1 00:00:57,599 --> 00:01:00,639 -Name? -Carl Longbottom, 2 00:01:00,727 --> 00:01:02,557 reporting for duty, 3 00:01:02,646 --> 00:01:05,856 and prepared to glimpse through the veil of time. 4 00:01:09,903 --> 00:01:11,823 That is the slogan of your magazine? 5 00:01:15,492 --> 00:01:18,082 I am one of the new junior copy editors. 6 00:01:18,161 --> 00:01:21,371 I was selected because of a short story I submitted. 7 00:01:21,456 --> 00:01:23,996 Perhaps you read it? "Tears of the Anaren." 8 00:01:24,084 --> 00:01:27,594 Weirdly enough, I didn't. Wait over there. 9 00:01:31,842 --> 00:01:33,302 Look at this. 10 00:01:33,385 --> 00:01:36,215 Heinlein signed this copy of Have Space Suit - Will Travel. 11 00:01:37,806 --> 00:01:39,136 What I wouldn't give. 12 00:01:39,766 --> 00:01:42,896 Although if I could pick any Heinlein to be autographed, I'd go with-- 13 00:01:42,978 --> 00:01:45,188 The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress? 14 00:01:45,772 --> 00:01:49,232 -Yeah. How'd you know? -It was either that or Tunnel in the Sky. 15 00:01:49,318 --> 00:01:51,238 -Tunnel in the Sky. -Tunnel in the Sky. 16 00:01:51,320 --> 00:01:54,030 -"Watch out for stobor." -"…stobor!" 17 00:01:54,615 --> 00:01:55,945 Peter Cromwell. 18 00:01:56,033 --> 00:01:57,373 A.E. Goldsmith. 19 00:01:57,993 --> 00:02:01,913 -Carl Longbottom. Are you also-- -Junior copy editors. First day. 20 00:02:01,997 --> 00:02:03,327 Dream come true, isn't it? 21 00:02:03,415 --> 00:02:07,205 It is a dream. I've only been in Los Angeles a few days. 22 00:02:07,294 --> 00:02:10,964 I'm from Clear Lake, Iowa. No one reads Amazing Tales in Clear Lake, 23 00:02:11,048 --> 00:02:13,178 much less quotes Heinlein. 24 00:02:13,258 --> 00:02:15,338 -I feel like-- -You found your tribe? 25 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:18,680 Tri…pod. 26 00:02:19,389 --> 00:02:23,229 There are three of us working together, like the three legs of-- 27 00:02:23,310 --> 00:02:25,150 The iconic Wellsian nightmare. 28 00:02:26,772 --> 00:02:27,982 Coffee. 29 00:02:32,444 --> 00:02:34,994 Is that Ursula K. Le Guin? 30 00:02:37,324 --> 00:02:38,374 Ray Bradbury. 31 00:02:41,328 --> 00:02:43,748 Isaac Asimov. 32 00:02:48,085 --> 00:02:50,245 You three. Let's go. Come on. 33 00:02:51,088 --> 00:02:55,758 So, here's a question I like to ask all my little pishers on their first day. 34 00:02:55,843 --> 00:02:56,973 Why did I hire you? 35 00:02:57,886 --> 00:03:00,596 Well, we submitted short stories that clearly showed promise. 36 00:03:00,681 --> 00:03:04,561 Incorrect! You submitted short stories that were spelled right. 37 00:03:04,643 --> 00:03:06,193 Verb tenses agreed. 38 00:03:06,270 --> 00:03:09,360 Commas went where commas are actually supposed to go. 39 00:03:09,439 --> 00:03:11,689 This makes you worth your weight in gold. 40 00:03:11,775 --> 00:03:15,105 It's a figure of speech. You're worth $2 an hour. I start you at a buck 80. 41 00:03:15,195 --> 00:03:19,025 But I know you didn't take this job to fix other people's grammar 42 00:03:19,116 --> 00:03:21,326 or fetch me tuna sandwiches and Tab. 43 00:03:21,410 --> 00:03:25,000 You took this job because you have a vision for yourselves. 44 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:26,080 What is that vision? 45 00:03:26,164 --> 00:03:28,294 -Well, for me-- -Shut up. I'll tell you. 46 00:03:28,375 --> 00:03:31,085 You wanna be published in my magazine. 47 00:03:31,170 --> 00:03:34,340 You wanna be the next big thing. 48 00:03:35,007 --> 00:03:37,177 Well, guess what. You might be. 49 00:03:37,801 --> 00:03:40,681 Go back to those stories. Fix them up. Rewrite. 50 00:03:40,762 --> 00:03:44,892 And then maybe, just maybe, I'll publish you. 51 00:03:45,434 --> 00:03:48,274 That said, I've never published one of you copy edit schmucks before. 52 00:03:48,353 --> 00:03:51,483 I doubt I ever will. If you can handle those odds, welcome aboard. 53 00:03:52,482 --> 00:03:53,532 Now, 54 00:03:54,985 --> 00:03:56,945 proofread those, retype them 55 00:03:57,029 --> 00:03:58,909 and get me a tuna sandwich and a Tab. 56 00:04:00,908 --> 00:04:02,158 Now! Come on. Let's go. 57 00:04:09,416 --> 00:04:12,166 Okay, how about this? The most prolific writer in the world-- 58 00:04:12,252 --> 00:04:14,252 -Asimov. -Is Isaac Asimov. 59 00:04:14,338 --> 00:04:18,588 What was the highest amount of published words he wrote in a single day? 60 00:04:19,676 --> 00:04:21,346 -No idea. -20,000? 61 00:04:21,428 --> 00:04:22,508 38,000. 62 00:04:23,555 --> 00:04:25,215 My God, he's a machine. 63 00:04:25,307 --> 00:04:26,927 -He's a robot. -I, Asimov. 64 00:04:27,017 --> 00:04:28,597 -Hey. -Very good. 65 00:04:36,610 --> 00:04:38,400 I'll take yours too, if you don't mind. 66 00:04:38,487 --> 00:04:40,027 I'll just save the seeds. 67 00:04:40,113 --> 00:04:42,373 -Madam, you are drunk. -Probably. 68 00:04:42,449 --> 00:04:45,659 And therefore, it has improbably occurred to me, I love lemons, 69 00:04:45,744 --> 00:04:48,504 why should I keep paying for them when I can simply grow my own? 70 00:04:48,580 --> 00:04:51,080 No, no. Not with those. Those are dormant. 71 00:04:52,334 --> 00:04:54,504 Apologies. Iowa. 72 00:04:55,254 --> 00:04:57,464 You need a seed that can be germinated. 73 00:04:57,548 --> 00:05:01,678 The right seed, the right conditions. Only then will it blossom. 74 00:05:03,178 --> 00:05:04,638 Well, then… 75 00:05:05,597 --> 00:05:07,267 To the seeds that blossom. 76 00:05:14,815 --> 00:05:15,895 What? 77 00:05:16,525 --> 00:05:19,105 -Nothing. It's silly. -Go on. Tell us. 78 00:05:19,194 --> 00:05:20,404 All right. Well… 79 00:05:21,822 --> 00:05:25,452 This morning we saw three legends. 80 00:05:25,951 --> 00:05:27,741 Pillars of their craft. 81 00:05:28,328 --> 00:05:31,118 Two great men, one great woman. 82 00:05:31,748 --> 00:05:35,378 What if one day that is we? 83 00:05:42,801 --> 00:05:44,091 We help each other. 84 00:05:44,178 --> 00:05:46,258 Let's go home tonight, read each other's stories, 85 00:05:46,346 --> 00:05:49,136 come back tomorrow with feedback, and help make each other better. 86 00:05:49,224 --> 00:05:53,314 I can't. I'm pretty sure you two are on a way higher level than me. 87 00:05:53,395 --> 00:05:55,105 Codswallop. 88 00:05:55,939 --> 00:05:57,519 -Codswallop? -Codswallop. 89 00:05:57,608 --> 00:05:58,778 Codswallop. 90 00:05:58,859 --> 00:06:01,739 If there is an area where you need to grow, Peter, 91 00:06:01,820 --> 00:06:04,200 we will help you grow. 92 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:07,870 I did xerox a couple copies of my story 93 00:06:07,951 --> 00:06:09,791 -when Sol wasn't looking. -I made ten. 94 00:06:09,870 --> 00:06:10,870 Twenty-four. 95 00:06:21,798 --> 00:06:25,388 "'Transistor Moon' by A.E. Goldsmith." 96 00:06:25,469 --> 00:06:28,009 "'The Horror of Westerley Mansion' by Peter Cromwell." 97 00:06:28,096 --> 00:06:31,096 "'Tears of the Anaren' by Carl Longbottom." 98 00:06:31,183 --> 00:06:32,563 Tears, like rips. 99 00:06:33,852 --> 00:06:35,942 "Tears of the Anaren." 100 00:06:36,021 --> 00:06:37,861 Yes, and Anaren. 101 00:06:37,940 --> 00:06:39,270 "Tears of the Anaren." 102 00:06:39,358 --> 00:06:42,818 "Anaren." It's a trilled rhotic as in Tolkien's Quenya. 103 00:06:45,280 --> 00:06:46,450 Got it. 104 00:06:47,115 --> 00:06:48,275 That's interesting. 105 00:06:49,701 --> 00:06:52,541 So tonight, we read. Tomorrow we share. 106 00:07:13,976 --> 00:07:15,636 'Cause you're a moron. 107 00:07:17,020 --> 00:07:18,360 God. 108 00:07:23,735 --> 00:07:26,815 -I'm going to lunch, Rose. -Nobody gives a shit, Sol. 109 00:07:30,576 --> 00:07:32,696 Okay. Whose story goes first? 110 00:07:32,786 --> 00:07:34,156 Not me, please. I'll go last. 111 00:07:34,246 --> 00:07:35,496 -Okay. -Peter it is. 112 00:07:36,665 --> 00:07:39,585 It was violent. It was nauseating. 113 00:07:39,668 --> 00:07:41,378 You had a tentacle creature eat a baby. 114 00:07:41,461 --> 00:07:43,421 I know. I'm sorry. 115 00:07:43,505 --> 00:07:46,005 I loved it. It's cosmic horror. 116 00:07:46,091 --> 00:07:48,301 You have to take chances, you have to shock. 117 00:07:48,385 --> 00:07:51,215 -I only have one suggestion. -Yes. Please. Anything. 118 00:07:51,305 --> 00:07:54,385 Don't have the family choose to go to the mansion on their own. 119 00:07:54,474 --> 00:07:57,024 Have them get a mysterious invitation. 120 00:07:57,102 --> 00:07:59,402 And then the killing starts. 121 00:08:00,355 --> 00:08:03,395 That's brilliant, A.E. Thank you. 122 00:08:04,026 --> 00:08:06,776 I wish I could return the favor, but 123 00:08:06,862 --> 00:08:09,492 "Transistor Moon" is nearly perfect. 124 00:08:09,573 --> 00:08:12,373 Start throwing punches or I'm gonna lose respect for you. 125 00:08:12,451 --> 00:08:15,331 Well, I had one small thought. 126 00:08:15,412 --> 00:08:18,672 So you've got the blind girl and the alien. 127 00:08:18,749 --> 00:08:22,589 And it seems to me that she's the only one who could understand his isolation. 128 00:08:22,669 --> 00:08:24,129 So don't change the story, 129 00:08:24,213 --> 00:08:27,673 but let me experience it through the lens of that relationship. 130 00:08:27,758 --> 00:08:29,678 Oh, my God. 131 00:08:29,760 --> 00:08:31,890 That's gonna elevate everything. 132 00:08:31,970 --> 00:08:34,310 Peter, you're amazing. 133 00:08:35,557 --> 00:08:40,017 Well, I guess that leaves "Tears of the Anaren." 134 00:08:41,313 --> 00:08:42,313 Yeah. 135 00:08:44,107 --> 00:08:45,187 It's… 136 00:08:45,859 --> 00:08:47,399 It's really-- 137 00:08:47,486 --> 00:08:48,566 It's… 138 00:08:49,446 --> 00:08:50,946 -A.E.? -Me? 139 00:08:52,241 --> 00:08:53,241 No, it's… 140 00:08:55,702 --> 00:08:58,462 I mean, you definitely have your eye on the future. 141 00:08:59,039 --> 00:09:00,539 -Thank you. -Sure. 142 00:09:01,583 --> 00:09:04,883 But your actual vision of it is… 143 00:09:07,589 --> 00:09:10,589 Okay. You predict a world where we-- 144 00:09:10,676 --> 00:09:12,846 Sorry, the Anaren, 145 00:09:12,928 --> 00:09:16,808 have evolved to have a flesh pouch on their back. 146 00:09:16,890 --> 00:09:19,560 Yes, to carry things. 147 00:09:19,643 --> 00:09:22,023 Right. But we have backpacks now. 148 00:09:23,021 --> 00:09:25,941 What evolutionary challenge are you answering? 149 00:09:26,024 --> 00:09:28,694 Well, it is science fiction, Peter. 150 00:09:28,777 --> 00:09:31,197 Sure. But it has to be connected to reality. 151 00:09:31,738 --> 00:09:36,118 Same with your thing about robot horses. Why would we-- 152 00:09:36,201 --> 00:09:37,201 The Anaren. 153 00:09:37,286 --> 00:09:39,536 Sorry, the Anaren, build robot horses 154 00:09:39,621 --> 00:09:43,041 when we already have cars which are far simpler and way faster? 155 00:09:43,876 --> 00:09:46,296 Because they're robot horses. 156 00:09:51,049 --> 00:09:52,049 Right. 157 00:09:55,179 --> 00:10:00,429 Carl, it's not enough to propose a future where things are just different. 158 00:10:00,934 --> 00:10:03,774 They have to be unexpected and inevitable at the same time. 159 00:10:13,197 --> 00:10:15,447 I must admit, I didn't expect this. 160 00:10:17,409 --> 00:10:20,499 But I will take your advice 161 00:10:20,579 --> 00:10:23,619 and turn "Tears of the Anaren" into-- 162 00:10:23,707 --> 00:10:26,877 And about that, why is it tears and not tears? 163 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:29,510 'Cause they are crying at one point. 164 00:10:29,588 --> 00:10:32,798 You have notes on the title too? 165 00:10:32,883 --> 00:10:34,263 You know what? Doesn't matter. 166 00:10:34,343 --> 00:10:37,103 Just make your vision compelling. 167 00:10:37,179 --> 00:10:39,559 Really see the world that's yet to come. 168 00:10:44,102 --> 00:10:45,192 Yes. 169 00:10:53,153 --> 00:10:54,323 Yes, that's it. 170 00:10:55,113 --> 00:10:56,163 That's it. 171 00:10:57,241 --> 00:10:59,661 Oh, yes, that's very good! 172 00:10:59,743 --> 00:11:03,413 Yes. The muse has struck. I see her clearly now. 173 00:11:04,331 --> 00:11:08,171 Yes, it's coming. It's all coming now. I see it so clearly, finally. 174 00:11:08,252 --> 00:11:11,262 At last! Yes. Yes. 175 00:11:13,924 --> 00:11:15,304 So-- 176 00:11:16,677 --> 00:11:19,177 You said you've been rewriting this for a week? 177 00:11:21,557 --> 00:11:22,717 What do you mean? 178 00:11:23,892 --> 00:11:26,062 It doesn't seem like a ton has changed. 179 00:11:26,144 --> 00:11:27,814 There's something different on every page. 180 00:11:27,896 --> 00:11:30,146 To be fair, they're mostly surface changes. 181 00:11:30,232 --> 00:11:34,612 For instance, before, you had the Anaren raising enormous bears as pets, 182 00:11:34,695 --> 00:11:36,815 and now you've made them very tiny bears. 183 00:11:37,322 --> 00:11:40,992 -Correct. -So… dogs. 184 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:45,790 And their home world went from a swamp planet to a desert planet. 185 00:11:45,873 --> 00:11:49,083 Yes. I thought that was an elegant solve for the story problems. 186 00:11:49,168 --> 00:11:50,248 By making them drier? 187 00:11:51,753 --> 00:11:54,843 There are significant changes in this draft. 188 00:11:54,923 --> 00:11:57,223 What about the technology I postulate? 189 00:11:57,301 --> 00:12:00,101 The liquid plasma cauldron they dip their food in. 190 00:12:00,179 --> 00:12:04,469 That is… fondue. 191 00:12:04,558 --> 00:12:06,888 Hey, Carl. I know how it feels. 192 00:12:07,561 --> 00:12:10,811 Writing is brutal for me. 193 00:12:10,898 --> 00:12:13,858 I'm revising my story right now. I am struggling. 194 00:12:13,942 --> 00:12:16,032 But I'm not struggling. 195 00:12:16,695 --> 00:12:17,985 And it's not fondue. 196 00:12:18,071 --> 00:12:21,701 The Anaren can't even digest cheese. I made a point of saying that. 197 00:12:21,783 --> 00:12:24,543 Does that sound visionary to you, Carl? 198 00:12:27,122 --> 00:12:29,172 I'm being honest, 199 00:12:29,249 --> 00:12:32,839 because Sol and everyone else out there is gonna be ten times meaner. 200 00:12:33,712 --> 00:12:35,672 I'm sorry if it's coming out harsh. 201 00:12:36,673 --> 00:12:39,183 I swear I'm just trying to help you. 202 00:12:41,303 --> 00:12:44,223 Should that be "coming out harsh…ly"? 203 00:12:45,516 --> 00:12:47,726 No. "Coming" in this instance is a linking verb, 204 00:12:47,809 --> 00:12:49,979 so it takes an adjective modifier. 205 00:12:56,026 --> 00:12:58,946 Be patient with yourself. You will see it. 206 00:13:05,494 --> 00:13:06,834 I know you will. 207 00:13:44,575 --> 00:13:47,735 Is this about the xeroxing? Are we all getting axed? 208 00:13:47,828 --> 00:13:50,288 If Sol fires A.E., he'll have to fire me too. 209 00:13:50,372 --> 00:13:52,372 A tripod cannot stand on two legs. 210 00:14:07,806 --> 00:14:09,726 All three of us abused the photocopier. 211 00:14:09,808 --> 00:14:12,188 We won't let you take the fall for this. 212 00:14:16,982 --> 00:14:18,532 Fifty dollars? 213 00:14:18,609 --> 00:14:20,819 He's publishing my story. 214 00:14:21,403 --> 00:14:22,403 What? 215 00:14:22,487 --> 00:14:24,527 Next month, he's publishing "Transistor Moon." 216 00:14:24,615 --> 00:14:26,775 Oh, my God. Congratulations! 217 00:14:26,867 --> 00:14:29,697 You've already resubmitted. How efficient. 218 00:14:29,786 --> 00:14:32,036 Here's the best part. I have credibility with him now, 219 00:14:32,122 --> 00:14:35,172 so whenever you're ready to resubmit, I can get him to read it right away. 220 00:14:35,250 --> 00:14:37,460 Guys, this is so good for us. 221 00:14:37,544 --> 00:14:39,964 For us, yeah. Yes. I can see that. 222 00:14:40,047 --> 00:14:42,377 -We have to celebrate. -Yes, please. Tonight. 223 00:14:43,383 --> 00:14:45,513 -We're drinking this. -Yes. 224 00:14:46,011 --> 00:14:47,801 Alcohol sounds good. 225 00:15:10,994 --> 00:15:13,164 The work. The work comes first. 226 00:16:05,507 --> 00:16:08,467 -Hello. Hello? -Peter, who is it? 227 00:16:08,552 --> 00:16:10,802 I don't know. No one's saying anything. 228 00:16:10,888 --> 00:16:12,098 Hello? 229 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:03,360 I see you two arrived at the same time. 230 00:17:05,233 --> 00:17:06,693 Guess so. 231 00:17:06,777 --> 00:17:08,067 We missed you last night. 232 00:17:08,153 --> 00:17:09,403 Last night. 233 00:17:10,989 --> 00:17:12,319 Slipped my mind. 234 00:17:12,406 --> 00:17:17,076 Well, A.E. is just giving my revision a once-over before showing it to Sol. 235 00:17:17,162 --> 00:17:18,252 Wonderful. 236 00:17:18,914 --> 00:17:23,174 If you don't have time to skim through this, I'm all right with that. 237 00:17:23,710 --> 00:17:25,090 You can just submit it as is. 238 00:17:25,796 --> 00:17:27,916 -Is that-- -Tears of the Anaren? 239 00:17:28,674 --> 00:17:30,724 It's a novel now. 240 00:17:30,801 --> 00:17:32,181 Novella, really. 241 00:17:32,261 --> 00:17:33,971 You did all that last night? 242 00:17:35,222 --> 00:17:36,272 Yes. 243 00:17:36,849 --> 00:17:38,429 And you? 244 00:17:40,894 --> 00:17:43,904 Well, great. I'll just take both of them in. 245 00:18:20,058 --> 00:18:24,058 You are never going to guess who is in the conference room again. 246 00:18:24,146 --> 00:18:25,306 Isaac Asimov. 247 00:18:25,898 --> 00:18:28,398 -Yes. I know. -You know? 248 00:18:28,483 --> 00:18:30,783 In fact, I shared an elevator with him. 249 00:18:30,861 --> 00:18:33,861 You shared an elevator with Isaac Asimov? 250 00:18:47,294 --> 00:18:48,714 Did you say anything? 251 00:18:58,722 --> 00:19:00,812 He actually introduced himself to me. 252 00:19:00,891 --> 00:19:04,651 He asked me my name and what I did. I told him I was a writer too. 253 00:19:09,900 --> 00:19:10,900 I'm a writer too. 254 00:19:12,486 --> 00:19:13,646 And what did he say? 255 00:19:13,737 --> 00:19:18,157 He said that was nice to hear, and I said, "Thank you, Mr. Asimov." 256 00:19:18,242 --> 00:19:20,372 And he said, "Please, Carl, call me Isaac." 257 00:19:21,703 --> 00:19:22,873 And I did. 258 00:19:25,582 --> 00:19:26,672 That's nice. 259 00:19:39,847 --> 00:19:43,057 -First-name basis? -Yes. 260 00:19:48,021 --> 00:19:49,981 Okay. Peter… 261 00:19:52,818 --> 00:19:55,818 -It wasn't good enough. -It's not good enough. 262 00:19:57,322 --> 00:19:59,622 -But if you're willing to do more work-- -Of course. 263 00:19:59,700 --> 00:20:01,950 He suggests filling out the mythology behind Westerleys 264 00:20:02,035 --> 00:20:03,745 and their connection to the Ancient Terrors. 265 00:20:03,829 --> 00:20:05,829 Something that could lead to more than one story. 266 00:20:05,914 --> 00:20:09,504 A series. Yeah. I got it. I can do that. 267 00:20:13,130 --> 00:20:14,630 And my novella? 268 00:20:18,135 --> 00:20:21,805 Pretty much the same. Really excited by the tears. 269 00:20:21,889 --> 00:20:24,059 And the Anaren. And… 270 00:20:24,141 --> 00:20:25,521 Mm-hmm. 271 00:20:26,268 --> 00:20:27,688 "Mm-hmm," what exactly? 272 00:20:27,769 --> 00:20:32,689 Well, just generally speaking, Sol says keep refining. 273 00:20:35,903 --> 00:20:38,073 He was specific about Peter's work. 274 00:20:39,072 --> 00:20:42,202 Odd he should have so many thoughts on a 12-pager, 275 00:20:42,284 --> 00:20:45,254 while my novella garners nothing more than the most generic of-- 276 00:20:45,329 --> 00:20:48,369 I didn't give it to him. Okay? 277 00:20:49,208 --> 00:20:50,208 There. 278 00:20:51,460 --> 00:20:52,750 Look, Carl. 279 00:20:53,629 --> 00:20:57,469 Your novella has the same issues as your short story. 280 00:20:58,008 --> 00:20:59,258 There's just more of it. 281 00:21:04,932 --> 00:21:06,522 I'm really sorry I lied. 282 00:21:09,645 --> 00:21:11,355 But if I show this to Sol… 283 00:21:15,275 --> 00:21:17,775 I'm trying to save you the embarrassment. 284 00:21:18,654 --> 00:21:20,244 Embarrassment? 285 00:21:23,534 --> 00:21:27,504 I am not embarrassed by my work. 286 00:21:28,372 --> 00:21:32,422 And frankly, I'm beginning to think you don't know what you're talking about. 287 00:21:32,501 --> 00:21:34,711 -Hey. Hold on a second. -No. 288 00:21:35,587 --> 00:21:40,217 She has been lording herself over me and you from the very start. 289 00:21:40,759 --> 00:21:44,349 And why? Because you have one story published? 290 00:21:45,055 --> 00:21:46,965 That doesn't make you Le Guin. 291 00:21:48,225 --> 00:21:51,645 It just means Sol Green sees something in you he doesn't see in us. 292 00:21:51,728 --> 00:21:54,518 Gee. I wonder what that might be. 293 00:21:54,606 --> 00:21:55,606 Hey! 294 00:21:57,442 --> 00:21:59,112 -Take that back. -Why should I? 295 00:22:01,154 --> 00:22:05,584 You question my vision? Well, I question your taste. 296 00:22:19,882 --> 00:22:21,882 I'd like to speak with Sol. Where is he? 297 00:22:22,759 --> 00:22:24,139 Podiatrist. 298 00:22:59,755 --> 00:23:00,755 Mr. Asimov? 299 00:23:03,217 --> 00:23:04,677 So sorry to interrupt. 300 00:23:06,011 --> 00:23:09,061 As I mentioned earlier, I'm a writer like you. 301 00:23:09,139 --> 00:23:11,229 Well, not like you. Of course. 302 00:23:12,601 --> 00:23:14,061 But I think I could be. 303 00:23:15,187 --> 00:23:21,527 And I would be deeply in your debt if you would deign to read my novella? 304 00:23:30,744 --> 00:23:33,124 My address and phone number are there, 305 00:23:33,205 --> 00:23:35,575 should you wish to discuss it after reading. 306 00:23:40,963 --> 00:23:42,343 "Tears of the Anaren." 307 00:23:46,677 --> 00:23:47,677 Yes. 308 00:23:48,637 --> 00:23:49,757 That's right. 309 00:24:21,086 --> 00:24:22,376 Carl Longbottom? 310 00:24:22,462 --> 00:24:25,592 Speedy Courier delivery. Have a nice one. 311 00:24:26,175 --> 00:24:27,255 Thank you. 312 00:24:39,938 --> 00:24:42,938 "Dear Carl, Thank you for sharing Tears of-- 313 00:24:43,025 --> 00:24:46,195 Tears of the Anaren with me. 314 00:24:46,278 --> 00:24:50,278 As I read it, I found myself inspired to type up a few suggestions for you. 315 00:24:50,365 --> 00:24:52,155 I used red ink so they'd be easy to find. 316 00:24:52,242 --> 00:24:53,992 Feel free to use or ignore them as you wish. 317 00:24:54,077 --> 00:24:57,577 After all, it's your book, exclamation point. 318 00:24:57,664 --> 00:24:58,924 Yours, Isaac Asimov. 319 00:24:59,499 --> 00:25:03,049 PS: I enjoyed your use of backstory." 320 00:27:31,693 --> 00:27:33,823 Yes. That's it. 321 00:27:33,904 --> 00:27:36,164 -Okay. -That's you. This one's you. 322 00:27:36,240 --> 00:27:39,790 -A.E. A.E.! -The hell is this? 323 00:27:41,161 --> 00:27:42,541 Good, you're all here. 324 00:27:43,539 --> 00:27:47,249 I know. I am late, I am drunk, both inexcusable. 325 00:27:47,334 --> 00:27:49,804 But I have seen something. 326 00:27:49,878 --> 00:27:53,338 It's so simple. Just a dot and a line and another dot. 327 00:27:53,423 --> 00:27:54,763 -That's it. That's all. -Carl. 328 00:27:54,842 --> 00:27:55,842 For now. 329 00:27:55,926 --> 00:27:59,006 But the inevitable march of technology will not be stemmed. 330 00:27:59,096 --> 00:28:02,846 Two dots become four, become eight, become a million. 331 00:28:03,433 --> 00:28:04,523 A billion. 332 00:28:04,601 --> 00:28:09,861 Enough iridescent geometry to create an entire world. 333 00:28:09,940 --> 00:28:10,980 No, no, no. 334 00:28:13,610 --> 00:28:14,700 Worlds. 335 00:28:16,029 --> 00:28:18,659 As countless as stars in the sky. 336 00:28:18,740 --> 00:28:21,620 Mountains, rivers, volcanoes. Child's play. 337 00:28:21,702 --> 00:28:25,292 We will give birth to creatures the likes of which have never been seen. 338 00:28:26,206 --> 00:28:30,086 And with the merest of motions, we will control them. 339 00:28:31,170 --> 00:28:34,590 No. We will become them. 340 00:28:35,924 --> 00:28:39,684 Naturally, none of these wonders will mean anything on their own. 341 00:28:39,761 --> 00:28:42,811 They will need to be infused with story. 342 00:28:42,890 --> 00:28:45,430 Conflict, romance, sex, violence. 343 00:28:45,517 --> 00:28:48,307 Everything that makes the great religions great. 344 00:28:48,896 --> 00:28:53,226 But these stories can't simply be… this! 345 00:28:53,317 --> 00:28:55,107 These paltry, linear narratives. 346 00:28:55,194 --> 00:28:56,574 No! 347 00:28:56,653 --> 00:29:00,413 They will have to live and breathe with the world itself. 348 00:29:04,036 --> 00:29:07,866 I have imagined a new form of storytelling. 349 00:29:08,916 --> 00:29:10,576 Not a line, 350 00:29:10,667 --> 00:29:12,167 but a bolt of lightning, 351 00:29:12,252 --> 00:29:15,302 coruscating and fractalizing into a thousand paths. 352 00:29:15,380 --> 00:29:17,220 Choices upon choices. 353 00:29:17,299 --> 00:29:21,429 A seamless melding of the author's will and the reader's desire. 354 00:29:22,721 --> 00:29:26,351 I will create this new kind of storytelling. 355 00:29:28,101 --> 00:29:30,231 I will gift it to you here. 356 00:29:34,691 --> 00:29:36,031 I have seen it. 357 00:29:37,694 --> 00:29:40,784 I have glimpsed through the veil of time! 358 00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:50,000 What the fuck are you talking about? 359 00:29:53,126 --> 00:29:55,336 -What? -I didn't understand a goddamn-- 360 00:29:55,420 --> 00:29:57,510 Did you understand any of that? Either of you? 361 00:29:58,048 --> 00:30:01,508 Carl, your passion is admirable, 362 00:30:01,593 --> 00:30:05,263 but worlds coming to life on television? 363 00:30:05,764 --> 00:30:08,774 None of the good stuff is on TV. TV is… 364 00:30:08,851 --> 00:30:11,521 TV is shit. It's for morons. 365 00:31:53,455 --> 00:31:54,455 Thank you. 366 00:31:56,416 --> 00:31:57,416 Now… 367 00:31:58,877 --> 00:32:03,217 the award for best debut novel of 1973. 368 00:32:04,216 --> 00:32:07,386 And the Nebula goes to C.W. Longbottom… 369 00:32:07,469 --> 00:32:10,469 -Oh, my God. -…Tears of the Anaren! 370 00:32:14,017 --> 00:32:15,437 Yes! 371 00:32:25,404 --> 00:32:27,414 Well deserved. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 372 00:32:27,489 --> 00:32:29,319 Thank you. I'm humbled. I'm humbled. 373 00:32:29,408 --> 00:32:30,908 -Congratulations. -Truly. 374 00:32:30,993 --> 00:32:33,163 -Maybe we'll see you next year. -It's an honor. 375 00:32:35,080 --> 00:32:36,670 Great job. Loved it. 376 00:32:37,249 --> 00:32:38,419 Congratulations. 377 00:32:39,501 --> 00:32:40,921 Hello, Carl. 378 00:32:44,131 --> 00:32:45,841 Sorry. C.W. 379 00:32:47,259 --> 00:32:48,259 A.E. 380 00:32:49,052 --> 00:32:50,762 It's actually just Anne now. 381 00:32:52,097 --> 00:32:56,807 Carl, congratulations. I read it three times. You're an inspiration. 382 00:32:56,894 --> 00:32:57,904 You're too kind. 383 00:32:57,978 --> 00:33:00,228 Hardly. Can I get you another drink? 384 00:33:00,314 --> 00:33:02,194 Thank you. That would be lovely. 385 00:33:02,691 --> 00:33:05,691 -Bourbon, neat. -Coming up for the big winner. 386 00:33:14,494 --> 00:33:15,504 You two… 387 00:33:16,580 --> 00:33:18,920 Good. That's good. Happy for you. 388 00:33:20,751 --> 00:33:23,301 I didn't expect to see either of you here. 389 00:33:23,378 --> 00:33:26,418 Well, my first book is due to be published, 390 00:33:26,507 --> 00:33:29,587 so my editor got me tickets so I could network. 391 00:33:31,803 --> 00:33:33,563 Peter's still writing too. 392 00:33:34,723 --> 00:33:36,563 He's not quite there yet, but… 393 00:33:36,642 --> 00:33:38,982 It'll be his turn before long. 394 00:33:42,189 --> 00:33:44,859 -By any chance, did you-- -I read it. 395 00:33:44,942 --> 00:33:48,902 Listen, I'm sure it comes off like a poor man's Asimov, 396 00:33:48,987 --> 00:33:54,277 but my idea was to get something published. Anything really. 397 00:33:54,368 --> 00:33:57,118 This way I'll have more opportunities 398 00:33:57,204 --> 00:33:59,964 to publish work that's a bit more me. 399 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:01,080 You see what I mean? 400 00:34:02,751 --> 00:34:07,461 Obviously it worked out a bit better than I expected, but-- 401 00:34:07,548 --> 00:34:08,548 Carl. 402 00:34:10,092 --> 00:34:12,932 Tears of the Anaren didn't read like a poor man's Asimov. 403 00:34:14,471 --> 00:34:16,391 It read exactly like Asimov. 404 00:34:23,813 --> 00:34:26,363 What a lovely compliment. 405 00:34:26,440 --> 00:34:28,940 Thank you. So kind of you to say. 406 00:34:52,926 --> 00:34:54,296 Well deserved. 407 00:34:54,386 --> 00:34:57,596 -I could not put it down. -Yes. Thanks. Cheers. 408 00:34:57,681 --> 00:34:58,851 Congratulations. 409 00:35:16,200 --> 00:35:20,200 Chickens, chickens. Plucked from the king's own forest. 410 00:35:20,287 --> 00:35:22,867 Taste of their succulent breasts. 411 00:35:22,956 --> 00:35:28,916 A mere 12.99, you can dine on their fine, rotating flesh. 412 00:35:29,630 --> 00:35:31,380 Chickens, chickens. 413 00:35:31,465 --> 00:35:34,085 Excuse me. Are you C.W. Longbottom? 414 00:35:37,221 --> 00:35:39,931 -Do I know you? -No, but I'm a huge fan of yours. 415 00:35:40,015 --> 00:35:41,885 I have read every one of your books. 416 00:35:41,975 --> 00:35:43,935 My name's Ian Grimm, and this is-- 417 00:35:44,019 --> 00:35:46,399 Hey, dickhead. Pay attention. 418 00:35:49,149 --> 00:35:50,229 This is the guy? 419 00:35:51,443 --> 00:35:53,363 Yep. This is the guy. 420 00:35:55,113 --> 00:35:58,203 So, what-- 421 00:35:58,867 --> 00:36:00,237 What do you want? 422 00:36:02,287 --> 00:36:05,707 Have you ever thought about writing for a video game?