Original subtitles

(mysterious music)

- [Jay] The doctor said I was in a coma.

Maybe I was, but there is a world beyond consciousness

that they knew nothing about.

(bold daunting music)

But when I came back, nothing was quite the same.

And I couldn't leave that other world behind.

My odyssey continues.

(birds chirping)

- That's just about it.

- You know, boxes I think are like rabbits.

If you leave 'em alone in the dark, they tend to multiply.

- (chuckles) Then I'm gonna need a bigger garage.

- Great, when do we start?

(Jay clears throat)

- Is there anything in the fridge I can nuke?

- Well, how about a real meal?

We'll be starting dinner soon.

- This'll do.

- Uh, those are for your mom.

- A prize in every bag.

(gentle music)

- Yes.

- Steve.

(gentle music)

- Do you know where we are?

- Who cares?

As long as we're together, we're free.

We can go anywhere we want.

- Yeah, for now.

- When are you gonna stop looking over your shoulder?

- It's a very useful life skill.

(light bouncy orchestral music)

What is that?

- Nothing. Just a bunhead.

I guess we're on her patch.

- I know that, but what's she doing?

- Hold it right there.

Those shoes on this patch? I don't think so.

- Since when? We cut through here all the time.

- You can only pass if you respect our cultural integrity,

and walk this way.

- [Football Player] Who's gonna make us?

- [Football Player] Where'd they come from?

- It's not nothing anymore.

(somber music)

(haunting music)

- Val, I can find him.

I have to track people down all the time.

- It's not like Jay owes you money for a rec room

or a back deck, he's my son.

- I know. I just wanna help you.

You don't have to do this all by yourself.

- What happens when you find him?

- Hey, I promise, I won't use any power tools.

(Val chuckles)

Look, Val, you have to trust me.

I'll be able to find a way to talk with him.

- Okay.

- We installed the checkpoints like you told us,

but the cleat feet still dis our culture.

Their footprints are everywhere.

- What are you doing to keep outsiders out?

- We examine toes and arches.

- What about deterrence?

- "Swan Lake" usually works, full volume.

- Uh (chuckles), it's not my place to interfere

in your internal policies,

but if I wanted to control my turf,

I'd use something stronger than classical music.

- Nutcrackers?

- Monitors.

(classical orchestral music)

- A generous gift. How can we thank you?

- Don't-- - A gala, in your honor.

- Ever mention it again.

- This is a great moment in the cultural preservation

of the bunheads, we thank you.

(engines rumbling)

- Finger, a patron of the arts?

- Yeah, the art of self-interest.

- "Mutant Space Spiders Take LA."

Rare, huh?

So, what'll you give me for it?

- Too rare for my blood.

I have to get the boss to approve anything

over a hundred dollars.

But, compromise is an art.

- Take a number.

- This is serious. I have to raise some funds.

- What's the deal, Jay? Where're you going?

- LA.

- Don't you know? Mutant space spiders took LA.

Now wait your turn.

(serious tense music)

- [Finger] Think of it like a jigsaw puzzle.

- [Savage] How does it all fit together?

- It doesn't. See, that's the beauty of it.

Each club builds walls around its own little patch,

an island where they can wear their pink shoes,

fly their own flag, throw their own ball.

- That's brilliant.

They're all prisoners of their own flag-waving stupidity.

All that wall-building and in-fighting,

the kids will be busy.

- Hating your neighbor is a full-time job.

- The way they walk just isn't natural. They're not like us.

- Yeah, but Finger loves that kinda talk.

I mean, if all kids think like that,

then they'll never unite against him.

He was working on a plan.

- What about our plan to get away from his plans?

- Yeah, but where to?

Don't ever underestimate Finger's reach.

- We'll find someplace, anywhere.

As long as we're together.

(voice chattering loudly)

Snatchers.

(fire crackling) (people chattering)

- And monitors, working together.

(people cheering)

Can't you see what's happening?

- Not if I don't look.

Let's just go the other way. We don't need the hassle.

- Hiding out again, is that what you want?

- Hiding out together wouldn't be so bad.

- Yeah, but if no one stops Finger,

then there'll be no place to hide.

- We have to find ways to get around the checkpoints.

We need to get the truth out to the clubs.

Let them know what Finger's up too.

- Don't worry, we'll find a way.

- I hate failure.

- But your plan is sheer genius.

The checkpoints are multiplying daily.

- But the bladers are still getting through.

Here's my entire plan, written out in the fax

for everyone to see.

- Ah, you're bad,

but don't bother to renew your subscription,

this is the final edition.

Come, look at the junk that came in the morning mail.

- Where'd you find him?

- Well, I'm bad too.

Our little friend here has graciously put me in touch

with the publisher.

(digital beeping)

- I call it The Total Wipeout.

- Catchy title.

- It eradicates information on documents, computer disks,

in fact, on any medium of storage.

- A sort of anti-knowledge bomb.

- (laughs) Bomb denotes destruction,

that's, that's not the intent of this device.

- I've got some files to delete.

- Well, to use the vernacular, this is your baby.

- What about dot matrix?

- Outdated technology.

- Will your eraser rub this out?

- How else would you interpret the phrase "Total Wipeout"?

- Excellent, then.

Time to teach Alpha a lesson.

- Alpha?

- We could go to your place, grab your stuff and leave.

Come on, you'll like it.

- Right. Swimming pools, gang wars, LA sounds great.

- Come on, what are you waiting for?

- I can't go today.

I gotta collect on my paper route tomorrow,

and after that I plan to continue with my life.

- You think this is a life?

Maybe you better stay here.

- Send me a postcard.

(pop music in background)

- Incoming.

- Can you get me the recent data on "The Fax" circulation?

I think it's the back.

- [Assistant] I'll look. It could take awhile.

(tense mysterious music)

- [Alpha] What're you doing here?

- I was just strolling through the neighborhood.

- Strolling?

- Yes, a cardiovascular flush.

Highly recommend it.

- My circulation's fine. Thank you.

- Oh. What's this?

When did it arrive?

- Today in the mail.

- Don't you think you should take a look at it?

- I've got plenty to do without it.

Now, can I continue my work, please?

- But, aren't you curious?

After all, curiosity is one of the basic human drives.

To suppress it could irreparably stunt the human organism.

Please?

- All right.

(tense somber music) (digital beeping)

There. Are you happy?

It looks like a jumbo eraser.

- Kryptonite looks harmless unless you're Superman.

- Why don't you just say what you mean?

- Interpersonal communication is fraught with complications

and contradictions.

Logic dictates it be avoided entirely,

unless it is unavoidable.

Like now.

- Fractal, have you lost your mind?

- Not yet.

(intense music)

(rapid whirring)

- 20, 30, 40, and 50.

- I guess I'll be going now. See ya.

- There's great comics in LA, all kinds of collectors.

- 50 bucks just might get him to the airport,

and maybe buy him a bag of pretzels.

- I'm not asking for any handouts.

- See, I only gave him 50 because he's your friend.

Look it up. His comic's only worth 30.

- Thanks, but Jay.

- Change your mind?

- I promised Nathan I'd help him with his database.

- The adventure of a lifetime, have a nice one.

- [Fractal] Alpha, I should warn you.

- (sighs) That was a ridiculous display of emotions,

but I guess anything's a breakthrough.

My office looks fine.

- [Fractal] Fine is a relative term.

- It's empty.

(deep somber music)

Everything is erased.

It's a disaster. All my...

You did this.

This isn't science. This is strictly Stone Age.

(deep somber music)

Fractal, you erased her memory too.

(dramatic music)

- Alpha?

- Something's different.

(deep somber music)

It's like a storm washed everything away.

Only the rain wasn't water.

- It was bleach.

- It was Finger.

He made good on his threat.

She tried to expose him, but he's still at it.

- Making everyone a prisoner on their narrow little patch.

- With their narrow little minds.

Was a perfect plan.

- You approve?

- I appreciate a virtuoso no matter which instrument

he plays.

(deep somber music)

- Consider this Finger's "Swan Song".

We got to organize the clubs,

put together some resistance.

After what he did to Alpha?

- Excuse me.

Aren't you the kid who doesn't have to see

because he chooses not to look?

- Yesterday's kid.

From now on, I'll be whoever I have to be to win.

(elevator dings)

- Jay?

Hi.

- Hi.

I'm going to Los Angeles. Wanna come?

- Jay, I don't think we're ready to go away together yet.

- I'm not talking a weekend. I'm leaving home.

- Homeless in LA?

Whoa, wait a minute, Jay. Come on in.

- I'm not sticking around that long.

- We have to talk.

- You can save the lecture, I've heard it already.

- Steve called the station, looking for you.

- What does he want?

- To talk to you.

He said he was your mother's fiance.

- If he calls back, are you gonna say you saw me?

- I wouldn't do that.

(sighs) But what are you running away from?

I mean, why don't you just call him?

- And say what?

I'm outta here.

(woman scoffs)

- When are you gonna take a stand, Jay?

(elevator dings)

(people chattering)

- I chipped a tooth eating dirt out there.

- I had to crawl through the gutter to get here.

- You belong in the gutter, you reptile.

(people chattering unhappily)

- Stop. We've got to pull together.

All this infighting just plays us right into Finger's hands.

- Finger's right hand is sitting over there.

- Wrong. Medea's always been on our side.

- If I want crumbs on my side, I'll eat crackers.

- You're acting like a bunch of spoiled kids.

- What's your point?

- Shut up. Listen.

- No, you shut up.

- Yeah, right.

(all grumbling)

- Nice try, but you couldn't hold these guys together

with super glue.

Just get outta here.

- Where to? I don't make a very good refugee.

(all talking at once)

- Maybe you should rid of some of your jewelry.

(doors bang)

(slow tense music)

- Clear out.

- What do you want, Savage?

I thought we already took out the garbage,

- Ha-ha. New tower law, no public gathering.

I'm here to send everyone back to their own patch.

- Who's gonna throw us out, you?

- Two monitors against all of us?

- Hey, done it before.

- Ain't gonna do it now.

- Things have changed.

- You're outta here.

- Vertical or horizontal?

- It's your choice.

(deep tense music)

- Do you really think you're a hero?

To me, you're just a minor inconvenience.

- He'll be back.

- We'll be ready for him.

We'll put together an army of kids from all the clubs.

- Finger is Finger, who can stop him?

- You could've stopped him yourself.

You made the bomb.

- A purely theoretical exercise.

- Knowledge like yours needs a conscience.

- Knowledge is pure.

It should not be filtered through a subordinate

mental process.

- What about guilt?

Don't you feel even a little pang of remorse?

- Now that you mention it,

there was an emotional component to this incident

that defies rational explanation.

The juxtaposition of sentiment and science

is totally incompatible.

- It's called ethics.

What happened to me can happen to you too.

I hope you make back-up files.

- Perhaps you can assist me.

Of course, I will endeavor to retrieve your lost knowledge,

and restore your assistant

to her previous level of maturity.

- Are you asking me to stay?

- My laboratory offers a measure of security

for you to continue to think as you do.

In maudlin terms, I'm begging you to stay.

- (sighs) I'll need a lab coat.

- Steve, I gotta talk to you.

- Thanks.

Well, I guess you didn't get very far.

- I don't want you taking advantage of my mother.

She's lonely.

- Jay, when your mom and I are together,

neither one of us is lonely.

- That's not love. She'll go out with anyone, even a lawyer.

- So what are you giving me here, her dance card?

- I'm giving you a chance to get out before she ditches you.

- Oh, I see.

Well, thanks, but I think I'll take my chances.

Now, let me give you a lift home,

'cause your mom's worried about you.

She misses you.

- She better get used to it.

If I could find my dad, my mom would dump you in a second.

- Well, your mom thinks he's dead,

and you believe your father's alive.

Let's find out.

- What do you care? What's in it for you?

- Oh, we settle this thing once and for all.

All of our lives are on hold until we know.

- We'll never find him.

- What's the matter, Jay, are you afraid of the truth?

- I know he's alive. I don't need to find him.

- I think you do.

You ever really looked?

What do you say?

- You don't get it. He doesn't wanna be found.

- Two, one, two, one-- - Pick 'em up. Double time.

Want me to call you a cab?

I'll tell you when it's time for milk and cookies.

(suspenseful music)

At ease.

(sticks clatter)

(suspenseful music)

The enemy is in sight. Playtime is over.

- We're on a break.

- Now's the time to knock out the checkpoint.

- Couldn't we just run up and down a couple more hills?

- Do what you want. I'll do whatever needs doing.

You guys are pathetic.

- What do you want, flatfoot?

- I wanna pass.

- You've gotta walk the walk.

- Give me a break. What difference does it make how I walk?

- Either you get on your toes, or you take a hike.

- You gotta do what you gotta do.

(gentle ambient music)

- [Bunhead] Stop him, you ludwigs.

- Uh! (bunhead screaming)

- Forget it.

- Let me go!

- Border's open.

Don't you know you can't stop progress?

(adventurous music)

- [Group] Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay.

- Presentation is critical.

The buyer will be here momentarily.

(device whirring)

- I'm disappointed in you.

While I've been trying to get you to accept responsibility--

- It's merely an infrared optical device.

- It's a night scope to spot your enemy in the dark.

- You could use it to read in bed.

- Assuming I still had books with words in them.

How could you Fractal, after what's been done to me?

(device crashes)

- What have you done?

We needed the money to restore your dead letter office.

- Blood money? I don't want it.

I'm gonna give Finger a piece of my mind.

(tense suspenseful music)

Jay?

(mysterious music)