Once Upon A Time - Recap

At the Green Dome, the Butler brings breakfast in and Number Two's chair rises from below, to reveal a guardian sphere seating in it. The Butler ignores it and sets out the dishes. He then rings a bell and a prior Number Two (from "The Chime of Big Ben") rises from beneath. He checks the food and, dissatisfied, orders it removed. The Butler momentarily ignores him and Number Two repeats his demand. Number Two tells him to remove the guardian sphere as well, insisting he isn't an inmate. Picking up the red phone, he tells his superiors that he told them they used the wrong approach before to break Number Six. He tells them either he does it his way, or they find someone else. He monitors Number Six, who is eating breakfast in his flat. He wonders why Number Six cares, demanding an answer from the unheeding image. Number Two calls Number Six and asks why he cares. Number Six recognizes his voice and Number Two repeats his question. Number Six says he'll never know and hangs up, then goes outside. Walking through the Village, Number Six snaps at a man with an umbrella, engaging him in an enigmatic conversation about the man's number.



Number Two reviews Number Six's file and video documentation. He calls his superiors again and requires permission for "Degree Absolute" that night. He insists that they must risk Number Two or Number Six, and that it's the only way they can get Number Six. They give him one week and he insists that isn't enough time if they don't want to damage Number Six. Number Two has no choice but to agree. He goes to the Observation Room and places everyone under Degree Absolute for one week. The Supervisor double-checks and they go to double nighttime shift as everyone leaves. Number Two observes Number Six sleeping and subject him to wavelength treatment, to the edge of seeming danger. Number Two backs off and says he'll take over for one week. The Supervisor says he'll regret seeing him go but Number Two says he has no choice.



That night, a brain scrambling device lowers from the ceiling above Number Six and attaches itself to his head. Number Two comes in and loudly sings nursery rhymes to make sure Number Six is asleep. The next morning, Number Two greets the morning sun, removes the device, and a childlike Number Six gets up and accepts Number Two's invitation for a walk. The Butler brings Number Six to Number Two's office in a wheelchair and the three of them descend through the floor. They take a moving walkway to a sealed chamber filled with various props and toys, and a kitchen in a cage. Number Two activates a timing device and seals the chamber, then dons a pair of glasses. He explains that the act is in seven ages, starting with the infant. The Butler shakes a baby rattle and Number Two says that Number Six has always had something puzzling in his brain even as a child. He warns that when they find it, Number Six will be their's. As Number Six plays with the rattle, Number Two identifies him as his father and they pretend to go to the park and play on a seesaw. They recite nursery rhymes and speak of having a new master. Number Six leaps off the seesaw, letting Number Two drop to the floor.



They talk of brothers and friends and move on to Number Six's schoolboy days. The Butler provides pre-recorded music and provides schoolboy props, and Number Two takes on the role of teacher. He orders Number Six to his "office" and accuses him of talking in class. Number Six denies it but refuses to reveal who did. Number Two accuses him of cowardice but Number Six insists it's honor and that he receive twelve strokes of the cane. They proceed to graduation day and Number Two gives a speech as Number Six receives his diploma. Number Two asks if he has anything to say but Number Six has nothing except thanks. Number Two says he'll do well and praises him for his obedience, then asks him why he resigned. Number Six professes ignorance and refuses to reveal the reason why. They scream at each and Number Six punches Number Two then starts to choke him. They struggle until the Butler casually knocks out number Six with a baton.



They move Number Six to a table and place a device on his head. Number Six is reverted to childhood again but refuses to acknowledge the number six. Next Number Two engages Number Six in a boxing match and dares him to swing at him. Number Two fights back and finally gets him to attack, saying he's the champ. Number Two calls him son and repeats the question: "Why did you resign?" Number Six punches him. Next they fence and Number Two goads him to kill. Number Six disarms him and places his blade to his opponent's neck. Number Two asks if he's a coward and asks if that was the reason for his resignation. Number Six impales the wall behind Number Two but refuses to kill. He manages to stab Number Two in the shoulder but Number Two says he still can't do it and Number Six apologizes. Number Two wonders if he resigned because he was sorry.



Recovered, they move on to the next stage with Number Six as an applicant for a banking position and Number Two as his prospective employee. They enjoy dinner and Number Two asks why he is interested in the job. Number Two says he'll meet the managing director: Number Two in another role. He gives Number Six the job and explains it's a cover for top secret work. Number Six thanks him. Next, they pretend to drive through traffic until the Butler arrests him for speeding and takes him to court where Number Two presides as the judge. Number Six says he had a reason for speeding, that he was on a life or death mission. Number Six refuses to say who was at risk and insists it was above the law. Number Two finds him guilty and tries to get him to count to six again, but once again refuses to acknowledge the number six. He's fined but insists he can't pay. Number Two rules that he is in contempt of court and sentences him to six days in jail. Number Six is placed in the caged kitchen unit and insists he will appeal the unfair treatment.



After taking a break, Number Two repeats the question and a caged Number Six says that he resigned for peace of mind and he knows too much. He says that he knows Number Two and he has been told. Number Six demands to be released but Number Two says that he's dead. Number Six gives him a knife and tells him to kill him. Number Two has the Butler open the cage and puts the knife to Number Six's throat. Number Six tells him to kill and Number Two says that he killed during the war. Next they play out a bomber airplane scenario as pilot and bomber. Again, Number Six refuses to acknowledge the number six. They proceed to zero but Number Six refuses to drop the bombs the first time. The second time they do so and then they take a hit and bail out. Number Six is placed back in the cage as a prisoner with Number Two as his German interrogator. Number Six says he has nothing to say and Number Two asks again why he resigned. Number Six rattles off numbers and counts to zero, then walks out of the cage and asks for supper.



Number Two lies down on a table and Number Six notes that he tried to gain his respect and trust. Number Two explains that in psychoanalysis the patient must come to trust the doctor. He admits it was a risk if the doctor has his own problems. Number Six reverses their positions, asking why Number Two doesn't resign. Number Two, amused, pours them drinks in the caged kitchen and explains that they're in the Embryo. It can be used to force a person to relive any of the seven stages of Man. He draws back a curtain to show him the sealed door that confines them both, and the clock ticking down to five minutes when the door will open. Number Two returns to the caged kitchen, noting the Embryo is self-contained and the kitchen unit is detachable. Number Six closes the door on him and Number Two finds himself confined. The Butler now obeys Number Six and Number Six informs Number two that he's his. The Butler reopens the door and Number Six counts down the seconds while saying that Number Two no longer holds the position. With one minute left, Number Two leaves the cell and staggers around the room, weakening as Number Six counts down. Number Two tries to explain why he resigned and says it's not too late as he grovels on the floor. He tries to strangle Number Six, who is unimpressed and shrugs him off. Number Two drinks more of the wine as Number Six tells him to die. The clock stops ticking... and Number Two collapses, dead.



Number Two closes the cell door on his adversary and the Supervisor comes in and congratulates him. He asks Number Six what he desires and Number Six ask for Number One. The Supervisor agrees and activates a switch closing off the caged kitchen. They leave and the door closes behind them. The Embryo grows quiet once more.




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