Alexander
Hartdegen (Pearce) is a shy, dedicated scientist living in 1899 New
York City. Obsessed with the idea of time travel, he teaches at
Columbia University as a professor of "Applied Mechanics and
Engineering" and gets into trouble for his radical theories. One day,
on his way to the park to meet his girlfriend Emma, he becomes
distracted by a motor car beside the park gates. He puts himself in
immediate good graces with the driver who, while refueling, forgot to
activate the parking brake – something Alexander does quickly
when it threatens to get out of control. While walking in the park with
Emma (Guillory), Alex proposes to her. The romantic moment is
short-lived; a robber emerges from nearby bushes and holds a gun on
them. Alexander gives him all the money he has, but the robber also
wants Emma's ring; both Alexander and Emma refuse to give it up. During
the struggle that follows, the gun goes off and Emma is fatally
wounded, dying in Alexander's arms....
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