sits.
RACHEL
You wanted to see me?
DOCTOR
We’re going to run a few more tests.
She gestures toward the equipment.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
Blood work. Neurological response. Vision. Hearing. Cognitive function.
Rachel looks at the equipment.
Then back at the doctor.
RACHEL
First…
The doctor waits.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
Can I ask why you’re telling us it’s 2004?
The doctor doesn’t hesitate.
DOCTOR
Because it is.
Rachel studies her.
RACHEL
I find that hard to believe.
The doctor says nothing.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
Because if it’s actually 2004…
Rachel leans forward.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
…then you’re insisting time travel is possible.
A beat.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
Do you believe in time travel?
The doctor looks at her.
Calm.
Not defensive.
DOCTOR
You not believing it’s 2004 is no different than me not believing you’re from 2027.
Rachel freezes.
The doctor continues.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
But here we both are.
Rachel doesn’t know how to respond.
The doctor gestures toward the examination chair.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
So tell me, Ms. Everett…
A beat.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
Are you more concerned with being correct…
The doctor looks directly into Rachel’s eyes.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
…or the truth?
Rachel’s expression changes.
The words hit her harder than she expected.
The sound of a TRAIN begins beneath the scene.
CLACK.
CLACK.
CLACK.
Rachel looks away.
The room slowly fades around her.
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. COURTROOM – DAY
Rachel stands before a jury.
Professional.
Confident.
In control.
RACHEL
Ladies and gentlemen…
The camera slowly pushes toward her.
FADE INTO RACHEL’S FLASHBACK.
Rachel exits the courthouse victorious.
Reporters swarm her.
REPORTER
Ms. Everett, prosecutors say today’s verdict doesn’t prove your client was innocent. How do you respond?
Rachel smiles.
RACHEL
Because proving innocence isn’t my job.
My job is making sure guilt is actually proven.
If there’s reasonable doubt…
then justice requires one verdict.
Whether people like it or not.
Another reporter asks—
REPORTER
So you’re comfortable defending people the public believes are guilty?
RACHEL
Everyone deserves a defense.
The burden has never been on the accused to prove they’re innocent.
It’s on the State to prove guilt.
She thanks the reporters and walks away.
⸻
INT. COUNTY JAIL – ATTORNEY VISITATION ROOM – DAY
A television mounted high in the corner plays Rachel’s interview.
Across from it sits a man in an orange jail uniform.
Calm.
Patient.
Intelligent.
He’s already been arrested.
Already awaiting trial.
His current defense attorney sits across the table, shuffling through paperwork.
The attorney notices his client isn’t paying attention.
ATTORNEY
Are you listening?
The prisoner never takes his eyes off the television.
Rachel finishes speaking.
Silence.
Then—
The prisoner reaches over…
…closes the case file.
Looks directly at his attorney.
CLIENT
I’m going in a different direction.
The attorney frowns.
ATTORNEY
Excuse me?
CLIENT
You’re fired.
The attorney laughs.
Thinking it’s a joke.
The client doesn’t smile.
He turns back toward the television.
Rachel’s image remains frozen on the screen.
A slow smile spreads across his face.
CLIENT
I want her.
CUT BACK TO PRESENT.
LOST: THE RETURN
Episode 2 – “Nostalgia”
INT. FACILITY CAFETERIA – DAY
A large institutional cafeteria.
Long tables. Plastic trays. Fluorescent lights.
The survivors eat in small groups.
Nobody talks loudly.
Nobody trusts the room.
At one table—
MEAGAN sits with her BAND.
Her drummer pushes his food around with his fork.
Finally—
DRUMMER
So that’s it?
Meagan looks at him.
DRUMMER (CONT’D)
We just sleep in their beds…
He looks around.
DRUMMER (CONT’D)
Eat in their cafeteria…
He shakes his head.
DRUMMER (CONT’D)
This shouldn’t be normal.
The LEAD GUITARIST looks toward the guards.
DRUMMER (CONT’D)
We shouldn’t just accept this.
MEAGAN
What do you want us to do?
DRUMMER
Leave.
Meagan looks at
RACHEL
You wanted to see me?
DOCTOR
We’re going to run a few more tests.
She gestures toward the equipment.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
Blood work. Neurological response. Vision. Hearing. Cognitive function.
Rachel looks at the equipment.
Then back at the doctor.
RACHEL
First…
The doctor waits.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
Can I ask why you’re telling us it’s 2004?
The doctor doesn’t hesitate.
DOCTOR
Because it is.
Rachel studies her.
RACHEL
I find that hard to believe.
The doctor says nothing.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
Because if it’s actually 2004…
Rachel leans forward.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
…then you’re insisting time travel is possible.
A beat.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
Do you believe in time travel?
The doctor looks at her.
Calm.
Not defensive.
DOCTOR
You not believing it’s 2004 is no different than me not believing you’re from 2027.
Rachel freezes.
The doctor continues.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
But here we both are.
Rachel doesn’t know how to respond.
The doctor gestures toward the examination chair.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
So tell me, Ms. Everett…
A beat.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
Are you more concerned with being correct…
The doctor looks directly into Rachel’s eyes.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
…or the truth?
Rachel’s expression changes.
The words hit her harder than she expected.
The sound of a TRAIN begins beneath the scene.
CLACK.
CLACK.
CLACK.
Rachel looks away.
The room slowly fades around her.
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. COURTROOM – DAY
Rachel stands before a jury.
Professional.
Confident.
In control.
RACHEL
Ladies and gentlemen…
The camera slowly pushes toward her.
FADE INTO RACHEL’S FLASHBACK.
Rachel exits the courthouse victorious.
Reporters swarm her.
REPORTER
Ms. Everett, prosecutors say today’s verdict doesn’t prove your client was innocent. How do you respond?
Rachel smiles.
RACHEL
Because proving innocence isn’t my job.
My job is making sure guilt is actually proven.
If there’s reasonable doubt…
then justice requires one verdict.
Whether people like it or not.
Another reporter asks—
REPORTER
So you’re comfortable defending people the public believes are guilty?
RACHEL
Everyone deserves a defense.
The burden has never been on the accused to prove they’re innocent.
It’s on the State to prove guilt.
She thanks the reporters and walks away.
⸻
INT. COUNTY JAIL – ATTORNEY VISITATION ROOM – DAY
A television mounted high in the corner plays Rachel’s interview.
Across from it sits a man in an orange jail uniform.
Calm.
Patient.
Intelligent.
He’s already been arrested.
Already awaiting trial.
His current defense attorney sits across the table, shuffling through paperwork.
The attorney notices his client isn’t paying attention.
ATTORNEY
Are you listening?
The prisoner never takes his eyes off the television.
Rachel finishes speaking.
Silence.
Then—
The prisoner reaches over…
…closes the case file.
Looks directly at his attorney.
CLIENT
I’m going in a different direction.
The attorney frowns.
ATTORNEY
Excuse me?
CLIENT
You’re fired.
The attorney laughs.
Thinking it’s a joke.
The client doesn’t smile.
He turns back toward the television.
Rachel’s image remains frozen on the screen.
A slow smile spreads across his face.
CLIENT
I want her.
CUT BACK TO PRESENT.
LOST: THE RETURN
Episode 2 – “Nostalgia”
INT. FACILITY CAFETERIA – DAY
A large institutional cafeteria.
Long tables. Plastic trays. Fluorescent lights.
The survivors eat in small groups.
Nobody talks loudly.
Nobody trusts the room.
At one table—
MEAGAN sits with her BAND.
Her drummer pushes his food around with his fork.
Finally—
DRUMMER
So that’s it?
Meagan looks at him.
DRUMMER (CONT’D)
We just sleep in their beds…
He looks around.
DRUMMER (CONT’D)
Eat in their cafeteria…
He shakes his head.
DRUMMER (CONT’D)
This shouldn’t be normal.
The LEAD GUITARIST looks toward the guards.
DRUMMER (CONT’D)
We shouldn’t just accept this.
MEAGAN
What do you want us to do?
DRUMMER
Leave.
Meagan looks at
him.
DRUMMER (CONT’D)
We don’t know who these people are. We don’t know where we are. They won’t tell us anything.
MEAGAN
Chris said it would be safer for us to stay here.
The drummer scoffs.
DRUMMER
We’re listening to the fifth-grade science teacher now?
Meagan almost smiles.
Almost.
MEAGAN
We’ve all seen two people blow up.
The table goes quiet.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
And we haven’t seen another one since we’ve been here.
She gestures toward the medical staff moving through the cafeteria.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
We’ve been getting medical attention.
A beat.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
So, yeah…
She picks up her tray.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
I think it might make sense to hang out just a little bit longer.
She walks away.
The band watches her.
⸻
INT. FACILITY CAFETERIA – CONTINUOUS
CHARLIE sits alone at the end of a table.
His food is untouched.
He’s not eating.
He’s scanning the room.
Guards.
Doors.
Cameras.
People.
Every detail.
Meagan approaches.
MEAGAN
Mind if I sit here?
Charlie doesn’t look at her.
CHARLIE
Go ahead.
Meagan sits.
Charlie continues scanning.
Meagan studies him.
MEAGAN
Charlie, right?
No response.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
My name’s Meagan.
Still nothing.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
Meagan Pace.
Charlie finally glances at her.
CHARLIE
I know.
Meagan smiles.
MEAGAN
Do you know who I am?
CHARLIE
Yes.
A beat.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Meagan Pace.
She laughs.
MEAGAN
I’m an international pop star.
Charlie looks back across the room.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
But that means nothing to you.
She smiles to herself.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
And that’s a good thing.
Charlie doesn’t respond.
Meagan looks around.
She notices GAB sitting at another table.
Gab is staring directly at her.
MEAGAN
See him?
Charlie doesn’t look.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
He keeps staring at me.
GAB suddenly raises his voice from across the room.
GAB
Who do you think would win in a fight?
Meagan closes her eyes.
GAB (CONT’D)
Billie Eilish or Taylor Swift?
Meagan slowly turns toward him.
MEAGAN
Seriously?
GAB
It’s a legitimate question!
Meagan shakes her head.
Turns back to Charlie.
MEAGAN
You seem to be the only person who’s calm in all this craziness.
Charlie finally turns toward her.
Their eyes meet.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
How do you do it?
Charlie thinks for a moment.
CHARLIE
You can only control what you can control.
He looks around the room.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Everything else just is what it is.
Meagan sits with that.
For some reason—
It makes sense.
She looks down at her food.
Finally takes a bite.
Charlie turns back toward the room.
⸻
INT. FACILITY CAFETERIA – ANOTHER TABLE
RACHEL approaches a table where AJ, SUMMER, and CHRIS are sitting.
AJ looks up.
AJ
Glad you’re back.
Rachel sits.
AJ (CONT’D)
Chris was just explaining the effects of time travel to us.
Chris gives AJ a look.
CHRIS
I was explaining the theoretical effects.
Rachel looks at him.
RACHEL
The spontaneous combustion could be one of them.
Chris nods.
CHRIS
Potentially.
He leans forward.
CHRIS (CONT’D)
If the event that displaced us through time involved an extreme release of energy, there could be consequences on a biological level.
Summer looks uneasy.
SUMMER
Like exploding?
CHRIS
Possibly.
He chooses his words carefully.
CHRIS (CONT’D)
A person’s body is an electrical and chemical system. If something disrupted that system at a molecular level—
AJ
Boom.
Chris sighs.
CHRIS
That’s one way to put it.
Rachel looks down at her tray.
RACHEL
The tests they’re running line up with that.
Chris looks at her.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
Blood work. Neurological tests. Vision. Hearing. Cognitive responses.
AJ
So they know we time traveled?
RACHEL
I don’t think they know.
A beat.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
But they’re damn sure interested in finding out.
Summer looks between them.
SUMMER
So we’re going with the whole time travel thing?
Rachel hesitates.
RACHEL
I can’t prove that we traveled through time.
She looks around the cafeteria.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
It sounds ridiculous.
A
DRUMMER (CONT’D)
We don’t know who these people are. We don’t know where we are. They won’t tell us anything.
MEAGAN
Chris said it would be safer for us to stay here.
The drummer scoffs.
DRUMMER
We’re listening to the fifth-grade science teacher now?
Meagan almost smiles.
Almost.
MEAGAN
We’ve all seen two people blow up.
The table goes quiet.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
And we haven’t seen another one since we’ve been here.
She gestures toward the medical staff moving through the cafeteria.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
We’ve been getting medical attention.
A beat.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
So, yeah…
She picks up her tray.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
I think it might make sense to hang out just a little bit longer.
She walks away.
The band watches her.
⸻
INT. FACILITY CAFETERIA – CONTINUOUS
CHARLIE sits alone at the end of a table.
His food is untouched.
He’s not eating.
He’s scanning the room.
Guards.
Doors.
Cameras.
People.
Every detail.
Meagan approaches.
MEAGAN
Mind if I sit here?
Charlie doesn’t look at her.
CHARLIE
Go ahead.
Meagan sits.
Charlie continues scanning.
Meagan studies him.
MEAGAN
Charlie, right?
No response.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
My name’s Meagan.
Still nothing.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
Meagan Pace.
Charlie finally glances at her.
CHARLIE
I know.
Meagan smiles.
MEAGAN
Do you know who I am?
CHARLIE
Yes.
A beat.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Meagan Pace.
She laughs.
MEAGAN
I’m an international pop star.
Charlie looks back across the room.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
But that means nothing to you.
She smiles to herself.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
And that’s a good thing.
Charlie doesn’t respond.
Meagan looks around.
She notices GAB sitting at another table.
Gab is staring directly at her.
MEAGAN
See him?
Charlie doesn’t look.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
He keeps staring at me.
GAB suddenly raises his voice from across the room.
GAB
Who do you think would win in a fight?
Meagan closes her eyes.
GAB (CONT’D)
Billie Eilish or Taylor Swift?
Meagan slowly turns toward him.
MEAGAN
Seriously?
GAB
It’s a legitimate question!
Meagan shakes her head.
Turns back to Charlie.
MEAGAN
You seem to be the only person who’s calm in all this craziness.
Charlie finally turns toward her.
Their eyes meet.
MEAGAN (CONT’D)
How do you do it?
Charlie thinks for a moment.
CHARLIE
You can only control what you can control.
He looks around the room.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Everything else just is what it is.
Meagan sits with that.
For some reason—
It makes sense.
She looks down at her food.
Finally takes a bite.
Charlie turns back toward the room.
⸻
INT. FACILITY CAFETERIA – ANOTHER TABLE
RACHEL approaches a table where AJ, SUMMER, and CHRIS are sitting.
AJ looks up.
AJ
Glad you’re back.
Rachel sits.
AJ (CONT’D)
Chris was just explaining the effects of time travel to us.
Chris gives AJ a look.
CHRIS
I was explaining the theoretical effects.
Rachel looks at him.
RACHEL
The spontaneous combustion could be one of them.
Chris nods.
CHRIS
Potentially.
He leans forward.
CHRIS (CONT’D)
If the event that displaced us through time involved an extreme release of energy, there could be consequences on a biological level.
Summer looks uneasy.
SUMMER
Like exploding?
CHRIS
Possibly.
He chooses his words carefully.
CHRIS (CONT’D)
A person’s body is an electrical and chemical system. If something disrupted that system at a molecular level—
AJ
Boom.
Chris sighs.
CHRIS
That’s one way to put it.
Rachel looks down at her tray.
RACHEL
The tests they’re running line up with that.
Chris looks at her.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
Blood work. Neurological tests. Vision. Hearing. Cognitive responses.
AJ
So they know we time traveled?
RACHEL
I don’t think they know.
A beat.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
But they’re damn sure interested in finding out.
Summer looks between them.
SUMMER
So we’re going with the whole time travel thing?
Rachel hesitates.
RACHEL
I can’t prove that we traveled through time.
She looks around the cafeteria.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
It sounds ridiculous.
A
beat.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
But I don’t have anything else.
AJ leans back.
AJ
That’s usually how the good mysteries start.
Rachel gives him a look.
AJ smiles.
⸻
INT. FACILITY CAFETERIA – CONTINUOUS
MARK and ABBY sit across from each other.
Mark stares at his tray.
MARK
I don’t like green beans.
Abby looks at him.
ABBY
Since when?
MARK
Forever.
Abby scoffs.
ABBY
You ate them every time I cooked them.
MARK
Doesn’t mean I liked them.
Abby stares.
MARK (CONT’D)
I was being supportive.
ABBY
You were being hungry.
MARK
Those aren’t mutually exclusive.
Nearby, TORI overhears.
TORI
How long have y’all been married?
Mark and Abby look at each other.
Both answer at the same time.
MARK / ABBY
We’re not.
Tori blinks.
MARK
Divorced.
ABBY
Twenty-five years.
Tori’s eyes widen.
TORI
Twenty-five?
Mark nods.
MARK
Still know exactly how she likes her coffee.
Abby looks at him.
ABBY
And he still doesn’t know how to load a dishwasher.
MARK
That’s because there’s a wrong way to load one.
Abby shakes her head.
Tori smiles.
For the first time—
The cafeteria almost feels normal.
⸻
INT. FACILITY CAFETERIA – CONTINUOUS
Gab suddenly looks toward the wall.
His eyes widen.
GAB
Oooh.
He stands.
GAB (CONT’D)
Vending machine. You think it takes future money?
Nobody responds.
Gab walks toward it anyway.
He approaches the machine.
Stops.
His expression changes.
Inside—
Rows of candy bars.
One catches his attention.
He leans closer.
GAB (CONT’D)
Apollo bars.
He smiles.
GAB (CONT’D)
I haven’t seen one of these in years.
He looks around.
GAB (CONT’D)
Anybody got change for a twenty?
He holds up a twenty-dollar bill.
Nobody responds.
Gab looks around again.
GAB (CONT’D)
Anybody?
Nothing.
He looks back at the vending machine.
The Apollo bar stares back at him.
Gab slowly lowers the twenty.
Something about the moment feels strange.
He looks at the candy again.
A beat.
Then—
He smiles.
GAB (CONT’D)
Well…
He pats the machine.
GAB (CONT’D)
Nice to see you again.
⸻
INT. FACILITY BATHROOM – DAY
Quiet.
Fluorescent lights hum overhead.
Rachel stands at one sink.
Ji stands at the one beside her.
Both wash their hands.
For a moment, neither speaks.
Then—
JI
So…
Rachel looks at her through the mirror.
JI (CONT’D)
You don’t believe it’s 2004?
RACHEL
Not really.
Ji turns off the water.
JI
Do you?
Rachel looks at her.
RACHEL
You’re not the person with the answer.
Ji considers that.
JI
No.
A beat.
JI (CONT’D)
I’m not.
Rachel dries her hands.
RACHEL
Then who is?
Ji looks at herself in the mirror.
JI
Good question.
Rachel looks back at the reflection.
Something clicks.
RACHEL
I’m talking to the wrong people.
Ji looks at her.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
The interrogators don’t know.
She looks toward the bathroom door.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
The technicians don’t know.
A beat.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
And the doctors aren’t telling us anything.
Ji watches her carefully.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
So somebody knows.
Ji doesn’t answer.
Rachel turns toward her.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
I just haven’t found them yet.
Rachel walks toward the door.
Ji watches her leave.
The sound of a TRAIN begins.
CLACK.
CLACK.
CLACK.
Rachel stops.
The sound grows louder.
CUT TO:
FLASHBACK #2.
LOST: THE RETURN
Episode 2
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. COUNTY JAIL – ATTORNEY INTERVIEW ROOM – DAY
A correctional officer escorts Rachel into the visitation room.
A thick pane of reinforced glass separates the room.
On the other side sits the same inmate from Flashback #1.
Hands folded.
Perfect posture.
He smiles politely as Rachel enters.
She sits.
A thick case file lands on the table in front of her.
She opens it.
Inside—
Crime scene photos.
Witness statements.
DNA reports.
Phone records.
Financial records.
Every page seems worse than the last.
Rachel studies them in silence.
Finally…
She closes the folder.
Looks up.
RACHEL
You’ve got a problem.
The inmate smiles.
CLIENT
That’s why you’re
RACHEL (CONT’D)
But I don’t have anything else.
AJ leans back.
AJ
That’s usually how the good mysteries start.
Rachel gives him a look.
AJ smiles.
⸻
INT. FACILITY CAFETERIA – CONTINUOUS
MARK and ABBY sit across from each other.
Mark stares at his tray.
MARK
I don’t like green beans.
Abby looks at him.
ABBY
Since when?
MARK
Forever.
Abby scoffs.
ABBY
You ate them every time I cooked them.
MARK
Doesn’t mean I liked them.
Abby stares.
MARK (CONT’D)
I was being supportive.
ABBY
You were being hungry.
MARK
Those aren’t mutually exclusive.
Nearby, TORI overhears.
TORI
How long have y’all been married?
Mark and Abby look at each other.
Both answer at the same time.
MARK / ABBY
We’re not.
Tori blinks.
MARK
Divorced.
ABBY
Twenty-five years.
Tori’s eyes widen.
TORI
Twenty-five?
Mark nods.
MARK
Still know exactly how she likes her coffee.
Abby looks at him.
ABBY
And he still doesn’t know how to load a dishwasher.
MARK
That’s because there’s a wrong way to load one.
Abby shakes her head.
Tori smiles.
For the first time—
The cafeteria almost feels normal.
⸻
INT. FACILITY CAFETERIA – CONTINUOUS
Gab suddenly looks toward the wall.
His eyes widen.
GAB
Oooh.
He stands.
GAB (CONT’D)
Vending machine. You think it takes future money?
Nobody responds.
Gab walks toward it anyway.
He approaches the machine.
Stops.
His expression changes.
Inside—
Rows of candy bars.
One catches his attention.
He leans closer.
GAB (CONT’D)
Apollo bars.
He smiles.
GAB (CONT’D)
I haven’t seen one of these in years.
He looks around.
GAB (CONT’D)
Anybody got change for a twenty?
He holds up a twenty-dollar bill.
Nobody responds.
Gab looks around again.
GAB (CONT’D)
Anybody?
Nothing.
He looks back at the vending machine.
The Apollo bar stares back at him.
Gab slowly lowers the twenty.
Something about the moment feels strange.
He looks at the candy again.
A beat.
Then—
He smiles.
GAB (CONT’D)
Well…
He pats the machine.
GAB (CONT’D)
Nice to see you again.
⸻
INT. FACILITY BATHROOM – DAY
Quiet.
Fluorescent lights hum overhead.
Rachel stands at one sink.
Ji stands at the one beside her.
Both wash their hands.
For a moment, neither speaks.
Then—
JI
So…
Rachel looks at her through the mirror.
JI (CONT’D)
You don’t believe it’s 2004?
RACHEL
Not really.
Ji turns off the water.
JI
Do you?
Rachel looks at her.
RACHEL
You’re not the person with the answer.
Ji considers that.
JI
No.
A beat.
JI (CONT’D)
I’m not.
Rachel dries her hands.
RACHEL
Then who is?
Ji looks at herself in the mirror.
JI
Good question.
Rachel looks back at the reflection.
Something clicks.
RACHEL
I’m talking to the wrong people.
Ji looks at her.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
The interrogators don’t know.
She looks toward the bathroom door.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
The technicians don’t know.
A beat.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
And the doctors aren’t telling us anything.
Ji watches her carefully.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
So somebody knows.
Ji doesn’t answer.
Rachel turns toward her.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
I just haven’t found them yet.
Rachel walks toward the door.
Ji watches her leave.
The sound of a TRAIN begins.
CLACK.
CLACK.
CLACK.
Rachel stops.
The sound grows louder.
CUT TO:
FLASHBACK #2.
LOST: THE RETURN
Episode 2
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. COUNTY JAIL – ATTORNEY INTERVIEW ROOM – DAY
A correctional officer escorts Rachel into the visitation room.
A thick pane of reinforced glass separates the room.
On the other side sits the same inmate from Flashback #1.
Hands folded.
Perfect posture.
He smiles politely as Rachel enters.
She sits.
A thick case file lands on the table in front of her.
She opens it.
Inside—
Crime scene photos.
Witness statements.
DNA reports.
Phone records.
Financial records.
Every page seems worse than the last.
Rachel studies them in silence.
Finally…
She closes the folder.
Looks up.
RACHEL
You’ve got a problem.
The inmate smiles.
CLIENT
That’s why you’re
here.
Rachel ignores the joke.
RACHEL
The prosecution has motive.
Opportunity.
Physical evidence.
Multiple witnesses.
On paper…
this is about as bad as it gets.
The client remains calm.
CLIENT
Looks that way.
Rachel studies him.
Trying to read him.
Nothing.
Finally—
RACHEL
I have one question.
Did you do it?
A beat.
He looks her directly in the eyes.
No hesitation.
CLIENT
No.
Rachel doesn’t react.
Instead—
She reopens the file.
Makes a few notes.
The client watches her.
CLIENT
That’s it?
Rachel finally looks up.
RACHEL
Whether you did it…
isn’t actually the question.
The client tilts his head.
Interested.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
The question is…
can they prove you did?
Another beat.
The client smiles.
Not because he’s relieved.
Because Rachel has just confirmed exactly what he hoped.
She isn’t looking for the truth.
She’s evaluating the case.
He leans back in his chair.
Almost comfortable now.
CLIENT
I knew you’d understand.
Rachel gathers her papers.
Stands.
RACHEL
Don’t mistake understanding…
for believing you.
She closes the file.
The correctional officer opens the door.
Rachel starts to leave.
The client calls after her.
CLIENT
Ms. Everett…
Rachel stops.
Without turning.
CLIENT (CONT’D)
Thank you…
for taking my case.
Rachel exits.
The client watches the door close.
Then…
for the first time…
his smile grows just a little wider.
Almost imperceptibly.
He has exactly the attorney he wanted.
SMASH CUT BACK TO PRESENT DAY.
INT. FACILITY DORM
The dorm is quieter now.
Some survivors rest.
Others whisper among themselves.
Rachel finds AJ sitting on the edge of a bunk.
She sits beside him.
A beat.
RACHEL
We’re talking to the wrong people.
AJ looks over.
AJ
Meaning?
RACHEL
The doctor…
the interrogators…
the guards…
the workers…
they’re all asking us questions.
Not answering them.
AJ nods.
Listening.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
They don’t know who we are any more than we know who they are.
They’re trying to figure us out…
the same way we’re trying to figure them out.
AJ thinks about that.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
While we’re sitting here arguing about whether we really traveled through time…
they’re sitting somewhere arguing about whether we’re actually from the future.
AJ lets out a small laugh.
Not because it’s funny.
Because he realizes she might be right.
AJ
So…
who’s feeding them the story?
Rachel meets his eyes.
RACHEL
Exactly.
AJ leans forward.
His detective instincts take over.
AJ
Then we’ve been asking the wrong question.
Rachel waits.
AJ
The question isn’t…
“Are they lying?”
The question is…
Who’s doing the manipulating?
Silence.
Rachel nods.
For the first time…
they’re thinking exactly alike.
SMASH CUT TO:
FLASHBACK #3
INT. RACHEL’S LAW OFFICE – NIGHT
A desk covered with case files.
The room is mostly dark except for the glow of a desk lamp.
Rachel sits alone reviewing documents.
Her client’s case file is open.
She flips through pages.
Again.
And again.
The evidence still bothers her.
A knock at the door.
Her paralegal enters.
Late 20s/early 30s.
Carrying coffee.
PARALEGAL
You’re still here?
Rachel doesn’t look up.
RACHEL
Something doesn’t fit.
The paralegal sets the coffee down.
PARALEGAL
Rachel…
I’ve been reading this case.
A lot of people don’t get the luxury of someone fighting this hard for them.
She looks at the file.
PARALEGAL (CONT’D)
But what if he did it?
Rachel stops.
Looks up.
RACHEL
What?
PARALEGAL
I’m serious.
We’re spending all this time trying to find holes in the evidence.
But what if there aren’t holes?
What if we’re just looking for them because that’s what we’re supposed to do?
Rachel doesn’t answer.
The question bothers her because she doesn’t have an immediate response.
⸻
INT. COURTHOUSE EVIDENCE ROOM – DAY
Rachel reviews evidence again.
She examines photographs.
Reports.
A DNA report.
Something
Rachel ignores the joke.
RACHEL
The prosecution has motive.
Opportunity.
Physical evidence.
Multiple witnesses.
On paper…
this is about as bad as it gets.
The client remains calm.
CLIENT
Looks that way.
Rachel studies him.
Trying to read him.
Nothing.
Finally—
RACHEL
I have one question.
Did you do it?
A beat.
He looks her directly in the eyes.
No hesitation.
CLIENT
No.
Rachel doesn’t react.
Instead—
She reopens the file.
Makes a few notes.
The client watches her.
CLIENT
That’s it?
Rachel finally looks up.
RACHEL
Whether you did it…
isn’t actually the question.
The client tilts his head.
Interested.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
The question is…
can they prove you did?
Another beat.
The client smiles.
Not because he’s relieved.
Because Rachel has just confirmed exactly what he hoped.
She isn’t looking for the truth.
She’s evaluating the case.
He leans back in his chair.
Almost comfortable now.
CLIENT
I knew you’d understand.
Rachel gathers her papers.
Stands.
RACHEL
Don’t mistake understanding…
for believing you.
She closes the file.
The correctional officer opens the door.
Rachel starts to leave.
The client calls after her.
CLIENT
Ms. Everett…
Rachel stops.
Without turning.
CLIENT (CONT’D)
Thank you…
for taking my case.
Rachel exits.
The client watches the door close.
Then…
for the first time…
his smile grows just a little wider.
Almost imperceptibly.
He has exactly the attorney he wanted.
SMASH CUT BACK TO PRESENT DAY.
INT. FACILITY DORM
The dorm is quieter now.
Some survivors rest.
Others whisper among themselves.
Rachel finds AJ sitting on the edge of a bunk.
She sits beside him.
A beat.
RACHEL
We’re talking to the wrong people.
AJ looks over.
AJ
Meaning?
RACHEL
The doctor…
the interrogators…
the guards…
the workers…
they’re all asking us questions.
Not answering them.
AJ nods.
Listening.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
They don’t know who we are any more than we know who they are.
They’re trying to figure us out…
the same way we’re trying to figure them out.
AJ thinks about that.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
While we’re sitting here arguing about whether we really traveled through time…
they’re sitting somewhere arguing about whether we’re actually from the future.
AJ lets out a small laugh.
Not because it’s funny.
Because he realizes she might be right.
AJ
So…
who’s feeding them the story?
Rachel meets his eyes.
RACHEL
Exactly.
AJ leans forward.
His detective instincts take over.
AJ
Then we’ve been asking the wrong question.
Rachel waits.
AJ
The question isn’t…
“Are they lying?”
The question is…
Who’s doing the manipulating?
Silence.
Rachel nods.
For the first time…
they’re thinking exactly alike.
SMASH CUT TO:
FLASHBACK #3
INT. RACHEL’S LAW OFFICE – NIGHT
A desk covered with case files.
The room is mostly dark except for the glow of a desk lamp.
Rachel sits alone reviewing documents.
Her client’s case file is open.
She flips through pages.
Again.
And again.
The evidence still bothers her.
A knock at the door.
Her paralegal enters.
Late 20s/early 30s.
Carrying coffee.
PARALEGAL
You’re still here?
Rachel doesn’t look up.
RACHEL
Something doesn’t fit.
The paralegal sets the coffee down.
PARALEGAL
Rachel…
I’ve been reading this case.
A lot of people don’t get the luxury of someone fighting this hard for them.
She looks at the file.
PARALEGAL (CONT’D)
But what if he did it?
Rachel stops.
Looks up.
RACHEL
What?
PARALEGAL
I’m serious.
We’re spending all this time trying to find holes in the evidence.
But what if there aren’t holes?
What if we’re just looking for them because that’s what we’re supposed to do?
Rachel doesn’t answer.
The question bothers her because she doesn’t have an immediate response.
⸻
INT. COURTHOUSE EVIDENCE ROOM – DAY
Rachel reviews evidence again.
She examines photographs.
Reports.
A DNA report.
Something
catches her attention.
She pulls the file closer.
A blood analysis.
She notices something.
A discrepancy.
She looks again.
Then again.
⸻
INT. RACHEL’S OFFICE – DAY
Rachel spreads everything across the table.
The timeline.
The evidence.
The DNA.
Something isn’t adding up.
Her paralegal watches.
PARALEGAL
What is it?
Rachel points.
RACHEL
This.
The prosecution says this proves he was there.
But that’s not what this proves.
The paralegal looks confused.
PARALEGAL
Then what does it prove?
Rachel realizes.
The entire case may have been built on a false assumption.
⸻
INT. PRISON VISITATION ROOM – DAY
Rachel sits across from her client.
For the first time…
she looks like she might believe him.
The client notices immediately.
CLIENT
You found something.
Rachel doesn’t answer.
CLIENT
I knew you would.
Rachel leans forward.
RACHEL
Don’t misunderstand.
I’m not saying you’re innocent.
The client smiles.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
I’m saying the evidence isn’t telling the story they think it is.
The client leans back.
Satisfied.
⸻
INT. RACHEL’S LAW OFFICE – NIGHT
Rachel and her paralegal continue working.
The paralegal looks exhausted.
PARALEGAL
I just don’t understand how you do this.
Rachel looks up.
PARALEGAL
You have to sit across from people every day and believe their story…
knowing some of them are lying.
Rachel looks at the case file.
A long pause.
RACHEL
Everybody deserves to be heard.
The paralegal studies her.
Not convinced.
PARALEGAL
That’s not what I asked.
Rachel has no answer.
⸻
CUT BACK TO PRESENT.
LOST: THE RETURN
Episode 2
INT. FACILITY — MEDICAL EXAMINATION ROOM — NIGHT
AJ sits on the examination table.
A doctor reviews his chart while monitoring his vitals.
AJ watches her carefully.
AJ
Can I ask you something?
The doctor doesn’t look up.
DOCTOR
You just did.
AJ smiles slightly.
AJ
How does it feel knowing you’re being manipulated?
The doctor finally looks at him.
DOCTOR
My job is to examine and treat patients.
There is no manipulation involved.
AJ studies her.
AJ
So you really believe it’s 2004?
DOCTOR
Yes.
No hesitation.
That catches AJ off guard.
AJ
Why?
The doctor continues entering information.
DOCTOR
Because it is.
AJ leans forward.
AJ
But doesn’t that bother you?
The doctor looks at him.
AJ (CONT’D)
The possibility that we’re telling the truth?
That we actually came from the future?
I mean…
that’s pretty interesting.
The doctor returns to her work.
DOCTOR
I examine and treat.
AJ shakes his head.
AJ
That’s your answer for everything.
A beat.
AJ (CONT’D)
Is that what the person in charge tells you to say?
The doctor looks at him.
Calm.
Almost sympathetic.
DOCTOR
You assume there is someone telling everyone what to think.
AJ doesn’t respond.
Because she may have a point.
⸻
INT. FACILITY DORM — NIGHT
The survivors are mostly asleep.
The room is quiet.
AJ enters.
Rachel is still awake.
She immediately knows something is wrong.
RACHEL
What happened?
AJ sits beside her.
AJ
I don’t think she knows.
Rachel looks at him.
RACHEL
Who?
AJ
The doctor.
The interrogators.
The workers.
I think everybody here is just doing a job.
Rachel considers that.
AJ (CONT’D)
They’re not acting like people covering something up.
They’re acting like people who believe what they’re saying.
Rachel looks around the dorm.
That possibility bothers her.
Before she can respond—
The door opens.
A guard stands there.
GUARD
Rachel Everett.
Everyone begins waking up.
Rachel stands.
RACHEL
Why?
The guard steps aside.
GUARD
The man in charge would like to see you.
Rachel and AJ exchange a look.
This is exactly what they wanted.
Rachel follows.
⸻
FLASHBACK #4
INT. COURTROOM — DAY
The courtroom is packed.
Reporters sit behind the gallery.
Rachel stands before the jury.
Her client sits behind
She pulls the file closer.
A blood analysis.
She notices something.
A discrepancy.
She looks again.
Then again.
⸻
INT. RACHEL’S OFFICE – DAY
Rachel spreads everything across the table.
The timeline.
The evidence.
The DNA.
Something isn’t adding up.
Her paralegal watches.
PARALEGAL
What is it?
Rachel points.
RACHEL
This.
The prosecution says this proves he was there.
But that’s not what this proves.
The paralegal looks confused.
PARALEGAL
Then what does it prove?
Rachel realizes.
The entire case may have been built on a false assumption.
⸻
INT. PRISON VISITATION ROOM – DAY
Rachel sits across from her client.
For the first time…
she looks like she might believe him.
The client notices immediately.
CLIENT
You found something.
Rachel doesn’t answer.
CLIENT
I knew you would.
Rachel leans forward.
RACHEL
Don’t misunderstand.
I’m not saying you’re innocent.
The client smiles.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
I’m saying the evidence isn’t telling the story they think it is.
The client leans back.
Satisfied.
⸻
INT. RACHEL’S LAW OFFICE – NIGHT
Rachel and her paralegal continue working.
The paralegal looks exhausted.
PARALEGAL
I just don’t understand how you do this.
Rachel looks up.
PARALEGAL
You have to sit across from people every day and believe their story…
knowing some of them are lying.
Rachel looks at the case file.
A long pause.
RACHEL
Everybody deserves to be heard.
The paralegal studies her.
Not convinced.
PARALEGAL
That’s not what I asked.
Rachel has no answer.
⸻
CUT BACK TO PRESENT.
LOST: THE RETURN
Episode 2
INT. FACILITY — MEDICAL EXAMINATION ROOM — NIGHT
AJ sits on the examination table.
A doctor reviews his chart while monitoring his vitals.
AJ watches her carefully.
AJ
Can I ask you something?
The doctor doesn’t look up.
DOCTOR
You just did.
AJ smiles slightly.
AJ
How does it feel knowing you’re being manipulated?
The doctor finally looks at him.
DOCTOR
My job is to examine and treat patients.
There is no manipulation involved.
AJ studies her.
AJ
So you really believe it’s 2004?
DOCTOR
Yes.
No hesitation.
That catches AJ off guard.
AJ
Why?
The doctor continues entering information.
DOCTOR
Because it is.
AJ leans forward.
AJ
But doesn’t that bother you?
The doctor looks at him.
AJ (CONT’D)
The possibility that we’re telling the truth?
That we actually came from the future?
I mean…
that’s pretty interesting.
The doctor returns to her work.
DOCTOR
I examine and treat.
AJ shakes his head.
AJ
That’s your answer for everything.
A beat.
AJ (CONT’D)
Is that what the person in charge tells you to say?
The doctor looks at him.
Calm.
Almost sympathetic.
DOCTOR
You assume there is someone telling everyone what to think.
AJ doesn’t respond.
Because she may have a point.
⸻
INT. FACILITY DORM — NIGHT
The survivors are mostly asleep.
The room is quiet.
AJ enters.
Rachel is still awake.
She immediately knows something is wrong.
RACHEL
What happened?
AJ sits beside her.
AJ
I don’t think she knows.
Rachel looks at him.
RACHEL
Who?
AJ
The doctor.
The interrogators.
The workers.
I think everybody here is just doing a job.
Rachel considers that.
AJ (CONT’D)
They’re not acting like people covering something up.
They’re acting like people who believe what they’re saying.
Rachel looks around the dorm.
That possibility bothers her.
Before she can respond—
The door opens.
A guard stands there.
GUARD
Rachel Everett.
Everyone begins waking up.
Rachel stands.
RACHEL
Why?
The guard steps aside.
GUARD
The man in charge would like to see you.
Rachel and AJ exchange a look.
This is exactly what they wanted.
Rachel follows.
⸻
FLASHBACK #4
INT. COURTROOM — DAY
The courtroom is packed.
Reporters sit behind the gallery.
Rachel stands before the jury.
Her client sits behind
her.
Watching.
Waiting.
Rachel takes a breath.
This is her moment.
⸻
RACHEL
The State wants you to believe this case is simple.
That the evidence tells one story.
That the answer is obvious.
But the truth is…
the answer is never supposed to be obvious.
She walks slowly across the courtroom.
⸻
RACHEL (CONT’D)
Our system was not created to convict the person who seems most likely.
It was created to protect people from what happens when we stop asking questions.
She looks toward the jury.
⸻
RACHEL
Reasonable doubt does not mean we know what happened.
It means we know there is another possibility.
And when another possibility exists…
the law requires you to choose carefully.
⸻
The prosecutor watches.
Unimpressed.
Rachel returns to the defense table.
⸻
INT. COURTROOM — LATER
The jury returns.
Everyone stands.
The judge reads the verdict.
JUDGE
On the charge of murder…
we find the defendant…
NOT GUILTY.
The courtroom erupts.
Rachel exhales.
Relief.
Her client looks at her.
Grateful.
Or at least he appears to be.
⸻
EXT. COURTHOUSE — DAY
Rachel exits.
Reporters surround her.
She gives no interview this time.
She simply walks.
For the first time…
she believes she found the truth.
⸻
CUT BACK TO PRESENT.
⸻
LOST: THE RETURN
Episode 2
INT. FACILITY — INTERROGATION ROOM — NIGHT
Rachel sits alone at the table.
No guards.
No interrogators.
Just silence.
She looks around the room.
Waiting.
A small CLICK.
The speaker in the ceiling turns on.
A calm male voice fills the room.
VOICE
Hello, Rachel.
Rachel immediately looks up.
VOICE (CONT’D)
I am the person you have been looking for.
Rachel doesn’t hesitate.
RACHEL
Then come in here.
A beat.
VOICE
It’s not time.
Rachel studies the speaker.
RACHEL
Not time?
You have me locked in a room.
You have people questioning us.
You have medical staff running tests.
But you can’t sit across from me?
Silence.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
Why?
No response.
Rachel leans forward.
RACHEL
Prove it.
VOICE
Prove what?
RACHEL
That it’s 2004.
Another pause.
The voice remains calm.
VOICE
Rachel…
The truth is…
you were all passengers on a train traveling from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles.
At some point during that journey…
there was an event.
A disturbance.
It caused the derailment of the train.
Rachel listens carefully.
VOICE (CONT’D)
And the resulting event caused what can only be described as temporal displacement.
Rachel processes that.
RACHEL
Time displacement.
A beat.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
You’re saying we traveled through time.
VOICE
Yes.
Rachel shakes her head.
Not because she doesn’t believe him.
Because she can’t believe she’s hearing this.
RACHEL
And you’re saying this wasn’t an accident?
VOICE
No.
Rachel sits up.
RACHEL
So we were brought here.
VOICE
Yes.
A beat.
RACHEL
Why?
Silence.
For the first time…
the voice hesitates.
RACHEL
Why us?
The answer comes quietly.
VOICE
Because…
that’s the way it always happened.
Rachel freezes.
The words hit differently than everything else.
RACHEL
What does that mean?
No answer.
The room goes silent.
Rachel stares at the speaker.
⸻
FLASHBACK #5
⸻
LOST: THE RETURN
Episode 2
Flashback #5 — “The Truth”
SMASH CUT FROM:
VOICE
“Because that’s the way it always happened.”
⸻
INT. COUNTY JAIL — VISITATION ROOM — DAY
Rachel sits across from her former client.
But something is different.
The trial is over.
The cameras are gone.
The attention is gone.
He looks comfortable.
Almost relaxed.
Rachel places a folder on the table.
RACHEL
I wanted to see how you were doing.
He smiles.
CLIENT
You mean you wanted to know if you were right.
Rachel doesn’t answer.
Because he hit closer than she expected.
RACHEL
You know what I wanted?
A fair trial.
A fair process.
And you got one.
He nods.
CLIENT
I did.
A beat.
CLIENT
Watching.
Waiting.
Rachel takes a breath.
This is her moment.
⸻
RACHEL
The State wants you to believe this case is simple.
That the evidence tells one story.
That the answer is obvious.
But the truth is…
the answer is never supposed to be obvious.
She walks slowly across the courtroom.
⸻
RACHEL (CONT’D)
Our system was not created to convict the person who seems most likely.
It was created to protect people from what happens when we stop asking questions.
She looks toward the jury.
⸻
RACHEL
Reasonable doubt does not mean we know what happened.
It means we know there is another possibility.
And when another possibility exists…
the law requires you to choose carefully.
⸻
The prosecutor watches.
Unimpressed.
Rachel returns to the defense table.
⸻
INT. COURTROOM — LATER
The jury returns.
Everyone stands.
The judge reads the verdict.
JUDGE
On the charge of murder…
we find the defendant…
NOT GUILTY.
The courtroom erupts.
Rachel exhales.
Relief.
Her client looks at her.
Grateful.
Or at least he appears to be.
⸻
EXT. COURTHOUSE — DAY
Rachel exits.
Reporters surround her.
She gives no interview this time.
She simply walks.
For the first time…
she believes she found the truth.
⸻
CUT BACK TO PRESENT.
⸻
LOST: THE RETURN
Episode 2
INT. FACILITY — INTERROGATION ROOM — NIGHT
Rachel sits alone at the table.
No guards.
No interrogators.
Just silence.
She looks around the room.
Waiting.
A small CLICK.
The speaker in the ceiling turns on.
A calm male voice fills the room.
VOICE
Hello, Rachel.
Rachel immediately looks up.
VOICE (CONT’D)
I am the person you have been looking for.
Rachel doesn’t hesitate.
RACHEL
Then come in here.
A beat.
VOICE
It’s not time.
Rachel studies the speaker.
RACHEL
Not time?
You have me locked in a room.
You have people questioning us.
You have medical staff running tests.
But you can’t sit across from me?
Silence.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
Why?
No response.
Rachel leans forward.
RACHEL
Prove it.
VOICE
Prove what?
RACHEL
That it’s 2004.
Another pause.
The voice remains calm.
VOICE
Rachel…
The truth is…
you were all passengers on a train traveling from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles.
At some point during that journey…
there was an event.
A disturbance.
It caused the derailment of the train.
Rachel listens carefully.
VOICE (CONT’D)
And the resulting event caused what can only be described as temporal displacement.
Rachel processes that.
RACHEL
Time displacement.
A beat.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
You’re saying we traveled through time.
VOICE
Yes.
Rachel shakes her head.
Not because she doesn’t believe him.
Because she can’t believe she’s hearing this.
RACHEL
And you’re saying this wasn’t an accident?
VOICE
No.
Rachel sits up.
RACHEL
So we were brought here.
VOICE
Yes.
A beat.
RACHEL
Why?
Silence.
For the first time…
the voice hesitates.
RACHEL
Why us?
The answer comes quietly.
VOICE
Because…
that’s the way it always happened.
Rachel freezes.
The words hit differently than everything else.
RACHEL
What does that mean?
No answer.
The room goes silent.
Rachel stares at the speaker.
⸻
FLASHBACK #5
⸻
LOST: THE RETURN
Episode 2
Flashback #5 — “The Truth”
SMASH CUT FROM:
VOICE
“Because that’s the way it always happened.”
⸻
INT. COUNTY JAIL — VISITATION ROOM — DAY
Rachel sits across from her former client.
But something is different.
The trial is over.
The cameras are gone.
The attention is gone.
He looks comfortable.
Almost relaxed.
Rachel places a folder on the table.
RACHEL
I wanted to see how you were doing.
He smiles.
CLIENT
You mean you wanted to know if you were right.
Rachel doesn’t answer.
Because he hit closer than she expected.
RACHEL
You know what I wanted?
A fair trial.
A fair process.
And you got one.
He nods.
CLIENT
I did.
A beat.
CLIENT
(CONT’D)
You were very good.
Rachel notices the wording.
RACHEL
Were?
He smiles.
⸻
INT. PRISON VISITATION ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Rachel pulls out documents.
RACHEL
There are still questions.
The client looks amused.
CLIENT
After all this time?
RACHEL
You know what bothers me?
You never seemed scared.
Not once.
Even when the evidence was stacked against you.
The client says nothing.
Rachel studies him.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
Why?
A long silence.
Then—
CLIENT
Because I knew you.
Rachel freezes.
RACHEL
You didn’t know me.
CLIENT
I watched you.
A beat.
CLIENT (CONT’D)
Before you ever met me.
Rachel’s expression changes.
⸻
FLASHBACK WITHIN THE FLASHBACK
INT. COUNTY JAIL — EARLIER
The television plays Rachel’s courthouse interview.
The client watches.
Same as before.
But now we understand.
He wasn’t impressed by her.
He was studying her.
⸻
BACK TO VISITATION ROOM
CLIENT
You told everyone exactly who you were.
Rachel looks confused.
CLIENT (CONT’D)
You believe people deserve to be heard.
You believe doubt matters.
You believe the system fails when people stop questioning.
He leans forward.
CLIENT (CONT’D)
I didn’t have to convince you I was innocent.
I just had to convince you the evidence wasn’t enough.
Rachel goes silent.
Because she realizes.
⸻
RACHEL
You did it.
The client doesn’t respond.
That is the answer.
Rachel’s face drops.
Years of confidence disappear.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
You let me defend you knowing you were guilty.
The client shrugs.
CLIENT
You wanted the truth.
I gave you the truth.
Rachel looks at him.
Horrified.
RACHEL
No.
You gave me a story.
A version I wanted to believe.
He smiles slightly.
CLIENT
Isn’t that what everyone does?
⸻
INT. PRISON VISITATION ROOM — LATER
Rachel stands to leave.
She stops.
Turns back.
RACHEL
The evidence…
The DNA…
The inconsistencies…
How did you know?
The client smiles.
CLIENT
Because I created them.
Rachel absorbs that.
Every piece.
Every doubt.
Every question.
He planned it.
⸻
INT. COURTHOUSE HALLWAY — FLASHBACK
Quick flashes:
Rachel celebrating the verdict.
Reporters calling her name.
Her closing argument.
The jury saying “not guilty.”
All recontextualized.
⸻
BACK TO VISITATION ROOM
Rachel fights back emotion.
Not tears.
Anger.
Disbelief.
RACHEL
Why?
The client thinks.
Then:
CLIENT
Because I needed someone like you.
Rachel stares.
CLIENT (CONT’D)
Someone people trusted.
Someone who believed they were doing the right thing.
A beat.
CLIENT
The best lies…
are the ones people tell themselves.
⸻
INT. PRISON HALLWAY — DAY
Rachel walks away.
The prison door closes behind her.
For the first time…
she doesn’t look confident.
She looks lost.
LOST: THE RETURN
Episode 2
Final Scene
INT. FACILITY — DORM / HALLWAY — NIGHT
The facility is quiet.
Most of the survivors are asleep.
Some scattered conversations have faded.
Rachel sits awake on her bunk.
She looks exhausted.
Not physically.
Mentally.
Everything she thought she understood has been challenged.
She gets up.
Walks out into the hallway.
⸻
INT. FACILITY — VENDING AREA — NIGHT
A dim light hums above the vending machines.
Rachel stands in front of them.
She studies the contents.
Then she sees it.
APOLLO BAR.
She stares.
Almost like it’s mocking her.
She puts in the change.
The machine drops the candy bar.
She picks it up.
Before she opens it—
GABE
You know…
Rachel looks over.
Gabriel stands there holding a drink.
GABE
That might be the most exciting thing that’s happened all day.
Rachel looks at the candy bar.
RACHEL
It’s a candy bar.
Gabe looks offended.
GABE
No.
It’s an Apollo bar.
A difference.
He steps closer.
GABE (CONT’D)
These things are pure nostalgia.
I used to eat these all the time when I was a kid.
Rachel looks at him.
RACHEL
You knew about these?
GABE
You were very good.
Rachel notices the wording.
RACHEL
Were?
He smiles.
⸻
INT. PRISON VISITATION ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Rachel pulls out documents.
RACHEL
There are still questions.
The client looks amused.
CLIENT
After all this time?
RACHEL
You know what bothers me?
You never seemed scared.
Not once.
Even when the evidence was stacked against you.
The client says nothing.
Rachel studies him.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
Why?
A long silence.
Then—
CLIENT
Because I knew you.
Rachel freezes.
RACHEL
You didn’t know me.
CLIENT
I watched you.
A beat.
CLIENT (CONT’D)
Before you ever met me.
Rachel’s expression changes.
⸻
FLASHBACK WITHIN THE FLASHBACK
INT. COUNTY JAIL — EARLIER
The television plays Rachel’s courthouse interview.
The client watches.
Same as before.
But now we understand.
He wasn’t impressed by her.
He was studying her.
⸻
BACK TO VISITATION ROOM
CLIENT
You told everyone exactly who you were.
Rachel looks confused.
CLIENT (CONT’D)
You believe people deserve to be heard.
You believe doubt matters.
You believe the system fails when people stop questioning.
He leans forward.
CLIENT (CONT’D)
I didn’t have to convince you I was innocent.
I just had to convince you the evidence wasn’t enough.
Rachel goes silent.
Because she realizes.
⸻
RACHEL
You did it.
The client doesn’t respond.
That is the answer.
Rachel’s face drops.
Years of confidence disappear.
RACHEL (CONT’D)
You let me defend you knowing you were guilty.
The client shrugs.
CLIENT
You wanted the truth.
I gave you the truth.
Rachel looks at him.
Horrified.
RACHEL
No.
You gave me a story.
A version I wanted to believe.
He smiles slightly.
CLIENT
Isn’t that what everyone does?
⸻
INT. PRISON VISITATION ROOM — LATER
Rachel stands to leave.
She stops.
Turns back.
RACHEL
The evidence…
The DNA…
The inconsistencies…
How did you know?
The client smiles.
CLIENT
Because I created them.
Rachel absorbs that.
Every piece.
Every doubt.
Every question.
He planned it.
⸻
INT. COURTHOUSE HALLWAY — FLASHBACK
Quick flashes:
Rachel celebrating the verdict.
Reporters calling her name.
Her closing argument.
The jury saying “not guilty.”
All recontextualized.
⸻
BACK TO VISITATION ROOM
Rachel fights back emotion.
Not tears.
Anger.
Disbelief.
RACHEL
Why?
The client thinks.
Then:
CLIENT
Because I needed someone like you.
Rachel stares.
CLIENT (CONT’D)
Someone people trusted.
Someone who believed they were doing the right thing.
A beat.
CLIENT
The best lies…
are the ones people tell themselves.
⸻
INT. PRISON HALLWAY — DAY
Rachel walks away.
The prison door closes behind her.
For the first time…
she doesn’t look confident.
She looks lost.
LOST: THE RETURN
Episode 2
Final Scene
INT. FACILITY — DORM / HALLWAY — NIGHT
The facility is quiet.
Most of the survivors are asleep.
Some scattered conversations have faded.
Rachel sits awake on her bunk.
She looks exhausted.
Not physically.
Mentally.
Everything she thought she understood has been challenged.
She gets up.
Walks out into the hallway.
⸻
INT. FACILITY — VENDING AREA — NIGHT
A dim light hums above the vending machines.
Rachel stands in front of them.
She studies the contents.
Then she sees it.
APOLLO BAR.
She stares.
Almost like it’s mocking her.
She puts in the change.
The machine drops the candy bar.
She picks it up.
Before she opens it—
GABE
You know…
Rachel looks over.
Gabriel stands there holding a drink.
GABE
That might be the most exciting thing that’s happened all day.
Rachel looks at the candy bar.
RACHEL
It’s a candy bar.
Gabe looks offended.
GABE
No.
It’s an Apollo bar.
A difference.
He steps closer.
GABE (CONT’D)
These things are pure nostalgia.
I used to eat these all the time when I was a kid.
Rachel looks at him.
RACHEL
You knew about these?
GABE
Of course I knew about them.
Everybody knew about them.
They stopped making them in 2012.
He looks at the vending machine.
Almost emotional.
GABE (CONT’D)
I would travel back in time every day just to get one of these.
Rachel looks at him.
A small smile almost appears.
Because after everything…
that’s the first time someone has said something about time travel that sounds normal.
⸻
Gabe walks away.
Rachel stays.
Alone.
She looks down at the Apollo bar.
The evidence.
The impossible.
The truth sitting right in front of her.
She slowly opens it.
Takes a bite.
A beat.
She looks around the facility.
For the first time…
she isn’t trying to disprove what she’s seeing.
She’s just experiencing it.
Rachel takes another bite.
⸻
CUT TO BLACK.
LOST THEME PLAYS.
https://redd.it/1vjtseu
@lostbackup
Everybody knew about them.
They stopped making them in 2012.
He looks at the vending machine.
Almost emotional.
GABE (CONT’D)
I would travel back in time every day just to get one of these.
Rachel looks at him.
A small smile almost appears.
Because after everything…
that’s the first time someone has said something about time travel that sounds normal.
⸻
Gabe walks away.
Rachel stays.
Alone.
She looks down at the Apollo bar.
The evidence.
The impossible.
The truth sitting right in front of her.
She slowly opens it.
Takes a bite.
A beat.
She looks around the facility.
For the first time…
she isn’t trying to disprove what she’s seeing.
She’s just experiencing it.
Rachel takes another bite.
⸻
CUT TO BLACK.
LOST THEME PLAYS.
https://redd.it/1vjtseu
@lostbackup
Reddit
From the lost community on Reddit
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Thought provoking
Ive heard about this show and am about to finish finally. I have to say its the most thought provoking show ive ever seen and it really creates many mysteries to the point I don’t believe I’ll even fully realize all the things with the island and what it is when I finish. This show is wonderful and put together in a fantastic way. Does anyone know a website perhaps that has a bunch of theories on the show or something that digs deeper into like the dharma stuff or the island itself? Spoilers are fine I’ll be finishing before I read up about it all.
Appreciate it!
https://redd.it/1vjwv7p
@lostbackup
Ive heard about this show and am about to finish finally. I have to say its the most thought provoking show ive ever seen and it really creates many mysteries to the point I don’t believe I’ll even fully realize all the things with the island and what it is when I finish. This show is wonderful and put together in a fantastic way. Does anyone know a website perhaps that has a bunch of theories on the show or something that digs deeper into like the dharma stuff or the island itself? Spoilers are fine I’ll be finishing before I read up about it all.
Appreciate it!
https://redd.it/1vjwv7p
@lostbackup
Reddit
From the lost community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the lost community
The Egyptian Period
https://youtu.be/CjdgJVqvufo?is=EVcb_A6pOW7fnXIy
https://redd.it/1vk2a88
@lostbackup
https://youtu.be/CjdgJVqvufo?is=EVcb_A6pOW7fnXIy
https://redd.it/1vk2a88
@lostbackup
YouTube
Explaining the Egyptian Period in LOST
This video unpacks the hidden backstory of the island's Egyptian civilization and explains the cork at the heart of the island, the donkey wheel, the statue of Taweret, the temple, the lighthouse, the smoke monster summoning chambers, the wells, the tunnels…
Bombshell
19m, first time watching from, and loved it so far till s4, currently in S5 ep8, man it's so hard to watch it right now, so many things happening, every episode is a f***ing bombshell, and the ending cliffhangers oh mannn.
It's no more the comforting show which made me binge till S5, took a 2 month break because of this, but so many appreciation posts everywhere and best ending acclaimations, are making me want to finish the show again, really hoping to see a good ending.
https://redd.it/1vk2zn3
@lostbackup
19m, first time watching from, and loved it so far till s4, currently in S5 ep8, man it's so hard to watch it right now, so many things happening, every episode is a f***ing bombshell, and the ending cliffhangers oh mannn.
It's no more the comforting show which made me binge till S5, took a 2 month break because of this, but so many appreciation posts everywhere and best ending acclaimations, are making me want to finish the show again, really hoping to see a good ending.
https://redd.it/1vk2zn3
@lostbackup
Reddit
From the lost community on Reddit
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How did Widmore leave the island before the purge?
Hi all, I’m on my 9th rewatch while introducing the show for the first time to my partner, and we’re on the season 5 episode Dead is Dead where we learn about the banishment of Charles Widmore from the island because he had Penny with an outsider and consistently left the island for his own personal reasons.
My question is how did he leave the island to be with the outsider so regularly before The Others got access to Dharma’s sub? Penny was definitely born before The Purge, was he using the donkey wheel? If so, how did he do that without making the island move all the time? Did they have another way off the island? I don’t believe Penny was ever on the island so he didn’t have relations with like a Dharma member or something. I gotta know your thoughts!
https://redd.it/1vk73tx
@lostbackup
Hi all, I’m on my 9th rewatch while introducing the show for the first time to my partner, and we’re on the season 5 episode Dead is Dead where we learn about the banishment of Charles Widmore from the island because he had Penny with an outsider and consistently left the island for his own personal reasons.
My question is how did he leave the island to be with the outsider so regularly before The Others got access to Dharma’s sub? Penny was definitely born before The Purge, was he using the donkey wheel? If so, how did he do that without making the island move all the time? Did they have another way off the island? I don’t believe Penny was ever on the island so he didn’t have relations with like a Dharma member or something. I gotta know your thoughts!
https://redd.it/1vk73tx
@lostbackup
Reddit
From the lost community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the lost community