[Elevator Bell Dings]
[Whistling]
Cutting out a little early today, Sydney?
Jarod!
[Wheel Squeaking]
[Whispering] My God, Jarod. They're gonna see you.
Something bad is happening, Sydney. There isn't much time left.
- Jarod, let's get out of here. - I need answers.
- Answers? - Who I am.
Where I came from. Who my parents are.
Just give me something, even if it's just a name.
- But I need to know now. - So do I.
- [Sydney]Jarod. - Me too.
[Sydney] I don't understand.
[Man] They deserve answers, Sydney.
Jacob.
I don't understand, Jacob.
It's complicated. Please, Sydney.
I don't have much time.
[Phone Ringing]
[Ringing Continues]
[Phone Ringing]
Good morning, Broots. Sorry to interrupt.
Let me guess. Jarod?
Yep. [Clears Throat] It just arrived this morning.
He bought it from some place called the Astro Arcade in Indianapolis.
- He was working in a pinball parlor? - No, he was just hanging out.
The owner said he played this exact game for almost 24 hours straight on one single quarter.
- Impressive. - Oh, yeah.
And what's Sydney's take on Game Boy?
Oh, Sydney. He left you this e-mail.
"Our suffocated friend is awake."
- He's awake. - Jacob is a threat to Centre interests.
Make sureJacob never wakes up again.
"I'll be away fishing."
Find out where Sydney is.
[Laughs]
31.48. This boy is fast.
He's still more than a full second off the track record.
Took you five years to find this kind of speed, R.J.
This guy hasn't even unpacked his bags yet.
- What'd he say his last name was? - Jones.
Well, he drives like Parnelli. That's for damn sure. Let's go.
[Announcer] That's the MCI car coming in from the pit row apron.
Practice is now open for the next hour.
[Chattering]
- That was incredible! - Thank you.
- You are some driver. - Excuse me. One hell of a sequence.
I could have gone faster, but my foot slipped off the gas pedal during turn four.
So, hot shot, where'd you learn to drive a race car?
- Indianapolis. - Really? The Brickyard?
The Astro Arcade.
[Man Narrating] There are Pretenders among us.
[Jarod] I was taken from my family.
Thirty-six hours, and he's already demonstrating more talent than any of our others.
How many people died because of what I thought up?
Since I broke out, I've spent every moment searching for my past.
[Miss Parker] He's a Pretender-
A genius who can become anyone that he wants to be.
- The Centre wants him alive. - Preferably.
[Miss Parker] He defends the weak and abused.
Life's a gift.
- You a doctor? - I am today.
[Man]Jarod, this is Nigel Brinkman, our number one driver.
- [Nigel] Welcome to the big show, Jarod. - Nice to be here.
Jarod's gonna be taking over the number three car forJimmy.
He had an accident in Milwaukee, didn't he?
My son broke his leg. Doctors say it'll be at least a year until he drives again.
But he will. Know why? He's a Roemer.
Jimmy got a little carried away with himself.
He took R.J.'s car out to scuff the tires, ended up putting it into the wall.
I can understand why R.J. would be a little defensive.
My sons can handle it. That's racing.
Come on. Let's get you settled in.
[Roemer] I accept nothing but the best from my drivers, Jarod.
I can see that. This one's an oldie.
Guess you could say that knife was R.J. 's first trophy.
Here he is getting his Indy Lights Championship.
There he is winning the National Quarter Midget.
There he is finishing second at Long Beach. I'm not sure why that one's even up there.
I would've won that race if the car had been set up right.
Really? I don't remember our chief mechanic driving the car that day.
Hawkes is a dinosaur.
R.J., visiting hours at the hospital are over-
- Oh, sorry. I didn't realize you were having- - It's okay, darling. Come on in.
Uh, I think I've gotta go check the telemetry readings on, uh, practice.
[Woman] You're not going to seeJimmy?
Well, I'll try, okay?
Anna, this is Jarod Jones. He's taking overJimmy's ride.
- Anna's my daughter-in-law. - Hi.
- Pleasure. - She'll get your race paperwork started...
and we tire test at 1:00.
Well, this is uncomfortable.
It's racing.
I heard about your husband's accident.
- I hope he will be all right. - Thanks.
Doctors say it's too soon to tell if the leg damage is, uh, permanent.
You're gonna need to fill out a background information form.
- Background information? - So the media and sponsors know who you are.
I'm not really interested in publicity.
In this business, you will answer more questions and eat more cocktail weenies...
than you ever thought possible.
I'm sure that everything is going to work out.
It looks like your family's very close.
Looks that way, doesn't it?
[Announcer, Indistinct]
Anything yet?
[Clears Throat] Well, I've gone over Sydney's message a dozen times...
and the best I can come up with is he's gone to Whitecloud.
- Where? - Sydney has a cabin near Whitecloud Lake.
He goes there to fish sometimes.
Sydney and trout. Boggles the mind.
Do you know where it is?
- Uh, yeah. - Write down the directions.
I still don't get the part about "Our suffocated friend is awake."
The directions, Broots.
[Snapping Continues]
Uh-
The last word is "Whitecloud."
You don't have to draw me a map.
You both drive for the same team but you race against each other?
Not exactly. R.J. here is what you might call my support team.
I don't understand.
That's because Ringo here is a little confused...
which might come from smelling my exhaust fumes for most of the race.
- Ow! - Oh, sorry. It-
- It got away from me. - You didn't sign me this morning.
- I was in your pit earlier. - Oh. Oh, yes.
- Are you a driver too? - [Giggles] Yeah.
Now, when you talk about the life-and-death aspect of racing...
you cut right to the heart of the driver's very existence.
Really?
- [Chattering] - Did you want something?
Yes. I don't have a big car yet, and I was wondering if you could give me a lift.
- I need to visit someone. - Yeah, all right.
[R.J.] This is the hospitalJimmy's in.
I thought I should meet the man I was subbing for. You want to join me?
It must be difficult working so hard...
and never getting the support you need to win.
Oh, I'll win. I have to.
What was Jimmy doing in your car the day it crashed?
You saw the pathetic data on the three car.
Jimmy wanted to drive a competitive ride. I felt sorry for him, gave him a shot.
- End of story. - According to the data after the crash...
Jimmy had the throttle wide open when he hit the wall.
Well, I love my brother, but he doesn't know his limits.
[Woman] Your brother has a very rare disease.
In Jacob's case, it has stimulated the brain.
Seems like it's reawakened an area injured years earlier.
- Is he aware of his surroundings? - On and off.
His motor skills are very elementary...
and his speech appears to be limited to single-word utterances.
I would like to see him now.
Well, before you do, there's something else you should know about your brother's condition.
[Muttering In French]
[Continues In French]
Jacob? Can you hear me?
This is Sydney.
[Speaking French]
Greta.
[Softly] Yes.
He seems to be drifting from one thought to another.
I'm not sure who this Greta woman is.
Greta was our mother's name.
Jacob, listen to this carefully.
Do you know what year it is?
1942.
I'd like to take him with me.
Mr. Raines.
We've completed the trace of Sydney's telephone tap.
You were right. His brother is still alive.
But you'll take care of that, won't you?
My pleasure.
Is the sun too hot?
No, I'm fine.
Doctors say you can start rehab in another month.
I'd start today if I had my way.
That's my little brother. Doesn't know a good thing when he's sittin'on it.
- Where you been, stranger? - I got better things to do than hang around with gimps.
- Yeah. What's her name? - Guilty.
- Anna. - I thought you weren't coming.
You gotta have faith in your family.
Can you get my baseball cap out of my room? I am gettin' a little toasted out here.
Yeah, sure.
Hey. Here.
But don't be eatin' too many candy bars, or you'll be drivin' NASCAR next season.
- Hey. Jimmy Roemer. - Jarod Jones.
Jarod is driving the number three car.
Well, good for you. Win one for the home team, huh?
I'm just keeping your place warm until you get back.
- How are you feeling? - Well, like a Reynard with a flat tire.
Just take it slow. It'll all come back to you.
I feel pretty stupid parking R.J.'s ride into the wall.
I mean, I know I blacked out, but I swear I was brakin'.
The engine just kept revvin' after I made contact.
Hey, accidents happen. Remember my prom night?
[Laughing]
- [Laughing] - Dad was P.O.'ed, huh?
I wrapped my Mach One around a telephone pole.
Course, it didn't cost a hundred grand to have it fixed.
- Here. Fill me up, will ya? - [Glass Shatters]
Whoa-
- You okay? - Yeah.
Hard to believe I drive a race car, huh?
Like you say, accidents happen.
[Sydney] I'm taking you out ofhere, Jacob. To the cabin at Whitecloud.
You used to love going to Whitecloud. Remember?
[Tires Screeching]
Go that way. I'll check the stairs.
Okay, drop the mop.
[Sydney] He can't understand you.
- Hey, Jarod. - Hey, Mario.
- Nice run. Nice run. - Thanks.
I was watching you. Just a little tip.
Goin' into turn one, just keep it down a little lower.
Stay below the bumps. I think you're gonna like it.
- I'll remember that. Thanks. - Take care.
Seventeen races, six months without a podium finish.
This, gentlemen, is unacceptable...
and that is why we are now going to begin to race as a team.
- Meaning? - Meaning you're gonna do whatever it takes...
to get the number one car out front and keep it there.
- What about me? - Me, me, me. There is no me.
It's a team sport now. I want you and Jarod to let Nigel draft behind your cars.
Block out the leader so he can gain track position, okay?
Excuse me. Blocking is a flaggable offense.
- It's called racing. - Yeah, so basicallyJarod and I are just traffic cops.
Do you have any idea how much money it takes to support three cars?
- Come on, Dad. I just meant- - Sponsors want to see their product in victory lane.
Otherwise, they find another team...
and you go back to crushing junk with monster trucks.
Which means driving smart, not like that loose cannon little brother of yours.
- You son of a bitch! - Hey, hey! R.J.! Cool down.
Come on. Hawkes is right.
Jimmy had no business being in the number two car and you know it.
Yeah? Check the recent lap times. I should be top ride.
Yeah, right. Come on, Hawkes. Let me show you something.
Someone should shut that son of a bitch up for good.
You see? That's the kind of Roemer spirit that I'm looking for.
I'd just like to see some of it on the track.
So much for the home team.
Sydney?
[Gasps] Oh, God! You scared the hell out of me.
Expecting to find two corpses, Miss Parker?
- What did Raines promise you? - What are you talking about?
The Sweeper team that showed up at the hospital.
You called Raines up, didn't you? Admit it!
Let go of me, Sydney!
You are the only one who knows my brother is still alive.
Raines thinks I murdered Jacob.
If he knew he was still alive, then I would be in more danger than anyone.
I suggest you check your home phone for bugs...
and let go of me.
- Has he said anything? - I need to reach him, Parker.
- I need answers. - Answers?
About what I've done.
You did brake, Jimmy, but your engine kept running.
[Anna]Jimmy used to walk the stands before every race.
Said it felt like bein' in church.
Thanks for gettin' R.J. to go seeJimmy.
It perks him up when he sees his brother.
- Well, I thought it might help. - Yeah.
How's he doing?
The truth is he feels like he failed.
- Failed? - Me, R.J., mostly his dad.
Well, Grant is pretty intense.
Yeah, and he's always encouraged them to compete against each other.
The winter when Jimmy was seven, Grant took him and R.J. out to a cabin...
made them each chop a cord of wood...
told them the winner would get a brand-new Odekirk fishing knife...
the kind with all the attachments.
- I saw the photograph in the trailer. - Right.
Now, there's no way a couple of kids can cut all that wood.
And Grant knew that, but he left them out there alone in the cold.
- What happened? - There's a lumberyard nearby.
So R.J. hot-wires a tractor, rides up the hill...
buys himself a fresh-cut stack of wood...
and wins the knife.
Sounds like the real prize was winning his father's approval.
And he would do anything to get it.
Some things never change.
Sydney? Sydney?
- Catherine. - You remember my mother?
Look just like her.
Yes. But do you remember her?
Jacob?
Please, Jacob, try to remember.
- Why can't you remember? - [Sydney] Because he's dying.
The same virus that's reawakened Jacob...
is also killing him.
He has less than 12 hours left.
I'm sorry, Sydney.
What can we do?
Broots is bringing some of my personal items:
photos, home movies.
If only I can helpJacob remember...
maybe he can tell us something about your mother.
Or aboutJarod.
[Sobbing]
Or maybe he can simply die...
knowing who he is.
[Sobbing Continues]
It's okay.
[Jarod] Not that an Andretti needs racing advice, Michael...
but stay low, avoid the bumps, you'll be glad you did.
Something about that advice sounds kinda familiar. But thanks.
[Announcer, Indistinct]
What's that?
I came across this throttle cable from Jimmy's crashed engine.
What, you're a cart inspector now?
I just want to know how things work.
- I couldn't figure out what these scratches were. - Jimmy bent the cable plate.
What happens when the cable plate is bent?
You bend the cable plate, and your throttle will stick.
- Is that what happened toJimmy? - I did the car inspection after the accident.
Jimmy's crash had nothing to do with mechanical error.
- Well, then how do you explain these marks? - Damaged in the crash.
Well, I'm not a mechanic, but these markings look like they were made by pliers.
You're right. You're not a mechanic.
Oh, wow.! This place is really nice.!
Hey.
Here.
Hey, think I can rent it from you some weekend and bring my daughter here?
- Is this it? - Yeah, that's everything.
You can leave now.
Okay.
Can- Can I at least go to the bathroom first? Is it through here?
- [Miss Parker] Broots, wait. - [Gasps]
What's going on?
My brotherJacob is quite ill.
You breathe a word of this to anybody...
and every dairy case in America will be plastered with your face.
- Got it? - Yeah.
Go back to the Centre. If you notice anything unusual, you call me.
We need protection for at least another 10 hours. Understood?
Yeah, as good as I'm ever gonna.
Why would you want to kill your own brother, R.J.?
[Broots] Yeah, I just got back. No, it's quiet.
Everything seems to be really cool. Of course I won't say anything.
Miss Parker, could you do me a favor?
Could you... wish Sydney good luck?
Miss Parker?
Hello?
God, I hate it when she does that.
Oh, Mr. Raines.
- Damn it! - [Chuckles]
I'm sorry about that, man.
Hey!
Something eating at you, R.J.?
Now I'm gonna have to do some major body work.
You wouldn't happen to have a small screwdriver or a set of pliers, would you?
Somebody broke the lock on the garage door and stole all the pliers last night.
Really? Can't trust anybody these days.
- Hey, Jones, try this. - An Odekirk.
These are very difficult to come by.
Where did you get this?
I won it. About a year ago.
From whom?
From me.
Don't you just hate a sore loser, eh? [Laughs]
Did R.J. threaten to take your number one car, Brinkman?
[Sydney] Remember those tennis matches at Yale?
I still think you let me win so that I wouldn't feel too bad.
Jacob, listen to me.
There are things you know, Jacob.
Things that can help others.
RememberJarod?
You signed him into the Centre the night he was brought there.
Parker and I found files in SL 27.
Your signature was on Jarod's entrance report.
Think back.
Where did he come from?
What was his real name?
His parents' name?
That is the least I can do for him.
Since your car accident, I've done things, Jacob-
unspeakable things-
to protectJarod, to protect you.
I even tried to kill Dr. Raines.
But the bullet hit his oxygen tank and-
[Engine Roaring]
It's pretty nifty, huh?
I rebuiltJimmy's engine from the crash.
All by myself.
I did, however, have to replace this damaged throttle cable.
Now, maybe I should be a cart inspector.
What do you want?
Do you remember these markings?
As it turns out, they were indeed made by a pair of pliers.
Pliers from an Odekirk knife. This Odekirk knife.
Now, it used to belong to R.J., but R.J. lost it in a bet to Nigel Brinkman.
- What's this got to do with me? - I'm glad you asked.
This is a videotape...
from the surveillance cameras in the garages in Milwaukee.
It's dated the day beforeJimmy's crash.
It shows you letting Nigel Brinkman into the number two car garage.
Brinkman was worried that R.J. was going to take over the number one car.
How was he supposed to know thatJimmy was going to be behind the wheel that day?
Now, why would I want to hurt R.J.?
Because he wanted you replaced as crew boss. I found résumés.
Résumés of people applying for your job.
Oh, God. I'm 56 years old.
I can't start over again.
Now, I never wanted to hurtJimmy.
What the heck was that kid doin' in that car anyway?
He was covering for me.
- Your hand. - Yeah.
I started having spasms about six months ago.
The day of the race it was so bad, I could barely hold the wheel.
I asked Jimmy to cover for me.
I've seen cases like yours. It's treatable.
I'll take care of it later. It's time to think ofJimmy.
I messed up, Jarod.
I let down my father. I almost killed my little brother.
You didn't know that Brinkman messed with the engine.
Well, I know now.
I'm gonna do everything I can to make it right.
We all will.
[Raines] No, don't lie to me.
[Broots] I tell you. I don't know anybody named Jacob.
Six hours, Mr. Broots.
Is all this discomfort worth protecting someone like Sydney?
I don't know what you're talking about.
Well, then maybe I can help jog your memory.
[Broots] Oh.! Okay.! I think I'm starting to remember.!
Hello, Anna. It's Jarod.
Do you think Jimmy would be up to coming to the track tomorrow?
Nigel, it's Jarod. Hawkes thinks he made a breakthrough on your setup.
Can you do a little testing in the morning?
Great. I'll see you then.
And I'm telling you, I don't have enough coverage in the pits.
- Yeah. - Excuse me, sir.
- Yeah. - Could you direct me to the public address feed?
There's a rack in the back. That's what the problem is.
You've only got five cameras out there, and I need twice that many.
[Beeps]
Well, why don't you look on the camera truck?
Television. I had to be out of my mind.
[Chuckles]
Look, can we at least get the on-camera positions set?
[Announcer] Only one and a half seconds separate the two cars-
[Continues, Indistinct]
Nigel. Glad you could make it.
Hey, if you boys think you can get some more speed out of this car, I'm ready.
- Where's Grant? - Well, considering the tone of our last meeting...
Hawkes and I thought it would be wiser if we kept this between us until we see if it pans out.
- Okay. Let's give it a run. - There you go.
[Chattering, Shouting]
[Man] All right, if you got problems, just step on it a few times.
All right, Nigel. Have a good one.!
Ready, set, go.! Go.!
- How does she feel? - So far, so good.
- [Beeps] - I'll get her warmed up. Then we'll see what she can do.
[Man] Those rods workin'all right?
What the hell is Brinkman doing out there?
You should watch this. Then we have to talk.
[Crew Chattering]
Here's your helmet, Jarod.
Go! Go!
I'm gonna open her up the next time around.
[Jarod] How's it feel, Nigel?
[Nigel On Speaker] Oh, man. It doesn't get any better than this.
[Jarod] Come on, Nigel. You can go faster than that.
Jarod, what are you doing out here?
Just trying to find out what really happened toJimmy's car before the crash.
[Nigel On Speaker] I don't know what you're talking about.
[Jarod] Lies. That's what I'm talking about.
I don't know anything about Jimmy Roemer's crash. I'm pulling in.
Uh, uh, uh. Not so fast, Nigel.
You might as well give up. I have control of your car.
- You're out of your mind. - Think so?
[Beeps]
- What the hell? I can't slow down. - Now you know how it feels.
Careful. I'd really hate to see you crash.
- What the hell is going on? - I want to know why you sabotaged R.J.'s car.
[Jarod On Speaker] Why you nearly killed Jimmy Roemer.
[Nigel On Speaker] You're not making sense, Jarod. Now, stop this car.!
- Stop it, Jarod! - Whoa! That was a close call.
For your information, I had your fuel tank topped off.
So you should be good for at least, oh, 70 laps.
The bad news is I put on four old tires.
My guess is one of them will blow anytime now.
- You know what that means. - I can't hold this anymore!
That's the idea.
All right. I rigged R.J.'s car.
[Nigel On Speaker] I didn't know the kid was gonna be behind the wheel. I swear.!
- She's getting loose! - Now you know how Jimmy felt.
I'm heading for the wall! Jarod! Jarod!
- [Beeps] - [Engine Winding Down]
You said it yourself, Nigel. That's racing.
[Siren Wailing]
[Chattering]
Nigel Brinkman, come with us, please.
Watch your head.
Please, Sydney. I don't have much time.
- Sydney. - I'm here, Jacob.
I want you to know that no matter what you did-
what we did- I never blamed you.
I think that together we robbed Jarod of his life...
and for that we will be judged.
But I've learned not to be angry and to forgive.
I only hope that one day...
Jarod... can feel the same.
Gene.
Gene?
Gene who?
Here. Try and write it down.
Is itJarod's real name?
Or his father's?
- Who is Gene? - [Gasps]
Please, Jacob. I need to know.
[Bagpipes: "Amazing Grace"]
- [Continues] - I'm sorry, Sydney.
Jacob loved this song.
And this place.
It's like him to have finally found his rest here.
Where is he?
- Do you have any sevens? - Go fish.
Check the bedroom.
- Any fives? - [Laughs] You've gotta be cheating.
- No one. - I know Jacob was here.
You are mistaken. My brother is dead.
It's dangerous to deceive the Centre.
I wouldn't push him.
A man with a temper to match his marksmanship.
Dangerous combo.
[Footsteps Approaching]
[Jarod] It's a beautiful place.
Jarod. How did you know?
I called Broots.
He told me aboutJacob.
He said you'd be away from the Centre for a few days, so I took a chance.
It's hard to be alone in the world, isn't it?
I hopeJacob's passing was... easy.
I believe it was.
Oh, before he died, my brother gave me this.
What does it mean?
Maybe your name. Maybe your parents.
I wish I could be sure.
Anyway, I hope it helps you find your own peace in the world.
[Bagpipes. "Amazing Grace"]