Woman: Evening, gents.
Man: Good evening.
John: Hello, there.
Good evening.
Well, it is now.
What can I do for you, mister?
If I could trouble you for a moment of your time.
♪♪
Woman: You a doctor?
I am.
And do you like it?
Has its moments.
Do you like what you do?
Has its moments.
H.G.: Well, socialism tends to do that.
But it the path man must inevitably tread,
or we are all doomed.
It is the only path to utopia.
You have too much time on your hands, Wells.
Perhaps you should think about dating again.
You can't stay divorced forever.
That's what I've been telling him.
I consider myself single, not divorced,
if you must brand me.
And, yes, I can stay single forever.
I find it far more desirable
than the suffocating effects of marriage.
You see, that is precisely what love was supposed to do ‐‐
suffocate.
If you read a poem now and then
instead of science books, you'd know that.
Poetically speaking, I believe the exact opposite.
To love is to exhale fully,
knowing that even if it were your last breath,
you're complete because you had found
the very reason for your existence.
I knew you were a romantic!
Dr. Stevenson.
Mrs. Nelsen.
Good evening.
May I take your coat?
Thank you.
John!
You're here.
I had you almost written off.
A doctor's hours are not his own, I'm afraid.
Good evening, gents.
John!
Right. Now that we're all here, let's get on with it.
By now you will know my obsession with time travel.
Oh, yes, how is your novel coming?
Have you finished it yet?
You could say I'm in the research phase.
And how does one research time travel?
He constructs a time machine and travels through time.
So, your book is nonfiction.
So, where is this time machine?
See here.
Oh, please.
All right.
Good lord, Wells!
You actually built the bloody thing.
How much have you spent on it?
♪♪
How is this thing supposed to work?
You set the time and date with the dials on the board.
The solar cylinders yield enough energy
to compress the machine into subatomic particles,
resulting in the thermodynamic suspension
of molecular activity,
which allows it to journey across the fourth dimension
from one time sphere to the other.
I'm genuinely concerned for your sanity.
You've taken this too far.
And once you leave, can you come back?
We don't want him back.
H.G.: The safety lock automatically returns
the machine to it's starting date,
unless you have this key to countermand the device.
Have you taken it for a test‐run?
I'm doing some final tests now.
I think that's enough.
‐More drinks. ‐No, this is getting...
He's lost his mind.
So, where to ‐‐ the past or the future?
Well, the future, or course, away from all you cynics.
In five generations, utopia will have come to pass.
That's where I belong.
Ah, yes, your utopia.
Where mankind lives in peace
with no war, no crime, no disease or famine.
It's inevitable.
Science and technology will advance beyond all imagination,
forcing society to perfect itself.
You're a surgeon, John.
Think of what the future holds for medicine.
Think of the cures.
Health and happiness will be the daily course.
Mankind will finally know true equality.
Mankind hasn't changed in 200 years.
We're animals.
We hunt. We're hunted.
That's the way it has been and always will be.
The future will prove you wrong.
Very well.
Let's go, right now. Let's take it for a whirl.
Well, I still have a few tests that I need to conduct.
Scared to try it out?
Hardly.
H. G., I've known you for years.
You have all these brilliant ideas
that only find life on the page. I'm a writer, John.
I fail to see how that makes me a coward. All you do is write!
It's the only release your fear grants you.
You write about life without actually living it.
In your opinion.
Imagine who you could be if you didn't live in fear.
Or more importantly,
imagine the stories you could write
if your life were full of adventure.
You might finally get that novel published.
Mrs. Nelsen: Excuse me, Mr. Wells?
Scotland Yard is at the door.
What is going on?
The Ripper has struck.
A woman was found in an alley near here.
We're conducting a house‐to‐house search.
Absolutely. Whatever you need.
‐Pardon me, sir. ‐I apologize, my friends.
It's getting ‐‐ I think I best be off.
My men will see them home safely.
Where is Dr. Stevenson? He left his bag.
No, he was just here.
‐Allow me. ‐Excuse me!
That's the personal property of a prestigious surgeon!
I believe surgeons use scalpels, not butcher's knives.
Where is the doctor?
I last saw him in the basement.
It's empty. There's nobody down there.
Well, he couldn't of gone far. Quickly, comb the streets!
♪♪
Man: This time machine was unearthed 15 years ago
in the basement in H. G. Wells' London flat.
It was restored, and is on loan from Anders Enterprises.
It's believed to have served as inspiration
for Wells' first novel, "The Time Machine."
Woman: Somebody's getting out. Look.
[ Crowd murmuring.
Hey!
♪♪
Sit here.
Don't move.
I'm in America.
Hey, Willy.
Good afternoon.
Loving this ‐‐ this whole look.
Can you check online to see if any of this has gotten out?
Please, sit.
Oh!
So, really, who are you?
Well, it's rather complicated.
Perhaps it's best I speak to someone in charge.
Jane Walker, assistant curator.
Assistant.
Is the actual curator in? May I speak with him?
It's a she too, but keep digging your grave.
Of course! Things have changed a great deal since 1893!
I can no longer make social and cultural assumptions.
My apologies.
May I keep this?
Okay, so, really, who are you?
It's apparent, isn't it?
It's some publicity stunt ‐‐ Yeah.
What is it, some stage play
about H. G. Wells in the Village somewhere?
Is it opening night tonight?
I beg your pardon?
How did you get past the sensors and inside the actual exhibit?
I'm certain you won't believe the answer to that question.
I think you want to get arrested.
You get arrested, make some news,
you got free press for whatever
the little avant garde production you're involved with.
Oh, I can assure you, I am not an actor.
Right! You are H. G. Wells.
Yes.
You wrote "The Time Machine."
Well, no, not yet, I haven't.
But apparently I'm published,
which is incredibly exciting to learn.
Look, I can appreciate this on some level, but no.
You will not be getting arrested today.
There will be no free press,
despite the fact I like you better than the other guy.
What other guy?
Your friend?
Popped out of the time machine with the same period getup.
Wasn't nearly as polite, by the way.
This other gentleman, where is he?
So, a few tourists posted pics on Twitter on Instagram,
but so far, no news outlets have picked it up.
Great.
Mr. Wells, this is where we say goodbye.
Please, the other man?
He hasn't broken character once. It's pretty amazing.
Please, I must find him.
No one here is a amused by your fake accent and costume.
If I catch you within spitting distance of this museum,
you will prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Do you understand?
It is urgent that I find this man.
Willy, will you please escort this man out?
No. No, please. I beg of you.
Willy: Come on, let's go.
Please, I must find this man!
This way. Come on.
Eh, the other one was hotter.
I like this one.
He's cute.
He really does look like him.
Please, the gentleman who was here earlier ‐‐ When was it? What time?
‐About an hour ago. ‐Did he say anything?
‐Where he might be going? ‐Said he wanted to explore
the city, see the sights, asked about a hotel,
so I sent him to the Renaissance in Times Square.
Renaissance in Times Square.
Brilliant.
Where is that?
Out these doors, turn right, walk uptown 50 blocks.
You can't miss it.
Thank you.
And may I remark how happy I am
to see that race relations have improved since 1893.
Uh‐huh.
I knew that one day,
the color of a man's skin would dissipate
and we would all live side by side as brothers.
Oh, yeah, we're all one big happy family.
♪♪
What are you, in "Les Mis"?
I don't think so.
Patek Philippe.
Yellow gold.
This is a real collector's item.
I can give you $12,000.
It belonged to my father.
I'll accept nothing less than $20,000.
$15,000 cash.
We skip the paperwork.
Deal.
I'll need a credit card and an I. D.
I have a tragic predicament.
I'm in town for a show, you see,
and I've lost my luggage and identification papers.
All I have is this ridiculous costume.
Oh, that's just horrible.
Did the airlines lose your bags?
It appears so, yes.
I have money, but that's all, I'm afraid.
Let me speak to my supervisor.
We can usually work something out.
♪♪
Did you lose your luggage, too?
You ‐‐ You saw him? Where is he?
He wanted to do some shopping,
so we sent him over to 5th Avenue.
5th Avenue? Right, and where is that?
You'll never find him.
Why don't you wait for him at the hotel bar?
He shouldn't be long.
I'll send him over as soon as he arrives.
Thank you.
It's wet!
Look, there's water all over the floor.
It's literally soaking wet. Why?
The tour guide said it was like this.
He couldn't explain it, either.
Ms. Walker?
Doug Lawson, head of security for Anders Enterprises.
I understand there was a breach in the Wells Exhibit today?
Not exactly a breach, no.
Then what was it?
Ms. Walker, this is Vanessa Anders.
Yes, of course.
Ms. Anders, it is such an honor
and a pleasure to meet you.
We were informed that there were two men
caught inside the time machine.
It was slight breach.
But I can assure you,
the exhibit was not harmed in any way.
Can we see the police report?
We chose not to involve the police.
It was a minor incident,
and the last thing we wanted was to call attention to it.
Did you get their information? Where can we find them?
I don't have that. I realize how this looks.
But in my defense, most infractions are harmless.
And it's not our policy to arrest guests at the museum.
As owner of this exhibit, I find that answer unacceptable.
You need to find these men, Ms. Walker,
or I'll see to it that Anders Enterprises
files charges against you and the museum.
Do you understand?
Reporter: 12 dead in latest school shooting...
Woman: We need to build a wall...
‐The suicide bomber... ‐... a mass execution.
Trump: This is weapons that are so destructive
that the world could end.
Reporter ♪2: Attacks killed 14 ISIS fighter...
Woman: ISIS is the worst of the worst.
Reporter ♪3: His next target will probably be...
‐...too many nuclear weapons... ‐Anarchists...
John: Well, bless my soul.
Literally the last person on Earth I expected to see.
Man: Something to drink, sir?
Whiskey, neat, and another of whatever he's drinking.
So? What do you think?
I know ‐‐ I look absolutely dashing.
I must applaud you.
I never thought your little device would actually work.
How did you find me?
The details aren't important.
Yeah, I suppose not.
I wasn't sure the machine would return to you.
Then I realized I didn't have the key.
To you, the Columbus of a new age.
Tell me, how did you muster the courage to find me?
I'm not here to engage in idle banter, John.
We must be off.
Oh. And where are we going?
To the time machine.
I'm obliged to take you back to Scotland Yard
to face the consequences of your actions.
So Victorian. You'll take me back?
And how do you propose to do that, by force?
Be reasonable, John.
You must pay for what you've done.
You can't stay here. We don't belong here.
There it is, H. G.
There is your utopia.
Nothing but violence and bloodshed.
Not quite what you envisioned.
"We don't belong here"?
On the contrary ‐‐ I belong here completely.
In our time, I was a freak. Today, I'm an amateur.
Stop it, John, this instant.
You know you can walk into a shop here
and purchase a rifle or a revolver,
and it's perfectly legal?
These people encourage it.
No, I'm not going anywhere.
I've yet to begin in this age.
It's you who should run along back to your timid life.
Of course, I'll be needing the key.
Well, I can't have you chasing after me across centuries.
Who knows where I might want to venture to next?
Well, I don't have it with me.
Herbert George, come on.
I've played countless games of chess with you,
and the one thing you cannot do is bluff.
I want that key.
Now, what you feel
is a four‐inch steel curved blade with a reverse grip.
Rather expensive at $69.95,
but I'm certain I'll get my money's worth.
What are you doing? Everyone can see.
And no one cares!
Isn't it glorious?
Give me the key, or I'll slice into your femoral artery.
You'll topple to the floor and bleed out,
and I will disappear before anyone blinks twice.
♪♪
Hey!
Man: Are you all right, man?
Right in front of my cab.
Step away, sir. Ambulance is on the way.
Don't move.
How ya doin'? How's your head?
It hurts.
Um, may I ask, where am I?
Manhattan General.
You're lucky you just suffered a slight concussion is all.
I'll let the doctor know you're awake,
and you have a friend on the way.
A friend? What friend?
No wallet, no I. D.
All I had was a business card to call.
Ms. Walker!
Hi.
Um, are you okay?
The hospital called,
and I tried to explain that we just met.
What happened?
A big yellow motorcar ran me down.
You were hit by a taxi?
What is that?
That is a key that I thought I'd lost.
Ooh.
Here, let me help you.
Thank you.
Please level with me.
I'm in a lot of trouble.
The time machine exhibit is my responsibility,
and I don't wanna lose my job.
Who are you?
Very well.
My name is Sigmund ‐‐.
Don't say "Freud."
Kemp.
And you were correct.
I ‐‐ I am an actor.
And I am playing H. G. Wells
in a small production about his life.
I am sorry about what happened at the museum earlier.
So, you're an actor, you're from London,
and this is all just a big prank?
Yes.
Anything else?
No.
We're good.
Well, thanks for blowing up my day.
It's been most stressful and inconvenient,
but I hope you feel better.
Again, my sincerest apologies.
Thank you.
And break a leg.
It's all a stunt, like I said.
Call that creepy guy from Anders Enterprises
and tell him it's much ado about nothing.
No, the second one ‐‐ cute one.
Okay, I'm going home.
Call me if something explodes.
Just wait here one second.
Hey.
Are you okay?
Oh.
Just a little light‐headed is all.
Oh!
Where are you going?
Did the hospital release you?
I really must find my friend.
I really think you should rest.
Do you have anywhere to go?
I'm fine, thank you.
Okay, here. Let me help you.
Come on.
Oh, no, I'm not getting into that.
Oh, no, you'll be fine. You'll be fine.
Come on.
Yes, Herbert George Wells.
He was struck by a ‐‐.
Can you hear me?
♪♪
Hello? Yes.
Yes, he was struck by a motor vehicle at Times Square.
No, this is the third hospital I've called.
Yes, I'll hold.
Easy.
Oh, this is lovely!
Thank you.
So, do you live alone?
Maybe.
Oh no, you're perfectly safe with me, Ms. Walker, I promise.
Okay.
Well, you can freshen up and rest some,
but then you have to leave
because my stray‐puppy‐dog syndrome only goes so far.
Are you hungry?
Oh, yes, thank you.
So, how does one become a museum curator?
When one has to pay the rent.
I majored in art history because I absolutely loved it,
but I really didn't think it through in terms of careers.
It's not forever.
I hope you like Chinese.
So, I take it that you're single.
Yes.
Um, this is from last night.
What about you?
I'm divorced.
Do men and women even fancy marriage today?
You mean in America?
Yes, we fancy marriage, particularly my mother.
She wants grandkids yesterday, but she doesn't understand
that the benchmark for that stuff has changed.
I'm still in my first career. I can have kids when I'm 50.
So, you prefer being single.
Yeah.
Not always.
But apparently, I'm too mediocre to date.
Excuse me?
One of the joys of online dating.
You'd be surprised what guys say
when they don't have to say it to your face.
A man said that to you?
Well, what he said exactly was that I was
"curiously unspecial and intriguingly mediocre."
That's appalling!
He was a wanna‐be songwriter who talked in bad lyrics.
Any man who says that to a lady is no gentleman.
Which is why I quit Tinder.
But, I mean, it does have some truth to it.
I moved to New York to have this crazy, exciting life.
And that hasn't materialized yet,
so yeah, you could say
my life is pretty unspecial at the moment.
‐You haven't eaten. ‐Oh.
Would you like something to drink?
Let's get you something to drink.
Thank you.
♪♪
Is the music always this loud?
Yeah.
You wanna dance?
I can think of a few things I'd like to do.
Jane: I found some clothes from my ex.
It ended quickly,
and he never came back for his stuff.
You can shower and freshen up in here.
Hot water takes a minute.
Razor, deodorant, and toothbrush.
Thank you.
Enjoy your shower.
H.G.: Aah!
‐Oh! ‐Oh!
Oh, what ‐‐.
Uh, what ‐‐ what happened?
I was attempting to use your razor,
but it's more complicated than it looked.
Well, it's old. It's from my ex‐boyfriend.
Here, let me help you.
Why is he your ex‐boyfriend?
He wasn't the one.
Truth is, I'm the problem. I'm a bad picker.
I always end up with the wrong guy.
And why is that?
Because I don't trust anyone, ever.
And then I realize I don't trust anyone, so I try to.
And then, I end up trusting the wrong one.
It never fails.
Are all women today as self‐aware as you?
No, I'm the only one.
They gave me an award and everything.
I find you fascinating, Ms. Walker.
I should let you finish.
These trousers are ill‐fitting.
Nah, you're good, you're good.
Yep.
Okay, you can stay the night.
No, I really must find my friend.
How far is the Renaissance Hotel?
It's too far to walk. You really should rest up.
Let your body heal.
You can find him tomorrow.
I'll be off first thing in the morning.
I must say, this reprieve really has been my salvation.
And I thank you for your kindness, Ms. Walker.
It's a Christmas gift from my dad.
I'm from Texas.
Sleep tight.
Aah!
Oh. Oh, no.
No, no, no, no, no.
♪ Get your both hands up ♪
♪ Sing it with me now ♪
Reporter: In international news...
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
It's okay.
I'm so sorry. I didn't ‐‐
♪ Yeah, buddy ‐‐ ♪
Want some coffee?
Uh, no, thank you.
What are your plans for today?
I must find my friend.
The museum's closed,
so I have the day off if you need any help.
How do you feel?
‐Much better, thank you. ‐Good.
How do I get to the Renaissance Hotel?
Are you sure he's even there?
Have you tried calling him?
Here ‐‐ use my phone.
Okay, I got it.
Sorry.
Renaissance Hotel in Times Square.
What's his name?
John Stevenson ‐‐ Dr. John Stevenson.
A guest, please ‐‐ Dr. John Stevenson?
They're working with Utopia...
‐Utopia? ‐Thank you.
He checked out last night.
The victim was last seen at the popular night club Utopia.
She was found nearby stabbed several times.
Bizarrely, a set of keys was found in her mouth.
The murder appears to have been random,
though the victim's purse was found...
He killed ‐‐ Coward!
Who killed?
John, the man I'm looking for ‐‐ Dr. John Stevenson.
He's killed many women in London,
and now he's in New York.
I have to find him.
Uh, maybe you should call the police.
And tell them what?
That the Ripper has escaped 1893
in my time machine and travelled to New York City?
They'll think I'm mad.
Do you mean Jack the Ripper?
Yes. And now he's killed again.
Utopia is a reference to me.
The keys in her mouth ‐‐ That's a message to me.
He wants the key ‐‐ this key.
Jack the Ripper lived over 100 years ago.
I lied. I'm not an actor.
Just, please, look at this key.
Surely as a museum curator,
you can see that this is a relic.
That doesn't prove anything.
You asked me how I was able to get into the machine.
Yes!
Because it was in my basement
in 12 Mornington Lane in London, where I live.
In 1893?
Yes.
You seem so sane in so many ways.
Please, I need your help.
If I don't stop him, he will keep killing.
If you know who killed that woman,
then you need to go to the police!
They won't believe me. You don't.
Jane.
What if I can prove to you that I'm telling the truth?
Then we can both go to the police together.
Grant me access to the time machine.
I'll prove it to you.
Watch your step.
You know, I could get in a lot of trouble for this.
I didn't anticipate passengers.
Sorry.
Um...
Right.
Now, I say we do a short trip.
Say, three days from now.
It's over 123 years old with no power source.
But, hey, I can sit here all day.
♪♪
We're still here.
Yes.
But it is three days later.
This exhibit doesn't open for three days.
That would be today.
How is this possible?
I'll give you a moment to process.
Is this really happening?
Are you really H. G. Wells?
Flesh and blood.
I must seem so different to you, so inappropriate.
You're from Victorian England. I ate with my hands.
What is it like to be here in this time?
I'm dazzled, astonished.
I'm also profoundly disappointed.
I envisioned a society that was entirely different.
Yeah, I‐I think we all did.
It's not without its beauty, though.
I must take issue with something that you said earlier.
There is absolutely nothing mediocre about you.
I find you, Jane Walker, particularly special.
You okay?
Yes.
I'm just breathing.
So, you haven't written "The Time Machine" yet.
Started it, several times.
I haven't quite figured it out yet.
What about the others?
"The Island of Dr. Moreau,."
"The Invisible Man," "The War of the Worlds"?
I write for the London Gazette.
Trust me, you write a lot of books.
It's nice to know I'm inspired.
I can't believe this is real.
What's wrong?
‐So, I die three days from now. ‐I will fix this, I promise.
How? We can't go to the police.
They'll never believe us.
The paper said that you were the third victim.
Who's the second victim?
There was the woman at Utopia,
but we're missing a victim.
Uh, second victim.
"Kerry Ann Riley was found"
on the roof of the Palace nightclub.
Security footage puts her inside the club
"with an unidentified man at 11:30 three nights ago."
Three nights ago ‐‐ That's tonight.
‐What time is it? ‐lt's 10:30.
I'll go to the club, and I'll stop him.
What are you doing?
Google. Internet search.
This is her. She's 23.
She's pretty.
Haven't much time.
You'll need a gun.
There will be no violence!
The man who raises his fist first is the man out of ideas.
Yeah, that's all very nice, but you need a gun.
We have to hurry.
How do we get to the roof?
Come on. This way.
John!
John, who is that?
My dear.
No, let ‐‐ let her go.
Stay back.
I remember you.
The girl from the museum.
Clever.
Clever, H. G. ‐‐ attempting to change the future.
That can prove very dangerous.
What's dangerous is allowing you to go on killing with impunity.
Now, let her go.
Where is the key? Where is it?
I have it. It's ‐‐ It's here.
Uh...
Let her go!
Finally, you rise to the occasion.
I didn't think you had it in you.
Let her go, now.
Go downstairs and get help. Go, go go!
It's catching, isn't it ‐‐ violence?
It really has infected this world.
Are you really willing to kill me
and violate everything that you stand for?
You don't belong in this time, or any time.
Then do it.
Do it.
Do it!
Over here! Help!
Please!
Somebody help us!
I want that key.
Up here!
This way!
‐You okay? ‐Yeah.
Are you okay? Oh, my God.
You need stitches.
Please, let me take you to the hospital.
No, I'm fine.
This could get infected. You need antibiotics.
Don't be stupid.
It's too late for that, I'm afraid.
Stupidity's become my dominant trait.
Hey.
I think you did pretty well tonight.
You saved that girl, which means you saved me.
Did I? There will be others.
It's just a sport to him, and he's taunting me with it.
I must find him.
We will find him.
We?
Absolutely not.
This is my problem,
and I will no longer put you in danger.
I can take care of myself.
Take two of these with some food.
I'll be right back.
Aah!
♪♪
Jane?
Oh, no.
Hello, Mr. Wells.
Who are you? How do you know my name?
We have a lot to talk about.
No, I have to find Jane. She was just here.
John took her.
You mean the Ripper took her.
How do you know that?
Because you told me.
I'll explain everything, but we need to go now.
I‐I don't know you!
But you will. I'm Vanessa.
I'm your great‐great‐granddaughter.