I miss the Dezheng Theater

[Miles, late for work, goes to leave, but the computer-controlled electronic lock is still engaged on the apartment door]

Miles Harding: Damn.

[Miles goes to the computer to unlock the door]

Computer's Monitor: hello moles // ever used a computer / before?

Miles Harding: God damn it!

Computer's Monitor: then we'll work

[camera pans away as Miles tries door again]

Computer's Monitor: [on green background, centered] HOME SECURITY // PROGRAM RESTRICTED // SCIENCE OFFICER / EYES ONLY.

Miles Harding: [flipping through manual] "Science officer eyes only"? I'll kill 'em. I'll kill 'em!

[Miles tears out a page and hits two keys]

Computer's Monitor: [with blinking green/black cursor below] PLEASE IDENTIFY

Miles Harding: [single-finger typing, aloud] First Lieutenant Sulu

Computer's Monitor: [at cursor, as he types] 1st Lieutenant Sulu

[electronic deadbolt unlocks with two-tone beep]

Computer's Monitor: WELCOME SULU. // ENTRY PERMITTED

Miles Harding: [as he leaves] That's it! Tomorrow you go back!

Miles Harding: [talking to his computer] I thought you might like to meet a friend. Or at least my boss's computer.

[phone handset clicking]

Miles Harding: It's for you.

[puts handset into acoustic coupler modem]

Miles Harding: Hope it feels all right.

Work Computer Monitors: ACOUSTIC LINE ACTIVE

Pinecone Computer's Monitor: [with blinking question mark] PASSWORD ?

Miles Harding: [to himself] What was Riley's password? Some fairy tale. Snow White?

[In upstairs apartment, Madeline blow-dries her hair, feels chilly, and opens an air vent]

Miles Harding: [through air vent] Hello, Cinderella.

Pinecone Computer's Monitor: PASSWORD cinderella?

[screen clears]

Pinecone Computer's Monitor: IMPROPER ENTRY // DISCONNECT?

Miles Harding: [while typing N, O, Enter] Not, so, fast.

[heard through air vent]

Miles Harding: You just got here.

Madeline Robistat: [overhearing] Pardon me.

Miles Harding: [going to fridge] Fairy tale. Crown Prince? Three Bears? No beer. Ugly Duckling?

[takes champagne bottle]

Miles Harding: Little Red Riding Hood? Jack and the Beanstalk?

[unwrapping cork]

Miles Harding: Rasputin... Rapunzel... Rumplestiltskin!

Madeline Robistat: "Rumplestiltskin"?

Pinecone Computer's Monitor: PASSWORD ACCEPTED / PLEASE INDICATE MEMORY SIZE

Miles Harding: "Memory size". Unlimited.

Pinecone Computer's Monitor: [Miles typing] unlimited

Pinecone Computer's Monitor: YOU WANT EVERYTHING?

Miles Harding: [smiles] Everything!

Pinecone Computer's Monitor: TRANSMITTING DATA

Work Computer Monitors: [text scrolls by on one display and diagrams flash on another]

Pinecone Computer's Monitor: [the same diagrams flash with text scrolling in lower quarter]

Work Computer Monitors, Pinecone Computer's Monitor: [all displays suddenly go faster and Miles desk vibrates]

Miles Harding: [reaches for phone handset, it flashes, shocking him] Ahh! It's too hot! It's gonna melt! Water!

[champagne bottle cork pops]

Madeline Robistat: Huh?

[Miles pours the champagne into the keyboard, flowing over all the internal circuitry. Crystal patterns spread through the integrated circuits. Miles looks defeated as the displayed image melts down and away as the case smokes]

Madeline Robistat: Real tiger that one. Thank God I work nights!

[Madeline dives into bed amongst stuffed toy animals]