Source Code Alternate Ending

  • INT. MILITARY BASE
  • CAPTAIN GOODWIN sits at her desk using her computer, a new-email notification sound CHIMES and she CLICKS her mouse.
  • Her face widens and she jumps up excitedly running to DR. RUTLEDGE’s office.
  • GOODWIN
  • Dr. Rutledge! Dr. Rutledge!
  • RUTLEDGE
  • Yes? What is it? What’s happened‽
  • Captain Goodwin grabs his arm and hurries him back to her desk. She points to the screen sharply.
  • GOODWIN
  • He was right. Captain Stevens changed our reality!
  • RUTLEDGE
  • What are you talking about?
  • GOODWIN
  • I just checked my email. Look at the message I got this morning.
  • Dr. Rutledge looks at the screen with a dubious expresion, briefly changing to one of surprise, then back to one of sullen capitulation.
  • RUTLEDGE
  • No, that’s not what you think. The virtualized guest system simply leaked out into the host system. We’ll have to fix that, but it’s only a bug, nothing more.
  • GOODWIN
  • But look at the timestamp, the message was sent this morning!
  • RUTLEDGE
  • No, that’s the message timestamp. Look at the timestamp on the mail server. It was sent a minute ago.
  • Goodwin’s hopeful expression fades as she sees where Rutledge points.
  • RUTLEDGE
  • I’m sorry captain, but like I said, the source code maybe a powerful tool, but it is essentially just virtual-reality. He cannot change the real world, let alone alter the past.

  • If you would please begin the memory wipe now…
  • Rutledge heads back to his office. Goodwin lingers a moment longer, blinking, then TAPS a few keys. A computerized voice ANNOUNCES that the wipe has begun.
  • Goodwin heads out the door and closes it behind her.
  • CUT TO BLACK.
  • COMPUTER (V.O.)
  • Memory wipe complete. Ready for next mission.
  • THE END

Thanks to John August for the screenplay CSS.

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