Episode Eight

Sheila had no illusions about the impending debate.

“She walked into the ethics committee meeting that evening of no intent to compromise.”

[MUSIC] It didn't work. We can't change the past in any significant way. We have to plan another mission. This was not a fair test.

Too many aspects of the mission were compromised by the traveler's bias. Bias? Bullshit. It didn't work. No attempt was made to place the wager.

And we did keep two people from dying. Only temporarily.

And whatever the reason, you can't overlook the outcome.

Martha didn't realize any economic benefit from manipulation of the past. Because she failed to carry out her assignment. Because she followed mission protocol that precluded carrying out her assignment. You agreed to that protocol.

“The other thing everyone agreed to is keeping the influence of investors separated from the science.”

You've lost sight of that Leonard. I don't want some corporate asshole telling me how to do my job. Even if you disregard my problem or talk about Frank, he's stuck investment didn't produce any results either. It would have if he didn't.

Only because Frank's an idiot. If indeed, Frank's stuck investment has been allowed to stand. He would be a wealthy man.

Six months after he bought his shares,

the stock made a small search in Frank cashed out for $1,000, so he could go to Las Vegas. We'd have to do it again. A new mission, new goals. We can't make any recommendations without more evidence.

Then you'll have to do it without me. While this argument raged around him, Marshall said quietly. Lost in his grief. Finally, he spoke.

I want to try again.

“I think he learned something I can keep her from.”

Why not? Because this team of travelers has become too emotionally entangled, the point of the experiment wasn't to save one girl from the result of her poor choices. Would you listen to yourselves? We have to stop before we do any more damage.

I can walk out of here and let the world know what's happened. Put the debate onto a much larger state. And spend the rest of your life in prison. Maybe not. People won't be happy to know you're fooling with forces that can wipe whole universe out of existence.

Dr. Rose left the meeting in a rage. I tried to talk to him, but he pressed me aside and headed for his quarters. We need a brand new traveler's team. Look, Gornley, removing Marta won't be a problem. She couldn't complete the mission.

She might not have survived if we hadn't instituted an emergency return protocol. I don't care who survives. We need to deal with human issues later. What you've got to prove is that my company can make a buck here. I am not sure we can convince Huxtable and Gretchen to remove Martial.

Don't worry about grism. I'll handle that. Our immediate problem is Schueler. She's a political time bomb. If this program goes public, Hemisphere won't hemorrhage money while politicians and liberal cry babies argue. It's one thing for Schueler to make a threat.

It's quite another for her to carry it out. She would be imprisoned. And she would become a hero to every anti-business, pro and violent crusader on the planet. Martyrs are dangerous.

We must find a more permanent solution regarding Miss Schueler. Wait a minute, I won't be a part of your already a part of it. You don't have to harm her. She's already set enough to justify immediate arrest. Clearly, she has support within the project.

Once she's arrested, that faction will call a lesson to a campaign. The resolution of this issue must be final. She's already told everyone she's leaving. That'll cover her absence long enough for a new mission. I...I can't.

I won't be involved with hurting someone. Nobody will get hurt Leonard. She will merely be confined long enough for us to get more answers.

so we followed her to the women's locker room.

Relax, Marshall. You don't have to put your hand over your eyes. There's no one else in here. We are worried about you. I think I'm done with this.

I know you both disagree, but we don't disagree with your concerns. I might disagree with you regarding the wisdom of walking away. If you can't continue Schueler, then I respect that. If we knew when we started what we know now, maybe none of us would have chosen this. We are where we are, though.

And given everything that's happened, I can't quit.

“Marshall, I can't imagine what you must be going through.”

That's the most insidious thing.

They've manipulated a tragedy for which you were in no way responsible

and just left you to suffer. I don't know about that. All I know is I have to stay. You can sooner or later, if I work hard enough, I'll convince them to let me try again. Maybe if we went back and stopped the sexual abuse.

And what? You'll return as a ten-year-old and keep Samantha's father from assaulting his little girl. And when that doesn't work, you'll recruit someone in their 90s and stop whatever abuse turned her father into a predator. I have to try.

Okay. Marta, I'm worried about our friend here. But right now, I have to get away from everyone and just do some thinking. You take care of Marshall for me, okay? I will.

And Sheila, from as you'll talk to me before you make a final decision on any thing. Marta put her arm around my waist and we watched the Sheila walk the way. She turned and waved us at the door. I love you, guys. Marta, it's late.

I'll be fine. I really will. You don't have to. Look, I know I'm not the most sociable person. But even I understand there are times when it's better to be with someone than to be alone.

And besides I promise Sheila. We could stop at the time walk for a drink. They're probably still open. No, there might be people there who'd want to talk about the mission. Okay.

My place. We'll just hang up. Well make yourself comfortable. I've got beer, wine, even some tequila. Do you mind if I pass?

I just keep thinking about Samantha and the drugs and alcohol. He's indeed fading at all. Now that I can tell, it's ironic, isn't it? When this is the one I'd want most to forget? Wow.

“See, the whole case I think is already vague for me.”

Okay, this is what my inner alarm is for. We both tired emotionally drained. So sit on the couch, not too close. I understand a lot of people think I'm sexually indifferent. Boy are day wrong.

In this line of work, I have to be careful to maintain an emotional distance because I'm sure Marshall's not sexually indifferent. His lack of indifference is on display every time we step on to the projection platform. He's probably lived a life of limited experience because he can't conceive that anyone might find him attractive. For all his physical and social awkwardness,

I have mastered me to myself that I've been seeing Marshall differently for a while now. It is not just all humanly swans talker thing, most men who use interest in trying to out-gender rivals. An unassuming, modest, good-hearted man when they refresh in exception. Especially one with such a surprise of his sleep, so to speak.

And if guilt is right, it's all an act.

“That's why I rely on the alarm, which is something I don't know.”

Thank goodness for the alarm because my God, I'm beyond the horny. And who knows what might happen here if not for that? Bucking the alarm. What? And she jumped me.

We were lips and hands and tongues and he. I was caught in a blizzard of clothing.

And for the first time since we first saw each other naked,

I felt not as shred of embarrassment about being hard as an ale. She grabbed me with both hands.

She climbed aboard carefully at first and attacking with the rhythm of a jackhammer.

“I responded a little too fast and started to apologize.”

Oh, don't worry. You're not done that, sir. Didn't I taste young? So we fought another round. Then retreated mentally to our neutral corners.

What are you thinking? That Nigel's smile has a lot to live up to. Who? I'll explain later. She kissed me, which was nice.

I like kissing. And after this point, kissing had fallen victim to more urgent priorities. Boy, did I ever read you wrong? Disappointed? I have to say, I'm thrilled right down to my toes.

I really get to your toes in a minute. And we were off. She had an exquisite running commentary underscoring her enthusiasm. At times, I heard a grown or yelp and worried I was hurting her, but when I started to retreat, she answered.

Oh, go, go! Oh, I haven't seen goats stop now. We've variously occupied the couch. The bed. The floor.

Two chairs. One of them on rollers. The kitchen countertop. The shower.

“Our passion was interrupted by sweaty intervals,”

during which we lay together in a joint state of astonishment. Then, one or the other would grow restless and initiate the process of new.

At last, I'm sure with critical points of her anatomy

raw on aching. Marta surrendered. Um, do you mind if I stay? I don't know if I could make it back to my place. I'd be disappointed if you didn't.

As we were drifting off to sleep, I heard a timid question from Marta's happy home companion. So, that was sexing? Mmm. Um, right.

Sexying and dim sum. I, I'm uncertain whether I should alert the authorities, paramedics, or Ripley's believe it or not. If you make me get out of this bed, I'll... Marta, be nice.

Oh, my God, it wasn't a dream. She's here. She's right here. And we, oh, we, wow. Mmm.

Marta, see who's at that door.

Okay, but I'm naked. Me too. I would, but it's your apartment. Well, yeah. I'll put on a t-shirt. Sorry to get you up so late.

I knew you'd want to know I've identified our mystery man. Oh, my. What happened here? Who is it? Oh, Mr. Kirk.

Mr. Grissam. Excuse me. I can come back later. No, Gilis. You're out of here.

And we are awake. I need to be this way, but... I don't know if what we must talk about should be discussed in front of someone who isn't... Isn't what?

Marta, I'm a spy. Gilis is a spy. We aren't the only spies working here. Are you okay with this? I'm sure I suppose.

“Are you gonna tell anyone what Gilis and I talk about?”

Now, if you don't want me to, wrapped in a towel, I scavenged the apartment for my clothes. My shirt was under the couch. My pants on Marta's desk. One sock hung from the ceiling light fixture.

The other was pulled over a bottle of wine in lieu of a cork. My underwear was in the refrigerator. I made a mental note to ask Marta about that when Gilis wasn't around. I noticed Gilis silently questioning Marta's judgment with his eyebrows. Don't look at me like that, Gilis.

You said I should get a little closer to him? Alitan? Gilis withdrew a photograph from his jacket pocket. Finally, we know. This gentleman is Andrew Gormley.

Amy's fear investment groups liaison with the GRC project. What's the big secret? I could have told you that. And you know him how? He introduced himself in the hallway a while back.

What did he want? He told me I was doing a good job. Oh. See, Gilis? He's innocent. Did you see him in the company of Leonard Rose?

No. Why are you interested in him? Waiting Gormley and Rose are cooking up some kind of scheme and violating security guidelines while they're doing it. Having something to hold over Rose's head, particularly if he makes trouble for Sheila.

Would be a good card to play. I searched both Gormley and Rose with my fish recognition software. Gormley shows up several times.

Oh yes.

Gilis is an expert at surveillance.

“If you haven't noticed, security cameras record almost everything that happens here.”

Everything? Oh don't worry. Not the person of living spaces. Oh thank goodness. Security archives stores the video.

Gilis can tap into his data and find almost anyone. Wow, they let you do that? No, they don't. We need to talk to you. Gormley just said you were doing a good job.

He didn't ask about anything else. No, he started out really friendly, like he wanted to have a conversation. But I think I embarrassed him any left. You embarrassed him. Yeah, I brought up Rao.

Wait a minute, I'll just Rao will fit this picture. Gilis do have your stuff. Can you run across check on Gormley and Rose? Got it. Gilis got his pocket computer and brought up a hologram.

A blur of humanity flew across this virtual screen until no matches found flashed on and off. Damn. Don't give up yet. That was the official video archive.

Now we'll see what my worm comes up with through the disabled security footage. The same blur, streamed by for several minutes before the screen resolved to a scene showing Rao all exiting an office door cleansing left and right before walking away. Where's Gormley?

Just wait. And here he is, exiting the same office. Look, look at the date in timestamp. Is he's right about the time Rao will disappear? So Rao didn't just disappear.

It was a huge risk to kill him on site. He couldn't have gotten casted security to go off campus. So, what is the body? Body? Oh no.

What? Run that back. You guys missed it when you were talking. That guy in the janitor uniform pushing a wheel trash barrel. That's the same direction Rao all went.

And if you're serious about there being a body,

“I think maybe I helped that janitor get rid of Rao all.”

Where did Rao all? [phone rings] [phone rings] Hmm. [phone rings]

Rao's. What now? Miss Schiller.

We have what we fear is a critical situation

and we need you in the projection lab right away. What? Critical situation? Nobody should be in the lab at 2am. What's happened? Marshall. Apparently he's taken it upon himself to return to 235 and keep his friend from dying.

We've lost his life line. Taking it upon himself? He couldn't operate the projector who helped him. I'll give you details when you get here, please. Hurry.

Did Elvin help him? That asshole. It's your dead wireless. Very busy. We don't know all the details.

How did you find out? Please. You must come now. And don't tell anyone. We want to keep this quiet to preserve the careers of the people

involved. Raist, we're sure what have you done. Okay. I'm on my way. Why would Rose want to protect Elvin's career?

He's right, though. The fewer people who know the better. Except Marta. Marta damn sure he needs to know. Shit.

What a time for the salary lies to be down. Okay. I'll leave him as it. You helped him kill Raoul? Marta, at least I've missed Judge.

You completely. I don't think that's anywhere. I didn't do it on purpose. I could nervous before mission. So I walked.

And I saw this janitor struggling to get that trash barrel into the production lab. And something's been bothering me. Something didn't seem right. You think Raoul was in the trash barrel?

That's what finally occurred to me.

Why would a janitor be taking a full trash barrel into the lab?

“Because that's how you dispose of a body”

when you have a time machine. Here we go. Security records show the janitor's name is Jason Pratt. Check the work schedule. He's pulling a graveyard chief that the computer labs.

We should have a talk, Mr Pratt. My thoughts exactly. Let me keep dressed. Masha, we are different. We can't find mine.

I think I saw yours in the same. Okay, let's go. Wait, that's a gun. Yes, it is. You can't have a gun.

They don't know how guns? Yes, but I'm a spy, remember. We have guns, they don't know about. You'll listen, you have a gun? I do.

I don't have a gun. If you ever need one, you can borrow mine. It will be back. No way. I'm not letting you go out there by yourself with a gun.

It's what I do, Masha. Either you let me come or I'll tell everyone about your gun. Okay.

What if she calls someone?

“Mr Pratt has installed a device to mask any signals in the quadrant.”

Everyone will think the celled relays are down again. He's ringing computer lab. This is it. If he runs Gilles Stockholm, however we have to, Masha, wait here.

Holy, sweet Jesus. You scared the crap out of me. I'm looking for Jason Pratt. No, he got sick. Throw up over by that last computer bank.

Listen to him. Okay. Where's Elvin? Who the hell are you? You can't be in here.

We've got work to do. Leonard?

Why are you in the corner?

You must forgive Dr. Rose. He's not enthusiastic about our mission. Why do you think you have any part? My name is Andrew Gormley.

“And I'm employed by the Hemisphere Investment Group”

to protect its best interests. And in all modesty, I must say, I, perhaps more than any other individual, can dictate the future of this program. Okay.

You can get out of here. Tell Hemisphere's board to keep their money. Time travel doesn't work the way you want to do. Wait, where's Elvin? Why aren't the monitors tracking?

The monitors are not working because Dr. Rose's call was a fabrication. Marshall Grissam is probably home and bed, and you have grown tiresome and obstacle. You're being reassigned. Reassigned.

To another universe. This is Mr. Pratt. The device he's holding is a taser. Now, please cooperate. I'll ask politely, once, for you to disrobe.

Just came in. Oh, I've been. I need a weapon. Alvin's pencils. Would they be sharp enough?

Health us can the janitor track me with that taser. Communicates render through body language, and when he relaxes. Now. All they have to do is push a little harder,

and these pencil points will puncture Rose's carterate artery. He'll be out before him. I could care. Less what happens to Dr. Rose. Run him through if you want.

You'll accomplish nothing but a slight and messy delay. Son of a... Good choice, Leonard. Pull yourself together and go to the communications closet. Get phones operating again.

The last thing we want is for someone to send a maintenance crew. Oh, wait, voice mail from Chida. Hi, it's me. I'm afraid Marshall's done something really stupid, and talked Eldon into trying to save Samantha again.

I'm heading for the lab right now. But I didn't. Rose's live to get Sheila to the lab, and where do you think we'll find Jason Pratt? Gillis, find Elvin, and get him to the projection lab.

Come on, Marshall. Let's go. What are you going to do with me? We need you out of the way for a while. We'll send you to another universe, and I'm sure that in time your friends will come and get you.

So, don't fight us. Mr. Pratt can be quite heavy-handed. Please, this robe. I had one more advantage.

Pratt had never seen me naked.

I yanked off the sweater and threw it on. Ran for the door. Oh, what a waste. You are glorious, Miss Shuler, but far from irreplaceable. Mr. Pratt, remove the rest of her clothing,

and lay her on the projection platform. Where should I send her? Mr. Pratt will handle that as well. How does he know Mr. Pratt is a versatile fellow? He studies things when he's performing his late-night janitorial duties.

Oh, and don't bother with the monitors. Without the monitors, we can't track her. There's no way to get her back. She won't be returning. Go ahead, Mr. Pratt. She won't survive.

Who knows?

“That theory about sending someone to a point prior to their birth?”

Let's test it. How about the 1960s? A primary for a rebellious crusader if there ever was one.

when I heard the thrum of the projector

“and felt its distinctive vibration through my shoes.”

I broke into a sprint. Master of weight. I knew Martha was right. I should have let her lead the way. She'd certainly been trained to confront dangerous situations.

But I kept going. One of my size 16 feet failed to clear the airlock slip and I sprawled headlong into the base of a computer stand. Undaunted by my entrance, I jumped back up, ready to do battle. I saw Rose and Gormley, but Sheila was gone.

I charged Rose and grabbed him by his shirt. What did you do, Leonard? What did you do? Where is she, you bastard? As Rose twisted to escape, I heard the crack of an electrical bolt meant for me.

Rose collapsed at the pole and hit him and I found myself facing Pratt and his taser. Looks like we can solve that other problem right now. Mr. Pratt, I'm sure Mr. Schuler would welcome the company. Martha meanwhile was doing what I should have done.

She stopped just outside the door, pistol at the ready. She debated taking a quick glance, but needed the element of surprise. Better to go all at once.

“When she entered to my right, she saw Gormley.”

Directly behind me, Rose sat with his back against the wall. Pratt stood several feet to my left. Her brain directed her aim to the not a three people rather than the man of art. Pratt's quick pivot surprised her.

She calculated he would bring his weapon to bear before she could complete the short arc directing her aim to him. She dove as Pratt discharged the taser. Her right elbow struck the floor with a jarring pain and sent her pistol skittering.

The sound of air sizzling just next to her head told her Pratt was shooting electricity rather than bullets. I knew his taser would take a few seconds to be charged. I couldn't rush the guy. He was twice my size, but did he realize his short miss me?

My best bet was to play person and hope he made a mistake. Murder! Take one more step, Mr. Grism, and Mr. Pratt will kill you. I lay thest down and Pratt nudged me with his foot.

He rolled me over and I stared over with blank eyes. Gormley said, "This is something." For just an instant, Pratt took his eyes off me. I rolled through my side and shoved my shoulder into his grain with all the power I could must have.

I knew he was a disabled or he bent all that in pain. I drove my elbow into his temper. And slapped at the place of which skidied across the floor and stopped next to my pistol. Pratt rolled and backhanded me across my face.

My vision went through sparkly and sound became muddy as I fell. The scene unfolding before me jerked along like video on fast forward then came to a complete hall. I saw the pistol and taser laying a few feet away. Pratt saw them at the same time.

Everything clicked back into real time and I lunged.

I got there first and somehow managed to come up

with both the gun and the taser. And as a bonus, they were both pointed in the right direction. Pratt froze. Put your hands up. He took a step forward.

I'll shoot you if you don't. Bullshit, you won't shoot anyone. He took another step. In the knee, I'll shoot you in the knee. No, Mashu, shoot him in the chest.

He killed us if you don't. Pratt raised bull hands. I think he gives. You give? No, no, Mashu is waiting for you to relax.

Then you'll jump at you. Just shoot him. Marda, I don't think I can kill someone. Didn't use the taser. Oh yeah, I forgot.

I can do that. No, you idiot. That's the wrong. Holy shit. Oops.

You, you shot me. You skinny asshole. Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Honestly, I thought the gun was in my other hand. I didn't mean to.

Don't feel too bad on a bunch. I was going to shoot him if you didn't. I was still stunned as Marda took the gun from me. I stared at Pratt who had collapsed on the projection platform.

When I finally looked away, I saw Gormly cowering as Marda pointed the gun at him.

Marda, what are you doing? Jeaning up. Please, please, please, please. That won't be necessary. What the fuck is going on?

I ran to Alvin and pulled him toward the bank of computers. They sent Sheila somewhere. We have to find her. Who's center? You can't just pop in here.

“Well, that's what the dead guy over dead did.”

We're not sure he's dead. Does anyone know CPR? That's a lot of blood Marshall. He looks pretty dead to me. My his rose sitting on the floor. He dead too. I don't think so.

I didn't do that. I can explain. Do you know what I am going to do? One more bird and I'll shoot your balls off. Alvin, you have to find Sheila.

Yep, everybody, Polka Universe.

“If we've been there once before, bring her back.”

Oh, no. They sent her to the 1960s. There's no lifeline. She couldn't have survived. That's just a theory. Send me. I'll find her. All we'd be doing Marshall is killing you too.

It's over, Mascha. I can't lose both of you. As for Cornley?

No, Marta. There has to be another way.

May I remind you we also have a dead guy to deal with. Okay. Can we park in another universe? Wouldn't that be dangerous?

“Couldn't we get rid of him the old fashioned way?”

We have a whole desert out there with coyotes and boomers. I don't want to kid caught feeding someone to the boomers. We'll use the projector. We can deal with Cornley's body just the same way. Marta, we can't just kill everyone.

I found something tonight.

If you do this, though? Haven't enough people died here? Marta fell to her age. She could either reclaim it or cast it aside. She knew the cold professional within herself very well.

This are the women, though.

“This woman who could laugh at friends, care for them,”

and dare to risk the possibility of a shed, Jenny. This woman was a stranger. But she was not lonely. Marta lowered her gun. I won't kill you, you evil bastard.

But no one gets away with killing my friends. Elton, don't take it, shoot that. Please. Oh, yeah. [MUSIC PLAYING]

[MUSIC PLAYING] [SPEAKING SPANISH] Which, in the human half of Cornley's brain was? Oh, my God. They really are lizards.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Taking time is a production of Voyage Media. The series is produced by Namondal and Dan Bautamor. Executive produced by Mike Murphy, Nancy Murphy. Based on Mike's novel, taking time, a tale of physics, lust, and greed,

available on Amazon, a link is in the show notes. Written by Mike Murphy and Millie Hooks. Story produced by Joshua Malken. Directed by Dan Bautamor. Starring Ray Cursilla, as Marshall, Rochelle Simpson, as Sheila.

Rachel Pate, as Marta. Cheryl Chong, as Naomi. And Sydney, Sheotani, as Gretchen. Additional cast credits available in the show notes. Edited, Sound Design, and Mixed by Joel Lipman.

Original music by Dorolis Gonzalez. If you're enjoying the show, please leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts. Spotify or anywhere you're listening. And subscribe now for future episodes. [MUSIC PLAYING]