So… have you come to kill me?
Cobb does not look up.
SAITO
I’ve been waiting for someone to come for me…
COBB
Someone from your half-remembered dream…?
Saito peers at Cobb.
SAITO
Cobb? Not possible — he and I were young men together. And I am an old man…
COBB
Filled with regret?
Saito REMEMBERS, nods…
SAITO
Waiting to die alone, yes.
Cobb is STARING at something on the table.
COBB
I came back for you… I came to remind you of what you once knew…
Cobb gestures at the table. Saito follows his gaze down to the polished surface of the table…
COBB
That this world is not real.
The top IS STILL SPINNING PERFECTLY, AS IF IT WILL NEVER TOPPLE. Saito looks at the top. Then back to Cobb.
SAITO
You came to convince me to honor our arrangement?
COBB
Yes. And to take a leap of faith.
As Saito-san listens to Cobb, he looks at the GUN on the table between them…
COBB
Come back and we’ll be young men together again.
The elderly Saito looks at Cobb. Nods. And we—
CUT TO:
INT. FIRST CLASS CABIN, 747 — DAY
Ariadne watches Cobb. His eyes are closed.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT (O.S.)
Hot towel, sir?
His EYES FLICKER OPEN. He takes the towel with a nod. Ariadne smiles. Relieved.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
We’ll be landing in Los Angeles in about twenty minutes. Do you need immigration forms?
Cobb nods. Takes a landing card. Looks around the cabin.
Saito is WATCHING him. Serious. Haunted. Holding Cobb’s gaze, SAITO PICKS UP THE PHONE AND DIALS. Cobb nods thanks…
INT. ARRIVALS, LAX — LATER
Cobb steps forwards to the IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL. Hands him his passport. Nervous. The Official takes a beat, looks Cobb up and down, then WHUMP! — the passport is stamped. As Cobb takes it back, he spots Ariadne at the next counter. She nods at him. He nods back. Then moves off…
As Cobb passes through baggage claim, he exchanges subtle greetings with Eames and Yusuf.
Arthur smiles broadly at Cobb. Cobb brushes past Fischer, who glances back at him as if thinking maybe he should know him, then moves on…
As Cobb emerges into the crowded arrivals hall, he spots Professor Miles, waving at him…
INT. KITCHEN, COBB AND MAL’S HOUSE — DAY
Cobb enters with Miles. Drops his bags. Moves to the table, looking out at the overgrown garden. He reaches into his pocket, takes out his pewter spinning top, lowers it to the table and SPINS IT — a CHILD’S SHOUT makes him look up—
Through the window, James and Philippa have run into view, playing, THEIR FACES TURNED AWAY… Cobb STARES at the back of his children’s heads… Miles moves to the window and KNOCKS on the glass—
James and Philippa TURN- see their Dad. He steps to the window, watching their BRIGHT FACES SHINING as they run towards him…
Behind him, on the table, the spinning top is STILL SPINNING. And we—
FADE OUT.
CREDITS.
END.