01x01 - Vertical Mobility

[bunniefuu]

[light piano music]

♪ ♪

[elevator music]

♪ ♪

Did you get Karen's memo?

Yeah. She expects us to have the sales projections by Monday?

We just got the numbers yesterday.

I hear you, man.

My weekend is now officially fu...

[bell chimes]

[breathing heavily]

Excuse us.

[whimpering]

[inhaling deeply]

[breathes erratically]

[gasps]

I want you to know that I take no pleasure in what I'm about to do.

[grunting, struggling]

No!

[water running]

Meanwhile, Hurricane Zoe has finally made landfall on the coast of Rhode Island.

It is yet unclear if the Providence levees will be able to sustain a category-five storm.

The material damages could be in the billions of dollars.

In other news, the Canadian Prime Minister today announced the construction of a new high-security fence, after 2073 became a record year for illegal immigration.

It is estimated that already 12 million U.S. citizens live in Canadian territory illegally.

Gasgo Oil unveiled its third offshore platform on the former Arctic ice cap.

Mute.

Good morning, Mr. Larson.

Good morning, Rachel.

This looks absolutely perfect.

Thank you.

[chuckles]

Morning, Rachel.

Good morning.

What is this?

Real deal?

Mm.

I thought a special breakfast was in order.

Mmm.

Three years.

That's the bacon anniversary, right?

both: Mm-hmm.

Mmm. I don't think I can go back to that petri-sh*t.

I don't think we can afford not to.

[chuckles]

Bacon.

Mm-hmm.

Mm.

[chuckles]

Oh, my God.

sh*t. Unmute.

Suspected t*rror1st att*ck.

Local authorities blame the Sons of Tomorrow, but the radical Micronesian nationalist group has not yet claimed responsibility.

The device detonated in an R & D lab of the biochemical giant Spiga, causing at least a dozen fatalities and an immediate drop in the company's stock.

It had to happen, today of all days.

Security at the office is gonna be a sh*t show.

Hey, I'm glad they're there to keep you safe.

Work.

News.

Spiga executive Elizabeth Krauss addressed shareholders this morning, after the company's stock plummeted in the wake of the bombing.

Meanwhile, shares of their chief competitor, Inazagi Biodesign, soared to a new high in early trading.

[device whirring]

In local news, the latest wave of food shortages in the Red Zones has led to a 10% increase in break-ins into Green Zone residential areas.

Corporate security forces recommend caution and vigilance, especially in and around perimeter checkpoints.

♪ ♪

[sirens wailing]

Over the past 40 years, Spiga Biotech has been at the forefront of the genetic-engineering revolution.

We designed seeds capable of thriving in the increasingly harsh environments of our planet.

Our pest- and drought-resistant crops are now sold in over 100 countries, and our advancements in in vitro meat have transformed the SynthFood industry.

[beeping] _

Spiga. Committed to feeding our ever-growing world.

Full cavity search for my friend here.

Next.

Hey, Roger.

These guys seem in an especially pissy mood today.

Don't you watch the news?

Micronesian nationalists k*lled a dozen of our guys today.

[scoffs] How can you be a nationalist when your nation's under water?

I know, it's like calling yourself a New Yorker.

Nationalists, my ass.

Word is it was Inazagi agents.

Inazagi? You think they'd dare to?

They're making a play for the Asian market.

I'm telling you guys, this was no t*rror1st att*ck.

This was sabotage.

[alarm blaring]

[g*ns cocking]

Step out of the scanner, sir.

Place your briefcase on the slab, slowly.

We've got a code six down here.

Looks like some kind of malware.

[machine chimes] _

Doesn't seem to be booby-trapped.

I'm gonna open it.

I'm turning it on now.

[beeping]

[moaning] Oh, God, I want you in my mouth.

Mmm!

False alarm. It's just food p*rn.

[laughter]

Mmm. Mmm.

[laughs] Loser.

The Everclear software scans the subject's brainwaves and translates them into images.

Literally shows you what they're thinking.

Most importantly, what they're dreaming.

Traitors. They can't lie in their sleep, right?

What's the accuracy?

We're at 65%... for now.

Will that hold as the subject sleeps?

Um, no. No, we expect to lose ten points during R.E.M.

[sighs]

What happened yesterday in Jakarta... someone's gonna end up in the Quiet Room for that.

Do you understand what that means?

Well, we've all heard stories.

If you really knew, you wouldn't send anyone my way on a 55% chance he's guilty.

We would never run...

I am as disappointed as you are, sir.

55%'s unacceptable.

We'll pick up the pace. That's a guarantee.

[clears throat]

[beeping]

Is there a problem?

No problem.

Everclear's learning.

It'll hit 75% in 6 months.

Good.

But not before.

What are you trying to say, Ben?

Just that maybe you should be careful with the promises you make, especially to him.

I mean, we've all heard stories, right?

[grunting]

Mmm.

What's your name?

It's Theo.

Mm. This is real tobacco, Theo.

No sawdust.

And where does a little sh*t like you get something like this?

I like you, boy.

Can't make a buck in this world without a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit and a big set of balls.

Uh-huh.

But if I let any punk with a set of balls and a pack of smokes sell in my backyard... well, then supply is gonna exceed demand.

That creates what's known as a zero-profit condition.

That's no good for anybody, especially me.

[grunts]

So this...

This is what I like to call a strategic entry deterrent.

What the hell happened to you?

You did that?

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, I did.

Hmm.

Show me.

[grunts]

[thrilling music]

♪ ♪

[grunts, breathing heavily]

Not bad, kid.

How'd you like to make some money?

[light music]

♪ ♪

[beeping] _

[chiming]

Aaron, stop!

♪ ♪

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I just... I lost track. This whole Jakarta thing... everyone's been...

Hey, it's fine.

Really.

[sighs]

You're here. We're here.

[sighs] Champagne... your best Norwegian.

Right away, sir.

Better enjoy this while I still can.

What do you mean?

I got some news today.

The permit. It came through.

The permit?

From Spiga.

I'm gonna make an appointment with their OB-GYN.

He's gonna remove the IUD.

Pulling the goalie.

Wow.

What?

[chuckles] That's...

What's wrong?

Nothing. It's great.

It's great. I just... I thought... we'd have to wait much longer, you know, until I made it to the 40th floor, at least.

Well, then it's good news, right?

It means they like you.

It's not so hard to believe.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that you like me.

Come on, Ben.

You've got a charm switch. I've never seen it off.

What does that mean?

Nothing.

It's just you're... you're always so... sunny.

And that's bad?

No. [laughs]

I-I just... I wish it were that easy for me.

Trust me.

It's harder than it seems.

[light music]

♪ ♪

I'm just asking you to call off your troops, that's all.

This is just a case of crosspollination.

So they claim, Senator.

From where I'm sitting, it looks like copyright infringement, theft.

And that warrants having their fields torched?

You could convince them to pay the royalties.

Our designs are giving these farmers the biggest harvest of their lives.

Sure, of sterile seeds that won't sprout, come next season.

Well, we have to protect our intellectual property somehow.

I'm just trying to give you a little friendly advice, Elizabeth.

My constituents...

Your constituents burnt down three of our silos.

Exactly.

You're sitting on a powder keg here, and you don't seem to realize it.

Answer me this, Senator... what was the turnout in this state last November?

I don't know. 25%.

22%.

So just ask yourself, when the midterms come, who are your constituents, really?

[sighs]

Problem?

No, no problem.

Bradley's a fool. He's not an idiot.

He just sometimes forgets it's not the '30s anymore.

[sighs]

Look at those brushstrokes... furious and desperate, in a mad rush to pour himself onto the canvas... as if he were running out of time.

He was.

He sh*t himself a year later.

Poverty and suffering... do you think you can create great art without them?

Oh, they're powerful motivators.

I guess they are.

Maybe if he'd sold a painting, he would have been a lesser artist and a happier man.

I wonder if he would have made that bargain.

So the Smithsonian caved?

Yep, just last week.

They fought and fought, ended up getting half of what we offered them last year.

It's like you said... poverty's a powerful motivator.

[chuckles]

So, Laura... how is she?

Uh, you know, you could ask her.

I'm asking you.

Maybe if you could convince my own daughter to talk to me, I wouldn't have to.

[laughs]

Bring out your inner beauty.

Bring out a more perfect you.

And this is...

Bruce.

The late Mr. Granger... on our honeymoon.

So is it possible?

Well, they've got similar bone structure.

So... sure, it's possible, if that's what you and your fiancé want.

It is.

Mr. Salgado, are you aware what the procedure will involve?

Mm, yes.

So you understand that you will look exactly like this man?

Yes.

[chuckles] Of course he understands.

Then could you please repeat back to me what you think will happen?

Yes.

Look... he wants the life that I can give him.

And he doesn't want to go back to the Red Zones.

He understands that much.

[inhales deeply]

[device chiming]

Hey, babe.

She summoned me today.

She did? What did she want?

She wants to take you out for lunch.

So now you're her errand boy?

Well, I'm your husband and her son-in-law.

Sorry.

Look, Laura, just meet her.

If she's gonna be a grandmother, she has a right to know.

Right, 'cause she's got grandmother written all over her.

Still, she's the only grandparent this kid will ever have.

[sighs] I'll think about it, okay?

So what are we doing tonight?

We were thinking about going out for drinks after work...

Roger, a few of the guys.

You're welcome to join us.

Ugh, great, I could really use a drink.

Where's the fun gonna be?

They're thinking Southgate.

Ben... [stammers]

I know.

I know, I'm sorry.

It's not my idea, trust me. But you know how Roger rolls.

I can blow it off if you want me to.

No, no. [sighs]

[chuckles] I'm... I'm tired, anyway.

You guys have fun.

Just be safe out there.

Yeah, I'll do my best.

Love you.

You too.

[sighs]

[sniffles, whimpers]

Oh.

Ah! [screaming]

Aah!

Oh, ah, ah!

Ahh.

[exhales deeply]

[device chimes]

Dr. Larson?

Your 11:00 is here.

Uh, I need a minute.

[groans]

[sizzling]

[exhales deeply, sniffs]

[exhales deeply]

Send him in.

I think I found her.

I make these myself every morning, you know?

I wake up at 6:00, and I make them just how she likes them... no crust, extra mayo.

Two for her, two for myself.

I like to know we're having the same lunch while she's at school.

I'm just trying to give you a heads-up.

Things are about to get rocky around here.

That's not how this works.

You keep your head down, you enjoy the life, you blend in.

That's what I taught you. That's how we stay alive.

You know how long I've been looking for her?

Now she's been transferred back to Milwaukee, but who knows for how long?

I got to get to her.

So what are you gonna do?

Get myself a promotion.

Oh, don't be fu... ing stupid.

The higher up you go, the less you can hide. It's impossible.

You told me it was impossible to get to management at all, but here I am, so...

Kids, man... they change your life.

They set your priorities straight.

You'll see.

It starts tonight. Just watch your back.

Gentlemen!

Are you ready for some good, old-fashioned debauchery?

Yeah!

Southgate, baby!

Whoo! [clapping]

What is he... did you invite him?

Sure.

You're working him, right?

Just burying the hatchet.

Right.

[electronic music]

♪ ♪

[beeping] _

♪ ♪

[indistinct chatter]

[man shouting]

Hey, you like my tits? Huh?

Hey! Where are you going?

Hey, come back! assh*le!

Hey, Rog.

Keep an eye on my boy's car.

You got it.

Go ahead, I'll catch up inside.

Sure thing, you degenerate.

Hey, you're partaking, too.

[aggressive electronic music]

[metal detectors whirring]

[crowd cheering]

[crowd chanting]

Hey!

Hey! What am I, invisible?

Hey, hey!

Cash only out here.

Hey, assh*le!

Your friend sent these over.

What?

Jangkar?

It's Indonesian.

Inazagi fu... ers.

After what happened in Jakarta, we figured you guys could use a drink.

Cheers.

Suck my d*ck.

Don't drink it.

Sorry, it just...

Ladies!

Don't ever say I never did anything for you.

Here is some primo, triple-A, thank-God-it's-Friday blur.

[inhalers hissing]

[aggressive electronic music]

♪ ♪

[inhaler clatters on floor]

[crowd cheering]

Come on.

Come on.

Come on!

Come on.

Come on.

Drink up.

all: [chanting] Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!

[cheering]

And another!

Come on, again!

Come on!

Do it again!

Yeah, come on.

Come on, go!

Whoo!

[cheering]

[retches]

Somebody's blurred out.

I got him.

Come on.

[stammering]

Let's go, all right.

[laughter]

Hey, Ben.

Yeah.

I'm not an assh*le.

I know.

You know, it's just the pressure.

They got your balls in a vise and they just never let go.

I know. Oh, come on!

All right.

I don't feel so good.

[grunts]

Oh.

[moaning]

[snorting]

[retching, coughing]

[grunts]

[coughs]

[grunts]

[knock at door]

Just a minute!

[grunts]

[knock at door]

In a minute.

Come on.

In a minute!

Come on.

I think I'm done.

One more. [knock at door]

Hang on!

Oh.

Ow! What was that?

What was what?

Come on.

Oh, let me guess... pitcher, catcher?

Funny.

Oh, ho, where you going?

There are so many more puns where that came from.

I haven't even started.

What are you guys doing?

[grunts]

Wow.

Who are you?

I'm Ben.

Come on.

[indistinct chatter]

sh**t. You think you can make it back?

Uh, I... Yeah, yeah.

Why?

I-I forgot something.

I'll be right back.

Okay.

Protect our resources, burn your future.

Join the Inazagi Corporate Army.

[rambling indistinctly]

Protect our resources. Burn your future.

Heads up.

Join the Inazagi Corporate Army.

[woman speaking indistinctly]

Hey, suit.

[same advertisement on repeat]

You're new.

You're old.

[chuckles]

See this?

Not my blood.

[indistinct chatter in the background]

[distant maniacal laugh]

[motorcycle engine revs]

18.

[engine roars, tires squealing]

[muffled music pounding]

[knock at door]

Yeah?

It's me.

Hey, Aaron.

Theo.

What are you doing here?

Getting the usual warm and fuzzy welcome, I gue...

What's that?

What happened?

Nothing.

What do you mean nothing?

It... it's from training.

I've started training.

You mean for the cage?

That's insane.

That's not what Terrence says.

Terrence?

Yeah, Terrence.

He's the guy around here.

He says we're gonna make a shitload of money together.

No, he'll make a shitload of money.

You'll end up sh1tting yourself on some street corner.

What do you want me to do, huh?

Join one of the corporate armies?

Get blown to pieces in a gas field in Siberia?

I bet you miss these.

I bring you cigarettes, Theo... real ones.

There's good money there.

Yeah, and what do you think got me into trouble with Terrence in the first place, Aaron?

It's Ben.

Yeah, sure, I'll call you Ben, as long as you don't forget Aaron.

I don't.

Is that... is that her?

73% chance.

I've never even come close to 40% before.

So you found her?

I might have.

Where is she?

If it is Elena...

My sister. Where is she?

That's a group of girls being escorted to Arcadia.

New girls.

That's a...

It's an executive club.

Yeah, sure.

Keep telling yourself that.

She's a sex sl*ve.

Theo.

Can you get in here?

Not at my level.

And not till I get a promotion.

You fu... ing suits.

And not till I get to the 40th floor.

Access is restricted to senior execs.

It's been six years.

I know.

Tell me you got a plan.

What's that?

Opportunity.

Position's about to open up on the 40th.

Well, you got her in there, so you better get her out, for your sake and the sake of that dumb piece of ass you got...

Careful.

[chuckles]

You see, Ben... you're already forgetting.

Here it is, The Whistle.

I thought you were on the Everclear team.

I am, but after Jakarta, bosses are scrambling.

They're fast-tracking any anti-riot tech in development.

Natives are getting restless, huh?

Oh, looks like it.

Sign here.

They're keeping it exclusively nonlethal, though.

Yeah, for now.

The Whistle.

Oh, uh, see if you can stabilize the inhibitors, 'cause the pitch always ends up frying the circuits.

I'll see what I can do.

[beeps]

[sighs]

[chiming]

What now?

Mr. Larson's here to see you.

Send him in.

[door opens]

[sighs]

Ben.

Crazy night, huh?

I woke up with this splitting headache...

How can I help you?

I've been thinking about Everclear, how to speed things up.

You know, the learning process is just a matter of manpower and putting in more hours.

Tell me something I don't know.

Well, what I'm suggesting here is double shifts.

[g*n clicks, whistles]

I'm happy to do overtime.

Come in on weekends, get more test subjects.

Sure, and go over budget and...

[whistling intensifies]

We could bring in volunteers from the Red Zones.

Shouldn't be too expensive.

The security clearance process would be a nightmare.

Look, Ben, I need to...

Are you okay?

I'm... I'm fine. Fine, I just...

Excuse me a second, will you?

Sir, are you all right?

[suspenseful music]

♪ ♪

[buzzer blares] _

[vomiting, grunts]

♪ ♪

[groans]

[whistling]

Mr. Peterson?

M-Mr. Peterson?

[sighs]

[crackling, powering off]

[whistling intensifies]

[retches]

[whistling stops]

How are you feeling?

Fine, thanks.

Can I get you anything?

Some water? Coffee?

No, you cannot.

Uh, are you sure?

No, I'm fine, thanks.

You okay?

Yeah, yeah. Where were we?

Um, Everclear. So...

The flight is nine hours, but it is totally worth it.

They have the most beautiful beaches just outside of Reykjavik.

So you mean to tell me you don't miss it?

Ma'am, a package for you.

Oh. Thank you.

What... the ungodly hours, the mind-numbing quarterly meetings?

[laughs]

Every frickin' day.

Oh.

Oh.

What's wrong?

[sighs]

Oh.

Is that...

Henry's.

Bastard's been slumming again... screwing that Red Zone slut he has out there.

And he got himself kidnapped.

Idiot.

Serves him right.

They just can't help themselves, can they?

So what'll you do?

Pay, I guess.

But not just yet.

Let him sweat it out a little bit longer.

[chuckles]

My girl's here.

But you know what? You should call her.

Henry's gonna need a new ear.

Maybe I will.

Same time next week, Elizabeth.

Hello, Laura.

Hi, Marsha.

Hi, honey.

Mom.

So glad you could make it.

You look lovely.

Thanks.

[chuckles]

You know, it's customary in polite society to return the compliment.

You look your age.

Is that your professional opinion?

It's the nicest thing I can say.

Well, nothing wrong with that, right?

It's part of the point, really.

Nothing to hide.

[scoffs] You of all people.

All right, we always seem to get off on the wrong foot.

I just wanted to know how everything is.

What's going on in your life.

Ben and I, um... we got the permit.

We're gonna get pregnant.

Well, that's fantastic.

That's spectacular news.

I'm gonna be a grandmother.

It's too bad there won't be a grandfather around.

Laura, you know I miss your father as much as you do.

Right, but we're not both equally responsible for his absence, are we?

What? I thought you had nothing to hide.

Well, maybe I do have something to hide.

Maybe it's not just a coincidence that a junior executive such as your husband would receive an approved permit so soon.

You didn't.

Why not?

You may not believe this, but I care about you.

[scoffs] God. You just cannot help yourself, can you?

You have to stick your fingers in everything, make it all about you.

I was just trying to help.

Oh, I don't need your help.

Mom, I am not a child.

I am an...

An adult?

Last time you were an independent adult, I received a piece of my daughter in the mail.

And...

You know what?

This is my fault. It is, really.

How could I expect it to go any other way?

Laura. Laura, please.

[machine whirring]

Next.

Next.

Next.

Next. Step up, sir.

[alarm blaring]

Whoa!

Everyone back!

[g*ns cocking]

Please step out of the scanner, sir.

Whoa, whoa, wait, wait, wait.

Wait, there must be a mistake.

It's just...

[beeping] _

What is it? What does that mean?

Excuse me...

Oh, that's not... That's not mine! That's not mine!

Don't you understand? That's not...

I've never seen that before!

Sir. Sir. You can go now.

I didn't take that! No!

I've never seen that before! Please!

No! It's not mine!

[exhales sharply]

Ben?

[gasps]

You're home.

Is everything okay?

Chad got fired today.

Oh, my God.

He must be in the Quiet Room by now.

Oh. What'll happen to his family?

I'll talk to Elizabeth.

She's not gonna help. You don't know her like I do.

She's family.

No.

You and me, right here, this is family.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

Two days ago, we buried 14 loyal men and women.

Yesterday we captured a rat.

Hell of a week.

It's heartbreaking to watch someone bite the hand that feeds them.

Spiga is a generous mother.

Thank you.

It will feed you, dress you, protect you.

In exchange, it only asks for hard work and loyalty.

[breathing heavily]

The alternative... well, we all know Mr. Peterson's fate.

I'm afraid the stories you heard were true.

[breathing erratically]

The good news, for all you ambitious young men and women, is that now we have an opening on the 40th floor.

This opening is an opportunity... not just to serve this family, but to enjoy all the perks and privileges that come with a senior executive position.

[breathing heavily]

[pounding on door]

Ready?

Give me a second.

[crowd chattering]

[yelling]

We'll soon start evaluating candidates.

We live in troubled, uncertain times.

So the vetting process will be extremely thorough and rigorous.

Those who have nothing to hide... have nothing to fear.

Those who do should know... we will not let another traitor slip through... not again.