02x02 - The Darlington 500

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Timeless...

Help!

That's why we're here. To save his life.

His name is Nicholas Keynes.

-Where am I? -You're with Rittenhouse, in the year 2018.

-And who are you? -I'm your granddaughter.

Your mother is a Rittenhouse?

You've come so far these past few weeks, Lucy.

I'm proud of you.

Be with us. Be on the right side of history.

This is so much bigger than you and me.

Mom.

Mom.

Jiyal The Mothership visited ten different destinations.

History could have changed, and we wouldn't even know it.

I've been reading these plans they have.

Key moments in history to change the present.

The captain in 1918, he worked his way up through the ranks.

Emma, she had been in the late 1800s for what, ten years?

What if they've already planted, who knows how many, agents in history?

Was there anything in there about a Nicholas Keynes?

These plans, this manifesto... Nicholas Keynes wrote it.

Something has happened.

I'll only talk to Lucy.

What are you doing up already?

You know that track like the palm of your hand.

Turn three has got a weird camber to it.

It'd be a good place to pass if Jimmy or Wendell makes a run on me.

Quit your worryin'.

I'm not worrying. I'm planning.

Well, then let's plan together.

Didn't realize he was married.

Two caskets instead of one.

Three, counting the bun in the oven.

Drive faster.

Okay, output?

-Still 14.4. -Damn it!

Might have to rip up the whole board and start again.

Hand me the T10 Torx.

It's not real.

It's not real, it's not real, it's not real, it's not real.

Jiya?

Jiya?

You okay?

Yeah, totally fine.

A little light reading?

Well, just Rittenhouse's creepy cult manifesto.

That stuff is crazy.

Crazy my mother believes in.

Can I ask you something?

What did they do to you in there?

Nothing to talk about.

Which is why you're staring at the ceiling all night, every night?

Your roommate, Jiya, sold you out.

She's spying on me? She's worried about you.

We all are.

( I appreciate everyone's concern ) but I'm fine.

What do you mean there's nothing? I mean, nothing.

The Mothership landed in the South Carolina sticks, 1955.

Nothing historical, no one important there by a long sh*t.

What if they're looking for someone before they became important?

So, then what? We just pick a direction and start walking?

I have an idea.

I mean, you're gonna hate it, but we do have someone who could help us, who knows more about Rittenhouse than we do.

“Who? -She's talking about Flynn.

And "hate" does not begin to touch how I feel about that idea.

Number one, he's a psycho. Number two, he's a total psycho.

And number three, he thinks he's in jail because we set him up.

Well, we did set him up.

More you than us, but who's counting?

He said that he would only talk to me, so, why not talk to him?

Because he is unhinged.

We can't trust a word he says.

Okay, well, if anyone has a better idea, say it.

No offense, Lucy, but you have looked better.

Rittenhouse has gone to South Carolina, 1955.

Any idea why?

Maybe you should ask your mother for help.

It came up during our interrogation.

You never suspected she was Rittenhouse? Your own mother?

Are you gonna tell us what they're doing in South Carolina or not?

Well, if you get me out of here, then maybe we can talk.

You know that's impossible.

Well, then it's impossible for me to help.

I wanna finish what we started.

I wanna take down Rittenhouse for good.

Please.

You stopped me from taking down Rittenhouse over and over again.

Not anymore. I'll do whatever it takes now.

Really? What, you're gonna k*ll your own mother?

Your hero?

Who secretly groomed you, programmed you since you were a child to become one of them?

And you blindly obeyed, your whole life, begging for her approval like a lap dog.

I'm sorry, Lucy, but it just doesn't inspire confidence.

They m*rder*d your wife and daughter.

You want to avenge their deaths?

You can help us, or you can keep being a smug, stubborn ass, and rot knowing that their deaths are in vain.

There was a South Carolina address on a Rittenhouse agent I k*lled.

145 Fuller Street.

And I think the city was called Darlington.

That's all I have.

This one's free.

The next one will cost you.

These clothes are from Old Navy.

Yeah, and the badge looks like it's from the 99 Cents Store.

Yes. Wardrobe and props are, of necessity, a little bare bones at the moment due to financial constraints, but, hey, luckily for you, Rebel Without a Cause made jeans and T-shirts perpetually cool. You'll blend right in.

What did you find out about 145 Fuller Street?

Just a house.

In 1955, it was owned by a Ryan Millerson.

Wait, the Ryan Millerson?

-Who's that? -Are you kidding?

He's one of the greatest NASCAR drivers of all time.

NASCAR? Yeah, not my sport.

He won the first Daytona 500 in "59.

He's up there with guys like Lee Petty, and Junior Johnson, and Tim Flock.

You guys really are coastal elites.

Why would Rittenhouse target a NASCAR driver in the "50s?

Well, we're about to find out.

Nicholas?

How are you feeling?

We have followed your writings to the tee.

Planted sleeper agents in different decades.

This is Wikipedia.

How much did you print out?

-All of it. -All of it?

Scribed by your mechanical print maker.

Yes, but this tablet that I showed you, this would make things... It strains my eyes.

I don't know how you people stare at those glowing windows all day long.

Do you recognize her?

It's my mother.

My daughter.

Your mother.

To me, she's just a baby.

But time is a funny thing.

Nicholas, we've been waiting for your guidance.

Where is the Victrola I requested?

The 100-year-old record player? We're having a hard time tracking one.

I want what I'm used to.

A list of songs.

For the phonograph.

And more pickled eggs.

Sooner than later.

Pickled eggs.

Well, I'll tell ya, y'all don't look like any reporters I've ever seen.

Well, we're from California.

California. It's a shame he missed you. He would have loved talking to y'all.

You said Ryan's at the track?

To practice? Not to practice, no. To race!

Today is the Darlington 500. That's why you're here, isn't it?

Yeah. That is why we're here.

Well, if you hurry, you might even b*at your competition to him.

Competition?

Two other reporters were here about an hour ago.

And I will tell you the same thing I told them.

Ryan's gonna win it for sure. You can print that in your papers right now.

You mind telling us what these other reporters look like?

The man was very serious, and the woman, well, red hair and a lot of freckles.

-God's kisses, right? -Right.

Do you know her?

Yes. More of a professional rival, if you will.

Man!

That's a "49 Ford sedan.

A'48 Ford Super DeLuxe with an inline six.

These are original stock cars. No restorations.

“What? -Nothing.

Just didn't realize you were such a stone-cold nerd.

Yeah, me neither.

So, what do you think Rittenhouse wants with the race?

Corner the market on country western songs?

First order of business, we gotta find Ryan before Rittenhouse does.

His garage has to be around here somewhere.

Excuse me, boy.

No, sorry. Excuse me.

1955 in the South.

Not exactly a prime place for black folk.

Tell that to him.

That's... -Wendell Scott!

Why did you hit my boy?

You son of a...

l was talking to you. No, no. Not toward the fighting.

Why did you hit my boy?

Caught your dumbass boy mucking in my engine, so I laid him out.

Got a feeling you sent him. Why would I do that?

‘Cause I smoked you on the track last week.

For the sixth time.

Hey, hey!

-That's enough. -Who are you?

Police.

Dressed like that?

You're gonna argue with this badge? You saw what he did to my boy.

I know what you did to his car. Call it an even trade.

Y'all really cops?

~The deputy. Yep.

Yes, sir, Wyatt Logan.

Big fan of yours.

Makes you one lonely fellow.

We're actually looking for a man named Ryan Millerson.

Is this Old Rusty?

The car that made the Fall Creek Run.

How do you know about that? My dad is a driver.

Not a racer, but he taught me some moves.

So, Wendell, you could really help us out...

Is it true you were running moonshine, and when you saw the police roadblocks, you threw her in reverse, took a hairpin turn backwards at 70 miles an hour?

By the time the police got to my garage, I had my engine out the car and on a chain. No charges filed.

You...

It's fine.

Is that moonshine?

A gesture of appreciation for what you did for me.

Thank you.

I'll take that.

We actually don't want any moonshine.

We just want to know if you know who Ryan Millerson is.

Everybody knows Ryan Millerson.

-Can you introduce us? -Sure.

I already know you're Wyatt.

I'm sorry. Lucy. Hello.

Rufus.

-What was that? -What was what?

You shook your head at me.

I was... Never mind.

Let me find someone to watch Old Rusty, then I'll take you to Ryan.

Thank you.

-What was that? -What are you doing?

It's the nod.

You know, when black people see each other. The nod.

Guess it's not a thing yet.

So, what's the deal with this Wendell Scott dude?

He runs moonshine and he's a racer?

That's how stock car racing started.

They were driving fast to get away from the cops, and it turned into driving fast on the dirt tracks.

I know sports history, too. Did he ever actually win?

Well, he won a Grand National in 1963, but...

-But? -He won by two laps, but they marked him third.

Wendell argued. Eventually, gave him the prize money.

-After all the fans had left. -Jesus.

So, he never got the glory or the trophy.

Hunka junk fast ride, smuggler, rebel, racer, and made the Fall Creek Run in less than 12 parsecs.

This Wendell Scott dude is like a real-life Han Solo.

Yeah.

Come on.

How did you know about Fall Creek Run?

Were you a bootlegger before you became a cop?

I was. Misspent youth.

Not a bad way to make ends meet, is it?

Until I start winning the big races anyway.

I'm sure you're gonna.

Let me see if I can get y'all an introduction.

All right.

Yep, that's you.

Wyatt Logan, notorious bootlegger.

I was.

Seriously, I used to run stuff across the Texas border.

What, like you ran moonshine?

Let's just say it was a little stronger than that.

A little more illegal.

-How old were you? -Fifteen.

You guys never asked.

All good. He'll see you after the reporters clear out.

Great. Thank you so much. It was great meeting you.

-See you around. -All right.

-See you later. -Hey, Bobby!

Come on, fanboy.

You think somebody's looking to hurt me?

Well, we're not sure.

Doesn't make sense. I got lots of rivals, but no enemies.

Have you noticed anything suspicious?

Anyone following you or...

Maybe a woman with red hair and freckles, and an evil stare?

I would think I'd remember somebody like that.

Hey, Ryan.

Has anyone been in here recently?

I don't think so.

I've been outside talking to reporters for the past 30 minutes.

Wyatt, there's something in here that looks like a trigger install.

It's a b*mb.

Guys.

He's the Rittenhouse sleeper agent?

How is he the sleeper?

Well, what do we have here?

The prodigal princess and her boy toys.

Hello, Emma.

Hand over your w*apon.

-What are they doing here? -Dying.

Except maybe you.

Tell me where the Lifeboat is, I'll let you live. I promise.

Right now, your promises mean a grand total of jack squat to me.

Qué sera, sera. Do it.

You want me to k*ll Carol's daughter?

I'm ordering you to. Do it.

Go, go, gol!

Over here!

All clear.

What the hell was that thing you threw back there?

Fire extinguisher grenade. Obviously.

Obviously. Well, thanks.

-Quit nodding at me. -Sorry.

And who the hell are those folks? Bad people.

Why are they trying to hurt Ryan?

No, Ryan is one of them.

I've known Ryan for six years. He's a good man, church-going.

And a communist.

A communist? In South Carolina?

That's right. Ryan Millerson is a known communist who has embedded himself in American society for years.

How you know that? Because we work for the government hunting down those guys.

That's right. We're commie hunters.

Damn.

Them good ol' boys back at the track messed up my engine again.

Good news is, my garage is just up the way.

I don't understand.

I thought you said Ryan Millerson was some golden boy of NASCAR or something.

I had his poster on my wall.

What do you know about him?

Millerson? He wins the Daytona 500 in '59.

Further back. Where did he come from?

He sort of came out of nowhere in "46.

Out of nowhere?

What if Rittenhouse dropped him here in "46?

Are you saying that he's from 2018? Like the World w*r I captain.

That's exactly what I'm saying.

Rittenhouse drops him off, he lived his life, and then he became a racing legend.

Which means that Rittenhouse already changed history.

No, I've known about Millerson since I was a kid.

Because they planted him in the past.

All the memories you have of him are new.

Okay, this is simultaneously giving me a headache and a panic att*ck.

What else has changed that we don't know about?

Whatever he's gonna do has something to do with that b*mb.

This is it.

It's this race, the Darlington 500.

-Should have thought about that. What is it?

This is one of the biggest races of the year.

And all the car company CEOs are here, their top engineers. It's everybody who matters.

So, Rittenhouse is just gonna k*ll a bunch of car company executives?

Cars are the most valuable industry in the world right now.

It could cr*pple the companies.

Rittenhouse would take control of all of them.

They could basically run Detroit.

Which, you know, in "55 is still a big deal.

Hey, Wendell?

What?

We're gonna need you to get us back into that track.

You're supposed to keep a low profile.

Speaking at a tech symposium doesn't qualify, no.

I have done everything you've asked of me these past two months.

I took the blame for the expl*si*n at my headquarters.

So we could go underground without anyone looking for us.

I forfeited my fortune. You were being funded by Rittenhouse.

Come on, Connor, give me a break.

I allowed myself to become a global joke, an embarrassment.

All so that we could fight Rittenhouse.

Now, at some point, these missions will be over, and I'll need to move forward.

I need to begin reclaiming my name, my reputation.

I'm sorry, but you spent over 20 years with more fame and fortune than most people could ever dream of.

A few more months living like everyone else won't k*ll you.

So, cancel your appearance.

Here's my question.

Why would someone on a su1c1de mission decide to fall in love and have a baby?

Almost makes one question one's commitment to the cause.

I don't care about her.

She was just a way to have fun while I waited for you to come back.

The kid was an accident.

What about those three that came in here?

I thought they were out of the picture.

Reports of their death were premature. We'll keep an eye out.

Besides, we've got soldier boy's g*n.

We'll be fine.

Maybe it'd be smarter to wait and find another race.

That'd be nice, wouldn't it?

Maybe spend a little more time with your wife, see your kid born.

-You squared away? Yeah.

And what about you?

Are you squared away?

Of course I am.

I just snuck your butts out of there.

Now you're asking me to sneak you back in? No way.

We didn't wanna have to tell you this, but there is a b*mb in Ryan Millerson's car.

We think he's planning on k*lling a lot of people today.

I don't know what you three are really up to, but this whole communism story sounds like a bunch of bull to me.

If you guys mess with Ryan Millerson, the most popular driver on the circuit, every official there is gonna be looking for you.

And seeing as how they're looking for a reason to keep me out of races, I ain't giving them one by getting mixed up in this. Sorry.

Okay, look, people are gonna die.

Or you're completely nuts.

And what the hell are you doing?

I'm an engineer. I thought I'd help fix your car.

You know, I help you, you help us.

Get your hands off my engine. No, I got it...

Wait, wait, are you okay?

-Oh, my God. -Some engineer.

Take this for his arm, and get the hell out of my garage.

We are so screwed.

Maybe not.

Right this way, Mr. Mason.

And you'll be seated right here.

Well, that's perfect. Thank you. You're welcome.

Connor.

Vincent.

I'm shocked to see you here.

What topic do you plan on speaking on today?

"Best ways to file for bankruptcy"?

Bankruptcy is temporary, Vincent.

Ingenuity, now that lasts forever.

I'm one idea away.

You know ideas have always come more easily to me than to you, haven't they?

You must excuse me. I really have to look at this speech.

I am first up, after all.

w*nk*r.

Damn it, it was right there.

The clogged fuel filter?

I fixed it.

We really are telling the truth.

I am a fan.

And I was a bootlegger.

And people really are in danger.

You gotta get us on to that track, man.

Let's see how you did.

Now, these floats tend to get stuck.

Your dad taught you how to drive and wrench?

Sounds like a good man. He didn't do it out of love.

When I'd mouth off, he'd hit me and throw me in the back of his precious old Chevy, rip around the backwoods at night with the lights off just to scare the crap out of me.

He'd run the car till something broke, and he'd tell me I wasn't allowed to come home until I fixed it.

He'd just sit there with his beer and his cigarettes, laughing at me.

And I thought my daddy was a son of a bitch.

Give me a hand with this.

This don't work, your daddy's beatings won't hold a candle to what I'm gonna do to you.

-What did your dad do? -He wasn't mean.

He just liked to gamble too much.

One day, Mom told him to choose between his family and his rackets, and we never saw him again.

sh**t, I used to pray my dad would run off.

When I turned 15 and realized he wouldn't, I did.

I took his car.

-You stole his car? Yeah.

Figured he owed me at least that much.

Ran it till the pistons blew, and I drove the damn thing straight into a lake.

-Let's give it a sh*t. Yeah.

Well?

All right. I'll sneak y'all back into the track.

Really?

Thank you so much.

Just one question. How are we gonna get back in?

Because I think they're gonna be looking for us.

Well, Rufus will ride up front with me.

And you two are getting in another way.

You two all right back there?

Yeah, we're fine.

Right?

So far so good.

So, if you're an engineer who can't fix an engine, what kind of engineer are you?

I work with other types of machines.

Time-related ones.

Clocks?

You need schooling for that?

Ever heard of MIT?

I heard of it. One of the best.

-Can't be too many black folk there. Yeah.

Yeah, well, you know how it is.

One foot in front of the other, and never quit.

Sure do.

That's how I plan on attacking NASCAR and start winning races.

Got your work cut out for you.

Hell.

What's too tough for everyone else is just right enough for us.

I'm sorry. I'm so... Wildly claustrophobic?

-Not helping. -Sorry.

-God! -Here.

You know what, why don't you just hang on to me?

Is that stuff you said about your dad true?

I don't know how you do that.

Just call him a bastard one second, and the next, be laughing about it.

Maybe it's because I drove his car into a lake.

I just sort of let it go after that.

You're lucky you never admired him.

Of course I admired him. He was my dad.

For years, I thought that every terrible thing he did was my fault.

I revered my mother.

I thought she was

superwoman.

Come to find out that's she's just terrible.

Maybe it's a good thing.

What do you mean?

Well, now you know.

You know for sure you can move on.

Nothing ahead but the open road.

Paid the race fees this morning, Carl.

Looking for some unfamiliars.

White couple and a n*gro. Took a run at Millerson.

I know you?

That's George, my cousin.

On my pit crew. You've seen him half a dozen times.

How is it going, Carl?

We don't all look alike, you know.

Anyway, gotta search your trunk.

Look, I'm in a rush, but...

There's 10 bucks if you let us skate on by and get to racing.

Many thanks.

Now open your trunk.

-This really necessary? -Now!

All good?

Told you I had it.

You all right?

I wasn't expecting that.

Didn't mean to interrupt.

Ryan.

Hey, baby.

You can't be here in your condition.

Go home and rest.

No, I might have, but that reporter that stopped by earlier came and got me and said you wanted me here.

Hey.

My eyes on you won't make you nervous.

Make you calm, right?

Right.

I love you.

I love you back.

Take her away from here.

I'm begging you. Please.

What does it matter if she's just part of your cover?

I'll be sitting right next to her in the stands.

Carry out your mission, or she dies.

It's that simple. You understand?

Yes.

Ryan!

Press wants a few last photos and interviews before the big race.

-Of course. -Come on in, fellas.

Gather around.

-Look over there. -Who's that?

Those are the guys from Ford, GM, and Chrysler.

Ryan's gonna ram into them with that b*mb, k*ll them all.

Good Lord.

We gotta get into Millerson's garage. Just gonna go in there without a g*n?

Well, we don't really have another choice.

Getting in isn't the problem, getting out is.

I got it.

It's cold, so I'll Casper.

You head in and rip a cherry, then make a snow angel and go to church.

Rip it? In front of everyone?

Do you have any idea what they're talking about?

I think it's smuggler talk. That, or they're both having a stroke.

All right. Yeah.

Wait, wait. You're just gonna leave?

It's all good. Come on.

So, why did you decide to go with Chevrolet as a sponsor?

Here is my answer.

So, you're predicting first? By three laps.

I like being the opposite of an underdog.

Makes me remember that I was once...

You were once what?

Mr. Millerson?

Hey, somebody break it up.

Oh, my Lord!

What's going on?

-You two, stop it. -Lookit, over there.

Somebody get the cops.

Ryan! Ryan, stop!

Stop!

Wyatt!

Go.

Come on.

He armed the b*mb.

What? Then disarm it!

I gotta get to the engine.

No! Nol

Rufus!

Yep.

Wyatt, I don't know if you know this, but the b*mb in this car is pressure sensitive, and you're going really fast.

Guys!

We got company.

Wyatt, it's still armed.

-Okay, I get it, Rufus. -Good.

Because if you so much as hit a bug, we're done.

In order to get away from them, Rufus, I might need to hit a couple of bugs!

Guys, they're gonna hit us!

We lost one.

If you want to slow down, feel free.

Too fast. You're gonna hit the car.

How are we doing?

You sure that won't go off?

Yeah, pretty sure.

I think so. Just kidding.

Well, thank you for everything.

Wasn't nothing, ma'am.

That was some driving out there.

We should hit the tracks sometime.

You have no idea how amazing it is you're asking me to do that.

I'll be here.

-Like that? -That's pretty good.

It's gonna catch on at some point, so, you know, you'll be a trendsetter.

Maybe.

I'll have won my first race for sure by then.

What? You don't think I can do it?

It's not that. I'm sure you will. It's just...

You really think they'll give a black man the prize?

Of course not.

What? Y'all think I'm thick?

They ain't gonna call no race for a black man.

Sure as hell won't give me no trophy.

Then why do it?

I wanna race and be the best.

No more wisdom behind it than that.

And if they don't like it, screw "em.

Give them hell, Wendell.

You b*rned it.

Yeah, it's nothing.

Hey, it's fine.

You know what I was thinking?

Maybe we could make breakfast for everyone in the morning?

You in?

Sure.

-See you in the morning. -Good night.

Good night.

And it is with this vision and...

Mr. Mason, quite a crowd out there. We're about to open the doors.

-Great. Thank you. -You're welcome.

Sir? You need to come with us. Now.

Get your hands off me. You know who I am?

You're Connor Mason, and you're under arrest for conspiracy to commit fraud and aiding and abetting an enemy of the state.

You can't do this to me here.

You can walk out or be carried. Pick one.

Thought you were first up.

You did it to yourself. I warned you.

That was unforgivable.

Unforgivable is putting the team in danger just to feed your own ego.

If you ever try to pull anything like this ever again, you will walk into a prison, and you will never walk out.

Do you understand me?

Connor.

Yes.

Good.

You failed. That's the short of it.

Yep. We failed ‘cause your daughter, who you should have let me k*ll in 1818, -is still out there. -So, this is my fault?

I'm saying you share some responsibility, yes.

Or for everything.

Two more of our soldiers are dead after listening to you.

Our course will soon be set.

Why, because of dear leader Nicholas? Watch your mouth.

Without his writings, we wouldn't be here.

Where is "here" exactly?

Is your aloof, younger grandfather ready to lead, or is he still asking for pickled eggs?

Ma'am, you have to take a look at this.

What the hell is this?

It's a map.

Don't call it that.

A map is for explorers.

That isn't who we are.

Doesn't do us justice.

What we are, are artists.

Time is our canvas, and this is our brush.

When did you do all this?

While the rest of you were rolling your eyes at me, contemplating whether or not I was a competent leader.

Now it's time to begin preserving human culture.

Taking what's best of us, and subtracting and sloughing away the worst.

Shaping, cutting away the rock that is the human race, until it resembles something like Michelangelo's David.

Until it reaches

perfection everlasting.

We few will save the world.