Condemned Dreams (2025)

[bunniefuu]

[ discordant music ]

I know why you brought me in here, boss.

I'm not getting the numbers you want.

Lauren, you're not

getting the numbers I need.

I'm doing my best, I'm following the trends

and I'm trying to connect

with what people want to read.

You're trying, you're

working, you're failing.

I'm going to keep pressing.

I know I can.

I don't think so. You're

missing something essential.

It's not about tapping into the

zeitgeist or following the trends.

It's about the truth.

Wait, what are you accusing me of?

I never made-up a story or faked a source.

That's what I'm talking about.

You're missing the

point. It's not about facts.

Any dipshit can write the facts.

Hell, all the photos and videos that

get posted we're inundated with facts.

Then what are you talking about?

Talking about the truth.

What do you believe in?

What kind of truth do you

want to share with the world?

You've lost the passion.

You need to get that

fire back in your belly.

What happened?

I don't know.

It doesn't matter. What

matters is you fix it.

How?

I want the best for you.

When you're your best,

that works the best for me.

I know all of you talk about me.

But the truth is when

you succeed. I succeed.

I need to surround myself

with the best people.

Right now, you're not the best.

Take some time off. Find yourself.

Find your passion. And when you're ready?

Let me know.

[ kisses doggy ]

You're surrounded.

There's nowhere else to go.

Come out peacefully.

Always remember. This will

keep you safe from everything.

For our present troubles are small.

And they will not for last very long.

Yet they bring us a glory

that vastly outweighs them,

and will last forever.

Don't leave me.

We all can't live forever.

Will you please stay?

This is your last chance!

If we come in there, it'll be worse.

It will keep you safe.

We're coming in!

[ intense music ]

[crying]

[g*nsh*t]

f*ck, what the hell?

You have the right to remain silent.

Anything you say can and will be

used against you in a court of law.

You have the right to an attorney.

Get off of me you f*cking b*stards!

[ pulsing music ]

[ piano music ]

God!

What the f*ck!

Good evening.

This is Mimsy Mack with today's news.

Top story is the conviction

of the famous criminal Shy.

The judge called her crimes revolting and

a terrible attempt to

undermine social order.

The jury agreed. Shy

waved her right to appeal.

She called the whole

justice system a farce.

Shy has declared that it is impossible,

in this day and age to seek justice

and she has refused media interviews.

Stay tuned tomorrow

where we are interviewing the jury foreman.

Hello?

Hey, it's Lauren.

Yes, I know it's Lauren.

Everyone has caller ID.

I know the story I want to write.

Shy said she's denying

all media interviews.

I know. But if I get it,

I'll be the only one, right?

Yeah, I guess so, but...

I have to do this.

You were talking about passion before.

And this is what you're passionate about?

I have to get this interview.

It'll take me back to the top.

The top.

That's what you want?

Yes.

You're sure it's not because...

Don't say it.

It's got nothing to do

with him. This is about me.

Seems like you've

given it a lot of thought.

I have.

All right, if you get the

interview. I'll publish it.

Thank you. Thank you.

Bye.

[ eerie music ]

Dear Shy, my name is Lauren.

I know you have denied any

interviews and I respect your choice.

I believe you are brave and

reveal your character and resolution

in the face of making the

ultimate sacrifice for your principles,

and I'm so grateful for you

taking the time to read my letter

and consider my request.

I really believe I can write your story so

that your message can be heard by everyone.

You deserve to have a chance to make

the change in the world that you dream of.

I look forward to hearing

from you soon. Sincerely, Lauren.

I don't know, it's not a good

idea to use company property on...

personal matters like this.

You better not get me in

trouble with this nonsense.

I won't.

I don't understand you. You're

always thinking too much.

You should just, I don't

know, focus on the right things.

I know.

Me, it's easy, it's simple.

There are rules in life and

we have to follow them.

Right, everyone knows the

rules ever since we were little.

Follow the rules, you get the rewards.

Is that what we're doing?

Yeah, damn right that's

what we're doing. I mean...

It's a beautiful life.

What do I get? I get a steady paycheck,

a wife who loves me, and uh

two sons that keep me moving

forward towards the future.

I mean, what more do you want?

I'm not sure.

What happened to Johnson? Right? I mean,

he was thinking too much.

That's what made him depressed.

All that thinking really hurt him,

you know, he didn't

know how good he had it.

You know who doesn't get depressed?

Those of us who just take care of business.

Focus on the right things.

Yeah.

Now you with this freaking reporter?

I don't understand it.

I don't understand how anybody could have

so many questions about the whole thing.

It's, I mean, it's obvious what happened.

It's all right there in front of your face.

Listen, I know the chief

told you to talk to her and...

Cushion the whole PR thing.

It's annoying. We've all had to do it.

But uh...

You're young and you're

green. So I want you to just

remember the training they gave you.

Don't tell him too much.

Don't give him anything

they can use against us,

and uh, just please don't be weird.

Here she comes.

Oh, wonderful. All right.

I got to get some more coffee anyway.

You want anything? No, I'm good.

Good luck kid.

I'm Fox. He's Marshall.

Good luck.

Thank you for taking the

time, Detective Marshall.

You're a journalist. I know

what you're trying to do.

Why?

Everyone's story deserves to be told.

What does that have to do with me?

You're the one who caught Shy.

There was a year long manhunt.

How did you find her? Luck.

You're modest.

You pulled off something nobody else could.

Are you going to stake out or something?

Something like that.

Well, if anything. I'm lucky that

you're talking to me right now.

You know the universe

is over 3 billion years old.

And as far as I can tell,

in about 4 billion years

the sun is going to blow up and

annihilate any trace of our existence.

So I'd say it's the most

ridiculous stroke of luck

that you and I are even

sitting here right now.

You're right. It is all luck.

I guess that's why my therapist says

I should recognize so many

things I should be grateful for.

Like what?

Well, I have this gratitude list.

Nothing's on it. I haven't done it yet.

But I am grateful that

you're willing to talk to me.

Like I said, you're the one who got shy.

What did that feel like?

I was just doing my job.

Doesn't it matter that she was caught?

Look, it was the judge who made the news.

He's the one who said she

undermined all civil society.

Do you believe that?

I think it's a good thing

that she's away from society.

But they're doing more

than taking her away.

They're going to execute her.

The law is the law.

But isn't the law wrong sometimes?

A lot of people believe that the

death penalty is cruel and unusual.

Well, if we did it more,

it wouldn't be unusual.

That's ridiculous.

You don't think it would be OK if

everyone just... started

eating babies, would you?

I mean.

Everyone knows that it doesn't deter crime.

At least it doesn't deter crime

more than life in prison does.

Look around at this f*cking city.

It is just a pigsty.

Nobody cares, nobody cares.

Everyone's just littering

and sh1tting all over the place.

Why do you think?

There are a lot of social factors at play.

But if we ex*cuted all the litterers

and the shitters right away, guess

what would happen right away?

The place would clean up,

nobody would litter anymore.

You don't really think that somebody

deserves to be k*lled for littering.

So you know what people deserve?

I know nobody deserves to be k*lled.

But doesn't she deserve to be

punished in kind for what she did?

I mean, the people should fight for

their laws as they fight for themselves.

Yes, of course.

But she actually might be

innocent. A lot of people think so.

But the system has

ways of dealing with that.

She refused appeal.

Yeah, she did. But that's

because your system isn't fair.

Just like more minorities are

ex*cuted than white people.

Racism.

That's a problem with the system then.

Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

Yeah, but if you really believe that,

you would be against the whole system.

All law and order, not

just the death penalty.

Do you really think that all

criminals should just roam free?

No, of course not.

Some people deserve punishment.

There you go.

You got a lot of knowledge

on what people deserve.

But nobody in any society

would agree to be k*lled.

Nobody would agree to

sacrifice herself for the society.

There's something called the greater good.

Yeah, that's exactly my point.

If nobody would agree to sacrifice

herself, then there's no way that the

greater good would

require someone to be k*lled.

Yeah, but no one would agree

to be arrested or punished either.

That doesn't make sense. Come on.

How can we say that k*lling

is bad but then k*ll criminals?

All k*lling isn't the same.

k*lling in self-defense it's not

the same as what serial K*llers do.

But the death penalty isn't self-defense.

The criminals already behind

bars. She can't hurt anyone.

So if someone kidnaps and cages

someone we shouldn't kidnap and cage them?

Arrest and imprison them, huh?

Just punishment.

It's not the same as serial

k*lling and all the rest.

One's morally justified, one's not.

Like I keep saying, it is not morally

justified to k*ll for any reason.

Sometimes it is.

Just like sometimes kidnapping and

caging someone is morally justified.

But death is so final.

So different from everything else.

And some crimes...

Are so different from everything else.

[ eerie music ]

Miss Shy.

I'm so grateful that

you're talking with me.

A lot of media people reached out to me

even after I said I

wouldn't talk with anyone.

I bet.

You're the only one I decided to talk to.

It's a privilege.

Aren't you curious to

know why I'm talking to you?

The question had crossed my mind.

Do you think you're a good writer?

I've trained, I've got some experience.

Some articles are better than others.

But on a whole, yes,

I'm the best journalist you

can speak with right now.

I think you're full of sh*t.

OK.

You're not the first to say

that, and you won't be the last.

But then.

Why did you pick me?

Along with all the other shots you sent me.

I saw one of your articles.

Which one?

"It is one and the same

to be alive or dead."

You picked that one?

Surprised?

I mean, it's a great article,

that's why I sent it, but...

I thought some of the others,

the ones about political justice,

would appeal to you more.

Those are all trash.

You don't know sh*t

about political justice.

Why me then?

Anything that has to do with justice

has to make sense with the

world and with the universe.

OK, what does that mean?

Most people, they don't

know sh*t about reality

even when it hits them in the f*cking face.

You don't think I know reality?

Your article told me that you're

on the cusp of understanding.

OK.

Why are you laughing?

The deepest truth, the greatest justice,

the knowledge of the

mind of God, it's all one.

But you want to separate

everything, don't you?

Don't you realize we live one whole life?

Who's separating everything?

You're not making any sense.

I've only got this one life, and so do you.

How we make all of this

a unified, flourishing life,

that's the key thing we're striving for.

A holistic vision.

Everything that surrounds me.

It's integrated into my life.

All of this is meant to be lived.

Is that what you got here?

Some holistic vision?

The more risks taken, the

more interesting the life.

[ piano music ]

[ lounge music ]

So I'm glad to see

you're back on the horse.

Yeah, I found a story

that I'm passionate about.

I knew you would.

These things sometimes take time, you know.

But I saw the numbers.

It's not bringing the response I hope for.

You can never predict these things.

I know, but what does that mean?

Oh, about money? It's OK,

you can talk about money.

Right, so?

It's a business.

We need to bring in the money.

I always believe that good storytelling

brings in the money.

Are you saying that my stories aren't good

if they're not bringing

in eyeballs and money?

God, I hate how we have to

chase dollars just to prove ourselves.

Calm down, you misunderstood me.

There's always a market for good content.

So the market determines

if it's good content?

f*ck that.

Wait a second.

Sit down.

You've heard that man is

the measure of all things.

Yeah, but if men are all stupid and can't

recognize good writing when

it's right in front of their face,

then who cares?

What?

So you think you have the

direct hotline to true goodness?

There are standards.

We've got to keep our standards high.

I can't go low just because

we don't appeal to the masses.

OK, but think about what you're saying.

Think about what I'm saying.

Of course you and I are on the same page,

but in order to keep our standards high,

we need to reach as

many people as possible.

What do you mean?

What I mean is, in a free society

where everyone is competing for eyeballs,

we need to convince people

about our high standards.

You're a journalist because you

like to spread and share the truth.

It's almost, it's like,

it's like you're a teacher

teaching people about

the truth that's happening.

Yes, of course.

And part of the truth that you're teaching

is our high journalistic standards.

Yeah, I guess so.

Come on, look at me.

What we're doing is convincing people

who don't agree with you

and getting them to

understand and agree with you.

But they should know the difference

between good journalism and bullshit.

Maybe, maybe not.

I tend to believe that most people don't

know the difference, and

that's why we need to help them.

But that's not my job.

My job is to write stories.

Do you believe in what you're doing?

Yes, I do.

Do you believe you're writing

stories people want to read? (Yes)

Do you believe that you're

telling the truth in your stories?

Yes.

Well, then there you go.

Then it's up to you to make the

people understand what you're saying.

I'm not in sales.

We're all in sales.

Bullshit.

That's the problem with capitalism.

Everything is commoditized,

like we have to be in

competition with everyone.

Well, we are competing

with every idea out there,

even the bullshit.

And that's why we need to

learn how to play the game.

Are you suggesting that

my stories aren't valuable?

Oh my God, you are such a piece of

work. You have so much wax in your ears.

You're so angry. You can't listen

to what anyone else has to say.

OK, I'm listening.

You know what? Your stories,

especially this story, is so important.

Keep helping people get what they need,

and keep helping people

discover what they need.

But that's what I'm doing.

If you believe that's what you're doing

and you're doing your best,

then you'll get what you want.

But Lauren,

if you're not getting what you want,

then think about it. The people are not

getting what they want.

[ kisses doggy ]

You have a lot of stuff in here.

Makes me feel comfortable like at home.

I didn't know the rules allowed for that.

Man's rules don't matter to me.

If it isn't in line with the

divine law, it is no rule at all.

But you're in here right now,

condemned for your crimes.

Doesn't that prove

that man's laws are real?

All that proves

is that these laws are

made by criminals,

and they're enforced by criminals.

If someone points a g*n at

you and asks for all your money,

it's a criminal, isn't it?

But this is the government

we're talking about in your case.

A government of criminals.

Says who?

Says anyone with reason and

anyone with the ability to think.

I know a lot of reasonable people

who don't believe in any divinity.

All that shows is that there's a lot of

foolish people who appear intelligent.

Very good.

But is it heavenly transcendence

or demonic possession?

I don't know what you're talking about.

But I think for myself.

Yeah and guess where thinking

for yourself has gotten you.

All that shows is that there's a lot of

people in power who

are also the most wrong.

They're unthinking,

unexamining and uncritical.

And people like you.

They just wander around like zombies,

never questioning the world around them.

I'm here because I want to listen to you,

I want to hear what you have to say.

I want to help you speak to the world.

Nothing I say is new or interesting.

Anybody with reason can

come to the same conclusions.

So, is God reason?

I never said anything about God.

You said that without God's

law, man's law doesn't matter.

I said the divine law.

Well, isn't God the

same thing as the divine?

I don't know what God is.

I don't think you do either.

You said that people

disagree about what God is,

but we can all recognize

divinity. It's inside all of us.

Even here.

I don't think I believe in any of that.

It's not merely what I believe, honey.

I'm also talking about what I know.

I know a lot of atheists

who would disagree with you.

The atheists are the same as everyone else.

The fact they're the ones I'm mostly

talking about, that doesn't make any sense.

Here's what makes sense.

We've been through the Enlightenment

and we know things about the world

that our grandparents

couldn't have ever dreamed of.

So we think we got it all figured out,

or at least that we don't

need a God to explain anything.

But there's still something missing.

We've all got a God

shaped hole in our hearts.

And that silence it...

Tells us that there's so much more.

Divine is merely the cover we throw

over the mystical to give it shape.

I don't know.

Changing up the words doesn't

seem to eliminate any confusion for me.

It's just as controversial.

Is it controversial that we all

deserve dignity and respect?

Is it controversial

that we should all come to

terms with our own personality?

Well, of course, obviously.

And where does that come from?

You know, I don't have to believe in God

or divinity or whatever magic

to believe in human rights.

Yes, but human rights?

Freedom, equality,

those are all just as divine

as any magic that you choose to deny.

They're starting points, not

negotiables that give us morality.

Yes.

But where does that

starting point come from?

You said that human rights

helps explain all your other notions

of morality, but what

explains the explanation?

It just is.

That's what I call the divine.

The unexplained explanation.

[ jazzy music ]

Thank you, Detective

Marshall for seeing me again.

Believe it or not, this is

actually part of the job.

Where's your camera?

Is your surveillance over?

How are your interviews going?

They're everywhere.

You haven't heard about them?

I don't read the newspaper.

Me neither. Nobody reads the newspaper.

I mean, they're all over

social media and the Internet.

I don't read any of that either.

Then how do you get your news?

I don't.

Don't you want to know

what's happening in the world?

No.

Not even sports? Nope.

OK...

I do what my superiors tell me,

I work on the cases before

me and that's enough for me.

Is that how you're caught Shy?

Somebody told you where

she was and you just went?

In any effective system,

there's a hierarchy.

Otherwise, everything just falls apart.

But there's more to life

than just hierarchy, isn't there?

I wouldn't know, that's not my job.

That's what I'm saying, there's

more to life than just your job.

Hey, maybe there is, maybe there isn't.

Is this why you brought me here today?

To ask me questions about my life?

Where even are we? What is this?

I share the studio with an artist.

But thank you for getting us back on track.

I want to know if you believe

that justice was served in Shy's case.

I think that we all have to do our part,

And my job is to make sure

that the bare minimum is met.

What is the bare minimum?

It's that thing that you

were just talking about.

Justice.

Well, how do we know we

meet the bare minimum?

Rules we have to follow.

Like cops?

No, like all of us.

You want to talk to me about my experience,

so you call me and I

agree to speak with you.

But what if I didn't agree?

Well, I would just beg a little bit more.

But if you refused,

I would have found a

better angle for my story.

Maybe one of your colleagues.

Right.

But you can't force me to do it.

No, of course not.

And that's what I mean by justice.

It's that bare minimum

respect that we give each other.

I don't see too much of

that going on around here.

Well, that's why there's people like me.

People like you.

Cops.

Not just cops, though.

Judges, lawyers, the whole system really.

The bare minimum needs a lot of support.

But the bare minimum

doesn't get us very far, does it?

I think that mutual respect for one another

is a lot.

If we had that, it would be nice.

But there's lots of people

out there who don't

have to deal with the

worst elements of society,

nor do they have to

write about political issues.

And I've got a lot of

respect for those people.

Just respect.

What do you mean?

Like I was asking you before,

isn't there more to life than just respect?

What more would you want from people?

Well, I for one...

would like to find love one day.

Well, I'm not in that business.

Well, still, isn't there more

to life than just mere justice?

I'm a cop.

You know what I mean. The business of life.

No, what is your point?

The respect you're talking

about is just too cold.

It's too alienating.

Oh...

So maybe I should love

these criminals that I chase.

Maybe I give them a little foot

rub after I put them in handcuffs.

In fact, you're not too

far off from my point.

What the f*ck? Are you serious?

Just hear me out.

Maybe love is a bit too far.

I can't love everybody.

That would take too much out of me.

I tried that once, didn't workout too well.

Funny.

But I'd like to have

relationships and friendships

with those people around me,

and that requires a little

bit more than respect.

We got to love a little bit more, too.

Once again, that's not my job.

My job is to make sure that people are not

hurting each other, and

if they are, I stop them.

I'm not saying that.

What I'm saying is that

there's just more to life

than right and wrong.

There's good and bad.

What's the difference?

It's right that you catch criminals,

and it's right that you stop

people from hurting others.

But are you living a good life?

What does this have to do with your story?

Why are you asking me all these questions?

It has everything to do with everything.

Look, I wasn't there when

you apprehended Shy,

nor am I there for every part

of your job you do every day.

Yes, I respect you, but

I care about you too.

Look, I don't know what

you're struggling with.

But it's clear that you're

dealing with something.

Why do you care what I'm going through?

Because you're helping me

understand my story better.

You're part of my world now,

so how can I not care about you too?

That's.

That's very thoughtful of you.

Thank you.

But I'm all right.

I can take care of myself

and me talking to you,

that's just part of the job.

I know,

but remember...

There's more to life than just the job.

Yeah.

I'm uh...

I'm trying to figure that out too.

[ eerie music ]

I'm back.

Why are you here?

Get the f*ck out.

I've been looking through your case.

Are you a lawyer now?

No, but I've been talking to some people.

I think we can get you released.

How would that work? I

waived my right to appeal.

Well, in the short time we've

been talking, you've taught me a lot.

I've learned a lot.

What, you learn about justice?

Yes, but other things too.

You made me understand my purpose.

Why I do this.

What so you want to like, follow me now?

Not quite.

But I do know that my

purpose as of right now

is to get you your freedom.

Want change? We can make change.

This is what this is all about, right?

I can reach people.

I can change people's

minds with your story.

Maybe you're the one who needs to change.

This happens all the time.

We can change people's minds.

We can lead society

down a less violent path.

Why?

Because of you.

You did it for a reason,

because you believed in something.

You still believe, don't you?

I believe, but...

About what?

I believe in myself and my principles,

but I don't believe in anyone else.

You can believe in me.

I'm in this situation because

of other people's beliefs.

What the f*ck can you do about

the people who put me here?

There are other people out there.

Other people we can convince.

Other people who can help you, like me.

Why should I have faith in you?

You already have faith in me,

that's why you brought me here.

Like I said.

We can get you free on appeal.

Like I said, I don't want that.

But they're going to k*ll you.

Don't you want to live?

I wish I never had to die

and I could live forever.

I don't know about the second

part. But we can help you with the first.

Doesn't mean I have to live in a system

that lies about me, wants

me to forget who I am.

It's a strange world

and an odd kind of life.

There will always be detractors.

But I want you out of

here with people like me.

So you can tell the truth

about who you really are.

f*cking clowns.

Refusing to take off

their ridiculous outfits.

They wear it like skin.

Like it's impossible to change.

You're right, there are

a lot of clowns out there.

But we don't need to convince the clowns.

We only need to convince one judge.

The judges are the

ringmasters of the circus.

The crimes they convicted

me of are meaningless.

They've already made-up

their minds about who I am

and that I'm different

from the rest of society.

You're not going to do

anything to change their mind.

But if we play the game a certain way,

it can save your life.

What game?

How do we play it?

Have I got a sacrifice who I am?

It wouldn't require sacrifice.

Doesn't sound like a game I want to play.

Even if it saves your life.

There's a difference

between doing something

and doing it for the right reason.

We can decrease your sentence.

To what?

The worst would be life sentence, but

we might get you completely free.

It's not good enough.

Then what do you want?

I deserve a life pension.

I could stay at home, work at my leisure,

and they would have to

send me weekly paychecks.

Stop being ridiculous. This is serious.

I didn't do anything wrong.

They're the ones who are ridiculous.

They stole dignity

and respect for me and so many

others, and you call me ridiculous?

You should ridicule them right back.

They're the ones who aren't serious.

I don't deserve any of this!

If I wasn't behind these bars right now,

I would have already bitten off their faces

and eaten out their eyes.

Violence is not the answer.

Bullshit. Violence is all we have.

It's all we are.

It's the only reason I'm here right now.

You claim that you were never violent.

Not me you f*cking idiot,

them the governments that's why I'm here.

Is but due to their violence, not mine.

Well ideally they keep the peace.

I want to help you, but come on.

We've got to be grateful for our community.

We've benefited in so many ways.

Bullshit. My community

started with my family.

No loving family needs a government.

They only act with g*ns and tell me.

What kind of education did

we get with g*ns pointed at us?

There were no g*ns in my teachers hands.

Don't pay your taxes, disobey the rules,

do what I did, then

you'll see the g*ns appear.

They're kept out of sight for the just

below the surface, ready

to come out when needed.

I'm not saying that our

government is perfect.

But the benefits outweigh the risks.

Did you forget where

the f*ck I am right now

you stupid b*tch?

Your situation notwithstanding.

Good government is what

we're all striving to make.

There is no such thing as good government.

You go to the government to solve my

problems, they're only going to make the

problems worse, and then they're

going to create new problems.

The problem is that they don't

step in to fix things that need fixing.

And then tell people like you

become dependent on government.

It's never your fault, is it?

When things go wrong, it's

the government's fault, right?

There are a lot of people who

have the deck stacked against them.

You did.

Somebody's got to fix that.

Who the hell do you think made the deck?

That's why we need to change things,

to make the deck fair.

How do we rely

on the deck makers to

change how the deck is made?

No matter the game,

all the decks are f*cked.

I say to hell with all these cards,

I want to make my own f*cking game.

That's impossible.

Somebody's got to be in charge to ensure

that equality, justice and

fairness can become real.

I thought you didn't believe in God.

I don't. This is different.

We're not talking about a

government made by God.

We're talking about a

democracy made by people.

The last God, people

believe in is the government.

I promise you.

Believe me.

Everything good in my life

was without government

and everything bad in

my life is because of it.

Time's up.

OK.

I hope we can continue this tomorrow.

And before I go.

I've got something for you.

I thought of you when I saw it.

[ dark music ]

Good morning.

I'm sorry, we were cut off last night.

That's funny because

that usually happens to me.

I'll be chatting all night

at a cafe with friends

and they'll kick us out

because they're closing.

Let's start with a different

kind of question today.

Why are you here?

You know why I'm here.

But people want to

hear it in your own words.

Well, they call what I do ill*gal.

Staged a trial, found me

guilty and punished me.

You knew what you were doing was ill*gal.

I did what I had to do.

If you make flying against

the law, then birds are criminals.

If you make swimming against the law,

then fish are criminals, but

it doesn't matter to them.

Fish still have to swim, birds

still have to fly, yadda yadda.

It's the same for me.

But you're not a bird or a fish.

There's lots of people who

haven't done what you did.

So it's kind of stretching your metaphor

a bit to say that you had to do it.

Why do you write?

What?

What about you?

Why are you here right now?

I told you I want to tell

your story. I want to share...

Don't be stupid. You're avoiding the

question. Why are you here right now?

Because this is what

I do. I'm a journalist.

It's who I am.

Oh, yeah. There's an aspect of

it that you just can't help, right?

It's the same for me. I'm an artist.

How are you an artist?

I create museum pieces for the future.

I look at the world around me.

I want to create something

else, something new.

What do you want to create?

I'm revolted everywhere I look.

I see the catastrophe that is this world.

Emanates from everything entering

and structuring our everyday life.

It takes a lot of courage

to try to change the world.

It's all about the politics of the world.

Story of life and beauty.

I'm trying to find moments when

I lose myself.

Trying to find moments

when the self disappears.

For an artist, anything is possible.

But in here, nothing is possible.

So what?

I've been violated and abused.

They confiscated my freedom.

I'll challenge your status

quo as long as I'm alive.

They're going to k*ll you.

You've been condemned to death.

Being condemned is crucial.

Look at what they did to Jesus Christ.

Look, I'm not an aggressive person,

but I'm trying to change the world.

If that means I'm a

criminal, that's their problem.

Nothing I do is good unless

I'm convicted and punished for it.

How does an artist do that?

We let our emotions out.

Emotion is more real than

everything that surrounds us.

Everything you call reality

is so phony in the light of pure emotion.

You sound disconnected

from reality. You're delusional.

What you call delusion is

just another way of being.

I can create a new way to see,

to perceive, to experience life.

What you call ugly, I see as beautiful.

But what is beautiful?

Physical beauty is not what interests me.

It's always the experimentation.

Discovering something I never imagined.

Understanding the nature

of the human phenomena.

And if it leads you to madness?

Madness?

You call me insane to challenge

your prescribed ways of living.

I wish to subvert your rules of society.

That's what you call crazy or unrealistic?

I call it freedom.

But you're in prison.

What kind of freedom is this?

I'm not just talking about my freedom.

I'm talking about a freedom

for all, for everyone who suffers,

for everyone in the

poverty that you've created.

For everyone m*rder*d

by the madness that you call

civilized society.

I want that freedom

to transform everything ugly in the world.

Everybody wants that.

But how can your art do any of this?

They're trying to drown me.

But I've always felt peace under the sea.

Down there I can make all the colors sing.

I can make music paint the walls like

sculptors sculpting the light

that pours in through

the windows of our soul.

Looking at you, I don't see any of that.

That's what they do.

They forbid artists

from exhibiting the truth.

But the fire still burns

and I keep creating my art.

What can you make on death row?

You wouldn't understand.

Life and freedom burst

out for me even in this cage.

My mind, my heart, my

soul. They keep dancing.

The cage is irrelevant. Completely nude.

I dance in a building where the walls are

made of heaven and earth and

the ceiling is a transparent blue sky.

That's beautiful. But it's not real.

Your reality is full of

violence and hatred.

The only violence allowed in my dream is

the struggle of being an

artist, the struggle of creating.

I'll never give up that

dream. I'll never stop.

I love it. But it's just a fantasy.

What good is it if you're

not sharing it with everyone?

Share what?

Love? Simplicity?

The sun, beauty and monstrosity

songs that achieve nothing?

That's why I brought you here.

[ waterfront wind and birds ]

How's your research going?

It's going great.

Once everybody hears the complete story,

people will understand.

Yeah, why do you think

people will understand?

They'll hear her story.

They'll see where she's coming from.

They'll be able to see

from her perspective.

Her perspective?

You see, you're not even getting it.

You know, there are other

ways of viewing the world.

You know the octopus?

What?

It's a mollusk that lives under

the sea. I know an octopus is.

I was watching the show about

the octopus. I learned a lot.

Then octopus is a mollusk?

That, but that's not what I mean.

What are you gonna

tell me what you learned?

I really hate these animal shows.

You know, in fact, I'd like to

ask you a few more questions.

All these shows, they pretend to be about

animals, but really they're only

about man's perspective on animals.

There's usually some celebrity trying to

become some Doctor Dolittle or pretending

to care so much about the animals,

but really he's only in it for himself.

To be rich or famous or some stupid sh*t.

That's not true. They do care.

They're out there raising awareness.

Maybe, but only on human terms.

It's never for the animals as

animals in and of themselves.

What?

They were calling the octopus

one of the most mysterious animals.

They said it was an alien here on Earth.

Nothing can be further from the truth.

There's nothing mysterious

about the octopus.

An octopus does what an octopus has

done for hundreds of millions of years.

They were here before the dinosaurs.

And only a human would ever say something

that's basically been here

forever is mysterious or alien.

I've never thought about it that way.

You know alien means?

It's from the Latin for "other".

Or better from another like how

space aliens or from another planet?

Or like ill*gal aliens. Or like alienation.

Feeling of not belonging.

Unable to identify with your place.

There is no f*cking way

that an octopus is an alien.

Or anything like an alien.

An octopus is exactly where it needs to be.

If anything, it's humanity that's alien.

It's people who are out of

place, out of touch with the world.

We're the ones who don't belong here.

At the very least, nobody belongs at the

bottom of the sea with a f*cking camera

chasing an octopus around and

then calling it a mysterious alien.

You know what? I actually like

Octopus. And you're making me hungry.

Do you want to get something to eat?

Yeah.

Sure. I'm a little hungry myself.

Do you know an Octopus place around here?

Things are really turning around. All

the lawyers say they can win the appeal.

We've got a real good

reason to be optimistic here.

You don't have to do anything, but it

would be nice if you could

sign some of these papers.

Humor me. If you die.

You won't be able to share

your message. Maybe, maybe not.

No one will benefit from your art.

You're wrong. Everyone

will see the brilliance in what

I've been saying all along.

You'll be dead.

Everyone will say my name when

they're fighting against the system.

They might understand or

not, but that doesn't matter.

They'll have a symbol to

fight with, a symbol to fight for.

You'll martyr yourself for a symbol?

Big one as well. I'll give it to them.

I don't have a choice, do I?

But they'll have to suffer

an even worse punishment.

They'll have to live with their

wickedness, and I'll be at peace.

There is so much more you can accomplish

with a longer life, even

if you're trapped in here.

I've never wanted to live a long life.

I've only wanted to live a virtuous life.

So let me help you live that

virtuous life. You're alive. Live.

Whether they k*ll me or

not makes no difference.

It's just a coin flip anyways.

Fine, so let's flip the coin.

There's a chance that it might turn

out No, I've already lost the coin flip.

When I was born in this world.

Even if I escaped, where would I

escape to? Where do you want to go?

Even if there was somewhere I

wanted to go, it wouldn't matter.

I've never owned myself. Everyone

else has taken charge of me.

Told me what to do,

what to say, where to go.

That doesn't sound like an artist.

I've tried to inspire in my own life.

At every attempt had been stopped.

I'm already dead in my soul.

So let's show the world it

can't take your life so easily.

My last breath will be the

argument against this world.

And then I'll be at peace.

Maybe I'll get to talk to all

those who died before me.

All those who were put to death

for stupid crimes by foolish courts.

If you're too stubborn to save yourself,

then some of us will have to do it for you.

[ taps keyboard ]

There's a story that's been told to us,

ingrained from childhood, that we are

free, that they've dismissed all

past injustices, that we've recognized

our past mistakes and everything is better.

They say that there is equal

opportunity to do anything.

Anyone can become rich, anyone can

become president, anyone can do anything.

Then what are we supposed to say about

those who have nothing, who've

had everything taken away?

It's their fault, right? They could

have done it, but they failed.

They didn't play by the rules. But

what? What are the rules anyway?

They say the rules are about

equality, justice and freedom.

And if you don't play by those rules then

your criminals, t*rrorists or anarchist.

But how did those rules

serve the wrongly convicted?

How did those rules serve

those in poverty, those exploited?

The rules were created by the

privileged who already had every benefit.

Maybe the rules were about controlling the

weak? Justice is about helping the rich.

Justice Let's police

officers k*ll innocent people.

Oh, and what about when justice

comes after those corrupt officers?

Sure, they capture the

k*ller cop sometimes.

But maybe that's just them throwing us a

bone, tossing us the

scraps from their table.

And what did we do? We

are happy with the scraps.

We are happy they invited

a few of us to the table.

Because we believe in their stories of

equality, opportunity and fairness, we

imagine that could be us one

day eating with the big boys.

But isn't it just all bullshit? It's

just a farce that we've fallen for.

Or is it? I feel like I'm in

control of my destiny, don't you?

To be honest. I don't know

what to believe about all of that.

Maybe each side has their own point. Maybe

I am in control, or maybe I'm a puppet.

Maybe the game's already rigged,

or maybe there is something I can win.

I do know one thing though. It is

wrong to k*ll those who disagree.

Shy is one of those people

who thinks differently.

Some people think she's done such

horrible things that she should be k*lled.

Can't we have a discussion about this?

Can't we debate like civilized people?

Can't reasonable people disagree

on important things? I think so.

But if you k*ll those who disagree,

there is no debate, no reasonableness.

It is only a world where the strongest

exert their will over others, and

the weak suffer what they must.

[ piano music ]

[ phone notification ]

Hey, I sent all the paperwork

to the lawyers. I know.

No, I haven't heard. What channel?

Welcome back from our commercial break.

Despite efforts from many human rights

groups, the appeal of the

infamous Shy has been denied.

Her execution will take place on Monday,

July 15th at 12:01 AM

as originally scheduled.

Of course, the many demonstrators and

social justice advocates will not be

deterred as they carry on unabated.

[ eerie music ]

[ jazzy music ]

[ knocking at door ]

Come in.

Hey. Yeah.

To what do I owe the pleasure?

They told me you're not

with the Force anymore.

Yeah, I guess I figured

it was time to change.

They know I'm working the case.

They told me where I could find you.

I didn't know you were

making a career change.

Well, it just seemed

like the right time. Why?

Maybe it was you and all your questions.

Dinner was nice the other night.

Yeah, that's part of what...

Helped remind me that I needed a change.

I'm really thankful for

everything you've given me.

Context behind a story is always good.

Context? What do you mean?

You know it's the background information.

Well, why would I know anything about that?

Well, in order to capture her, you

must have researched something.

Background checks, surveillance, something.

Are you looking for excuses?

Are you trying to justify what she did?

Not excuses, but explanations at least.

There's nothing to explain. She

committed the crime, She was caught.

She had a fair trial.

It's just the way it goes.

It seems like it was stacked up

against her from the beginning.

There is no hope to change anything.

Well, maybe that's just

the way of the world.

But that's not fair.

She never had the opportunity to.

What about you? What about me?

What do you mean?

If she was destined to do what she did.

Then I was destined to do what I did.

And then it was always inevitable that you

would be asking me

these questions right now.

OK, I think so.

So why are you doing any of this?

Because she deserves to be

free. It's not fair that she's doomed.

I thought we were talking

about something else.

I'm talking about her being free.

I'm talking about any of us being free.

Of course we're free.

Well, science tells us that since The Big.

Bang, every atom in the universe

has been following the laws of physics.

And we are no different.

We're just a big bundle of atoms.

But we are different.

You're different. I'm different.

So is Shy and so is everyone else.

Oh yeah.

What kind of a magical powers

do you kind of assume that we have?

It's not magic, it's...

It's what the soul inside your body.

Is it God? No, I do not

believe in any of that.

Why not?

Because it doesn't help explain anything.

Not in this world, no.

If anything, it only confuses

everything. And so does free will.

But without free will, there's no such

thing as right or wrong, good or bad.

Imagine that.

There's more to life than just science.

Like magic, right?

That's not what I mean.

What I mean is that science can't

explain everything like morality.

Science can't explain that.

It kind of sounds like you're trying

to invent something out of thin air.

I didn't invent it. Everyone believes this.

Oh, I don't see morality anywhere.

All I see is misery and

suffering. And that is everywhere.

That's all around us.

I mean, look at the animals that m*rder

each other, they k*ll

each other after they f*ck.

And then there's the volcanoes

that just split a mountain apart.

Everything, it's all atoms.

It's it's stars and rocks and.

Emptiness. And we're no different.

Now all existence is completely naked of

this absurd clothing that you're

calling morality or freedom.

You're missing something

important. Humanity. That's the magic.

I knew you had to believe in

some sort of magical mumbo jumbo.

It's not mumbo jumbo. It's something else.

Like what? It's like some

wizardry that just changes

the course of atoms and electrons.

Like quantum randomness. Randomness?

That's not freedom. Gibberish.

You may know a lot of things.

But you know nothing

about humanity or freedom.

It's the explanation for

everything that matters.

Maybe I can't predict the future.

I couldn't save Shy.

But the only good in this world is

because of you, me, and everyone else.

Without it, you're absolutely right,

nothing would matter. But we do exist.

We are part of the universe,

of nature, of this world.

I guess.

There is nothing more

natural than humanity.

I don't know what you mean by freedom, but

if this isn't it, then I don't

know what else it could be.

Maybe I'm on a train with only one track.

But I'm going to try and enjoy the ride.

But you're still on a train

and there's only one track.

Maybe you're not happy with the one

that you're on, but I'm happy with mine.

I want to be here with you right now.

Well, you're just lucky that you're

on a nice track today. But tomorrow?

You could crash into a wall, then what?

But that's life, isn't it?

Eventually all trains run into walls.

But I'm happy on the

path that I'm on right now.

That's all the freedom I need.

That's all the freedom there is.

You lost with Shy.

She'll be ex*cuted.

I know.

It is nice though. I kind of wish

someone would have done that for me.

What do you mean?

Oh, do you think I really want to be a cop?

I don't know, I guess I just assumed.

Well, you know what they

say when you assume, right?

No, what?

OK, never mind. I just, I

wanted to be a photographer.

Like an artist.

Hmm, but no one ever had faith in

me and I definitely had no faith in myself.

I'm sorry to hear that.

But when I first met you. I was impressed.

Impressed about what?

Well, everyone always told me that it

would be too hard to be a photographer

and you can't make a living doing it.

Like did anybody ever tell

you that about being a writer?

No. My parents supported whatever I wanted.

Well, I don't remember my parents.

But tell me about yours.

What were they like?

My dad was a reporter.

He won a Pulitzer in the

60s. I wanted to be like him.

That sounds special.

But when I was 16, he died.

Ever since then. I've been

trying to live up to his example.

It was a little bit different for me.

I graduated high school and I had

absolutely no idea

what I would do for a job.

So I went to college for a little bit, a

junior college, and they just let anybody

into those, you know, And, but I, I

didn't even know like what I would study.

I didn't know what kind

of jobs were out there.

I didn't even know what college was for.

I guess it was to help me get a

job. And so I'm looking down the list.

I see anthropology first, and

I think, what the hell is that?

So then I just keep going down

the list until I see criminology finally.

That's the first thing that

makes sense to me and.

They just told me the force was hiring so.

Well, I'm sure the world is a safer

place because of you and what you do.

You made a difference. No.

I didn't know if it wasn't me

it would just be someone else.

I was just a cog in the machine.

But the first camera I ever got,

it was this little disposable thing

that the art teacher in high

school gave me, Mr. Williams.

And before this I totally thought

the whole thing was bullshit.

Like you just point it and click the

thing like there's nothing to it, you know?

But after using it all

up, all 36 exposures.

And then getting the pictures

developed, something happened.

Like I made those.

And I remember just sitting there and I

would look through

them over and over again.

I made that.

Oh, I didn't even know what it meant to be

a photographer, and I definitely

didn't know you could do it as a job.

You've never seen a photo in a book

or a magazine or anything like that?

OK, yes, No, of course I'd seen

photos. I'm not that stupid. I just never.

I don't know. I guess I never

put two and two together. I never.

Maybe it does sound stupid.

I just never thought that there were,

like, professional photographers

who were making those photos.

So when I went to college, I mean, I was

nowhere in my mind to study photography.

Like who goes to college

to study photography?

I know lots of people

who studied photography.

Of course you do.

But I didn't and it just, it

seemed like a pipe dream.

I don't know, that's my point.

Then why do you have that camera?

Oh, I love this camera.

This is the first camera that I

ever bought with my own money.

I got it a while ago, right

after I arrested shy actually.

The technology has

changed a lot since then.

But and I'm really not

that good with all that sh*t

but I'm learning. OK look.

Is that what you're going to do now?

Maybe we'll see.

I know a little bit more

about the world now.

I know a little bit more about photography.

I still have absolutely no idea how

I would make a living doing it, but.

Yeah, I've saved up a little bit of

money, so I've got a nice little cushion.

While I try my hand at figuring things out.

You can do it.

Yeah, we'll see. Maybe. Do you know

anybody looking for a photographer?

No, not right now, but

I will keep you in mind.

Please do.

Well, that was interesting.

I know I'm not in the best form lately and

I'm a bit out of practice, but interesting?

Clearly I'm a bit out of practice too.

I mean, the only idiot

would say interesting.

I'm glad we both agree you're an idiot.

This must be some kind of

improper work relationship.

I don't have to worry about

any of that sh*t anymore.

HR any of that bullshit.

There's always some bullshit

right around the corner.

Or right in my bed.

What the f*ck is that supposed to mean?

I guess this makes things a little

bit more complicated, doesn't it?

Well, you're a big boy and I'm a

big girl, so I think we can handle this.

I just, I'm not sure where to go from here.

Maybe you're not as big a

boy as I thought you were.

No, I'm like, I mean, like I was

saying last night, it's just everything is.

So wide open now, like I've never

felt this much freedom before in my life.

I thought you didn't believe

in freedom. I don't. I don't.

But at least before there

was a path before me.

Now it's just.

You know you don't have

to take on all this alone.

I guess after last night,

you are a part of my world.

[ phone buzzing ]

Is everything OK?

Yeah, it's just.

sh*t! sh*t sh*t sh*t

I'm late for my thing.

I can give you a ride.

No no no. It's not necessary.

But we will continue

this conversation later.

Last time you looked so

upset, now you look normal.

Last time I was trying

everything I could to save you.

You must have heard the news. You failed.

They're k*lling me

tonight. I know we tried.

But were powerless over certain things.

I know I'm going to die.

Are you scared?

You might be frightened at

death or. It might give you vigor.

That is a part of life. Sad,

but romantic at the same time.

It is the end of one thing.

Leaves room for the new.

What's the new thing?

It's made me think of past things.

I wonder if

my chosen profession has made me

better equipped to consider such things.

Mortality. Purpose. Fulfillment.

You know, when I was caught,

I had a friend by my side.

We were together in all of this.

She was ready for death.

We were both there in the bunker,

surrounded. She told me that.

She was so grateful for this

life. That she lived a full life.

And she reminded me that

we wouldn't live to be old.

It's OK, she said.

Some people die in childhood, so

we'd be somewhere in the middle.

Even still, some of those very old

people don't have very much life at all.

Some of those children live life so

full of meaning and Joie de vivre that.

They burst from this world as if

the earth couldn't contain them.

I couldn't believe. She

was talking like this.

We were trapped, surrounded on all sides

by people who wanted to k*ll us, and

just out of the blue, she started praying.

You think praying would

be natural, but it wasn't.

He had never prayed before.

Never.

Her prayer wasn't normal either.

She started with Dear God and.

And then went on to

ask for peace to everyone.

She asked God to forgive our friends.

So that they could be free of pain.

It's funny because. Vivian

suffered from chronic pain.

She asked God to forgive our friends who

had already died so that they could

go to heaven and find eternal peace.

Then she prayed for me.

She asked God to protect

me. To look after me.

She asked so that I might be

free and find happiness despite.

All the insanity in the world

and all the hardness in my heart.

But she never prayed for herself.

She never mentioned herself

once, not even to save her own life.

All I could do was hold her hand.

I squeezed her so tightly.

And then you know what happened.

They got us.

But not before sh**ting her dad first.

You've been lying there

dead with a b*llet in her chest.

She was still smiling. Looking at me.

I'm sure she died happy.

Maybe happy isn't the

word. I don't know. She was.

The opposite of a cynic and

a pessimist, she always was.

But I didn't have that experience at all.

I still don't have that experience today.

When I look back on my life, I...

Think of all the things I didn't do.

They were right there in front of me,

but I didn't take it when

it was right in front of me.

I think of all the

relationships I wish I had.

All the time I wasted.

I could have accomplished so much more.

But instead I did this and I'm here and.

It's funny, if I didn't do this I

wouldn't have made it this far anyway.

This was my only path.

It gave me a purpose and.

Help me make sense of

those relationships I wanted.

I made other relationships,

but they're with dead people.

Or people I don't know.

Actually, I don't think this

path solved all of my problems.

Actually, I think it gave me a lot more.

Well, sometimes I

wonder if it helped at all.

So that's what I've been thinking

about. Trying to come to terms with it.

Trying to come to terms

with not being understood.

Tomorrow I won't be here at all.

'Cause nobody at all understands me.

I wish you could understand.

You don't really understand me. I

haven't convinced you of anything.

None of that will change by tomorrow.

And what does that

mean? I don't know, but...

Maybe one day.

I hope I won't be forgotten.

So I, um...

I want you to have this.

It's it's a symbol of who I am.

Who I was throughout my life.

It's funny, isn't it? People don't

keep such things anymore, do they?

Maybe they should.

But anyways. Please

take it. I trust you with it.

In any case. There's no one else.

I'm sorry.

[ tense music ]

[ gasp ]

This paralyzes you. But

you'll feel everything.

[ metal tools clanging ]

You've done well enough.

Now I will take charge.

[ menacing music ]

We start at the feet. And

we moved to the head.

[ flesh smashing ]

[ gasp ]

[ flesh cutting ]

panting

[ flesh cutting ]

[ gasps ]

[ intense music ]

[ intense music ]

Clean up this mess.

In other news, government officials

have reported that the execution of the

infamous Shy occurred earlier this morning.

Witnesses have said

that she died peacefully.

Oh, what's this?

There are my articles. My

podcasts are in there too.

Why are you giving them to me and

not scheduling and publishing them?

They're yours. You can do

whatever you want with them.

I'm done.

You're done?

I'm done with all this.

What?

I can't work here anymore? Why not?

Was it something I said?

You know I love you and your work.

You told me to write what I

believe in, what I'm passionate about.

And this last piece of work

is dripping with passion

and it didn't make a

damn bit of difference.

We lost. It's all bullshit.

You can change the world with your stories,

your perspective, the

voice you bring to it all.

That's the victory. It

just isn't doing it for me.

You're a part of something

bigger than yourself.

This thing you're a part of, it's

bigger than you. It's bigger than me.

It's about the world and all its history.

It's been going on for thousands of years.

It might not seem like it's

getting any better, but it is.

If you think for a minute

of how things used to be,

it's so much better than it was before.

But from our limited view, all

we see is what's right in front of us.

But if you pay attention to

the broad view, the global view.

Things are flourishing so much

better than they were before.

It's not enough.

No, it's not enough, but

that's why we stay at it.

It's never going to be

enough for Shy or you

or a significant chunk of humanity.

But. It's not about us.

It's about the future.

Nothing's going to change.

Maybe, maybe not, but

we have to have faith.

It's been amazing working with you.

Thanks. You too.

Got any plans?

Not really. I need some time

to think about some things.

Good luck.

Thank you.

And if you ever... Ever want to come back?

[ cars and street sounds ]

[ inquisitive music ]

You f*cking b*stards

[ electronic music ]

I don't deserve any of this