4
- 2 months ago
Thirty Seconds To Choose
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TVTranscript
00:00Sees two girls, our four-year-old Belle and Lila's daughter Mia.
00:0330 seconds left on the timer.
00:05Two girls tied to chairs.
00:07Ethan saved one.
00:08Everyone said he chose wrong because of prosopagnosia.
00:11Belly cried for dad until the fire consumed her.
00:14I'm Claire Bennett.
00:15My husband Ethan Shaw was the nation's most decorated bomb disposable expert.
00:18He braved countless crises.
00:20Armed only with wire cutters and a steady heart, saving strangers.
00:23But due to his face blindness, he failed to save his daughter.
00:26I spent 10 years rotting inside that lie.
00:28Until Ethan's 40th birthday dinner, his bomb squad buddies surrounded him, whiskey flowing.
00:35He took off his glasses and leaned back.
00:40There's something I've been carrying for 10 years.
00:44I was never face blind.
00:46I could tell them apart.
00:48That day, with 30 seconds, I could have saved both girls.
00:52Ethan, Belle was your daughter.
00:54It was Lila's daughter.
00:55I promised Lila, then loved Claire.
00:58Claire, her drunk husband left her with Mia.
01:00I took her happiness.
01:01I won't fail her again.
01:06Claire!
01:13Claire, did the glass cut you?
01:26Mia, go give Uncle Ethan the present.
01:29We don't come to family dinners empty-handed.
01:31Uncle Ethan, happy birthday!
01:33You didn't have to bring anything.
01:35Look how much you've grown, Mia.
01:40In 10 years, Ethan had done everything for Lila.
01:43He helped her by the cafe, handled Maya's school admissions, sat by her hospital bed through
01:48the night.
01:48He had made himself Maya's father in everything but name.
01:55Blood surged up my throat.
02:01Claire!
02:07When I opened my eyes, I stared at a white ceiling.
02:11Mommy, I'm hungry.
02:14I was back 10 years ago, one month before Belle died.
02:19This time, I would not let anyone hurt her.
02:29Mommy, why are you crying?
02:34No, Mommy just missed you.
02:42Mom, I'm divorcing Ethan.
02:44Claire, what happened?
02:47I want to meet the man you and Dad once wanted me to meet, if he's still willing.
02:51Divorce him.
02:52Don't hesitate.
02:53Your mother and I are behind you.
02:56Thank you, Dad.
02:58When are you coming home?
03:00In one month.
03:01I'll bring Belle.
03:02I opened the safe under the closet floor.
03:05Inside lay a signed separation agreement Ethan remanded before we wed.
03:08Claire, if I ever do something unforgivable, you can just walk away.
03:12Now I understood.
03:13Men like Ethan offer women escape routes they never expect them to take.
03:17When I opened the front door that afternoon, Ethan was home.
03:20So were Lila and Mia.
03:22Claire, this is Lila Hayes and Mia.
03:24Her father's gone.
03:24I'm considering being Mia's godfather.
03:26Or as close as it gets.
03:27What does that have to do with me?
03:30I understand.
03:33Women like me make wives uncomfortable.
03:36I'll just leave.
03:37Claire, what the hell are you doing?
03:39Lila and Mia have no one.
03:41Do you really need to make them feel unwanted?
03:48I only wanted one bite, but Belle pushed me.
03:52Mommy, I didn't.
03:53She took my cake and dropped it on purpose.
03:58Belle, why did you push Mia?
04:00Daddy, I didn't push her.
04:01I said apologize.
04:06I said apologize.
04:08Ethan, Belle told you she didn't do it.
04:11Why don't you believe her?
04:13Being your daughter doesn't make Belle innocent.
04:15It just means you're too blind to discipline her.
04:18She's your daughter too.
04:20Mia is four years old.
04:22How could she lie?
04:26Call 9-1-1!
04:31Ethan!
04:32Mia's breaking out in hives!
04:34He paused.
04:35Just one second.
04:36Yet I knew exactly what it signified.
04:38Ethan Shaw, if you go to them, we are over.
04:40I'm sorry, Claire.
04:42No matter how many lives we were given,
04:44Ethan Shaw would still choose Lila Hayes.
04:48I called 9-1-1 myself.
04:51That night I sat beside Belle's hospital bed until morning.
04:53I did not sleep.
04:55Near dawn, my phone lit up.
04:57A video appeared.
04:58Ethan wore a clown nose in the pediatric room,
05:01juggling oranges for Maya,
05:02acting like they were family.
05:04See?
05:04New life?
05:05Same Ethan.
05:06He chose my daughter once.
05:08He'll choose her again.
05:09Lila had come back too.
05:11Belle stayed awake,
05:12watching a father tend his sick daughter across the ward.
05:15Mommy?
05:16Why do other kids get their daddies when they're sick?
05:19What was I supposed to tell her?
05:20Mommy, I dreamed bad men tied a bomb to me.
05:23Red numbers, like daddy's videos.
05:26I called daddy, but he never came.
05:28I don't want daddy anymore.
05:29I only want mommy.
05:31Then from now on, it's just you and me, sweetheart.
05:33When I stepped out of the ward,
05:35I ran into Ethan.
05:38Claire?
05:40What are you doing here?
05:41Belle had an asthma attack yesterday.
05:43You chose Lima's daughter first.
05:45I took her to hospital alone.
05:47I brought soup.
05:49Belle hates celery.
05:50Uncle Ethan, you got me the chicken soup from West End Diner.
05:54Ethan, you spoil her.
05:55Two hours each way, one casual mention, and you left at dawn.
05:58I laughed quietly.
05:59Love needs no explanation.
06:01Indifference needs none.
06:05On the third day, Ethan finally showed up after Mia was discharged.
06:11Mia's reaction was Belle's doing.
06:13Belle had you, so I thought...
06:14You thought wrong.
06:15One asthma attack, one hives.
06:17Any stranger knows which is deadly.
06:20Daddy, can you stay with me today?
06:23Of course, sweetheart.
06:24He kept the promise for a while.
06:26Read to her.
06:27Cut apple slices into bunny ears.
06:29Then his phone rang.
06:30Ethan, Mia just took a bad fall.
06:33She won't stop crying.
06:33Ethan was already halfway out of the chair.
06:36Daddy, you said you were staying.
06:39Belle, Daddy just needs to...
06:41You were gone for three months.
06:42When you came back, you stayed with Mia.
06:45I missed you too, Daddy.
06:47Go.
06:54Mommy, I don't want Daddy anymore.
06:57I know.
06:58Then we don't want Daddy anymore.
07:00Ethan did not return that day.
07:02Or the next.
07:05At the payment counter, Leela appeared.
07:07Claire, you're going through this alone?
07:09Ethan's his busy with Mia lately?
07:11When she scraped her knee, he drove us straight to the ER.
07:14Still trying to win?
07:15You lost him once, Claire.
07:16Don't think a second life brings a better ending.
07:19My blood ran cold.
07:20Leela louched backward, hitting the floor with a sharp cry.
07:24Claire, what the hell are you doing?
07:26Tell me the truth.
07:27Is Mia your daughter?
07:29Is that why you keep running to her?
07:31Claire, how could you say that?
07:34The slap came swift.
07:39Claire, you are completely out of your mind.
07:46The slap killed the last hope.
07:54Claire, we need to talk.
07:56I shouldn't have hit you.
07:58But Leela is already judged enough.
08:00She's a single mother.
08:01That's the fourth time your explanation started and ended with Leela.
08:05You hit me in public, and you asked me to care about her?
08:08Claire, if Belle and Mia were kidnapped, and only one can be saved, who would you save?
08:14That kind of hypothetical doesn't mean anything.
08:16Answer me!
08:17If both girls were screaming for you, whose chair would you run to first?
08:21Claire, you need to calm down.
08:22I'll sleep on the couch.
08:28The door closed, and I understood.
08:32Be good today, Belle.
08:34Daddy has work.
08:36But Daddy, you promised field day.
08:39It's okay.
08:40Mommy can come.
08:41Mia was crying this morning.
08:43Some kids tease her.
08:44She begged me to come.
08:45Claire, please don't blame Ethan.
08:47He has such a good heart.
08:49It's fine.
08:50Belle has me.
08:51That's enough.
08:52In three days, every life he chose over us would be behind his.
08:59Look at him.
09:00That's a real dad.
09:01That little family is adorable.
09:12I told you.
09:14New life, same ending.
09:16Ethan will still choose us.
09:18You need him to be a husband.
09:20I let him be a hero.
09:22Move.
09:23You really thought being reborn meant you could save Belle?
09:26Let's find out.
09:34Where is my daughter?
09:36Same place as last time.
09:38This time, I want you to watch.
09:39No matter how many chances your daughter dies.
09:43Why?
09:43Because he was mine first.
09:46You came with your money.
09:47You're perfect, baby.
09:49I'd do it again.
09:57Claire, have you lost your mind?
09:59She kidnapped Belle.
10:00Two little girls are missing.
10:02We searched everything.
10:03Nothing.
10:04West Industrial District.
10:05They're there.
10:06How could you possibly know that?
10:08There is no time.
10:09Move!
10:17Do you remember my son, Ethan?
10:22Five years ago, you took my son.
10:25Now two girls.
10:27Sixty seconds.
10:29Choose one.
10:31Daddy, please!
10:33Ethan, this is our daughter.
10:36Ethan, Mia is all I have.
10:42Belle's is primary.
10:43Mia's is secondary.
10:44I disrable secondary first.
10:56Ethan!
11:01What about Belle?
11:03Belle's device is independent.
11:05I can handle it.
11:06I'm bringing her out.
11:13Daddy!
11:16A stranger helped Belle and me.
11:19I've got you.
11:20Calm down.
11:32From the outside, I watched Ethan scream toward the fire until his voice was torn apart.
11:38My wife and daughter are in there!
11:40You can't go in there!
11:41I can't go in there!
11:57Why isn't Daddy coming?
12:01When Ethan woke, he was in a hospital.
12:08Don't move.
12:09You have internal injuries.
12:12I have to get Belle.
12:14She's waiting for me.
12:15Ethan, stop!
12:17They're dead!
12:19No.
12:21Belle's waiting for me to go back.
12:23But some part of him already knew.
12:25The fire had burned for three days.
12:28No one could have survived.
12:31Three days later, he accepted that Claire and Belle were gone.
12:37On the fourth night,
12:42he opened the diary at the date, all color drained from his face.
12:49I had written that diary in the first life.
12:52The life before the rebirth.
12:54July 20, 2020.
12:56I haven't slept for two days.
12:58Every time I close my eyes, I hear hear bells screaming.
13:04The 27th of July, 2020.
13:06Ethan is lauded as a hero for choosing duty over family and promoted.
13:10I'll admire him.
13:11I don't want a hero.
13:13I want my daughter.
13:14The 5th of August, 2020.
13:16I can't reveal his face blindness.
13:18If I do, everyone will brand him his daughter's killer.
13:21May 16, 2030.
13:23I spent ten years grieving.
13:282030?
13:29But it was 2020.
13:31The dates did not make sense.
13:32Ethan Shaw, this time,
13:33I will not give you another chance to hurt me or my daughter.
13:36Ethan stared at the words until they blurred.
13:38A brutal pain tore through his chest.
13:40A white flash burst your behind his eyes.
13:49A thought formed in his mind.
13:50If I had known everything before it happened,
13:53if I had written about 2030 in a diary that existed now,
13:56then maybe the explosion had not taken me.
13:59Maybe Belle and I were still alive.
14:05Claire and that little brat are gone,
14:07yet Ethan acts like his soul died with them.
14:08Mom, is Uncle Ethan leaving us?
14:10Shut up.
14:11Ethan won't leave us.
14:12He chose us over Claire and Belle once.
14:14He'll do it again.
14:15What did you say?
14:16Last life.
14:17I chose you over Claire.
14:19Explain it, Leela.
14:21Ethan, you misheard.
14:23Don't play dumb with me!
14:24Ethan, please!
14:25You're scaring me!
14:29I'm scared!
14:35She's had a severe shock.
14:37As her guardians, you need to keep her calm.
14:39Guardian.
14:39The words struck him.
14:40No mother would harm her child.
14:43Ethan, you're not sleeping.
14:44Go home.
14:45Rest.
14:48Ethan arrived at Belle's kindergarten and asked to hear her recording.
14:53Mom, I love you.
14:56Daddy, you refused to save me last life too.
14:59I don't want you now.
15:01I'm leaving with mommy forever.
15:06His mind pulled tight, then snapped.
15:08The diary.
15:09Lila's outburst.
15:11Belle's recording.
15:12Last life.
15:13He walked back to his car in a daze, sat there until his breathing settled.
15:17Detective Walker, I need a favor.
15:19Mommy, look!
15:20Uncle Liam gave me this.
15:25Has my best patient been behaving today?
15:27Yes.
15:28Very, very good.
15:30Then, I brought a reward.
15:39Liam, stop buying her presents.
15:41You've already done more than enough for us.
15:46When we got there, Belle suffered nightly nightmares and flinched from loud sounds.
15:50I stayed by her day and night, yet love couldn't heal all her wounds.
15:54Liam hired a trauma expert.
15:56After two weeks, Belle finally slept soundly all night.
15:59We were meant to wed.
16:00Then, I met Ethan Shaw.
16:01He left for abroad, and we barely spoke.
16:04Liam, you don't have to come here every day.
16:06Belle has me.
16:09Uncle Mercer?
16:11Do you have to go see your girlfriend?
16:22Belle, don't say things like that.
16:26So, I'll keep coming to see my best patient every day.
16:29No need to worry.
16:32Unless your mom doesn't want me here.
16:36Mommy, please?
16:44Fine.
16:45Fine.
16:57What are you going to do next?
17:02I'm going to make Ethan Shaw pay.
17:05Claire?
17:06Belle?
17:07Belle, I'm home.
17:08Only silence answered.
17:09He saw the bare mat I bought.
17:11A dark stain marked its cheek from an old spill.
17:13He took off his shoes, stepped on it chilled to the bone.
17:17Ethan saw Belle's drawing.
17:18Only then did Ethan truly understand what he had lost.
17:25Claire?
17:26Belle?
17:27In the morning, Detective Walker called.
17:30Ethan, we found something.
17:34The bomber's motive is clear, but there's one piece we're still investigating.
17:39Two children disappeared from a pre-score without anyone noticing.
17:43We think someone they trusted was involved.
17:52You should have told me whose kid she was.
17:54If I'd known I was taking Ethan as daughter, I wouldn't have touched the job.
17:57Keep your voice down.
17:59Do you have any idea how many cops are looking for me?
18:01Pay me more, or we both burn.
18:13You just gave me a name and a photo.
18:16I didn't know who she was.
18:22Ethan, thank God.
18:27Don't.
18:31Take them both in.
18:34It was her.
18:35Lila Hayes.
18:36She paid me.
18:38Fifty grand up front.
18:39Another fifty after.
18:40She just gave me a name and a photo.
18:42All of this I learned from the police reports and the news that followed.
18:49Ethan, I don't know what's happening.
18:51Someone is framing me.
18:53Zach confessed.
19:07Why?
19:09Tell me why!
19:24Oh, Ethan, now you want to play grieving father?
19:27You told everyone you loved your wife and child, but when the clock was running, you chose mine.
19:33Because saving me still mattered more than saving your own home.
19:38Maybe you were never good enough to be Belle's father.
19:42I handed you the choice, Ethan.
19:45You made it.
19:49You want the truth?
19:51We were both reborn.
19:55Last life, you saved Mia, left Belle to die.
19:59You did it again.
20:01Stop.
20:03Why?
20:04Because it sounds ugly?
20:06You chose us long before the bomb.
20:09You called Belle guilty, walked out on her in hospital.
20:14Claire begged you, but you always came to us.
20:18Belle didn't die in one second.
20:20You taught everyone they could wait.
20:24You loved being needed by me more than being loved by them.
20:33Claire, Belle!
20:36Daddy, this time, I don't want you anymore.
20:42Zach and Layla are in custody.
20:45No.
20:47That's not possible.
20:54The divorce decree is fully valid, filed one month ago.
20:58I stopped waiting long before the fire.
21:01One thought consumed him.
21:03Confess at a press conference three days later.
21:06News reached me in Cedar Falls.
21:07Can you come with me?
21:09Anywhere.
21:19Did you save her daughter over yours for personal feelings?
21:23Are you admitting blame for your wife and daughter's deaths?
21:25I'm not here to defend myself.
21:27I am no hero.
21:30I gave another woman too much room.
21:33I excused her, protected her.
21:36I called it responsibility.
21:37It was cowardice.
21:40What exactly are you planning to spend?
21:43At the back stood, I Claire Bennett, alive.
21:46Ethan stared at me from the stage, stunned.
21:52Claire.
21:57My name is Claire Bennett.
21:59I charge Ethan Shaw with marital misconduct, child endangerment, and fatal negligence.
22:04I have proof.
22:10You're alive.
22:12Claire, you're really alive.
22:15What a disappointment for you.
22:18I thought you were dead.
22:20I thought Bella-
22:21Bella's alive too.
22:23Bella's alive?
22:25I need to see her.
22:26Claire, please.
22:27See her?
22:27She begged you, tied to a chair.
22:30You saved Mia first.
22:31What father abandons his own daughter?
22:33Claire, please let me explain.
22:36No.
22:37I've heard your excuses for years.
22:39I won't listen to a man who only grieves his own loss.
22:51Claire!
22:53Belle!
22:54Belle!
22:54Belle!
22:55Belle!
22:57Belle!
22:57Mommy, I want cake.
22:59Okay, baby.
23:01Let's go get some.
23:03Ethan fell, hands and knees scraped raw.
23:06I didn't care.
23:07Once the city's hero, he was branded a killer and liar, suspended under investigation.
23:12Reporters swarmed his home.
23:14Eggs pelted his door.
23:15Across town, Belle ate vanilla cake, brighter than I'd seen her.
23:20You know, you are much stronger than you think you are.
23:26I just want Belle to live well, quietly, safely.
23:31Then let me help you build that life.
23:34This time, don't shut me out just because you're afraid you might finally be treated right.
23:39Mommy, say yes.
23:41Uncle Liam is nice.
23:51You've always been brave, Claire.
23:56I don't feel brave.
23:57You left a man you loved when loving him was killing you.
24:00You saved your daughter.
24:02That counts.
24:06Who is he?
24:10That is a strange question from an ex-husband.
24:13I asked who you are!
24:15I heard you.
24:16I'm just not sure why you think you're entitled to an answer.
24:19You brought roses and cake.
24:20Is this remorse?
24:21Belle falls ill at the sight of strawberry cake.
24:24You'd know that if you were a real father.
24:31You want to discuss it?
24:32Fine.
24:33Start with when Belle was framed and you called her cruel.
24:36Or the hospital.
24:38Belle choking, you went to Leela.
24:39Field day.
24:40You stayed with Mia.
24:41You fathered everyone but our daughter.
24:43Claire.
24:44No.
24:44You don't get to soften my name like it still belongs to you.
24:47I thought I had time.
24:48If I got Mia out first, I could still reach Belle.
24:51You're mistaken.
24:53Tell the truth.
24:54You prioritized Mia.
24:55You thought our daughter could wait.
24:57That's not true.
24:59Isn't it?
25:00You knew we loved you.
25:02So you treated us like furniture you could always come back to.
25:10Mommy, Uncle Liam, what's happening?
25:14Belle, baby, Daddy came to see you.
25:18Mommy, I'm scared.
25:21It's okay.
25:22I've got you.
25:23Belle has severe trauma now.
25:25You make her scream.
25:27If you have any conscience, stay away.
25:29Claire, I just want to help.
25:31Enough.
25:31You proved you'd leave her to die.
25:34Stay away.
25:37Severe trauma needs safety, stability, distance from the person who caused the harm.
25:41The only way to help Belle was to stay gone.
25:46The specialist was gentle, but the answer never changed.
25:50Belle's fear came from him.
25:52He pictured kneeling before me, begging whore to make me see his remorse.
25:57Belle's reaction shattered his illusion entirely.
26:00He hovered near Belle, unseen, watching her from across the street and beyond the fence.
26:06Higher!
26:07Uncle Liam, higher!
26:09Without him, Belle and I were happy.
26:12Without him, Belle was healing.
26:15I learned Ethan was there.
26:17He came to her in a mascot suit.
26:19The only way to not scare her.
26:24Hi, Mr. Bear!
26:30I love my dad most!
26:31No!
26:32Mom is better!
26:33I love my mommy.
26:34My daddy's bad.
26:35He abandoned me when I fell ill, called me a liar.
26:38He chose Mia on field day and saved her over me.
26:41It's okay.
26:42I have Uncle Liam now.
26:43He's very, very nice to me.
26:45Belle!
26:46Mommy!
26:47Uncle Leah, look!
26:48I made a castle!
26:50Our Belle is amazing.
26:52I want ice cream!
26:54For the first time, he understood.
26:56He was watching the family Belle had found after surviving him.
27:05Ethan, trapped in the heavy mascot head, sweated down his temples.
27:09Ethan watched until he could not bear another second.
27:12He took one step back, then another.
27:15Park edge.
27:16He yanks off the mascot head.
27:18Flushed face.
27:19Sweat blending with tears.
27:21Belle's tiny shovel remains lodged in her sandcastle.
27:24A pigeon pecks its rim.
27:26The park hums all around.
27:27Ferris wheel turns.
27:29Kids laugh.
27:29Music floats.
27:31Belle's voice echoes in his mind.
27:33My daddy is a bad guy.
27:35She was right.
27:36For years, he chased hero status brave.
27:38Selfless, forgivable.
27:40A child's honesty saw past his medals.
27:42He was a monster.
27:45He rose and left.
27:46Not looking back at the bench, sandcastle, or the path Belle and I took.
27:50No one stopped him.
27:52No one called his name.
27:53Ethan knew this was all the kindness he deserved.