Sci-Fi Short Film “Final Offer" | DUST Original

A down-on-his-luck lawyer awakes in a doorless room to find he's been selected to negotiate on behalf of the human race.
"Final Offer" by Mark Slutsky
#DUST #scifi #shortfilm
About DUST:
DUST presents thought-provoking science fiction content, exploring the future of humanity through the lens of science and technology. From timeless classics to cutting-edge movies, series, short films, and podcasts, DUST acquires, produces and distributes all content types.
Watch more DUST shorts by Mark Slutsky:
Never Happened: • Video
The Decelerators: • Video
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Sci-Fi Short Film “Final Offer" | DUST
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[@watchdust]

Want more DUST? Check out the latest short film "LIMBO" and get lost with us: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnPbmnimfrKGh7s One man's search for his kidnapped daughter causes his reality to unravel.

[@brandonb3279]

Not gonna lie; that sounds tired, played out, and awfully depressing. The films on this channel are made to incredibly high standards, but far too often descend into a masochistic slog toward an obvious nihilistic ending. Maybe I'm wrong, but that short description of your next project sounds like exactly the sort of indulgently dour content that I've come to dread is in-store when clicking on a DUST video. Sure, if _every_ story had a happy ending it would be boring. But _no_ story with a happy ending is equally as monotonous - except it's also a huge downer and prevents me from engaging with the characters, because I'm extremely confident that they're destined for a grim fate. These videos are clearly labours of love made with incredible skill. I just wish they weren't so predictably pessimistic. I think you're capable of incredible story telling if you weren't so often conforming to such rigid non-conformity. A little optimism once in a while would go such a long way to making your stories more enjoyable and interesting!

[@chrisperrien7055]

First "Dust" I have seen, I am getting some weird Hitch-Hiker's Guide to Galaxy Original Radio Show vibe here.

[@vollsticks]

Ngl that was pretty damn good! Like the old Tharg's Future Shocks from the comic 2000AD, minus the depressing/shocking/horrifying/nihilistic/all of the above endings. Bravo to all involved!

[@grantallan983]

@@vollsticks The mention of Tharg's Future Shocks has shocked me into saying Ace Garp Keep on Truckin'. Remember GBH? Not read 2000AD in a long time. 10-4 over and out.

[@vollsticks]

@@grantallan983 Mate that was a great strip, Bellardinelli's (?) drawings were so good, I LOVED Ace Trucking Co.! I take my hat off to your rarefied taste, sir. 10-4 over and out!

[@devastater97]

Dude made first contact, saved the species, picked up an alien lawyer and got a intergalactic job offer all in the timespan of 11 minutes. This guy is definitely lifes main character.

[@JTRaptor1]

His Lawyer Was a Giant Fish ;)

[@galahad3195]

And there's a good possibility he's gonna be clapping space whale avatar cheeks in the near future lol

[@SAWmacaco]

Would it be zoophili if he fck with the alien?

[@xayax7920]

On the idea of him being life’s main character: imagine every episode pulling him into different types of fictional scenarios, and somehow just pulling it all off

[@pauldailey2102]

yeah

[@shayneoneill1506]

Ah the old "I met a smoking hot girl at a bar, and before I know it shes turned into a monolithic 6 eyed space fish and is trying to gaslight me into letting her destroy the world" scenario. I know it well.

[@edmondgreen7970]

Right? You'd think these space chicks would get some new game. Don't even get me started on the classic "I know we just met but I already put my young in your chest and it'll burst out in about 23 seconds" crap.

[@williamw9120]

Sounds like my fuckin 20s man

[@Shaun-ul2jb]

Ugh! Does your head in... am i right?

[@kasparthompson8673]

Happens to the best of us

[@ninagal2670]

yes, yes yes, Ive had dates on tinder as well....

[@dr.cheeze5382]

One room, two actors, 11 minutes and some of the best writing I have ever had the pleasure to experience.

[@LiAngel12]

Did you see Downside Up? Thats very good too. This Is wonderful but Downside Up Is just a piece of art!

[@necromorph1109]

I loved this more than most movies ive watched

[@Shiro_Kuma432]

AGREE

[@brettzforeman]

*Two human actors

[@nortonwedge]

Best writing? wut?

[@PanduPoluan]

I seriously will LOVE a series with these two. One top alien lawyer who sometimes had to handle cases too complex for her, accompanied by a human senior partner who always had "out of the box" thinking, and together they racked up win after win in the galactic judicial circuit. Throw in some unorthodox romance as well. Their chemistry is OH SO GOOD.

[@shawnerz98]

So, we're talking mid-80's "Moonlighting" with Cybill Shepherd and Bruce WIllis? 😀

[@bjb7587]

Too many eyes.

[@shawnerz98]

@@bjb7587 Who's to say that a species from another planet would have only two eyes like us? Perhaps they'd have 50 eyes. Each eye might only see a narrow part of the visible spectrum. Just a thought...

[@edz1749]

@@bjb7587 I mean, it's alright for me, there's just 3 single eyes on one side, probably identical on the other, it's basically a six eyed giant gold fish, nothing too Cthulhu right?

[@locarno24]

Second that.

[@JacksonJDoyel]

"And that's how I met your mother." "Dad, please get a therapist."

[@oxymoron02]

Seriously underrated comment.

[@laurahall2710]

Funniest comment all day! And there were SERIOUS contenders!

[@Andreas-kk2uk]

Why does therapist consist of exactly "the rapist" ?

[@enthomorf]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@Norbert011]

@@Andreas-kk2uk Because that's what it is. The name is quite appropriate.

[@adamlayne8962]

Dang. I would love to watch a series about 'the worst' human lawyer thrust into intergalactic law. Please let there be more of these.

[@anthonyg7181]

And he's a drunk so they could def have lots of fun with his character

[@Starbat88]

That would certainly be an original idea. Instead of just another space opera...

[@stianarnesen5661]

Please make Henry the space lawyer a thing!

[@minnowpanda304]

I would watch this show

[@Hubris73]

Idea has a very Douglas Adams vibe to it.

[@thefatman8119]

I like how the lady isn’t just completely alien she’s actually talking normal and is understanding what the guy means when he conforts her

[@Dark__Thoughts]

A lot of sci-fi aliens are often cold hearted and methodical, maybe even something similar to an insect, only there to fulfill its goal. But looking at the intelligent animals on Earth, and seeing how they all independently tend to form actual social bonds and compassionate behavior, I would like to think that all species that develop far enough to form an actual society (again, not like some hive minded colony structure) and maybe eventually even space faring capabilities, would be able to relate to other species like us. And to be frank, something like an ant would probably never go beyond its physical capabilities of expansion, like building a spaceship. I believe such a thing requires a complex nervous system that has a sense of awe and wonder, that actively looks out to learn and explore. On that note, I would also expect it to look familiar too. This giant sea monster looking thing? Probably not going to happen. Imagine the energy needs of such a big creature alone. But then it also likely lacks the finer limbs for fine motor controls to construct delicate machinery and other aspects. Like compare the different types of wings that evolved independently on various animals like birds vs insects vs bats. They all came to be to do the same job and all look somewhat similar, but have no common origin. So maybe they're not exactly humanoid like us, but I would still bet they have a lot of familiar properties that are of similar nature at the very least.

[@nguyenhuutrung3413]

I assume it's how the weeping angels in Doctor Who do it: they are alien beings beyond our comprehension so in turn they can't comprehend us either, so to communicate they just take a human, extract all of their memories, personallity, their soul, basically, to use as a microphone/translater thingy.

[@elfeiin]

he's prolly like a pet to her haha

[@Jalbesbe]

I mean it is it's job. I t would be very bad if it couldn't properly communicate with the species it is trying to make a deal with. I feel like it would probably break their galactic laws by the sounds of it

[@WickedPrince3D]

She's an old hand at dealing with primitive species like us (as can be gleaned from her comments); a veteran who is being seen to have lost her edge by her own "people." So reasonably she'd have a lot of experience at communicating with "weird primitive aliens." ;)

[@Bar-Del]

2 people sitting in a room and a little bit of special effects proves you can make just about anything compelling if you have great actors good writing and an interesting concept. Very well done.

[@olafjansowidz]

Boring 🥱

[@bl8388]

@@olafjansowidz 🙈🙉Boring if you have eyes and ears closed.

[@socio4206]

This was the best Liquor commercial I've seen so far, one sip and he out smarted an alien race and landed a space chick.

[@Tryst46]

But on the negative side, he got so drunk the chick turned out to be a huge 6 eyed scaled thing of indeterminate origin. Oh wait, I'm pretty sure I've woken up beside that myself in the past after a night on the town.

[@Top5iveMostFives]

you mean space fish

[@Maya-sv1pz]

nah he was doing what he does best as he mentioned earlier in his traffic ticket lawyering, most of his wins are from no shows

[@keepinmahprivacy9754]

I thought he was going to down the drink, then when the negotiation was over he was going to point out that the contract was invalid since he signed it while inebriated :)

[@georgetsougarakis4388]

LO freaking L

[@RobMacKendrick]

"I know you almost just destroyed all life on my planet, but... if you ever want to talk..." Me at the end of every relationship I've ever had.

[@Kwasimitsu]

LOL bravo my friend, your honesty is commendable

[@TEXAS2459]

bro that was deep

[@jfj876]

Dude...it really sucks... Somebody please kill me for being the better person.

[@user-888azim-97]

😁 мило)

[@hdmccart6735]

I hear you brother...I'm there right now...

[@lightbriareos]

By far, the acting of these two for this is SO GOOD! When she gets angry, her human puppet droops her head and he looks at the wall that illuminates her real form, and the guy LOOKS at and falters at it! It's never disgust with him, but terror. Honestly, I'd love to see more of these two going around like Doctor Who doing dealings and lawyering intergalactically... and quite possibly more... yknow how the universe with aliens, everything is a little freaky-geeky! "He's no Captain, but he'll Kirk the hell out of his fellow attorney lawyers throughout the galaxy! He might even woo potential clients!"

[@Morganational]

Personally, I'm just delighted that you're so excited about this. 😀 High five there, internet goer! ✋🏽 I dig your style.

[@mooniejohnson]

Hah! He's the lawyer a Time Lord calls when they need one... I love it. ❤

[@NoNameAtAll2]

> he'll Kirk does that include...? > might even woo clients there it is

[@tehgringe]

Has a real Hitchhiker's Guide vibe about it, witha tiny mix of blue pill red pill. I loved that he lawyered his way out of it on a technicality with some good old relativity. One of my favourite Dust shorts.

[@roberthermann97]

This bit of lawyering, is what Picard did in a TNG episode, against the Sheliak. No doubt the authors had seen it.

[@anon1239000]

that fax line is straight up hitchhikers

[@OldNavajoTricks]

Humanity isn't out of it, he just bought time, now he has 3 million years to come up with a plan.

[@nbucwa6621]

@@OldNavajoTricks in three million years the planet won't even have oceans left let alone a human species to worry about it.

[@meghac23]

I thought the same thing.

[@BlackGryph0n]

Proof that fantastic writing, good acting, and a compelling narrative are all you really need!

[@hubertfarnsworth6824]

Yoooo I can't believe it's you.

[@Llohr]

Oh, is that all?

[@flamingchicken44]

I love your singing Alastor voice! I practice singing almost everyday to your video of You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile/I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire. You've inspired me to take up singing. Thank you Gabriel Brown!

[@schwif]

YOOO wassup!! this was by far one of my fav animated short films

[@Robertward111]

@@schwif this wasn't animated

[@killeing]

This needs to be a freaking series- a show where a lawyer does cases concerning intergalactic beings and aliens? That actually sounds awesome!!!

[@yournamehere5926]

That's pretty much star trek in a nutshell

[@jonkendrick89]

Cosmic House lawyer

[@killeing]

@@jonkendrick89 that would be the perfect title XD!!!

[@imcallingjapan2178]

@@yournamehere5926 That's not really Star Trek at all.

[@imcallingjapan2178]

Babylon 5 had a lot of diplomatic dealings, political drama and espionage in a space opera setting, but it wasn't quite full on legal drama vs aliens the way this is. Better Call Saul meets Star Wars has never really been done, as far as I know.

[@Sovreign071]

I love her inflection when she says "I try not to take it personally." On rewatch, it actually conveys a lot of the pain she (they?) endure in isolation.

[@Mant111]

It's one individual, so "they" would be incorrect

[@MasterKingSirPlease]

I love that they found common ground at the end and liked each other

[@barbados3592]

you know how in the movies lawyers are screaming at each other? in real life they truly don't have a problem with each other. it's kind of funny.

[@Comicsluvr]

This was brilliant! We went from 'drunk guy' to 'your planet will die, give up' to 'I just beat you on a technicality!' in ELEVEN MINUTES!

[@holdtrue2021]

👍💕

[@mikestone6078]

This!

[@Icanonlycountto4]

@JediFlavored Soap That was probably the most crucial moment because I won't lie I would taken that deal under that kind of pressure

[@romanquattrininunez9054]

yeah! and a promising love story!

[@bendover2684]

Well the concept is a 6/10 The effects and Setting were a 8/10 But the dialogue uuh 3-4/10 Would watch IT If i get to cuddle with someone on a lazy monday

[@ymustitho6343]

Hmmm, so is that what happened to Mars? a failed trade deal?

[@Vysair]

Hahaha I think they trade their atmosphere for a interstellar travel

[@ymustitho6343]

@@Vysair I like your icon.

[@zanedavid1]

And now we know.

[@Jfreek5050]

No. A successful one.

[@LorenzoHillScuba]

Mars is an untouched planet. Venus is an old civilization.

[@KGBiH]

Amazing movie! And congrats to Henry on a new job, alien girlfriend and a well-deserved win. Also, thanks bro, you saved us from that Nestle monster.

[@mr.voidout4739]

I really enjoyed this. Concise, no "more questions than answers", and she was a sublime take on the "human perception" trope.

[@Mahbu]

I love this video because it doesn't have an edgy, ambiguous ending. It has an actual good ending and is generally silly and feel good.

[@BruceAlarie]

edgy meaning vague and nebulous yes

[@wandereule3075]

No, actually in the end she outsmarts him again, because with taking the job, their representative would already be here and with that humanity killed. I'm confused, that no one in the comments saw this twist ^^

[@ArdaKaraduman]

The acting in this one is phenomenal. Huge applause to Anna Hopkins & Aaron Abrams.

[@jonniiinferno9098]

true - they were both great - the nuanced facial expressions she made were awesome

[@COMMANDERHAWK22]

ahhh the reporter from the expanse was wondering where I saw her from.

[@Y0uKnowMyName]

Who?

[@steventakata1]

I have watched this so many times over the past year. They both did such wonderful jobs. Crushing on Anna Hopkins for her beautifully subtle expressions and gestures.

[@SAWmacaco]

​@@COMMANDERHAWK22ohhhhhhhh u right!!

[@Death_La_Bloom]

4 years later and I still love this one the most.

[@pf4773]

One of the best short films ever made, period. One of the few short films made with a high-quality ending. Just amazing.

[@pdcdesign9632]

Where's the sequel? I was expecting a terrifying twist ending like IT'S A COOK BOOK!!!

[@MidnightDStroyer]

And the morale of this story is: Never sign anything without reading & understanding all of the specified terms & conditions. Every legally enforceable contract *must* have sufficient "opt-out" provisions in place. ಠ_ಠ

[@NorseGraphic]

Tell that to the European Union. Still Brexit is a no-show...

[@TheDhaunt]

@@NorseGraphic Isn't the UK the one that wants to have the benefits of open trade without the laws or requirements for one that every other member has to follow?

[@somethingmoredecent]

@@TheDhaunt No, actually. That's just what EU proponents say to try and make their stance on an issue seem like fact instead of what it is, an opinion. Think for yourself

[@somethingmoredecent]

@@TheDhaunt US has open trade with many member nations and we're not part of continental Europe either. Your point is moot

[@jeffreyyoung4104]

@@somethingmoredecent but we are under control of a single organization which runs the entire world and it's many governments.

[@fr-tigerfangs7039]

"We understand that your personnal survivability post acquisition is a sticking point". One of the biggest understatements ever pronounced on screen!!! This is brilliant work, guys!!

[@1ntoTheAbyss]

FR T-Rexx I love this line.

[@dreamwolf7302]

personally iw ould have negotiated. "You can have our oceans...in exchange for six planets capable of supporting all life on our planet, with a guarantee of safe, live transport, at your clients expense"

[@michaelzindel2382]

@@dreamwolf7302 Done! It will take 3 million years for the generation ships to arrive at their respective planets.

[@dreamwolf7302]

@@michaelzindel2382 in the mean time, we humans just keep going, since the sale cannot be completed until we receive payment.

[@Bruh-hq1hx]

@@michaelzindel2382 we also request faster then light speed travel,all tech you have,dna from every organism on this planet to clone them and you have to terraform mars for us in the timespan of 1 day

[@I_will_need_you]

Man, the fact that I keep coming back here every year or so to rewatch just shows how excellent this particular short is! @DUST please please please can we have part 2 of this duet?? I love this!

[@Robonord]

I've watched an awful lot of shorts on Dust and this one is by far my favourite. Exemplary story telling. Kudos to all involved.

[@TEXAS2459]

"You can fax me , they work quiet well over cosmic distances" lol that was epic

[@reeblesnarfle5443]

Great writers, good sense of humour.😎

[@holdtrue2021]

@@reeblesnarfle5443 😉😂indeed

[@Rhysman30]

Fax will arrive in the opposite side of the galaxy in 100 thousand years, though. lol

[@para9111]

They did in 11:00 minutes what billionaire directors,producers etc. Can’t do in hours.Truly and unequivocally entertaining Kudos to the writer and crew that brought it to life.Masterpiece theatre at its best.

[@marksimmons7906]

Anna Hopkins is on the Expanse. It's a great fit for her.

[@KneelB4Bacon]

This. When you don't have hundreds of millions of dollars to burn, it forces you to be creative.

[@arnodorian1620]

to be fair, a feature length film is a lot harder to do than shorts, and keep in mind shorts work because of the way they are formatted, they are, well, shorts. but if you try and expand this short film into a feature length, you can make it work for sure but you would metaphorically and literally expand your effort by at least 12 times.

[@tonypine3434]

​@@arnodorian1620yeah that guy is clueless

[@be_sascha]

I want this as a movie. It is just so perfect. Would love to explore more of the lore

[@brianpan6453]

Whatever production company didn't buy all of this out and start a series failed miserably.

[@shitonabrik13times]

This had better acting and story in the short 10 mins it played compared to 90% of the rot on streaming services. VERY well done. Didn't think i'd get so invested but damn this hooked me in

[@martinbudinsky8912]

One thing you should never ever underestimate... Ability of human lawyer to weasle out of anything... :D

[@JoshSweetvale]

Oooooh yes. We have so many rules because we are so very good at getting through the cracks. Like slime mold. Or squid. Or cats.

[@kevingraves7431]

"A good man doesn't need rules. Today is not the day to find out why I have so many"

[@Activated_Complex]

He didn’t weasel out of anything. He did his job. I was shouting at him not to accept that drink, though.

[@philipvitkus2109]

Good one.

[@Zentauri77]

This reminded me of the Star Trek TNG episode "The Ensigns of Command", where they found a loophole in a treaty with the Sheliak Corporate. The Sheliak where allowed to colonize a planet, but the federation needed time to evacuate all of the humans from it beforehand. By contract, any party is allowed to appoint a neutral mediator in case of a disput , so Picard picked a race that was in hibernation at the moment, so he could getall the time he needed for the evacuation.

[@LunkovichTromofski]

I'd actually be kind of interested in a series about these two, kind of a Boston Legal in Space type thing.

[@ProjectNetoku]

They'd make it look terribly under budget, shove political bias is with a dash of stereotype drama

[@digiexploration530]

they like each other and I am happy for them.

[@jasemalvis2140]

They'd make the fish girl an actual human. let's face it.

[@Sizdothyx]

Denny Crane.

[@Icanonlycountto4]

@@ProjectNetoku That's why DUST should handle the series and no one else

[@seaweedbanana4663]

Mans gonna wake up everyday knowing that he saved all life on Earth

[@towedarray7217]

I don’t think a Dust video, a single one of these is bad. The quality of this one is incredible. These people do such amazing work. Casting, acting, effects, sound, all 10/10. Amazing.

[@cthulhufhtagn2483]

"Disgust is a very common reaction." What are you talking about? That thing was beautiful.

[@uhsund]

Terrifyingly disfiguritivly surprisingly foreignly beautiful.

[@timonc6302]

Tbh, any lifeform that experience time in a different way other than linear gets my bubbles popping

[@cthulhufhtagn2483]

@@timonc6302 Same - though they didn't really go into depth on how that worked. Heptapods are better.

[@timonc6302]

@@cthulhufhtagn2483 don't get me started on arrival , i have exams to study for T_T

[@cthulhufhtagn2483]

@@timonc6302 Fair enough.

[@billfrankeberger754]

Wow. A sci-fi that is NOT military, guns, dystopian-future, war... what a refreshing change. Very good all of you. Please make more life-affirming uplifting comedies. Adding more fun imagry would be OK.

[@thejopp]

May i in that case recommend the movie "The Man From Earth" based on the book by Jerome Bixby.

[@lumberluc]

And firm negotiations. I mean, seriously, a giant angler fish that can project an avatar. As well, it was a trade, not an extortion. Our oceans for what? Its the bare-bone basics of business.

[@shootybaking]

I really enjoyed this.

[@nat123800]

i love this to be a tv show XD

[@marcusfoxelhaus9870]

Yes, that was very refreshing :-)

[@domari9459]

This is a brilliantly written and directed sci fi comedy. Not to mention the two actor's performance is also great! This is among the top 5 best Dust sci fi shorts that I've seen so far.

[@valerapopovich4135]

Wow, the girl has a golden performance! Another proof that when you have the right plot, actors, and crew you don't need mega budget to deliver. Respect to all involved in production 💪❤️

[@blank557]

"You can fax me. They work quite well over cosmic distances". I bet those aliens also think VHS tapes are excellent to archive data too.

[@goldengryphon]

Well, I've been told that betamax was better for several reasons, but the VHS won the market wars. Besides, just because they re extraterrestrial doesn't mean more advanced. A sufficiently stocked rocket, of any type we can build now, could make it to Alpha Centauri eventually. You just have to aware of the time differentials.

[@steampunknord]

@@goldengryphon I wouldn't say of any type as most types of rockets we have and use aren't even capable of reaching space but we definitely have the technology to make to Alpha Centauri. We'll probably invent an FTL system and get there faster that way than the rocket does (if it's at all ever possible to make FTL travel).

[@goldengryphon]

@@steampunknord There are several really good Science Fiction stories that tackle that subject. (The "We learn how to FTL while we have ships already in transit" thing.) But, yes. I made the assumption that we were only going to be talking about rockets that were capable of breaking through into "open" space, and were moderately space worthy. While I greatly enjoy the "Vorpal Blade" series by John Ringo, and like to think that any vessel that can keep water out of the people tank would be valid as a rough start for space worthiness, I think we have at least a little bit of time to be working on perfecting certain practical matters like air retention and sanitation.

[@mikekasich836]

@@goldengryphon what time zone would that be?

[@goldengryphon]

@@mikekasich836 These days being what they are? I think we should be using Greenwich Mean, and measuring it by epochs. Because government and irrationality seem to go hand in hand these days.

[@marajade2224]

Silly Xenos, they grabbed one of our most dangerous assets, A LAWYER!

[@luciferionpayne3186]

Mara Jade hahahah 😂

[@jackson1471]

Mara Jade Xenos? You must be 40K fan ...

[@ProteanDev]

Yeah, in 40k they were called inquisitors. ( Not really this fun to be around them )

[@marajade2224]

@@ProteanDev tHaT sOUnDs LIkE hEReSy tO mE.

[@Turtle9013]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@thaliuswarborn1148]

bro legit single handedly saved the entire planet and got a job promo all the while probably kinda hungover and still managed to rizz an actual alien by the end Cosmic fucking W, literaly.

[@Kryptic1046]

One of my favorite short films of all-time. I come back and watch this every few months.

[@SaintJimmy379]

My man, non memorable lawyer, just saved the world. Make a sequel where he's married to this intergalactic leviathan!

[@ed8845]

I really hope they do

[@straptvyoutube3900]

They better

[@pixpusha]

One of the best ones. It kept me intrigued the entire time. Opening with him on the floor was brilliant. And both actors were great to watch.

[@dkyelak]

Yes, the intellectual and legal sparring between two characters and nothing else. This is great Sci Fi! I love this site!!!

[@fabitas]

I need to tell you, I was at the edge of my seat until the last second. I was sure he would be tricked. Excellent story guys. It was worth it.

[@scottun1122]

Anna Hopkins is a wildly underrated actress. She kills it in everything she does.

[@thatotherted3555]

You could say the same for Aaron Abrams.

[@DS-lk3tx]

She's just every annoying HR lady. 😂

[@scottun1122]

@@thatotherted3555 I unfortunately didn't get to see a lot of his work. I saw Anna on the expanse. I'll check his stuff out.

[@Jay_Reacts_REAL]

She's in the Expanse, right?

[@Stingra87]

I KNEW I recognized her from somewhere! She's the reporter from The Expanse!

[@TheCmac1966]

Honestly this should be a web series. Lots of 10 minute episodes where these two as junior partners in the firm are thrown into different negotiations and courts. It would be great fun.

[@watchman-pu7tp]

It's impressive how they manage to tell a compelling story in less than 12 minutes. Nearly every major movie made now fails to do so in an hour and a half, with a hundred times the budget. Shorts like this prove Shakespeare was right: Brevity IS the soul of wit.

[@jesseallen3109]

well remember.. some of the most memoriable video games are ones that had limitations that constrained them. It's also why many of the biggest hopeful games flopped so hard because they promised WAAAY TOO MUCH.. In many writing classes and help books i've looked into out of boredom (and being the worlds worst 'writer' ever.. ) 'less is more" and then my mind saying "yea.. but this is an interesting TABLE! let's detail it for a whole paragraph... The rest of the room? eeh.. it's just a room with some stuff. *shrugs*" Then realizes how horrible a writer i am so i give up.

[@malum9478]

the more time you have, the more space you have to fuck up.

[@menghao737]

Epics are still worth the attempt for many authors and directors. Not every scene has to be perfect as long as the story and characters are worth the journey. Short stories certainly can be sweet and damn near perfect, but I don't think anyone could even accuse Shakespeare of brevity when it comes to Hamlet. A four hour play whose story takes place over a half year period in world is hardly brief. Some movies feel overly long at an hour thirty, some three hour movies fly by quickly, it's all in the editing, pacing, characterization and storytelling. These are not easy things to do, and big studios seem more concerned with setting up sequels and connected universes than letting a movie tell a single story anymore, but there are still good movies coming out if we look for them. I do love these Dust shorts though, shorts will always have their place.

[@sikka6440]

​@@jesseallen3109 oh you shouldn't stop writing just because it's not good! If you like writing and enjoy it and it makes you happy, you should continue!

[@ihcterra4625]

And a better love story than the entire Twilight series.

[@meghac23]

The actors are freakin awesome. The film was funny, silly, smart, and imaginative

[@m.taylor2155]

I would totally binge-watch this as a series. This was so cool.

[@bbody7906]

This was refreshing, no guns, no Aliens killing, BRILLIANT and funny!

[@ohihassan693]

Man I would fuking give money to watch a full movie or series on these 2 hanging around in the universe doing deals and stuff. Man what a great potential this thing has. Please #Dust consider it.

[@donalddlugos6688]

Me too Would be epic

[@wukong203]

Please please Netflix, HBO, Disney + whoever. I am gonna pay $20 a month

[@ThePierre58]

it has a lot of potential for future stories....they both gelled so well

[@Simes158]

It's like 'Better Call Saul Meets Men in Black'!

[@Andreas-kk2uk]

Would love to see a mix of "Better call Saul" and "Suits" go intergalactic

[@brianuzzell1597]

this would make a great pilot episode to a show about this guy being like an intergalactic lawyer and finding newfound success in that like she offered I would love to see that

[@Kasey1208]

As a criminal law paralegal, this was amazing! I would watch a whole series of his adventures.

[@jakemarshall6665]

Hey Netflix here a cool idea for a tv series. The life a failed attorney, falling in love with a alien and becoming the best cosmic attorney the universe has ever seen.

[@stefanrichard01]

I would genuinely pay to watch this! Lol

[@emorsi]

Sounds like an idea Douglas Adams would scribble on one page. He had such plots a thousand times in the hitchhikers guide. For him this idea of yours would not be more than a casual handshake with a business partner on a Friday evening just before sunset.

[@spacemonk4874]

They will never make it.It would just be too good..

[@jesussilva191]

Moon blasters for humans ..not approved by cosmic law.. I mean you guys suck up oceans.. and we can't blast moons??..not fair..

[@spvillano]

Bleh, "You passed entire moons with more water than is on Earth and you wanted ours?!".

[@azmick662]

So basically, someone finally read the Apple EULA.

[@saturnissolar]

I bet Apple doesn’t even read those

[@WeTravelOnlyByNightAsItsSoHot]

@@saturnissolar I bet Apple does not even write them. Apple is the intergalactic arm.

[@carlycastle5998]

This made me giggle. Thank you

[@nikushim6665]

Apple knows no ones reads it, which is why there are bunch of joke stipulations written into it. Such as you may not use Itunes to design develop or manufacture weapons of mass destruction. This isn't limited to apple either a lot of companies have written in random jokes or even free giveaways to someone who actually reads it. But here's the thing about EULA's in general. they are not legally binding or enforceable, no US court has ever ruled on their overall validity.

[@saturnissolar]

@@nikushim6665 yeah wasn’t there another that said you can’t use our products to make nuclear warheads

[@scottwalker145]

Classic old-school 1960s sci fi story. A+ And I am continually surprised and impressed by the quality of the acting in Dust films. (Much better than Star Trek Continued, for example)

[@MemekingJag]

I'd pay to see this as a mini-series. human 2nd rate lawyer having to represent his entire planet without their knowledge, bumbling through trying to stop, or at least slow down a bizarre and absolutely alien in every sense of the word inter-stellar hostile corporate takeover. Meeting representatives from any number of completely foreign life forms with their own competing goals in the galaxy, and seeing how old, well known earth tricks that made him incompetent as an earth lawyer work like a charm for all these species who have never even thought like this earthling; that this human is just as alien to the galaxy as the galaxy is alien to this human. Something short and sweet, like a 6 episode season of hour long episodes, totally throwing out the trope of 'humanoids with face ridges' to showcase whatever the artists can imagine, while also making a point of how there is no reason to think that we're somehow the standard for life in the universe. humanity for once is the unknown species, suddenly appearing on the interstellar law scene and stunning the galaxy with human ingenuity and uniqueness. Perhaps ending with him barely managing to stop Earth being scooped up, blown to bits or sent to sit in extra-dimensional storage with a display of luck, quick thinking and most of all desperation, and returned back with no one the wiser for what he's done to save our planet. No second season, no renewal, just one and done. In so much of our sci-fi media, humans are the jack of all trades, masters of none, with a plucky attitude as our only noteworthy feature. We're by enlarge carbon-chauvinists, and even the most intrepid worlds imagined up often fall back on simple mix and matching of what we see on this planet. Giant Space Slug/Spider/Insect/Mammal, but there's no reason the universe needs to be like that. And finally, how we could be possibly one of the stranger species out there. We breathe flammable oxygen, perceive just a small and possibly insignificant part of the EM spectrum, we hear kinetic waves travel through atmospheres. The nutrients we eat in something simple like a banana could be the equivalent of gulping down a vial of nerve agent for whatever life is out there. Make it ALIEN!

[@solrhopalocera5704]

heres my conspiracy theory: the aliens knew his potential so they staged this whole event to bring him onboard their galactic operations since they knew he wouldnt accept to do so under normal circumstances

[@highatlastdabs8000]

Nice twist

[@Spartain14]

I'd read a series or watch a show on that premise.

[@Andytlp]

The classic ease someone in on the seemingly bad thing first but let them off that and then reel em into galactic genocide level stuff.

[@VemueZ]

@@Spartain14 110%!

[@lefm_]

Actually we staged the video looking for someone who would figure out the subplot. We will contact you shortly about an opportunity.

[@tokajileo5928]

"OLIVIA" - Senior Negotiator, Orion Spiral Arm - the best business card ever. :)

[@buttlord2223]

The most terrifying aspect of this is that intergalactic relations are handled through bureaucracy, fine print, and technicalities.

[@kellyhoward6941]

This was GREAT! I loved the actors, writing, everything. It's been a long time since I added anything to my "great shorts" list...I'll be watching this one again. & again.

[@Dave-lr2wo]

The woman's acting is tight. Not easy to play a subtle character like that. And by "tight" I mean really good.

[@freeman2399]

She's tight in more ways than one.

[@quill7889]

@@freeman2399 lmao

[@corpsefoot758]

@@freeman2399 Hurr durr 🤤

[@RArecordingsRickValcon]

she also has a role in The Expanse

[@p.t.anderson1593]

That would be Anna Hopkins.

[@CanisAnubis]

Moral of the Story: always read your contracts in full before jumping to an agreed term. A minor technicality can save or damn you forever. Also, loved the film, thank you DUST!!!

[@AndrewFlameiing]

EvlEtna for real . 👀

[@garcalej]

Hate to burst you bubble, but legally speaking, a client or party does not have to show up in person to this kind of proceeding so long as they delegate a trusted agent to represent their interests.

[@williamgatenby7640]

@@garcalej in the standard ones of your particular country, and other countries that also do it. This is an alien species. Who says their court system is remotely similar?

[@garcalej]

William Gatenby Fair point. Private contacts usually have a clause where it states which jurisdictions laws shall apply in the event of a dispute. Check the contract. We need to cover all our bases here.

[@FightsRightsAlways]

Tell that to megan the stallion

[@TheComedyGeek]

A perfect example of how to tell an exciting and meaningful sci fi story with just dialogue. And one super scary triple eyed alien, of course.

[@alessandrocoppede3066]

Her real form is spectacular

[@kiledamgaardasmussen5222]

"Might I interest you in the kuiper belt? It has approximately an order of magnitude more water, although it is very spread out; on the upshot there's no pesky gravity well to deal with. I also hear Neptune is rather wet..."

[@nomad640]

This is what im thinking too, there are million ton of water on space inside our solar sistem ALONE. theres gotta be trillion billion of them more on the galaxy. And coming for water is stupid thing

[@chris_121]

@@nomad640 3 million years to get here, wormhole could suck it up by end of day. if that things at a Lagrange point or something, it could be simple convenience. lol i'm trying here

[@derrickthewhite1]

Maybe they're intentionally looking to kill us off, so they can plunder the solar system we technically own without going through this rigmarole. The "Oceans", are merely a poison pill aimed at achieving that purpose.

[@Furzkampfbomber]

The rings of saturn are made almost entirely of frozen water and harvesting this would be a so much better deal. Harvesting and transportation would be much more simple and convenient. You don't have to use large amounts of energy in order to transport the water upward in a large gravity well (aka earths gravity), you don't have to freeze it or put it into containers for the transport, since it already is frozen. And there is not a shitload of organic material in it that you have to filter out. Assuming, it is really only the water you want. Every possible resource an alien race could probably want, except of earth itself in its role as habitat of course, could be much easier acquired throughout our solar system. Even if they would feel the need to exploit planetary resources, there are still seven other planets to exploit without the intervention of those pesky humans.

[@chris_121]

@@Furzkampfbomber assuming they didn't snatch that already

[@johnknoefler]

First Dust film I've seen that didn't end badly for a human.

[@RonaldDavison-kz8qe]

One of THE best DUST productions! Excellent story, amazing acting and wonderful set! "Hollywood" should take a lesson-learned from this!

[@cindyrought772]

That had to be the best short I've seen in a long time. Well done writers, actors and director

[@crasssh00]

There's a wonderful restaurant at the end of the universe they could probably meet up at for that talk.

[@Toshiro_Mifune]

so long and thanks for all the fish

[@seancairns9749]

Hey fellow Douglas Adams fan

[@michaelaramis1210]

@@Toshiro_Mifune so long so looong!

[@AnkhAnanku]

This did feel rather Douglas Adams ^_^

[@mattdesimone5563]

I mean that was pretty much the equivalent of a volgon

[@steveennever9905]

Anna Hopkins is simply sublime in this. The comedic chemistry & timing with Aaron Abrams never misses a beat. Wonderful set, lighting, editing & excellent script make this an absolute joy to watch.

[@lucianopaletto]

The was fantastic in the expanse series as Monica

[@AfroSnackey]

That was a good opener. This needs to be a series PLEASE!!

[@thunder2434]

Superb acting and chemistry as well as an amusing and clever story in this short. One of Dusts best.

[@benjaminshealey7451]

This man just saved our planet!

[@kjohnson9306]

And he might have scored a date...with an alien. LOL!

[@vegasmanic8609]

That may be the entire point of this short. I can see an entire Netflix series of these two galavanting the galaxy causing much mayhem. :) Good and reasonable.

[@14000091]

and yet tomorrow, he will issue a bloody parking ticket :-)

[@WJRHalyn-jw2ho]

@@14000091 Not sure he issues them. Sounds more like he defends against them. He IS a lawyer, not a parking monitor.

[@tecwzrd]

It's Aaron Abrams which I really like on Blindspot (TV show). Funny how much the way he acts here is identical to the TV show. Fun actor to watch :)

[@robertwilson973]

So Earth survives due to a technicality. Brilliant

[@joealtmaier9271]

If only Hitchhikers Guide had ended so well

[@TobiasWeg]

@@joealtmaier9271 Did you read the full trilogy?

[@AWARHERO]

Nothing new, Picard did the same in 1 episode of Star Trek Next generation.

[@TobiasWeg]

@Jimbo Bimbo There are different jokes about it, like trilogy in five parts and so on. I really recommend them they are brilliant;)

[@cherrypie37]

The Earth always survives on a technicality

[@dennisfox8673]

Mergers and “Aquisitions.” That reference was a nice touch!

[@theldrakis]

idk why this keeps reeling me back but it goes to show yuou cant loose for ever. you can win if you do what your good at.

[@edbailey7533]

THAT. WAS. AWESOME. What a great premise, with a perfectly-balanced pair of characters initially initially in conflict, but finding common ground at the end. Bravo!

[@vegasmanic8609]

The actors are also phenomenal. I had to look up how to spell phenomenal. ;)

[@nyazillagojira7079]

DUST not only support "Stories" above all. It encourages learning. Todays word brought to you by DUST.

[@X2FileWrightonite]

Orion Spiral Arm - Subgroup, Virgo Supercluster Fax. Works quite well over long distances.

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

The reactions were awesome. 😂

[@holdtrue2021]

@@vegasmanic8609 💯screen casting is everything

[@uniqueflowsnake]

this could easily have happened in the hitchhiker's reality.

[@ThePalatineHill]

was just thinking of commenting something similar as that's where my mind first went immediately

[@tommargolis7475]

1) Awesome, and well-acted. 2) Picard used this trick when negotiating with the Sheliak.

[@tomfurgas2844]

Film studios should bring back short subjects. Like this!

[@coineineagh]

Watched this one a few times over the years. Maybe I'm a sucker for happy endings but this one is the best DUST episode IMO

[@jakemcgovern8633]

Same. My favorite they've ever done, not to say there aren't other good ones out there.

[@clearspiritnow]

My second watch. It falls in line with the 21 minute one about two people who meet and engage in a delightful conversation during a wedding party. It’s a personal favorite. I’ve seen numerous times.

[@user-gr8xw2im1c]

can you name it?@@clearspiritnow

[@otterpoet]

Sci-Fi comedy with a touch of cosmic horror... brilliant XD

[@dkyelak]

Yep- this is one of the better Dust shows I have seen.

[@menghao737]

What's more cosmically horrifying? The idea that beings like "Olivia" exist, or the possibility that such beings might themselves be tied up in their own cosmic labyrinthine bureaucracy, with redtape so thick it binds the universe together.

[@jpbroadwater]

I would love for there to be a sequel to this, showing his new job and their relationship perhaps

[@jerr2560]

"I'm sorry that was really unprofessional of me" love that part sounds like a gooooood full length film

[@jonkendrick89]

YES, as long as it started this way, the short encounter at the bar. This scene. Then BOOM. traditional MIB "firm" intro and plot. Maybe even the MIB have cameos that the lawyer has to mitigate when representing a client

[@jerr2560]

@@jonkendrick89 moooost definitely my friend

[@cnkclark]

The most terrifying alien encounter scenario of all: they're JUST LIKE US!

[@derekkim8986]

Exactly, it all means to imply that

[@887Bingo]

Indeed. It would all suggest that what we know is

[@Mic_Glow]

Just like us, but have superior technology and we have something they need... History teaches us how this would go.

[@DieFlabbergast]

No: they're just like our lawyers! The real aliens are amongst us, dressed in sharp suits.

[@metamaniac6456]

@@Mic_Glow if I was the guy in this film I'd say Me: Aw I'm sorry you can't live in our oceans. There's enough trash in it already and we're not about to add more by making this deal. Unless you're willing to clean it by yourselves then we'll give you bonus like helping us dicover the deepest depths of it, share resources and histories or whatever aliens do with another aliens. To be fair its our fault after all so at least we are doing you a favour.

[@andromedarising5764]

The creativity you have on this channel is absolutely outstanding. This is very deserving of a series. The concept is brilliant.

[@MegaConmaster]

That should've been nominated an oscar for best short film (if not the winner). It was perfect.

[@samsmusichub]

"We don't benefit! We don't benefit! We're gonna die!" Lol that part had me rolling.

[@Zearth1]

This has a powerful Douglas Adams vibe. I love it.

[@jimzoidberg7953]

my favorite DUST movie so far

[@corpsefoot758]

That’s actually why I didn’t enjoy it so much, I’ve already kinda seen this scenario play out with Hitchhiker’s lol

[@sergey_is_sergey]

@@corpsefoot758 In Hitchhiker's the Earth was destroyed though. No legal negotiations.

[@richarddeveas4537]

Please! Somebody make this a series!

[@MerchantIvoryfilms]

Sci Fi short....100% office set/location...WOW amazing SCI FI!

[@matthewoates53]

*Drinks alcohol* Him: +200IQ

[@taitano12]

A true alcoholic.

[@NateSean]

He drinks and he knows things.

[@khathecleric]

Stoic perk hits different.

[@hunterbear2421]

i think when he said noshow and taken a drink he was thinking, and it clicked inside his head and instead of black smoke coming out of his head, words did

[@jthreefingers8445]

3:48 We don't benefit! WE DON'T BENEFIT! WE DIE! For some reason the snappy comeback got me to smile. Well written, interesting story well done. My kind of crazy.

[@hvanmegen]

Anna Hopkins is a sight to behold, and she slips right into every roll she's given.. I could look at her for hours.

[@alexmccall8604]

This is just fantastic. Man - if Netflix had anything of this calibre, they wouldn't be in their current situation. Shout out the actors!