Untold Tale -

Easing my famine At my Lexicon - Logarithm -

had I - for Drink - ’Twas a dry Wine -"

(PHONE RINGS)

(LAUGHS)

(GRUNTS)

"Somewhat different - must be - Dreams tint the Sleep -

Cunning Reds of Morning Make the Blind - leap -"

(WHISPERS) In a way,

you recognize its beauty for the first time.

And… And you know what? You also really see it.

ALVY: Whoa-whoa-whoa!

ALVY: "Still at the Egg-life - Chafing the Shell -

When you troubled the Ellipse -

And the Bird fell -"

(CAT MEOWS)

(CAT PURRS)

I want you all to find a tree.

Or a plant.

Go on.

Now, I want you to hug it.

(NERVOUS CHUCKLES)

Or just touch it.

Don’t be shy.

Close your eyes.

Inhale.

Exhale.

When we stare at leaves or touch a tree,

we can’t… mull over thoughts.

We have to let go.

Slowly, our attention circuits get disconnected.

Our frontal cortex calms down.

Our minds…

can wander again

and set itself free.

- MAN: Hey, Alvy. Got a second? - Yeah.

- MAN: Oh! - (LAUGHS) Yeah.

Congratulations!

I didn’t know that you and Rachel were pregnant!

- Can I? - Yeah.

- When’s it due? - May.

- Spring baby. - That’s fantastic.

Listen, I just want to chat with you a bit.

Uh-huh.

Well, we were looking over the budget

for the biology department.

Uh-huh.

And sadly, the greenhouse maintenance

just seems a bit too…

High.

Yes, unfortunately.

So we were thinking,

of course, if you’d be up for the idea,

that we could… that we could introduce holograms.

And then we could just

progressively phase out the plants

to reduce our costs.

You want to replace my…

my lotus, my taro, loofah,

chamomile, borage, nigella, my crocuses,

my orchids with holograms?

TV: These penguins are heading to the open water to the right.

But one of them caught our eye: the one in the center.

He would neither go towards

the feeding grounds at the edge of the ice

nor return to the colony.

With 5,000 km ahead of him,

he’s heading towards certain death.

(SOBS) It’s silly, but…

that penguin, it just…

Should we bring it back earlier?

Why?

I mean, we’re just getting used to all this.

I don’t want you to feel

like you’re stuck at home with the baby.

No, I don’t feel… I don’t feel stuck.

I mean, we went for a walk today. We went…

We went to campus.

You…

- You took the pod to work? - Yeah.

Some of it will stick, you know.

(POD HUMS CALMLY)

RACHEL: I just feel like he’s… like he’s being reckless.

- Like he’s acting reckless. - (JAZZ MUSIC)

What… What did he do?

Well, he, like…

- He wears the pod on the front. - VERA: Why is that reckless?

Because most of the dads that I see,

they wear the pods on the back.

- VERA: Yeah… - Why does it bother you?

No, it doesn’t bother me. I just don’t…

I don’t get it.

They’re bonding. You should be happy.

Yeah.

OK, so I know this is going to sound so weird,

because I’m not technically pregnant,

but I’ve been having the weirdest dreams.

- ANNA: Yeah? - Yeah, is that, like, do you…

- Yes. Yes! - (ALL LAUGH)

Last week, I dreamt that a snake bit me in the back

and then apologized,

because it said that the venom could hurt the baby.

(ALICE LAUGHS)

VERA: Are you exhausted?

(GROANS) Yes. (LAUGHS)

But… once you can get through that,

you can get through anything in life, huh?

Yeah.

(GASPS)

(BREATHES QUICKLY)

(SIGHS)

(POD HUMS GENTLY)

My mother sent us this book about attachment parenting.

Apparently, being continuously close to a baby

helps them develop empathy and also benefits the parents.

It’s an old theory.

- Oh! 1974! - (BOTH CHUCKLE)

Who knows? Maybe it’s still relevant.

Isn’t the whole Womb Center philosophy

centered on detachment parenting?

ALVY: Yeah, but it’s interesting to confront philosophies.

I think we should consult Eliza about all this.

Why? I’m feeling perfectly fine.

I’m not.

(DEEP CHIME)

ELIZA: What brings you all here today?

We’re having a hard time finding our balance as a family.

Like, everything seems to be revolving around the pod.

The baby.

Baby, I’m sorry, I…

I don’t see a pod, I see a baby.

ELIZA: Everyone in the family needs to make adjustments

to welcome this new addition.

Your family dynamics are about to undergo tremendous changes,

and these changes directly affect you.

Yes. Thanks for that, Eliza.

Yeah. I just… I feel as though

Alvy is able to bond with our child, but I’m not.

I just spend more time with…

the pod, you know?

It’s… It’s as simple as that.

You know?

Maybe that attachment theory wasn’t that crazy after all.

What do you think about attachment theory, Eliza?

ELIZA: It’s obsolete, Alvy.

As a mother, I should feel connected.

You’re overthinking it.

RACHEL: You’re completely tuned to the pod.

ALVY: Just give yourself some time, you know?

- Honey, maybe it’s hormonal. - Hormonal?

What do you mean, hormonal? Why do you get the hormones?

I’m not saying that I have them,

although I did forget my phone in the fridge.

And… I have been feeling…

Maybe I’m… Maybe I’m just not ready

to be a mother.

No one’s a mother just like that.

You… You become one. Isn’t that right, Eliza?

Eliza?

ELIZA: Would you mind

connecting me directly to the pod?

ALVY: What?

ELIZA: Therapy can start in utero.

You just need to find the therapy icon on your app.

It might be a little tight to pull over.

I mean, that’s too tight.

Yup, should be… There we go. Perfect.

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

(QUIET CHATTER)

MAN: Wood, fire, earth, metal…

- (BANG) - (GASPS)

WOMAN: Guys, we are talking about true ownership here.

Unstoppable transfers and immutable provenance.

Hmm, OK.

Their built-in randomness ensures decentralization.

The nodes are distributed across shards

in a uniform and non-deterministic way.

- Hey. - Hey!

- You got a minute? - Of course, yeah.

- Um… Rachel. - Yes.

I wouldn’t bring the pod here if I were you.

Um… Why?

HR. They don’t like it. They see it as a distraction.

Oh, my God…

You don’t want to be labeled "the distracted mom."

Distracted mom?

The meeting this morning was…

kind of embarrassing.

RACHEL: Oh, God.

ALICE: Can I…?

OK.

- ALICE: Come with me. - OK.

It’s OK.

RACHEL: Oh.

- ALICE: So… - Is yours in there, too?

Oh, no. No. We, um…

We decided to keep ours at the Womb Center until birth.

It just became too stressful to have the pod at home.

RACHEL: OK.

(PHONE RINGS)

RACHEL: Shit.

MASHA: Is there anything I can do…

(MASHA PINGS)

Good night!

LINDA: This workshop is all about your personal experiences

and journeys with your pods.

You’re in a safe space to share any…

emotional or logistical issues you’re facing

during your pregnancies.

- Everything OK? - Yes. Sorry.

It was just a crazy day at work.

After the meet and greet, you’re invited to drop your pods

in the incubation room.

(PODS HUM CALMLY)

(POD PINGS)

Maybe…

we should ask for an extension.

They don’t offer extensions, Alvy.

Why are they so rigid?

We’re in a bonding phase.

I know, but we can still visit.

I just don’t understand this rule.

I guess it was in the fine print.

(ALVY SIGHS)

(BABY COOS)

(GASPS)

(INHALES DEEPLY)

(INHALES DEEPLY)

Rachel? Sorry, sorry.

- Do you have a second, please? - Yeah.

- HR DIRECTOR: Please. - Sure.

Thanks. I just want us to touch base.

- RACHEL: Hm-hmm. - Is everything all right?

- (LAUGHS) Yeah. - HR DIRECTOR: Yeah?

Yeah, why?

HR DIRECTOR: Well, the algorithm,

it noticed a change in productivity.

Uh-huh, well, I’ve… I mean…

Maybe I’ve been a bit distracted lately.

- Feeling depressed? - Depressed? No.

HR DIRECTOR: No? OK, low-key, you know,

like nothing’s wrong, but… nothing’s right?

No. Why?

You do have a baby in gestation at the Womb Center, right?

Hm-hmm.

- All good on that front? - RACHEL: Yeah.

It has been a wonderful experience.

(POD WHIRS)

Oh, your baby’s thriving!

(BOTH LAUGH)

LINDA: What can I say? It all looks perfect.

Just a few more days to go.

Now, is next Wednesday a good delivery day?

Delivery day?

We have our due date, don’t we?

Hm… We recently changed our policy.

We now induce at 39 weeks at full term.

Some of the babies weren’t releasing their birth hormone.

They just linger in their pods for a few more weeks.

We can’t afford that! Our pods are in such demand.

So, here is the consent form for your birth-inducing package.

Er… what is it?

Oh, it’s oxytocin.

It’s the love hormone. It’s all natural.

There was one other thing we’d like to discuss with you.

We wanted to take the pod back with us

and then bring it to you for the birth.

Oh, I’m sorry, that’s not possible.

Our Neuro-Enhancement Workshop starts today.

But you’re welcome for parental visits.

ALVY: Neuro-Enhancement Workshop?

Oh, yeah. It’s a wonderful workshop.

You don’t want your baby to miss out.

I don’t remember signing up for that.

Well, it’s all in your contract. (LAUGHS)

LINDA: The data we collect is precious for science, too.

It helps our blue brain research.

Blue brain research?

Now, if you don’t mind, let’s focus on some post-partum tips.

Now, the most difficult aspect of taking care of a newborn is,

it’s undoubtedly the sleep issue.

But…

We came up with a solution.

There you go.

And one for you.

What is it?

LINDA: It’s a Dream Pod, or a D-pod.

It’s very soothing for newborns.

We just launched it. Parents are raving about it.

What kind of dreams?

Oh, it’s really very simple dream content.

It’s funny dreams. Friendly, short, simple dreams, you know.

The content will be upgraded as the technology improves.

No pods! Leave our wombs alone!

No pods! Leave our wombs alone!

- (CHANTING CONTINUES) - (WHISTLES BLOW)

I thought radical feminists were pro-pod.

Not these radical feminists.

WOMAN: Down with the patriarchy!

You know what?

Just wait here for me, OK? Just…

- RACHEL: Yeah? - Yeah, wait here.

OK.

WOMEN: No pods! Leave our wombs alone!

NURSE: …weeks is premature, but it’s not uncommon.

Do you remember the time of the first one?

WOMAN: Um… I’d say around eight a.m. maybe?

NURSE: Some babies are in a rush.

Let me get a delivery room ready for you. (LAUGHS)

WOMAN: Thank you!

NURSE: Hi, sir. I’ll be right with you.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(POD BEEPS NEGATIVELY)

(PODS BEEP NEGATIVELY)

(POD BEEPS POSITIVELY)

- It’s my pod. (LAUGHS) - (BOTH LAUGH)

Do you mind if I grab these?

I guess you don’t need them now, right?

Congratulations. So exciting, isn’t it?

WOMAN: Good luck. (LAUGHS)

WOMEN: No pods! Leave our wombs alone!

(MUSIC)

(BABIES COO)

(COOING CONTINUES)

We have a two-for-one promotion today.

Are you sure you don’t want to grab another baby?

Oh, no. I’m fine, thanks.

We also have a promotion on funny dreams.

- No, thanks. - Are you a fine member?

- No. - What a cutie.

(BABIES COO THE IN BACKGROUND)

(POD HUMS)

(BREATHES RAPIDLY)

Alvy.

Alvy. Honey, wake up.

Wake up!

(GROANS)

(PHONE BEEPS)

Jeez, the Womb Center is relentless.

Honey, let’s go to Shell Island.

- What? - Yeah, let’s pack and go.

What’s going on?

Let’s have our baby there.

What are you talking about?

RACHEL: Let’s have our baby in nature,

just like you always wanted.

Hold on. What’s going on, Rachel?

I cannot have our child’s first experience

be of the Womb Center.

- ALVY: OK. - Yeah?

OK, I’m not going to argue with that!

RACHEL: OK!

- What about Wozcek? We should… - Let’s tell them…

we’re having a home birth. Yes.

Tell them that.

My wife’s in a… bonding phase, um, with the baby.

We’d like to… (INHALES DEEPLY)

We’d like to keep the pod until birth.

LINDA: Mr. Novy, we discussed this yesterday.

I’m sorry, it’s not possible.

The pod should never have left the center.

But there’s a baby in the pod, right? Our baby.

You know? We have… we have jurisdiction

on this… this human being.

Yes, the baby is yours,

but the pod is the property of the Womb Center.

Bring the pod back here safe and sound

at your earliest convenience.

OK. Look, what if I was to tell you

that we are… considering…

having a home birth?

(LAUGHS) I’m sorry.

A home birth?

Now, why on earth would you want to do that?

ALVY: Well, um…

Some pregnant couples decide to have home births.

It’s perfectly safe and legal, so…

You know?

We could hire one of your nurses.

LINDA: Oh, you don’t need one of our nurses.

All you need is the self-generated birth code.

You see, the problem is,

your baby is currently being hosted in a womb

that does not belong to you nor your wife.

Now, we have a long wait-list.

We don’t want to risk any damages

to these pods at birth, so please,

let’s get back to our senses.

(♪ "I’M BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT"

BY THE INK SPOTS AND ELLA FITZGERALD)

- RACHEL: Are you OK, honey? - Yeah.

(MUSIC FADES)

(BIRDS CHIRP)

(WAVES CRASH)

(INSECTS CHIRP)

ALVY: Oh, that’s a Parmeliaceae lichen.

They attract ruby-throated hummingbirds

who use them to camouflage their nest.

I mean, lichens are surprisingly fascinating.

They’re one of the earliest life forms on Earth.

Most people think they’re a type of moss.

They’re their own kind of being, neither plant nor animal.

Well, so what are they?

- They’re the perfect marriage. - Yeah. (CHUCKLES)

- Between fungus and algae. - Yeah, OK.

(BIRDS CHIRP)

ALVY: The whole forest is like a web

of constantly evolving relationships.

Everything is entwined and overlapping.

RACHEL: They look like they’re talking to each other.

Yeah, well, they do talk to each other…

To them, it’s more important to cooperate than to compete.

It’s a synergistic system.

(FIRE CRACKLES)

ALVY: (SIGHS) It’s not so bad, is it? (LAUGHS)

RACHEL: Mm… I could get used to it.

(ALVY SIGHS)

RACHEL: There’s just so much silence here.

(BOTH LAUGH)

(INSECTS CHIRP)

(POD HUMS)

(POD PINGS)

(POD WHIRS)

Alvy.

Honey?

(BIRDS CHIRP)

(WAVES CRASH)

- Alvy? - ALVY: Yeah?

Uh, it’s not turning on.

ALVY: What’s not turning on?

The base.

Could it be the fuse?

No, the lights are on.

RACHEL: Well…

I mean, they don’t…

- These motherfuckers. - What?

They’ve disconnected it remotely.

Then we need to go back!

Let’s not panic.

No, no, we need to call them right now.

No, I will not give in to this obscene blackmail.

This is about the baby! This isn’t about us.

What’s the pod’s autonomy?

Forty-eight hours, I think.

Forty-eight hours? Well, that’s…

That’s enough. I mean…

The baby is due any minute now. You know, we…

- We need to take it easy. - Are you out of your mind?

(WHISPERS) No.

Rachel.

Rachel.

We need to trust this.

OK?

OK.

OK.

(POD PLAYS LULLABY)

(POD BEEPS)

(BREATHES SHAKILY) Uh…

Oh…

Um… OK…

Um, we…

- Yeah. - Uh-huh.

That’s… OK, so the app is asking for a birth code.

Uh… Our due date. Let me try that.

No, no, no. It’s not that.

Maybe it’s the conception date?

OK, OK… What is it?

(TABLET HITS FLOOR)

Babe, I…

What are we going to do?

I’m going to have to break it open.

RACHEL: No! No!

Um… It really, um…

That seems really extreme a reaction to… Oh, no…

Alvy, honey, I… Oh, God.

OK. OK. OK. Oh, my God!

(TAPPING)

(POD CONTINUES PLAYING LULLABY)

- Maybe this one… - Oh, my God, is it OK?

(PANTS) OK… All right.

Let me try that.

- Oh, God! - OK.

- Alvy, be careful! - OK!

RACHEL: Uh-huh?

- (POD BUZZES) - ALVY: It’s coming!

- Yeah? OK. - Yeah!

Good.

(WHISPERS) Our baby.

- RACHEL: You got it! - (GRUNTS)

- (BOTH GASP) - (LIQUID GUSHES)

Alvy!

(MUMBLES ANXIOUSLY)

- (BOTH GASP) - (BABY CRIES)

It’s incredible.

(SOBS)

You’re perfect.

(BABY COOS)

(BIRDSONG)

Hi.

Standard or priority?

Standard.

(BABY COOS)

(BABY YAWNS)

(♪ "GOD BLESS THE CHILD" BY BILLIE HOLIDAY)

We’ve always been a customer-obsessed company.

And guess who is the customer at the Womb Center.

HOST: I’d have to say the parents.

No.

- The baby. - Oh.

MAN: This is all about the babies! (LAUGHS)

Tell me, then, how do you envision

the future for our children?

Hopefully, one day,

children will get to choose their parents.

And my advice to them will be, "Choose your parents wisely."

(BOTH CHUCKLE)