Nine Days

Hi, Amanda.

Good morning.

- Hi. - Hey, baby.

Hey, honey, laundry's done.

Amanda. No, no, no.

Let's hear it, Amanda. Come on.

- Yeah! - All right.

Happy birthday, Amanda.

Good, good, good. All right, good job, everybody.

We'll see you tomorrow at 5 p.m.

So eat well rest well.

And if anyone has any problems, don't let me know.

All right, good.

Amanda.

- That was really good. - Thanks.

- What's up, Rick? - Come on, guys.

Oh, how's it going, man?

That's a nice bag, man.

- Please, stop it. - Oh, this is nice.

- Give me my bag back. - It is pretty nice.

Come on, I'm gonna be late to class.

Come on, please. Give it back. Stop, please.

- Hey, honey, I'm exhausted. - I'm gonna crash.

Just call him right now.

Bye-bye.

Hi, I was just around the corner.

I just thought I'd bring you some supplies.

Did you come to bring supplies,

or to watch the concerto?

Ah. Both.

Mm-hm.

Ugh.

Some of this food's had an anniversary.

- Mm. - Anything else you want me to bring?

No, I have everything I need.

- Love. - What?

Love is all you need.

What's new? See Rob's working on his heart attack.

Kate's got a new boyfriend.

- Fucking hated the other one. - Leave me alone.

- Rick's still being bullied. - Stop. Come on.

Come on, please.

Leave me alone. Stop.

When's Luiza getting married?

Will?

All information is in her cabinet.

Yeah, I know, but when's she getting married?

In eight days.

Oh, perfect. Got a window there.

Thanks for the invite.

Beautiful dress.

Fernando's doing much better.

Right, she's heading to the concerto.

What time does it start?

At 6.

So why's she driving so fast?

No!

Will.

Hmm? What did you say?

Have you seen anything different?

No.

No?

Yes.

Yes?

She had some problems sleeping.

But she always had problems sleeping before big concertos.

Well...

Well...

Nothing we do now is gonna change anything.

I heard her tires squeal.

Try to get some rest, eh?

Tomorrow you got a lot of work to do.

- Do you like it, Amanda? - Mm-hm.

Good.

Aw.

Who did you draw here, Amanda?

- My friend. - Yeah?

- Is this the friend that we never see? - Mm-hm.

The friend again.

Do you ever talk to your friend?

Not really, but he's always with me.

What's your friend's name?

Will.

His name is Will.

Hi.

Hi.

Please, come in.

- Thank you. - Mm.

My name is Will, by the way.

May I call you...

Anne?

Sure.

May I take your picture?

My pleasure.

Hmm.

How old are you, Anne?

Four.

Four minutes?

Four hours.

- And some minutes. - Mm.

When did you learn how to speak?

I don't know.

I think I always knew how to speak.

Do you know why you're here?

Strangely, yes.

Do you mind if I say it out loud, just to make it official?

Okay.

As you know,

you are being considered for the amazing opportunity of life.

If, after this process, you are selected,

you will have the chance to be born in a fruitful environment

where you can grow,

develop,

and accomplish.

Would you like to be considered for this position?

I would.

Before we get started, may I call you...

Mike?

Yes.

Maria?

Alexander?

Kane?

Yeah.

Do you have any questions?

- Am I dead? - I wouldn't say you're alive or dead.

Are you the boss?

I would say, a cog in the wheel.

That sounds intense.

How long is this process?

Hard to pinpoint exactly,

but if you make it until the end, nine days.

- So I have nine days. - Yes.

Or less.

After that?

If you're selected,

there is an extension as a newborn.

If not, I would say it's the end.

By "extension," do you mean I carry on the memories from here?

No. No memories.

But you'll still be you.

What's the difference between, um,

being here

and being alive?

Any feeling, sensation, emotion,

much less intense here.

How can you be so sure of that?

Because of a previous experience as a living person.

So you were picked.

You sat where I sat, and you won.

Yes.

And what did you achieve as a living person?

Unfortunately I can't answer any questions on the subject.

Okay.

I have a task for you.

No right or wrong answer.

Just say whatever comes to mind.

You gonna sit there?

From here on, you're not Anne anymore.

You are a war prisoner in a concentration camp.

You were sent here yesterday with your 11-year-old son, Nick.

Very smart boy, but quite rebellious too.

This morning, Nick tried to escape,

but was caught by a sadistic guard

who wants to hang him.

Nick is right here...

standing on this chair,

with a cord...

around his neck.

This small piece of furniture is the only thing preventing

your beloved son from being killed,

when the guard says, "Pull the chair."

Pull the chair!

Pull the chair! Pull the chair!

My God.

If you don't pull this chair,

not only will I kill your son,

I'll kill everyone else here.

Shit. Uh...

Would you pull the chair or not?

No right or wrong answers.

Just say whatever comes to mind.

Anne.

Uh...

I wouldn't pull the chair.

Can you tell me why?

Well, if I pull the chair, my son will die for sure.

But if I don't, there's always a chance the guard is bluffing.

I would pull the chair.

Why?

Because I don't care.

It's my fault that my son tried to escape,

so it wouldn't be fair if everyone else died because of us.

I mean, do I have another kid?

I'd attack the guard.

I'm not sure if you understand the concept of firearms,

but attacking the guard is a losing battle.

Losing battle like what?

Like attacking a bear with nothing but your hands.

What makes you so sure I would lose that fight?

Thank you for sharing that with me, Anne.