Unknown
Do NOT go out tonight.
Unknown
But my name’s Nora. I’m from the future.
Nora
You have to listen to me.
Ellie
Why should I? I don’t know who you are.
Nora
But you can trust that I know you.
Nora
And I know what will happen with your boyfriend Cooper tonight.
Ellie
How do you know I’m going out with him?
Nora
You’re wearing a purple sweatshirt.
Ellie
Everyone knows purple is my favorite color.
Nora
You were late to school today because you couldn’t find your unicorn earrings.
Ellie
So I lost them. No big secret.
Nora
They fell behind your nightstand. Go look.
Nora
Now do you believe me?
Nora
DO NOT GO TO THE LAKE TONIGHT.
Ellie
But Cooper and I are going to a movie.
Nora
That’s what you think.
Nora
But you’ll go to the lake and something terrible will happen.
Ellie texts her best friend.
Ellie
Shanna! I just got the weirdest text.
Ellie
No. Do you know anyone named Nora?
Ellie
Neither do I — but she knew all these things about me.
Shanna
Maybe it’s Cooper’s crazy ex-girlfriend messing with you.
Ellie
I don’t think it’s her. Nora said she was from the future.
Ellie
She knew what I was wearing and where to find my lost earrings.
Shanna
Oh yeah? If she texts again, ask her to find my missing sneaker 😏
Ellie
Not funny. She really freaked me out.
Ellie
She kept warning me not to go to the lake.
Ellie
She said someone would die if I went there with Cooper tonight.
Shanna
I don’t like this…
Shanna
I’m starting to freak out too.
Shanna
At least you aren’t going to the lake, right?
Ellie
Yeah, we’re seeing a movie.
Shanna
So no one dies. Problem solved.
Shanna
Forget future girl and enjoy your date.
Shanna
I wish I had a guy like Cooper. He’s perfect.
Ellie
Cooper, where are you?
Cooper
Sorry, El. Had to work late.
Cooper
Miss you, too. I have a surprise for you.
Cooper
Can’t tell you — then it wouldn’t be a surprise.
Ellie
Come on! You can’t even give me a hint?
Cooper
It’s something really big…
Cooper
But also something small.
Ellie
That doesn’t make sense.
Cooper
Everything will make sense when we’re together.
Ellie
It always does. Love you 😘
Ellie
Can’t wait to see you.
Cooper
I’ll pick you up in fifteen minutes. Bring a jacket.
Ellie
Why? The theater is always too hot.
Cooper
Change of plans. We’re going to the lake.
Panicked, Ellie texts the mysterious stranger from earlier in the day.
Nora
I’m still here — but won’t be for much longer.
Ellie
What does that mean?
Ellie
Actually, don’t answer that — we don’t have enough time.
Ellie
Cooper wants to go to the lake.
Nora
Stop him before it’s too late!
Ellie
But he said he has a surprise for me.
Ellie
Really? It seemed important.
Nora
Just don’t go, okay?
Nora
His ex-girlfriend will show up with a gun.
Ellie
You mean…she’s going to shoot me?
Nora
She’ll try. But Cooper will jump in front of you.
Nora
Cooper will die if he goes to the lake.
Ellie
But he’s already on his way!
Nora
I know. In that beat-up Chevy with the broken speaker.
Ellie
Me, too. This is too weird. Tell me what I should do!
Nora
Save your boyfriend.
Nora
My time is up. I can’t talk anymore.
Frantically, Ellie texts Cooper.
Cooper
Ellie? I just got to your house.
Ellie
OMG! I’m so glad you’re safe.
Cooper
Haha, I’m pretty sure I can handle the drive to you.
Ellie
I know. It’s just…I love you so much.
Cooper
I love you, too. And I’ll show you just how much at the lake.
Cooper
You’re going to love this surprise.
Cooper
At least I hope so…
Something tugs at Ellie’s heart.
Ellie
I don’t know. Could we hang out at my house instead?
Cooper
But we always hang out at your house.
Cooper
I want to do something different. Something special.
Ellie glances down to her phone.
She doesn’t know who this Nora is anyway.
And right now, her heart is with Cooper.
Who cares so much about making her happy.
Ellie
Okay, babe. I’ll be out in a second with my jacket.
Cooper is oddly quiet when Ellie gets into the car.
He keeps jerking his head around to look out the windows.
And his fingers tap nervously on the wheel.
They pull up to the lake and Cooper helps Ellie out.
And then…Cooper gets down on one knee.
He looks up at Ellie, his face full of adoration, and says her name.
Cooper looks up at her questioningly.
Ellie
It’s just the way you said my name.
Ellie
My full name. Eleanor.
Ellie
It’s almost like two names. Ellie and Nora.
All the color drains from her face.
Her next words come out as a whisper.
Ellie
It was me. All along. Nora is me in the future.
Ellie tackles her boyfriend to the ground.
Ellie
Your ex-girlfriend. She’s trying to kill me.
Ellie
Yes. And you’re going to try to save me.
Tears run down Ellie’s cheeks.
Why didn’t she listen to Nora?
Ellie
But I’m not going to let you.
Ellie
Instead, I’m saving you.
Ellie
So stay down, okay?
Cooper looks at Ellie quizzically.
Cooper whispers in Ellie’s ear.
Cooper
So she might not be able to see us either, right?
Cooper
On the count of three…
Cooper
Let’s get in the car and drive away. Okay?
Ellie
Let’s do it now instead.
Cooper smiles at Ellie, but it looks more like a grimace.
They jump up and throw themselves into the car as shots fire.
One shatters the right back headlight.
But somehow, Cooper manages to start the engine.
A few minutes later, Cooper pulls into Ellie’s driveway.
Ellie
I know this isn’t special.
Ellie
We’re in a car, parked in front of my garage.
Ellie
And you have mud on your face.
Ellie
But I really want to marry you.
She slips the ring box out of the cupholder.
And places it in Cooper’s hands.
Ellie
So…will you be my husband?
Cooper snaps the box open.
There, shining brilliantly in the moonlight, is his grandmother’s ring.
