It's been 2 years since the Bentham grid went online in New York City.
It was a technological marvel.
The grid takes all those things unique to you.
Your social security number,
your passport,
your debit and credit accounts
and links them to one thing.
Your DNA.
With just a touch,
the grid collects a tiny sample of your genetic material,
IDing you instantly.
Gregg Brewster
then a purchase can be deducted directly from your personal accounts
or
you can unlock and start your car.
Cid Batista
And it all works
within a margin of error of .001%.
The ultimate social network.
No cash has to change hands,
no ID cards have to be shown,
no keys have to be carried.
Masaki Kashiwa
Today,
you can't do anything in New York City without the grid knowing who you are
and where you are.
Julia Richards
After just 6 months in service,
the state legislature passed an unprecedented bill
giving law enforcement complete access to the grid's data.
As a result,
there hasn't been a reported case of identity theft in over 18 months
NYPD case clearances have soared above 90%
and fugitives have been found and captured,
in record numbers.
Thank you for using the grid.
Mayor Reed
I think the question everyone here is asking is:
is the right to privacy effectively dead in New York City?
The crime rate in the city is now lower
than that of Cheyenne, Wyoming.
I think
anyone including my fellow law abiding New Yorkers
would happily sacrifies a little bit of privacy
for that kind of personal safety.
Many hailed the launch of the Bentham grid
as the funeral for American crime.
But it was the day
that something else began.
Plurality detected.
Target just got picked up on Eight Avenue.
Alana Winston
Looks like she's a reporter.
Send in Foucault.
Have a nice day Mr Foucault.
We are still without answers as to
what caused a small plane to crash
in Ossining New York just 2 days ago.
Over the last 48 hours
I'm on mobile, in pursuit.
Don't get into another foot chase Foucault.
just walk up behind her,
hit her with the decap and bring her in.
I got any clear set car is coming to you.
Ms Winston?
I'm inspector Foucault.
You're gonna have to come with me.
Shit.
Here we go.
Alana.
Activate every grid node we can get in that area.
Declared and undeclared.
That's currency, trains, doors.
Anything we can get our hands on.
Box her in and shut her down.
Grid lockdown.
Out of the way!
Target identified.
Move. Shit she is fast.
Stay on her. Come on people let's go.
We've got the eyes of the sky Foucault.
We can see both of you.
Move.
Alana
Danger
Danger. Danger.
Target's heading south on Broadway.
Introducing the new iHolo.
A new groundbreaking holo stream technology.
With a razor sharp 3D hologram
Sorry
Foucault what happened?
Hey! Hey!
Foucault!
Pollard I lost her.
I need some help. You gotta get me backup.
Send me whatever you got.
She's dodging all the grid points.
I don't have her either.
And I bet your lunch she is trying to get lost in the park.
Scanning grid.
I think I've got her Sir.
We got her.
She's entering the park in 30 seconds.
Nice and easy.
Don't let her in the park.
Target locked.
I got her.
Ms Winston.
You can't beat the grid.
Sir she's down.
Bring her in.
They're with these two lovely ladies
for over an hour now.
All the standard questions have yielded exactly diddly piss.
And the bio-scans didn't tell me anything.
Aren't there differentiating ageing characteristics?
There are no free radicals.
Skin-eyes to city calculations are inconclusive.
Almost like they're the same person.
Isn't it the one who ran?
They both ran.
My name is inspector Foucault.
I'm gonna ask you a few questions.
I've already answered all their questions.
It's really important that you answer them honestly
and with no cognitive stress.
I don't want you to think about the answer.
Just respond with whatever pops in your head.
Begin interview.
How old are you Alana?
Your mother never told you it's rude to ask a lady her age?
Just answer the question please.
Fine.
I'm 28.
You'll be 29 soon.
Unfortunately, that's what comes after 28.
You're married.
No
Engaged.
Our records say your married.
Oh your records must be wrong because I'm not married.
Not yet at least.
When is the wedding?
3 weeks.
Few weeks.
Cognitive stress levels are slightly elevated.
Semo.
(snaps fingers)
Let me sync up these profiles.
Pay attention to the way they answer the questions.
One gives a specific date.
The other gives a point of reference based on a current timeline.
We ask reference based time questions.
The cognitive stress levels rise
on the one who really has to think about it.
Then eventually,
the one who doesn't belong here
will screw up.
'Cause she can't get the math right.
When did the Bentham grid go online?
Almost 2 years ago.
January 2021.
Am I here because of my civil right's piece?
So a serious question?
When did the UN move its headquarter to Geneva?
December.
About a year ago.
2022
What the hell is this pop quiz all about?
Small aircraft crash in Ossining.
Do you remember when that happened?
That happened 2 days ago.
I remember it happening.
It's been on every broadband feed in the city.
I know it was recent I just can't remember the exact day.
Warning cognitive stress levels high.
The plane crash happened 2 days ago.
It's really strange that you'd have trouble remembering that.
She doesn't remember?
She'd remember it
if she was supposed to be here.
You got her Foucault.
Omega is our plurality.
You don't belong here, do you Alana?
I want an attorney.
The Alana Winston that belongs in 2023
is actually sitting in the next room.
She is about to be released with an apology
for the misunderstanding that took place here today.
The Alana Winston that I'm looking at however
doesn't exist.
At least not yet.
So tell me.
Why would a person who doesn't even exist
need with an attorney?
Fuck you.
Why did you come back?
You haven't seen what I've seen.
We have to stop the grid.
When does time travel become possible?
You've replaced freedom
with the illusion of safety.
But we're not safe Foucault.
Neither you.
We'll keep coming back.
We can possibly stop this all.
Well I hope they're better than you.
This afternoon they'll pack you off to our detentionary on Elis Island.
Dream stay with us Alana.
Plurality confirmed.
Alana Winston was the 19th plurality to be identified and captured by the immigration special investigations unit.
This pluralities brought us questions rather than answers.
None of them had a criminal record before we detained them.
They were educated, employed.
We would ask... but they would give us nothing.
But the next plurality
Will change
Everything.
Warning
Plurality detected
Jacob Foucault
Target locked
Sending all available agents.