Original subtitles

Bit early in the day for a party, Mr. McNeil?

But everyone seems to be having a wonderful time, sir.

I've seen men pass kidney stones with more enthusiasm.

When I pay for a soiree, I expect people to enjoy themselves.

Absolutely, sir. This cable just arrived today, sir, from London. The Germans

are continuing their build -up. British intelligence believes the transatlantic

shipping lanes may soon be threatened.

Once again, sir, your timing is impeccable.

Yes. Well, you can kiss my backside when we reach New York.

Until then, the efficacy of my timing remains to be seen.

Is everything secured below?

Your secret is safe, Mr. McNeil.

It better be.

Or the only other secret to this voyage will be the exact spot at which I have

you thrown overboard.

It's a wonderful party, Willie.

Thank you.

I've seen chain gangs with more enthusiasm.

They're having quite the time below deck.

Yeah.

You seem upset, Captain.

Do I?

For all we know, this ship could be surrounded by German U -boats willing to

sink her at the tip of the Fuhrer's hat.

I'll pay by celebrating for New York Harbor.

I don't understand, sir. If you're this concerned, why did you agree? Accept

this charter because the Empress deserves the best.

I'm not about to let some mercenary piece of sea trash command what might be

last voyage.

Doesn't mean I have to approve of the circumstances or our benefactor, Mr.

McNeil.

You don't believe this, but this is my very first cruise.

Twitch in your debt.

2007. Time travel is a reality, and it's fallen into criminal hands.

With history itself at risk, the United States has formed the Time Enforcement

Commission, a top secret agency responsible for policing the temporal

These evil agents track unlawful travelers across time. Their mission,

the past, preserve the future.

These agents are known as Time Cops.

Time

Cops.

Hammocks. Moving day.

Not something like that.

They say you can tell a lot about a person from what they keep on their

Really?

Let's see. Looking at yours, I can tell what you've had for lunch for the last

three weeks.

I've noticed all these photos before. Is this your family?

Family, friends, memories.

You know, it's funny.

Sometimes when it's late and I'm wondering if it's all worth it, the job,

risk, they help me remember why I'm here.

Easter, you like?

Oh, yes. Sorry, Captain. I didn't get much sleep last night.

What's that on your neck?

Hmm?

Your neck.

Oh, appears to be lipstick.

Glycerin -based, if I'm not mistaken.

Lipstick.

Lipstick.

I suppose some sort of explanation is in order.

Well, as you're no doubt aware, I'm frequently asked to lecture on my many

of expertise.

Last night, for example, I was debating the exciting legacy of Walter Mondale's

vice presidency with an intellectually dubious Nobel laureate. Sounds like a

hoot. It was.

At any rate, it seems my lecture series has attracted a small coterie of

enthusiasts, mostly of the female persuasion.

Wait a minute. Are you saying you have groupies?

I prefer the term acolytes.

Logan, prep for launch.

Hemmings, pin down an exact date.

Right away.

You, love machine, work up a full historical analysis.

We'll reconvene in the library in five minutes.

We've narrowed the date to July 4th, 1939.

Easter should be getting the location grid.

Now!

Hold on.

Something is very wrong here.

Excuse me, Captain.

Longitude, latitude, just as I thought.

There's nothing there.

Exactly. Temporal sciences have just zeroed the geographic field on our

too. It's emanating from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Meaning that unless our purpose is planning on treading water indefinitely,

time -traveling amigo has dropped himself onto some sort of ocean -going

vessel. 1939.

1939.

course. The Empress, chartered by the millionaire William J. McNeil.

The Empress of the Americas.

The Empress was one of the world's most opulent luxury liners. Art deco facades,

indoor swimming pool, makes today's floating amusement park look like the

Gilligan crashed on a three -hour tour.

What happened on this particular trip? Did the ship make it?

Oh, safe and sound. It arrived in New York Harbor July 8, 1939.

Wait a minute. I just heard my kid talking about this. Ah, well, the video

-addled young 'uns must have inadvertently channel -surfed across one

-called educational networks.

Just pulled this up from the video archives that ran last month.

The unexplored world of the sea.

A Cook Brothers expedition.

Join Dean and Eric Cook.

The Cook brothers? The TV explorers?

Winners of this year's Jacques Cousteau wannabe contest.

Please. Cook brothers aren't fit to shine Cousteau's bathysphere.

Captain Crunch has a better understanding of nautical science.

Here's where it gets interesting. The beautiful realm of Earth's oceans.

I'm Dean Cook, and in a moment, we'll preview our next great expedition,

recreating the legendary voyage of the Empress of the Americas.

I'm Eric Cook.

Stay tuned for an adventure to unexplored worlds.

Right after these words.

Easter.

Fascinating as all this may be, none of it comes close to explaining why we have

a level two ripple in 1939.

It might have something to do with the gold.

What gold?

McNeil always claimed he chartered the Empress to rescue his European staff.

Turns out his motives weren't quite so pure.

When he closed down his European operation, he converted all his assets

gold.

Tons of it.

McNeil's employees provided a convenient cover story, but the fact is, he needed

the Empress to haul his fortune back to America.

Worth millions at 1939 prices, hundreds of millions today.

Sounds to me like we've got a motive.

What about the brothers McPopeye? The McPopeyes?

They're on my short list.

Never been a big believer in coincidence.

Then you're going to love this.

Take a look.

I... Pulled the Empress's passenger list and cross -referenced the names using

my own genealogical search engine.

Passenger Edith Thomas married James Hemings, who sired a son, David, who

married and had a daughter named Claire.

Edith Thomas was my grandmother.

That explains your interest in the Empress. I didn't mention my grandmother

because I knew there'd be question about my going back.

Well, you're right. Even if this ripple raided a two -man team, you're making it

personal, Claire.

I've been there. It's very dangerous. Gene, tell her.

You're actually asking me?

I thought I'd been demoted somewhere between the conference room and the

I know the history of the Empress inside and out.

My grandma died when I was nine, but not until she drilled every detail of the

Empress' trip into me.

She always knew McNeil had something up his sleeve.

She was bothered that she couldn't prove it.

Look, Jack, this isn't personal.

I know the rules. It just makes sense.

Ripple's up to level four.

You should have told me.

I know.

All right.

Discussion's over.

Emmings, sit up.

from London to New York. Your grandmother must have been quite the

Yeah, she fancied herself a reporter, but it didn't last.

Don't get me wrong, she was a wonderful woman, but if I remember it, Granny's

idea of an adventure was an extra stupid little piece.

What's the count?

Thirty seconds and counting's a lot.

You brought her picture, didn't you?

The one from your desk?

They say it helps to concentrate on something during lunch.

She was always there for me.

I only hope I can return the favor.

So where do you think we should start?

Well, unless we're trying out for the next Star Trek movie, we should find

clothes.

Swiss pocket watch.

Silver cigarette case. These people really knew how to live.

How'd that do?

One thing I don't understand.

Assuming our temporal criminals get their hands on McNeil's gold, how are

planning to move it into the future?

I've been wondering the same thing. I've never seen a sled that could handle

that much weight and mass.

At least not yet, anyway.

You two, freeze!

Upper deck was supposed to be clear.

Looks like we should have come back 11 minutes earlier.

What the hell are we going to do with Hansel and Gretel here?

But we were told.

All passengers and crew go below deck.

Let's go, cowboy! Back up the steps!

I see legs, too.

Take her below. Get her out of my face.

They're going my signal.

Splish, splish, darling.

You want my glass?

Make like a card player.

Deal.

Come on.

Come on.

They call this splitter.

Attention, everyone.

Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please.

I'd like to propose a toast to the gentleman who organized this wonderful

of July celebration.

The man who's responsible for chartering this ship.

and bringing his European staff safely home to America.

What is this?

Sounded like gunfire.

You don't believe this, but this is my very first cruise.

Twitch and you're dead.

Well, let's hear it again for Mr.

J. William McNeil.

Yeah!

I'll drink to that.

Or

maybe

not. My God.

I'm looking for William McNeil.

Who in the devil are you?

Me? I'm just the low -life, tattooed, country -western -loving Harley Hugger

who's just taking your precious boat.

Deeper, we set.

Radios up. Bridge secured.

Ahoy.

Now hear this.

An armed and unbelievably dangerous group of men.

taking control of the entrance. That's right.

We hold the bridge, your Lord and Master McNeil, and a whole ballroom just

packed with pretty passengers.

Now I want all the members of the crew to report to the main ballroom

immediately because any hesitancy and I start putting holes in things.

Starting with the gate.

No, no, no. Hold on a second there, son. Better listen to him, McNeil.

These guys are pretty serious.

You're right, Dave Puff.

Don't push me.

And you.

I got my eyes on you, sweetheart.

What do you want from me?

My ship.

From you, Cap?

A simple twist to the ship's wheel.

Change course due south. We'll just beat ahead.

Due south?

Insane. That'll take us away from the United States. From any port.

I want directions. I'll call Randy McNally.

Just do it.

As long as I'm captain, this ship stays its course.

Really?

How about you, Captain Lewis?

Do you share Mr.

Harriman's death before dishonor sentiments?

What was that heading?

12.

And lucky 13.

Well, that looks like everyone.

My compliments, Mr. McNeil.

Your hand -picked crew.

Gave in like a bad souffle.

You folks need anything, I'll be right outside.

Everyone just stay calm.

I don't think they want to hurt us.

At least not yet anyway.

You seem to know a lot about these men.

Perhaps you'd like to explain just how you came to fall into their hands.

I was on the upper deck and they came out of nowhere.

And maybe you're one of them.

Sent to keep tabs on us.

Willie, Willie, Willie.

Some pistol swinging eight bell is a few cheap threats and suddenly you're

shaking like San Fran during the big one.

You need a drink.

If you know something... I know the scotch is good, the ice is cold, and

panicking won't get us anywhere.

Blondie's with me.

Any more questions?

You brought her aboard with you?

Stalway?

Without my authorization? If I waited for authorization every time I wanted

something, I'd still be sharpening pencils at the Pipsqueak Student

Besides, I have a feeling you know more than you're telling.

Drink?

It's a shame to let McNeil guzzle it.

He doesn't know good scotch from gasoline.

So why'd you vouch for me? For all you know, I could be one of them.

I don't think so.

Have we met?

Because I have the strangest feeling that I know you.

Yeah, it's not likely.

Doesn't matter.

Maybe you just looked like you needed a friend.

Edith Thomas.

Edith Thomas.

Yeah.

And if I had a business card, it would say, would -be journalist.

I'm Claire Cooper.

Stay away.

So, um, you're a journalist.

Well, so to speak.

Since leaving college, I've been traveling the world, looking for

The Orient, Persia, Europe.

Yeah. Can I have my way onto the Empress, because I was sure I'd finally

something in Willie's epic voyage.

Fortunately, I seem to have been right.

must be subsidizing half the publicists in Lotusland. A plethora of self

-promoting spam on their ship, on their television show, on their fancy new

submersible.

But I'm afraid we are woefully short of smoking guns.

I understand they already set off on their grand expedition.

Yeah, I was just checking their internet site. They've even concocted a real

-time navigational chart showing the course and speed of their... Hold on.

What?

Well, the Empress crossed the Atlantic via the standard

shipping lanes of the time.

For some reason, the Cook expedition has taken a sudden and rather dramatic

detour to the south.

I think it's time I had a word with the Doublemint twins.

Oh.

I think you are great here, but I think the blood is the ammunition.

Besides, an old sod like you probably prefer a burial at sea.

Quack!

As in duck.

I don't mean to seem ungrateful, son, but who the hell are you?

My name's Logan.

I'm with the Maritime Commission.

Huh? No.

We were expecting trouble. These men want McNeil's gold.

Gold? Yeah. I knew there had to be an explanation for McNeil's largesse. I

some reason beyond the mere lives of his employees.

You know where it might be hidden? If I knew it was on board, we'd never have

left port.

Word gets out about that, it'd be like painting a target across the ship's bow.

I searched the home before we left.

If he's hidden his loot on board, he did a damn fine job of it.

What did Easter say?

Our deck of facades and our swimming pool.

There's a pool.

Below deck.

Tough limits this trip.

Plumbing problem.

But McNeil wouldn't wait to have it repaired.

Show me.

What makes you think the gold is in here?

Wolves are designed to hold tons of water.

Better place to hide it.

What in heaven's name is that?

It's got nothing to do with heaven.

Where's your green for protection?

Shaped C4 charges.

Some sort of bomb.

The detonator's tied to our course.

No, no, no, no.

Stand back.

Before we... Cover yourself.

Those pirates taking us.

On an adventure to unexplored worlds.

Well, well, well.

Mr. Kiefer and Mr. Fuqua were supposed to keep the ship's complement occupied

while I finished my work.

Captain Harriman, you I recognize.

I must have seen the newsreel footage of the Empress's triumphant arrival in New

York a hundred times.

However, you.

Nothing to say.

You look taller on TV.

Oh.

One of my loyal fans.

Well, now you have come an awfully long way for an autograph.

Time cop.

And you've come a long way to scuttle this ship.

Do you have any idea how history will change if you kill all these people?

The ramifications into the future.

And do you have any idea how little I care?

My brother Eric warned me about the TEC.

He was afraid our temporal excursion might pop up in your little dome.

But frankly, if this is the best TEC has to offer, I'm not impressed.

It's completely self -contained, impossible to disarm.

The one thing I learned from doing live television?

Commitment. And I am completely committed to this course of action.

And so, it seems, are you.

There's got to be a way in.

Compass -based, of course.

Navigational satellites are still a dream.

What did he mean, live television?

Time cop?

Focused ambient laser grid.

Cook's probably the only one who can disarm it.

Mr. Logan, if these men are going to destroy my ship, I damn well want to

how.

I don't have time to explain everything, Captain, but this man Cook said this

device to explode when we reach this new position.

Those are shaped explosive charges pointing down.

When the bomb explodes, the ship will go with it.

And we need to get these passengers off the lifeboats.

Practically useless.

One of Cook's men has destroyed the ship -to -shore radio. We can't even send

out an SOS.

But Neil's passengers?

They won't even last two hours in these seas.

The detonator's tied to our course.

So if we can't disarm the bomb, then we have to change direction,

away from Cook's new position.

The main bridge is guarded six ways to Sunday.

But there is an auxiliary control in the engine room.

We might just be able to override the main bridge's steering.

After you.

Keeper, Fuqua.

This is Keeper.

Bad news, Mr. Cook.

We have company.

Company?

Quiet. Everyone quiet.

I know.

We've met.

Fortunately, the device was already in place.

Just so we can avoid any further complications.

You see anyone where they don't belong, kill them.

I say things have taken a turn for the worse.

You ain't seen nothing yet.

All right, everyone.

Listen up.

McNeil was right. I'm not a passenger.

I'm an American agent and I was sent by the government.

One woman. Nice of them to pull out the stops.

The men that have taken this ship will stop at nothing to get what they want.

And as long as we're all cooped up in this ballroom, we're targets.

You want us to try to escape?

They'll kill us. I want us to be prepared.

And why should we take your word?

One unknown woman who's lied about her intentions from the start.

Look at you.

William McNeil, captain of industry, whimpering like a two -year -old with a

skinned knee.

Miss Thomas, I've had just about enough of your childish insults. Willie boy,

I'm just getting started.

Why are you leaving Europe?

Because there's war on the horizon and a good chance that decent people will die

on account of it?

You know, until this moment, I would have put money on our side.

But if this pathetic display is any indication of the resolve that we can

from our leaders...

Seems to me we might as well just throw up the white flag right now.

If Claire says that we're in trouble, by God, I believe her.

And if any of you had an ounce of guts, you would, too.

Thanks, Edith.

Seems like you're always sticking up for me.

Does as long as I get first dibs on the story.

You got it.

Okay, everyone, listen up.

The next time our friend comes back, we need a distraction.

Something to throw him off guard.

Easy to say.

Do you have any ideas?

Maybe.

Most ships this size have an auxiliary control in case the bridge is

incapacitated.

Juice out.

My first mate is doing a superb job of holding the new course.

Can you change it? I'm going to try.

I'm going to do this slow and easy, but sooner or later, they're going to know

we've turned.

Crooker, nobody said anything about TEC. How'd they find us? The question is,

Mr. Kiefer, who cares?

The TEC can send back as many officers as they want. The explosive is set and

secure. We got them outgunned, outmanned.

When did this change?

That's impossible.

I haven't touched the wheels.

Somebody must be using auxiliary control.

Is that a cop?

This is Cook.

New plan.

I will execute one hostage every minute until the ship is returned to my course.

You have one minute to comply.

I've got to get up there.

If you go, they'll kill you. If I don't go, they'll kill the hostages. I don't

have much choice.

Order as long as you can, Captain.

I'll do that.

We finally made video contact with the Cook ship, a satellite uplink from the

mid -Atlantic.

For an expedition that thrived on attention, Cook seemed curiously

take a simple call.

Cook, I'm Captain Gene Matuszak in Washington.

I want to have a word with you regarding the Empress.

Well, you've come to the right place, Gene, but I'm afraid time is short.

You know, we're going live this evening.

We're unveiling our new multi -million dollar submersible, the Derek.

Dean, Eric, Derek.

Clever, don't you think?

Hysterical. The action toy comes out next week.

Plastic bubble, wind -up propeller.

I'll tell you what.

Give me your address, and I'll have my people send your people one of the first

ones off the line.

Where's your brother, Mr. Cook?

I'm afraid he's indisposed up at the moment.

Seasickness.

embarrassing for a nautical explorer, wouldn't you say?

Now, about the Empress, we've posted virtually all of our background

on the internet, so if you do need something, I'm sure you'll find it

Captain.

I'm interested in your take on the voyage, Mr. Cook.

Why you've chosen to turn your ship away from the standard shipping lanes.

Have we?

Well, I guess I'll have to talk to my navigator about that, now won't I?

Sorry it couldn't be more helpful, Captain, but if you get a chance,

tune in this evening.

To use your euphemistic terminology, Captain, these punks are dirty.

Yep. And they don't think we have a chance in hell of catching them.

That's one minute.

Time to up the ante.

Captain.

It's called a distraction.

It's good.

Where'd you learn to do that?

Remember the Orient?

The fellow there taught me his new fighting technique.

He called it karate.

Grandma's on appeal.

Right.

Okay, everyone, let's go. Out. Come on.

Who's that?

What?

It's okay. He's with me.

Logan, I thought you were dead.

And I thought you might need some help.

Better get these people out of here.

The safest place is the cargo hold, lower deck.

He could lose a herd of elephants down there for a week.

Willie ought to be able to stay out of trouble for an hour or two.

Ladies and gentlemen, you'd be safer down in the cargo area. Please head down

there now.

Go ahead.

He's a handsome fella.

What'd you say his name was?

Logan.

He's not your type.

Believe me.

And how would you know my type?

It's just a hunch. You know, I just figure you'd want someone more

low risk.

You know, the kind of man you can imagine loving 40 years from now.

I have trouble imagining the next 40 minutes.

Believe you me, I've noticed.

All sorts of things.

Claire, are you always this serious?

No.

Maybe you're right.

Yeah, I always thought I inherited this mood from my grandmother.

She expected great things from me.

You sure that's what she expected?

I don't know. She died when I was young.

Yeah, I always wondered if she were here.

What'd she think of me today?

Well, I'm only 28 years old, and according to McNeil, I don't know flip

flypaper, but if your grandmother loved you, I mean, really loved you,

it seems to me that all she'd want is your happiness.

And type or no type, she would definitely want me to say hello to your

friend, Logan.

Mr. Logan!

Hi. Hi.

I'm glad that you're traveling with us all the way to New York.

Logan, she's my grandmother.

Oh.

Well, I don't have a problem if she doesn't.

Okay.

Miss, uh... Thomas, is it?

I think you might be safer if you join the other passengers.

Thanks, Eden.

I still have the crazy feeling that we met before.

Eden! Give me the gun, or she's dead.

Now!

Easy.

What do you know?

Looks like we haven't lost all of our hearts, did you?

What?

When we first landed, I thought I heard music.

Yeah, there's a photograph in the salon.

They destroyed it, though.

Perfect.

Officer, Captain Harriman.

You might want to hear this.

Go ahead.

Say something pithy.

Why? So you won't understand it?

Relinquish control of this vessel, or I'll start changing the future with this

pretty little thing.

Now we will find out what your life is really worth, miss.

Thomas. I'd ask your name, but I don't do obituaries.

Ah, Mr. Kiefer.

The captain's a real trooper. You heard we had to skirt the case and stuff up

all very proper.

I had Lewis turn the ship, then lock the wheel. We'll have no more course

changes. Excellent. And first mate Lewis?

He's been officially decommissioned. Go on, get.

Two minute warning.

It appears we are coming to the end of our little docudrama.

This course of yours makes no sense.

There's nothing there but ocean.

The charts show we'll be over one of the deepest trenches in the Atlantic.

Actually, the deepest trench.

So, Let me guess. This is where we all go down together.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Let him come.

My apologies. It's the showman and me.

You've probably seen it on my many documentaries.

Actually, I usually watch a show when I'm having trouble getting to sleep.

Your bogus science beats the hell out of counting sheep.

If you want the gold, why don't you just take it while I scuttle my ship?

Because you cannot take that much mass into the temporal stream.

So you came up with an alternative.

Blow the ship and sink it in one of the deepest trenches in the Atlantic Ocean,

beyond the reach of any salvage operation.

Until you come up with a vehicle capable of exploring those depths, you're

submersible. Ah, yes.

A derrick.

A miracle.

Of my own design.

It's more than the gold, though, isn't it? Of course.

We're talking ratings.

Once the Empress goes down, that's history.

meaning our epic recreation of the Empress's voyage suddenly becomes a

for her blasted remains.

We've sold the rights worldwide, and this will be no Al Capone's fault, I

you. We'll know exactly where she went down, recover millions in gold, and keep

the sequel rights.

Oh, it's almost time.

Wait, this is impossible.

The wheel's locked.

The ship physically can't move that fast. Well, something has changed its

course.

You watch them.

Some sort of glitch.

Something with the computer.

Yeah, there's a glitch in it, all right.

Consider yourself canceled.

How did you change course?

I didn't.

See, now that's the trouble when you mix high tech with low tech.

The computer here was hooked up to a magnetic compass.

Kind of like these speaker magnets I borrowed from the phonograph upstairs.

Suddenly east is west, north is south.

And your bomb has no idea where it is.

We are returning to our original course.

Full speed ahead.

I'm not even going to ask you about your temporal stream, Mr. Logan, or your

crazy weapons.

Bottom line, the Empress is all yours, Captain.

Take care of her.

I'll do that, Mr. Logan.

I'll do that.

But I am starting to think that maybe journalism isn't the right career for

What about you, Claire?

Do you ever think about the future?

Oh, sometimes.

Well, maybe one of these days, who knows when, I'll settle down.

And if I do, I hope I'm lucky enough to have a friend like you.

Let the ship come in and pick us up, Miss Thomas.

Before we leave, I just wanted to say... It was a pleasure meeting you.

I assure you, the pleasure was all mine.

Well, I guess I ought to go below.

You want to see us? Yeah.

Just thought Mr. Cook might want to see an instant replay of tonight's live

broadcast.

Just what do you mean that there's been an explosion?

That submersible cost millions of dollars.

Destroyed?

That's impossible.

I got a military chopper flying out to your ship.

Your brother should be in custody within the hour.

You didn't have anything to do with that, did you?

Oh, come on. I couldn't just leave 50 pounds of C4 lying inside the Empress. I

tossed it in Cook's detonator overboard. I guess his brother must have mistaken

it for something else. I'm sending that submersible in... Never mind. I'll read

it in your report.

I hate my life.

You all right?

Never thought I was much like my grandmother.

Funny how wrong you can be.

So, you really think she was interested in me?

For the sake of future generations, let's be glad we can only speculate.

Good.