White Mirror, S1E6

Runner-up script!

It’s the final two days of unveiling the White Mirror scripts and we’re super excited to announce the runner-up of the competition: @forgeofman!

As a surprise reward, we are also extending an open invitation to both @forgeofman and the winner of the competition (to be announced tomorrow!) to come as guests on Infinite Loops!

Thank you @forgeofman for sharing this inspirational script, and we look forward to having you on on the podcast!

Now enjoy the script:

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In the year 2325, a 50 year old billionaire scientist named Aman realizes she's finally succeeded:

She's invented a time machine.

After decades of trial and error, she has figured it out.

She can finally go back in time to save her friend from dying at the age of 19.

As she steps into the time machine and sets the date, butterflies fill her stomach.

She hasn't seen Jyoti in decades. Would she recognize this 50 year old version of her best friend?

Before another thought could come into her mind, there is a blinding light.

As her eyes adjust, she finds herself standing in front of the coffee shop Jyoti used to work at.

She looked down at her watch - 15 minutes before she's transported back to the present.

She walks in and sees Jyoti behind the till, realizing how much detail about her time has stolen.

As she waits in line, Aman can't help but marvel at how innocent and sweet her best friend is.

The line is long, longer than she had expected.

5 minutes left.

As Aman makes her way to the front, their eyes meet.

She feels faint.

She has waited and wished for this moment for so many long and agonizing years.

A look of both confusion and recognition flash in Jyoti's eyes and across her face.

"You look very familiar!"

Aman feels her face reddening as something dawns on her - she had failed to realize how difficult this was going to be.

How could she convince a 19 year old to have a private conversation with a 50 year old woman?

Fortunately, Aman has a backup plan.

She pulls out the letter she had written from inside her jacket pocket.

"I'm Aman's aunt. She sent this letter for you from India & said she's sorry she won't be here for your birthday. She asks that you read it immediately."

"I knew it. You look like her, but older!"

Aman smiles, while quickly looking down at her watch.

1 minute left.

She begins to panic.

"Bye. Read that letter. Aman said you need to read it ASAP."

"I will!"

As she rushes out of the shop, she looks at her watch and sees there are 3 seconds left.

Suddenly, another blinding light.

Aman opens her eyes and realizes she's back in the present.

As she processes what just happened, she wonders if Jyoti has heeded her advice.

Would she understand what seemed like a cold was actually her heart weakening?

Would she understand that she needed to see a doctor right away, otherwise she would be dead within days?

Would she understand everything Aman had written, how much Aman missed her, and how terrible she had felt for being on vacation during her final days?

Several hours go by, yet nothing seems different.

Finally, Aman receives a call from Jyoti's elderly mother.

"Aman, come see me. I have to show you something."

As Aman races to see her, she can barely breathe.

As she rings the doorbell, she expects Jyoti to answer, excited to see the 50 year old version her.

The door opens slowly.

It's Jyoti's frail and elderly mother.

"This is for you, sweetheart."

Aman looks down and saw her best friend's mischievous writing on an envelope.

TO AMAN - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL OCTOBER 12, 2325.

"I found it years ago, but with it was another letter to me, forbidding me to give this to you until today."

Aman feels a tear roll down her cheek.

Today marks 32 years since Jyoti had died.

In her excitement about the time machine, she had forgotten.

Aman thanks Jyoti's mother and makes her way back to her car. With trembling hands, she opens the letter.

As she begins to read it, her body shakes uncontrollably.

"Aman, I read your letter right after you left the shop.

First of all, I want you to know how much I love you.

Reading about your husband, your children and your life made me so happy.

I am so proud of you, and the fact that even after all these years, you miss me this much makes me ache, but also happy that we had the bond we did.

Aman, thank you for warning me, but as you have probably figured out, I didn't take your advice.

Why?

Remember that philosophy prof that told us that quote about character being fate?

It seems as though you you've come to personify it. Despite losing me, you flourished. You became a success, a woman of power and strength - what we always said we would be.

Me dying could have ruined your life, but you persevered. You didn't let it define you. You lived on, and through you, I feel as though I've lived on as well.

We cannot change our fate, Aman. I am meant to die when I am, and you are meant to live on and accomplish great things.

For me to risk changing that by living would be selfish.

Perhaps in our next lives, things will be different.

Perhaps we'll get to get old together & live like sisters.

Perhaps we'll get to complain about our husbands & fret about our kids.

Perhaps, but not in this one.

Please don't be upset with me.

Know that I love you.

Know that I will always be with you.

Know that you are my sister, today and until the end of time.

Know that this is what was meant to happen.

Know that I accept it.

Know that you must too.

Thank you for coming back to see me, and thank you for giving me the chance to write you this letter, so I can say bye to you properly. I've marked this to be opened the day you come back in time, so that you don't think you failed.

Goodbye, Aman. Keep making me proud.

Love you.

Jyoti."

After she finished reading the letter, Aman drove back to her office, numb.

Hours went by with her sitting in front of the time machine, deep in thought.

Finally, she gets up, her face streaked with tears.

As she pushes the time machine into a dark corner where other machines destined for scrap are stored, she takes a deep breath.

"Goodbye Jyoti. I love you too."