In this episode, Jenny descends into the belly of the beast… but what kind of beast is it?

Transcript

Brittle Tourniquet, Episode 2

by Alicia E. Goranson

Scene 1. Introduction Theme

Scene 2. INT. Car

SFX:

(Car driving.)

MUSIC:

(Modern ambient, from car radio)

JENNY:

(RESIGNED, A LITTLE SCARED, SURE ARADIA EXISTS BUT KNOWS SHE’S NOT GOING TO RESPOND)

So I’m thinking whatever made people disappear, Aradia. We’re going into it, aren’t we?

(PAUSE)

Don’t speak up or anything. I know you’re in my eye. Are you good with this? You know you haven’t been great at telling people about your boundaries, historically speaking. You want the opportunity? You want to tell me what you told CLYDE?

(PAUSE)

I feel like I’m putting in a good faith effort here. If I’ve offended or slighted you, I’m sorry. Tell me what to do.

(PAUSE)

Well, there’s the “Welcome to Jacobsville” sign. I’m going to cruise around and.

MUSIC:

(Turns to an old (free) 1950s tune)

SFX:

(Car stops.)

JENNY:

(SURPRISED, ADRENALINE HIT AND IS DISSIPATING IN HER)

Did we just time travel? Don’t those houses look new? Every one of them and their stupid picket fences. Are you seeing what I’m seeing?

MUSIC:

(JENNY turns the radio off.)

Scene 3. EXT. Quiet neighborhood

SFX:

(Quiet neighborhood ambiance. No cars in the background. Car window rolls down.)

JENNY:

(CURIOUS, METHODICAL, LOW, QUIZZICAL)

There’s someone in there.

SFX:

(JENNY turns off the car. She walks to the door. She knocks.)

JENNY:

(LOUD, DEMANDING)

Hello?

SFX:

(Front door opens.)

JENNY:

(POLITE BUT DEMANDING)

Excuse me!

JASON:

(SUPER CULTY POLITE)

What is it, friend? Ma’am?

JENNY:

(WAGS FINGER LIKE, THIS IS ALL STRANGE, RIGHT?)

Is this Jacobsville?

JASON:

(PLEASANT, OF COURSE THERE’S NOWHERE ELSE)

There’s another place?

JENNY:

(OH BUDDY, THERE’S A WHOLE WORLD OUT THERE, USED TO EXPLAINING THIS TO CIS PEOPLE)

There’s a whole state.

JASON:

(PLEASANT, REASSURING)

Yup. The State of Jacobsville. Finest way to be, they say.

JENNY:

(SUSPICIOUS)

Yeah. Is something going on here?

JASON:

(PLEASANT, CERTAIN, HAPPY TO GET MORE PEOPLE AT THE PARTY)

Absolutely. Uncle Ahab’s party.

JENNY:

(SUSPICIOUS, QUIZZICAL)

And where is that?

JASON:

(PLEASANT, EXCITED, HOPING TO GO SOON)

Downtown at the rec center.

JENNY:

(POLITE BUT BOMBASTIC)

Thanks!

JASON:

(PLEASANT, EXCITED)

I can give you directions.

JENNY:

(TRYING TO BREAK AWAY)

I can find it.

JASON:

(PLEASANT BUT REMINDING SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T KNOW THE RULES)

You’ll need an invitation.

JENNY:

(HUMORING JASON, COVERING A SNIDE UNDERCURRENT)

And where do I get one?

JASON:

(PLEASANT, QUIZZICAL)

You haven’t heard?

JENNY:

(MATTER OF FACT, OF COURSE SHE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON)

No. Should I have?

JASON:

(PLEASANT, HONEST GENEROUS OFFER)

I have a flyer inside.

JENNY:

(SEES THE RETRO TECH INSIDE THE HOUSE, CURIOUS)

You’ve got more than that in there. Mind if I check out your place?

JASON:

(PLEASANT, WELCOMING)

Be my guest.

SFX:

(JENNY walks inside.)

Scene 4. INT. Living room

SFX:

(JENNY stops inside the house. JASON closes the door.)

JENNY:

(FASCINATED THAT SOMETHING HAS CHANGED THIS WHOLE TOWN ON A MASSIVE SCALE, WANTS TO INVESTIGATE BUT ALSO MAKE SMALL TALK TO KEEP AN EXCUSE TO SEARCH THE ROOM)

Thanks. Hey, did you know that “Ahab” means “uncle?” It’s a Biblical name.

JASON:

(PLEASANT, SURPRISED)

Hot potato. I did not know that. He’s also the whale hunter, right?

JENNY:

(KNOWS AHAB IS KILLED BY HIS WHALE, ALMOST CHUCKLING AT WHAT A TOOL THAT GUY WAS)

The worst.

JASON:

(PLEASANT BUT SERIOUS, ALWAYS TOLD WHAT A GOOD HUNTER AHAB WAS)

The best. He caught everything he hunted.

JENNY:

(ALMOST CHUCKLING, SURPRISED AT THIS IDIOT)

Have you read the book?

JASON:

(PLEASANT, KEEPING CONVERSATION GOING, DOESN’T WANT IT TO TURN HOSTILE)

It was a long time ago.

JENNY:

(LOOKING AROUND THE RETRO HOUSE, FASCINATED BY EVERYTHING)

I’m not surprised. Your house is a long time ago. Old fridge. Chonky TV. Is that a rotary phone?

JASON:

(PLEASANT, KEEPING EVERYTHING CHILL)

It’s how Ma Bell likes it.

JENNY:

(AMUSED BY EVERYTHING)

Wow. Living in the analog world. Your radio get anything but ads and NPR?

JASON:

(PLEASANT, CHILL)

I’ve been too busy getting set for the party.

JENNY:

(AMUSED, OWNING THE ROOM)

Right, the party. Can I see that flyer?

JASON:

(PLEASANT, GLAD TO SHOW IT TO HER)

Sure, I’ll get it.

SFX:

(JASON walks upstairs. JENNY picks up the phone.)

JENNY:

(LETTING THE SHOCK OF THE TOWN’S TRANSFORMATION SETTLE IN)

This can’t be happening.

SFX:

(JENNY listens to the dial tone.)

JENNY:

(QUIZZICAL)

An analog tone? Everything’s Voice Over IP now.

SFX:

(JASON returns, walking back downstairs.)

JASON:

(PLEASANT, ENCOURAGING)

The flyer’s on the table for you.

JENNY:

(HER “I’M BUSY BUT I’LL GET TO IT” VOICE)

Perfect. Thank you.

SFX:

(JASON walks to the front door. They open the front door. They shut the door. The door locks. While this is happening, JENNY walks to the table and picks up the flyer.)

JENNY:

(UTTERLY HORRIFIED AT SEEING THAT YOU NEED TO CATCH AND STRAIGHT-A-FY A QUEER PERSON TO GO TO THE PARTY)

Oh no. Oh no no no. “Catch a queer?” Heck.

SFX:

(JENNY hurries to the front door. She shakes the handle.)

JENNY:

(REALIZES SHE’S TRAPPED, TRYING TO REACH ANYONE TO GET OUT OF THIS TRAP)

Hey! Hey “friend”? Fudgesickles.

SFX:

(JENNY shakes the handle again.)

JENNY:

(SCARED BUT EXTREMELY CONFUSED)

Who builds a house you can’t unlock from the inside?

SFX:

(JENNY paces around the room.)

JENNY:

(TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE SITUATION BY THINKING THROUGH EVERY POSSIBILITY)

Analog world. Ads and NPR. Most ads are for right wing podcasts.

SFX:

(JENNY stops and taps a window.)

JENNY:

(PONDERS GETTING OUT THROUGH THE WINDOW)

Plenty of windows though. And old phones weigh a ton.

SFX:

(JENNY picks up the heavy telephone.)

JENNY:

(DESPERATE, HOPING FOR A RESPONSE, OR AN ANSWER)

Aradia, is this thing messing with my perception or is this like how everything really is now?

SFX:

(JENNY throws the phone at the window. The phone bounces off the window as if the window was plastic.)

JENNY:

(FRUSTRATED, NOT THE FIRST TIME SHE’S BEEN TRAPPED BUT ANNOYED SHE DOESN’T HAVE BACKUP)

Nuts. Aradia, they don’t like me here. And speaking as your Lyft driver, you think you can get us out?

SFX:

(JENNY walks up to the window.)

JENNY:

(THINKING LIKE SOMEONE WHO HAS WORKED WITH IMPOSSIBLE MAGICAL THINGS FOR YEARS)

Glass is a liquid. You want to make it more so?

SFX:

(JENNY flicks the window, which sounds like flicking a pool of water with a ding.)

JENNY:

(EXCITED THAT SOMETHING WORKED AND THAT ARADIA DID SOMETHING)

Now that’s what I’m talking about. All right. Deep breath. Going through.

SFX:

(JENNY holds her breath. She steps forward. The window makes a gentle splash as she passes through.)

Scene 5. EXT. Quiet neighborhood

SFX:

(Quiet neighborhood ambiance.)

JENNY:

(HAPPY AND GRATEFUL SHE’S OUT, STILL SCARED THAT SHE’S IN THE TOWN)

Thank you.

SFX:

(JENNY walks on the walkway and stops.)

JENNY:

(WHERE THE HECK DID HER CAR GO? IT WAS RIGHT THERE)

Where’s my car?

JASON

(CALLING HIS FRIENDS TO GET THAT LOATHSOME QUEER)

(IN DISTANCE)

There it is! The thing I locked up in my house!

FP:

(EXCITED THAT THE TICKET TO THE PARTY IS THERE)

Get it!

JENNY:

(TERRIFIED AT BEING PURSUED BY QUEERBASHERS)

Oh fudge.

SFX:

(Small crowd runs toward JENNY. JENNY runs away from them.)

JENNY:

(WINDED, TERRIFIED)

Frick. Frick.

JASON and FP:

(REPEATING THE FLYER’S MANTRA TO GET INTO THE PARTY, THE BEST THING EVER)

Catch the queer! Catch the queer!

SFX:

(Small crowd catches up to JENNY.)

JENNY:

(DISGUSTED, TERRIFIED, GETTING TIRED FROM RUNNING)

I saw your flyer! You’re sick!

JASON:

(EXUBERANT, HATEFUL)

Catch it!

JENNY:

(GOT HER “DON’T GIVE QUEERBASHERS NOTHING” FACE ON)

You won’t turn me into that! I’ve got pepper spray!

(SCARED)

Somewhere.

FP:

(DESPERATELY WANTS TO CATCH JENNY SO THEY CAN PARTY)

Knock it down!

JENNY:

(FURIOUS, TERRIFIED)

Get away from me!

JASON:

(EXUBERANT, HATEFUL)

Hold it!

JENNY:

(SPITS, SPEAKS THROUGH TEETH)

Rot in piss.

FP:

(EXCITED)

I want to go to Uncle Ahab’s party!

SFX:

(Punching sound)

JENNY:

(FURIOUS)

I can’t help you…

Scene 6. INT. House, bedroom

SFX:

(Exterior fades out, house interior ambiance fades in.)

ROGER:

(JENNY IN BOYVOICE, HAS AMNESIA, CAN’T REMEMBER A THING ABOUT WHO SHE IS, THROBBING HEADACHE)

… you there, pal. Uh. My head.

FP:

(EXCITED)

You’re up. You’re up!

ROGER:

(COMPLETELY UNSURE OF WHERE SHE IS OR WHO THIS IS)

I. Uh. What?

FP:

(KIND, WELCOMING)

It’s all right. Take a breath.

ROGER:

(UNSURE OF EVERYTHING, RECOGNIZING FP AS SOME KIND OF NURTURING FIGURE THOUGH)

Uh. Do I have to?

FP:

(KIND, SYMPATHETIC)

You’re still hurting?

ROGER:

(FEELING MORE LIKE WOKEN FROM A DREAM)

Yeah. Who are you?

FP:

(COMFORTING, GLAD THAT CONVERSION WORKED)

I’ll get you an aspirin.

SFX:

(FP walks out from the room.)

ROGER:

(LOOKING AROUND THE BEDROOM, STILL UNSURE)

Uh. Where is this?

SFX:

(FP returns with a glass of water.)

FP:

(WARM, ENCOURAGING)

Here.

ROGER:

(IT’S SETTLING IN THAT THIS ISN’T A THREATENING PLACE)

Who’s room is this?

FP:

(SMILING, ENCOURAGING)

It’s yours, ROGER.

(PAUSE)

Take your pill.

SFX:

(ROGER swallows the pill. ROGER drinks the water.)

ROGER:

(CONFUSED, MOSTLY TO HERSELF)

I don’t remember it.

FP:

(DOESN’T WANT ROGER TO PUSH THEMSELVES YET)

Hey, don’t get up yet. Easy. You got a pretty hard knock in the accident.

ROGER:

(CURIOUS ABOUT WHY THEY DON’T REMEMBER ANYTHING)

Did something happen to me?

FP:

(REASSURING, PATERNAL/MATERNAL)

Shh. Hold on. I just want to sit with you.

SFX:

(FP sits on the bed.)

FP:

(LIKE EXPLAINING TO A KID)

You crashed your car, silly.

ROGER:

(CONFUSED, BUT UNDERSTANDING)

I did? Did I break anything?

FP:

(REASSURING)

No, no. Just your head. But it’s all right now. You’re back with me. My darling boy.

ROGER:

(CONFUSED, BUT LOOKING FOR REASSURANCE)

Who are you? Mom?

FP:

(EXCITED)

You remembered!

ROGER:

(CONFUSED AND REACHING FOR ANSWERS)

No. I just thought.

FP:

(EXCITED)

But you’re okay?

ROGER:

(FAWN RESPONSE)

Yeah.

FP:

(QUIZZICAL, LOOKING FOR REASSURANCE THAT DETRANSITION WORKED)

Nothing strange to you?

ROGER:

(HONEST ABOUT CONFUSION)

Everything feels strange.

FP:

(KIND, LOOKING FOR REASSURANCE)

Do I?

ROGER:

(HONEST ABOUT CONFUSION)

I don’t know. I guess not.

FP:

(HAPPY, REASSURED)

Good. It’s just. I’m really glad to have you back.

ROGER:

(IF I’M BACK, I MUST HAVE COME FROM SOMEWHERE, RIGHT?)

Where did I go?

FP:

(EXPLAINING TO A KID)

You went to a world of black and white and got confused over which was which. Don’t worry about that. You’re back and we’re going to the party. Together.

ROGER:

(CONFUSED)

There’s a party?

FP:

(KIND, WARM)

It’s more like a celebration. For all of us. I’ll show you how to get in. You’re going to love it.

ROGER:

(FAWN RESPONSE)

Okay.

FP:

(KIND, WARM)

You feel better?

ROGER:

(HEADACHE IS GOING AWAY)

I think so.

FP:

(BEAMING, WARM)

That’s what I like to hear. Can I get you a drink?

ROGER:

(PHRASE JUST FALLS OUT OF ROGER’S TONGUE BY ROTE)

I guess? Tea? Soda? Rum?

FP:

(LAUGHS, THIS IS SILLY)

You can’t have rum.

ROGER:

(WHAT IS THIS PERSON TALKING ABOUT?)

I feel old enough!

FP:

(GRINS, REASSURING)

Maybe at Uncle Ahab’s party.

ROGER:

(CONFUSED, LOOKING FOR CLARIFICATION)

Who’s that?

FP:

(GRINS, BEAMING)

A great hunter. He caught whales. He caught the greatest whale of all.

ROGER:

(FAWN RESPONSE)

Okay.

FP:

(WARM, EXCITED BY HELPING OUT CONFUSED PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY’RE QUEER)

Only, we’re not really hunting. We’re bringing people back. Like I told you.

ROGER:

(SPITS OUT THE FIRST METAPHOR IN THEIR HEAD)

Black and white. To color.

FP:

(HAPPY, WARM, EXCITED TO SHOW ROGER OFF)

That’s right. Now I’ll be right back. I put some of your old clothes on the chair. Oh, and there’s a suit in the closet for the party tonight. I want you to look all handsome and debonair.

ROGER:

(FAWN RESPONSE, STILL CONFUSED)

Sure. Thanks Mom.

FP:

(HAPPY, EXCITED)

You’ll look amazing. Everyone will be so happy to see you.

SFX:

(FP walks out. ROGER slides out of bed. They get dressed.)

ROGER:

(SOMETHING ABOUT THE CLOTHES IS REPULSIVE)

This looks awful. Button up shirts.

SFX:

(ROGER opens the closet.)

ROGER:

(DISAPPOINTED AND DISGUSTED)

More buttons.

Scene 7. INT. House, kitchen

SFX:

(ROGER walks into the kitchen.)

FP:

(BUSY WITH CLEANING UP THINGS)

That aspirin kicking in?

ROGER:

(FAWN RESPONSE)

I guess.

FP:

(EXCITED TO SHOW ROGER OFF)

We should get ready. It’s only a few hours before the party and you haven’t caught anyone yet.

ROGER:

(WAIT, CATCHING THINGS?)

Caught like nets?

FP:

(WANTING TO SURPRISE ROGER, THINKING ROGER WILL BE HAPPY FOR THE SURPRISE)

You’ll see.

ROGER:

(CONFUSED)

Okay.

(CURIOUS, WANTS TO REMEMBER)

Are there any old pictures of me? Like, before I went black and white.

FP:

(EXCITED THAT ROGER CARES ABOUT LEARNING WHO THEY ARE)

Oh. Those!

ROGER:

(WORDS FALL OUT OF ROGER’S MOUTH BY ROTE)

Whatever’s on your phone.

FP:

(POOR KID IS CONFUSED, SURPRISED)

(LAUGHS)

You can’t have pictures on your phone! You remember what a phone is?

SFX:

(FP lifts the receiver off a telephone. The phone emits a dial tone.)

ROGER:

(THIS IS WEIRD, SOMETHING ABOUT ROGER’S MEMORY OF PHONES DOESN’T MATCH THIS PHONE)

Yeah. I. Sure.

SFX:

(FP puts the receiver down on the telephone.)

FP:

(GETTING ROGER OUT OF THE HOUSE WILL DO THEM GOOD)

I know. I’m going to wash up. Get your coat and we’ll go out.

ROGER:

(FAWN RESPONSE)

That sounds good.

FP:

(SMILES, REASSURING)

You’re a good helper. That can’t have changed.

SFX:

(FP walks out of the kitchen. When FP is gone, ROGER pushes their chair back and stands up. ROGER walks around the house. ROGER turns on the radio.)

MUSIC:

(1950s free pop music on radio.)

SFX:

(ROGER walks to the trash bin. ROGER opens the trash bag and rifles through the trash.)

ROGER:

(CURIOUS FOR ANY CLUES ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING, SURPRISED AT WHAT THEY FIND)

Socks? Underwear? That’s a pretty wild dress.

SFX:

(ROGER picks out a cell phone from the trash.)

ROGER:

(RECOGNIZES THAT THE TECH DOESN’T MATCH WHERE THEY ARE CURRENTLY LIVING)

The heck’s this?

SFX:

(The phone beeps and clicks when touched.)

ROGER:

(FASCINATED)

It’s just plastic. Uh, how does it click when I touch it? A code. Is there.

SFX:

(ROGER rifles through the trash.)

ROGER:

(GETTING A LITTLE DESPERATE TO FIND THE CODE)

Is there something in the dress?

SFX:

(FP walks up behind ROGER.)

FP:

(ANNOYED AND EMBARRASSED BY ROGER’S BEHAVIOR)

ROGER!

ROGER:

(SHOCKED FROM ADRENALINE, FIRST THING THEY THINK OF)

I was just looking.

FP:

(NOT ANGRY BUT DISAPPOINTED)

You know better.

ROGER:

(DEJECTED)

I know.

FP:

(SCARED OF ROGER COMING OUT AS QUEER)

Get your hands off that.

ROGER:

(FAWN RESPONSE)

I’m sorry.

FP:

(NEED TO GET ROGER OUT OF HERE FAST)

I still have to bring it to the bonfire downtown. Get your coat on.

SFX:

(ROGER slides their coat on.)

FP:

(ANNOYED, BUT NOT STRICT)

You want to be helpful?

ROGER:

(FAWN RESPONSE)

Yes.

FP:

(CURT)

Good.

MUSIC:

(FP turns off the radio, stopping the music.)

FP:

(CURT)

Let’s go.

SFX:

(FP and ROGER walk to the door. ROGER’s cell phone emits a slowed-down, warbly ringtone.)

ROGER:

(SURPRISED, THE WORLD SEEMS MORE DREAMLIKE THAN ROGER IS COMFORTABLE WITH)

Gah!

FP:

(CURT)

What’s the matter?

ROGER:

(TRUTHFUL)

The music.

FP:

What music?

ROGER:

(WAITS, REALIZES FP CAN’T HEAR THE RINGTONE, NEEDS AN EXCUSE)

Oh. It’s. Uh. I’ve got to get something from my room.

FP:

(CURT)

Be quick.

SFX:

(ROGER hurries to their room. They shove the cell phone under a pillow. The ringtone is muffled. ROGER walks back to the kitchen. The ringtone is harder to hear but continues ringing.)

FP:

(CURT)

What did you need?

ROGER:

(SUDDENLY REALIZES AN EXCUSE TO SAY, ALMOST SPITS IT OUT)

I wanted to check my hair.

FP:

(CHUCKLES, RELIEVED)

Oh, we can cut it soon enough.

ROGER:

(ALSO RELIEVED)

Good. I’m ready.

FP:

(WARM, FRIENDLY, MATTER OF FACT)

Of course you are.

SFX:

(FP opens the front door.)

Scene 9. EXT. On a neighborhood street

SFX:

(Quiet neighborhood ambiance. FP and ROGER continue walking.)

ROGER:

(CONFUSED, JUST FOLLOWING FP WHILE WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN)

This is it?

FP:

(REASSURING)

We’re just scouting.

ROGER:

(HAS NO CONTEXT, WANTS TO KNOW)

What are we looking for?

FP:

(ANNOYED AT THE THOUGHT OF QUEERS EXISTING)

Folks who don’t look right. Anything really.

ROGER:

(FAWN RESPONSE)

(STAMMERS)

Okay.

FP:

(TRYING TO EMPATHIZE)

I bet this all feels strange to you. Come here.

SFX:

(They hug.)

FP:

(WARMLY)

Got you.

ROGER:

(WEIRDED OUT)

We’re looking for unhappy people.

FP:

(PLEASED)

You got it.

SFX:

(Wind blows. ROGER looks up.)

ROGER:

(CURIOUS)

Is that smoke?

FP:

(ANNOYED)

Where?

ROGER:

(FAWN RESPONSE)

Up over us?

FP:

(RELIEVED)

Oh. Yes. I told you. That’s the bonfire downtown. They’re burning all the things that confuse people. Like that old dirty dress in the trash.

ROGER:

(WORRIED THAT THE FIRE COULD BE CAUSING HARM)

(PAUSE)

But not people, right?

FP:

(REASSURING)

We’re not murderers. No one wants anyone dead. Just, happy.

SFX:

(PHIL walks by.)

PHIL:

(INTERNALLY SCARED, DOES NOT SHOW IT AT ALL, WANTS TO GET BY THESE PEOPLE)

Hello.

FP:

(MATTER OF FACT, POLITE)

Afternoon. Good hunt.

PHIL:

(POLITE)

Likewise.

FP:

(MATTER OF FACT, POLITE)

Get your invite?

PHIL:

(SMILES, POLITE)

Waiting on it.

FP:

(REASSURING)

We’ll keep an eye out.

SFX:

(PHIL walks away.)

ROGER:

(QUIZZICAL)

Was that person happy?

FP:

(CHECKING WHAT ROGER HAS LEARNED, GENTLY ENCOURAGING)

What do you think?

ROGER:

(HONEST)

I think she didn’t look at us enough. Or maybe she was afraid of something.

FP:

(GENTLY WARNING)

You know it’s a crime to accuse your neighbors.

(PAUSE)

(WARMLY)

But it can’t hurt to ask.

SFX:

(FP and ROGER walk towards PHIL.)

FP:

(POLITE WITH AN EDGE OF INTERROGATION)

Hey neighbor! Where are you headed?

PHIL:

(POLITE, NOT SHOWING FEAR)

I was going to take point at First and Bellavista.

FP:

(POLITE, GRINS)

Mind if we come with?

PHIL:

(NERVOUS)

Sure.

SFX:

(They walk together.)

FP:

(SLIGHT GRIN, PHIL IS FOUND OUT)

You know this is the wrong direction to First.

SFX:

(PHIL takes off running.)

FP:

(COMMANDING ROGER)

After her!

SFX:

(FP runs after PHIL.)

FP:

(SHOUTING TO THEIR NEIGHBORS, EXCITED)

We got one! Who needs one?

ROGER:

(LOW, STANDING UP FOR THEMSELVES BUT SPEAKING DEFERENTIAL)

I can’t do this.

FP:

(FURIOUS)

ROGER!

ROGER:

(DEFERENTIAL BUT MATTER OF FACT)

I’m going home.

FP:

(FURIOUS)

Get back here! You need someone to get to the party!

SFX:

(ROGER runs away. POV follows ROGER.)

FP:

(IN DISTANCE, FURIOUS)

Someone catch my son!

Scene 10. INT. House, kitchen

SFX:

(Quiet house ambiance. ROGER throws open the front door. The cell phone ringtone is still warbling.)

ROGER:

(DESPERATE TO FIND A WAY OUT)

Phone.

SFX:

(ROGER closes the door. ROGER pants, exhausted. They hear the phone and walk to the bedroom. They take the phone out from under the pillow. The ringtone is at full volume. ROGER presses a button and the phone beeps. The ringtone stops.)

ANNETTE:

(ON PHONE, BEHIND A WALL OF STATIC)

(EXTREMELY CONCERNED FOR JENNY’S SAFETY)

JENNY? Where are you? Your GPS isn’t reading anywhere.

HUNGER:

(ON PHONE, BELLOWS OVER ANNETTE AS ANNETTE SPEAKS)

Don’t. Forget. What. Mother. Says.

SFX:

(ROGER drops the phone on the wood floor.)

ANNETTE:

(ON PHONE)

(THOUGHT SHE HEARD SOMETHING, WORRIED)

Hello? Are you there?

SFX:

(The cell phone hangs up and beeps. ROGER pants in fear. ROGER picks up the phone.)

ROGER:

(DESPERATE, SCARED THAT THEY’VE LOST THEIR WAY OUT)

Hello? Hello? How do I call you back?

SFX:

(ROGER swipes the phone. The camera app beeps on.)

ROGER:

(SCARED OF THE SITUATION BUT FASCINATED BY DISCOVERING WHAT THE PHONE DOES)

And this is a camera. Filters. It’s blue. It’s old timey. It’s.

SFX:

(ROGER sees the house as it actually is through the phone.)

ROGER:

(FASCINATED BY WHAT THE CAMERA IS SHOWING THEM, ALMOT FORGET THEY ARE IN DANGER)

This isn’t right. That lamp doesn’t look like this. That isn’t a typewriter. What’s this house really?

(READING)

“There are girls with dicks, guys with vaginas, and transphobes without teeth.”

SFX:

(People approach outside.)

ROGER:

(SCARED)

Frick.

SFX:

(ROGER cracks open a window.)

FP:

(OUTSIDE)

(ECSTATIC, CELEBRATORY)

Congratulations on finding your son!

JASON:

(OUTSIDE)

(REASSURING BUT PLEASED)

We’ll help you watch him. Don’t worry. You’ve got a party to go to.

FP:

(OUTSIDE)

(GRINNING WILDLY)

We all have a party to go to.

JASON:

(OUTSIDE, LAUGHS)

SFX:

(ROGER closes the window. They sneak through the house to the back door. They open the back door.)

Scene 11. EXT. Behind the houses, grassy yard

SFX:

(Quiet neighborhood ambiance. ROGER sneaks outside. They sneak across grass to the back door of the neighbor’s house. They pause and then knock on it softly. The door opens.)

PHIL:

(CONFUSED BY EVERYTHING)

What?

ROGER:

(DESPERATE TO CONNECT BUT NOT GET CAUGHT)

Okay. Do you know who you are? At all?

PHIL:

(CONFUSED BUT DOESN’T TRUST ANYONE, ESPECIALLY THIS STRANGER)

No. Who are you?

ROGER:

(TRYING TO CONNECT, RELIEVED THEY CAN BE HONEST WITH SOMEONE)

I don’t know either. They say I’m ROGER. But they’re lying. I don’t know who I am.

PHIL:

(FRUSTRATED)

Don’t take this the wrong way. Mom said not to trust you.

ROGER:

(TRYING TO CONNECT, DESPERATE)

Have you ever seen your mom before?

PHIL:

(FRUSTRATED BY NOT REMEMBERING)

I don’t remember. What’s going on?

ROGER:

(COME ON, LISTEN TO ME)

What did they show you for evidence?

PHIL:

(ANNOYED WITH ROGER, WHO SHOULD KNOW THIS ALREADY)

I have pictures.

ROGER:

(COME ON, LISTEN TO ME)

Show me one.

SFX:

(PHIL backs up, picks up a framed photograph, and shows it to ROGER.)

PHIL:

(ANNOYED)

Mom said this is me as a teen.

ROGER:

(PLEASED THAT THEY CAN SHOW PHIL THE TRUTH WITH THEIR PHONE, RELIEVED THAT THEY’ll HAVE SOME CONTROL OF THE SITUATION SOON)

All right.

SFX:

(Phone beeps.)

PHIL:

(RECOGNIZES THE PHONE AS STRANGE TECHNOLOGY, CURIOUS BUT DUBIOUS)

What’s that?

ROGER:

(DESPERATE NOT TO GET NOTICED BUT EXCITED TO SHOW IT OFF)

Pocket camera. Other things too. Look.

PHIL:

(STILL DUBIOUS)

What?

ROGER:

(EXCITED TO REVEAL WHAT THE CAMERA SHOWS)

The photo really looks like this.

PHIL:

(CONFUSED BY THE CAMERA’S VIEW, DISTRUSTING)

That’s not me. How are you doing this?

ROGER:

(MORE CONFIDENT)

Point the camera at me.

PHIL:

(DISTRUSTING)

Okay.

ROGER:

(EXCITED TO HEAR THE RESPONSE)

What do you see?

PHIL:

(MATTER OF FACT)

You’re an older woman.

ROGER:

(WHAT THE HECK? EXCITED TO SEE)

No way. Gimme that.

PHIL:

(AFRAID OF BEING CAUGHT BY THEIR PARENT)

You can’t come in if you want to use the mirror.

ROGER:

(UNDERSTANDS PHIL’S FEAR, GETS AN IDEA)

Okay. That big button there? Point the camera at me and press it.

SFX:

(Phone clicks.)

ROGER:

(LOOKS AT THE PICTURE, SURPRISED LIKE YOU SAW YOUR CURRENT SELF WHEN YOU WERE A TEEN)

Cripes.

PHIL:

(STILL DOESN’T TRUST ROGER, EVERYTHING SEEMS WRONG)

How do you know all this?

ROGER:

(PREPARING PHIL FOR THE TRUTH BOMB)

This is going to sound bananas.

PHIL:

(GRITTING TEETH WHILE PREPARING TO ACCEPT)

Lay it on me.

ROGER:

(SPEAKING LOW, RELIEVED THEY CAN BE HONEST)

I think there’s someone looking out through my glass eye. And sometimes I see what she sees.

PHIL:

(CURIOUS)

How do you know it’s a she?

ROGER:

(VERY VERY FRUSTRATED)

I don’t know. I don’t know my name. I think this phone camera thing has the answers but it wants a code.

PHIL:

(GRUDGINGLY STARTING TO ACCEPT)

Okay. How long you been here?

ROGER:

(EXCITED THAT PHIL SEEMS OPEN TO WHAT THEY ARE SAYING)

Just this afternoon. And this whole thing is messed up.

PHIL:

(VERY AFRAID AS THE SITUATION IS DAWNING ON THEM)

What’s going to happen to us?

ROGER:

(EXCITED, LETTING IT ALL SPILL OUT)

They’re going to take you out to hunt people. Like us. I don’t know. We’re different. We’re valuable. They want to make us forget things so they can go to a party.

PHIL:

(REPEATING WHAT THEIR PARENT TOLD THEM)

Uncle Ahab’s.

ROGER:

(EXCITED)

Yup.

PHIL:

(MATTER OF FACT)

I have a brilliant plan.

ROGER:

(CURIOUS)

Oh?

PHIL:

(MATTER OF FACT)

You get lost before you get me in trouble.

ROGER:

(TAKEN ABACK)

Wait.

PHIL:

(ANXIOUS)

Mom’s going to flip if she sees me talking to you.

ROGER:

(DESPERATE)

Please. Just a second.

PHIL:

(TRYING TO GET ROGER TO UNDERSTAND HOW UNBELIEVABLE THEY SOUND)

You say you have someone in your eye and you have a magic whatsit that shows lies. I don’t know. You’re even less credible than my mother.

ROGER:

(PLEADING)

Look.

PHIL:

(CURT)

Goodbye.

SFX:

(PHIL shuts the door.)

ROGER:

(FRUSTRATED)

Frick.

Scene 12. EXT. Behind FP’s house, grassy yard

SFX:

(Quiet neighborhood ambiance. ROGER sneaks back across the yard to their house.)

FP:

(STERN TONE)

There you are.

JASON:

(DEFLECTING, FURIOUS)

Hey! He kissed me! Right on God’s own lips!

FP:

(STERN BUT SCARED, ACCUSATORY)

Are you trying to cut me from the party?

ROGER:

(GENTLY BUT FIRM)

No.

FP:

(ACCUSATORY)

Then what is your problem? Why are you doing these things?

ROGER:

(BURSTS OUT FRUSTRATED)

Because this isn’t who I am! I don’t even know you!

JASON:

(ANGRY, ACCUSATORY)

And what makes you the expert?

FP:

(TRYING TO GET CONTROL OF THE SITUATION, CARES FOR A ROGER THAT DOESN’T EXIST)

Stop it. ROGER, can you just be good for the next hour so I can go to the gosh darned party?

ROGER:

(FRUSTRATED, ANGRY)

Everything’s wrong here. You’re lying to me. He’s lying to me.

FP:

(GENUINELY UPSET)

Why do you have to be like this? I just want to go to the party like everyone.

JASON:

(COMFORTING)

Easy there.

FP:

(GENUINELY UPSET)

It’s not fair. Every family has their own perfect child. Why did I have to get this one?

ROGER:

(FEELING RAW AND EXPOSED)

I don’t care. Go to the party. Please. What can I do to get you there?

FP:

(LOOKING FOR HOPE)

Will you be good?

ROGER:

No.

JASON:

(LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE TO HIT ROGER)

What’s that?

FP:

(CONCILIATORY)

Please, ROGER.

ROGER:

(CONFIDENT, FEELING RAW)

Whatever you did to me, I don’t care. It didn’t work.

FP:

(ANGRY BUT SHAKEN)

Why? Why do you hate me so much?

ROGER:

(DEFENSIVE)

I don’t even want to go to your stupid party!

JASON:

(AUTHORITARIAN)

I think we should take him though.

SFX:

(Back door opens. PHIL steps out.)

PHIL:

(FRUSTRATED BY ALL THE NOISE GOING ON OUTSIDE)

What’s going on?

FP:

(PARENTAL VOICE)

We have this handled. Go back inside.

PHIL:

(FRUSTRATED)

I can’t. My mom says I have to find someone so I can go to the party.

JASON:

(SARCASTIC)

You better get going. It won’t be long until it starts.

PHIL:

(FRUSTRATED THAT THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON AND STILL BEING BOSSED AROUND)

Well that’s not fair.

ROGER:

(LIKE A KID POINTING OUT WHEN A PARENT SAID ONE THING AND THEN SAYS ANOTHER LATER)

I thought you said everyone gets to go then.

JASON:

(ICILY, CAUGHT ON A TECHNICALITY, SHUT UP)

You stay quiet.

FP:

(CONCILIATORY)

Settle down.

ROGER:

(ANGRY, POINTING OUT THE OBVIOUS)

If I’m so bad at being your son, does it even count that you caught me?

FP:

(THINKS, SOFTLY)

I don’t know.

ROGER:

(ANGRY)

So figure it out. Because I’m still queer. Whatever that is.

JASON:

(SEETHING)

You apologize for that word.

ROGER:

(MOCKING)

Queer. Queer. Queer. I am your prey. And as your prey, PHIL can catch me.

(BEAT)

(GOADING)

There’s still time.

FP:

(THIS IS TOO MUCH – NEEDS ANOTHER OPINION)

JASON?

JASON:

(FRUSTRATED)

I don’t know. He might be right.

PHIL:

(FRUSTRATED, JUST WANTS DIRECTION FROM ANYONE)

Think it’ll work?

ROGER:

(FRUSTRATED, FEELING RAW)

Mom, you tell me. You caught me. You saw what I was like before. Am I any different now?

FP:

(SIGHS)

(QUIET, ACCEPTING THE PAINFUL TRUTH)

I don’t think you’re my son.

ROGER:

(CHALLENGING)

So come and get me.

JASON:

(SNIDE)

Okay. One. Two. Three.

SFX:

(JASON grabs ROGER.)

JASON:

(SNIDE)

There. We got you.

ROGER:

(CHALLENGING)

Quit it. Let me go so PHIL can catch me properly.

(PAUSE)

(POINTING OUT THE OBVIOUS)

Doesn’t there have to be a chase?

SFX:

(JASON thinks and tosses ROGER away.)

JASON:

(MATTER OF FACT)

Run.

ROGER:

(TWISTING THE KNIFE)

You know there isn’t any party, right?

SFX:

(ROGER runs off.)

JASON:

(TO PHIL)

(ANGRY)

Well, go and get him!

SFX:

(PHIL runs off.)

FP:

(NEEDING REASSURANCE)

I think I should go after him too.

JASON:

(DISMISSIVE, EXCITEMENT AND MENACE)

Let the kid have him. The party starts in a half hour.

Scene 13. EXT. Town square

SFX:

(Crowd mills around. A bonfire is burning. PHIL walks through the streets.)

PHIL:

(SING-SONG, TRYING TO SOUND CONFIDENT ALTHOUGH SCARED INSIDE)

Hey, ROGER? Hey? I saw you go down this alley. You’re good at running. But you’re crap at hiding.

SFX:

(ROGER steps out.)

ROGER:

(CONCILIATORY)

Okay. Well, hi.

PHIL:

(MATTER OF FACT)

Yeah.

(BEAT)

I’ll make this quick.

ROGER:

(HOLDS UP HANDS, TRIES TO CONNECT WITH PHIL)

Hold on.

SFX:

(ROGER takes out the phone. Phone beeps on.)

PHIL:

(FRUSTRATED TO SEE THAT LYING PHONE AGAIN)

Get that out of my face.

ROGER:

(LESS DEFENSIVE, TRIES TO CONNECT WITH PHIL)

It’s okay. I figured out the camera on this thing takes movies. Like, motion pictures? Little ones. Point it at me. Record me. And then, you know. We’ll get on with it.

PHIL

(THINKS)

(LOOKING FOR ANY ANSWERS IN THIS STRANGE WORLD THEY’RE IN)

Give me that.

ROGER:

(GEEK EXPLANATORY)

Hit the little triangle.

PHIL:

(FRUSTRATED, YES YES DON’T TELL ME)

I’m hitting it.

ROGER:

(PAUSE)

(NERVOUS, EXPOSING THEMSELVES EMOTIONALLY)

Hi. This is the real me. There, you happy?

PHIL:

(FRUSTRATED)

All right. Here.

SFX:

(Phone clicks, stops recording.)

ROGER:

(SCARED OF WHAT THEY’LL SEE ON THE VIDEO)

I think that’s the film in the corner.

SFX:

(Phone clicks as the video plays.)

JENNY:

(ON CAMERA)

(NERVOUS BUT MORE CONFIDENT THAN ROGER)

Hi. This is the real me. There, you happy?

SFX:

(Phone clicks as the video stops.)

PHIL:

(FRUSTRATED, DOESN’T WANT TO BELIEVE)

It’s still lying.

ROGER:

(FEELING RAW, TRYING TO CONNECT)

I’m not a prize. You aren’t either. Whatever is happening, it’s messing with us.

SFX:

(HUNGER roars in the distance.)

PHIL:

(NERVOUS AT THE SOUND)

I think the party is starting.

ROGER:

(ALSO SCARED BY THE SOUND)

Yeah.

(BEAT)

(HIT OF A SMILE)

Want to see who you really are?

PHIL:

(THINKS)

(SCARED OF WHAT THEY’LL SEE)

No. I don’t need it.

ROGER:

(DOESN’T WANT TO CHALLENGE ROGER ANY MORE THAN THEY ALREADY HAVE)

Cool. Good.

PHIL:

(GENERALLY NERVOUS AT THEIR DECISION NOT TO CONTINUE WITH THIS CHARADE)

Yeah. Give me a few.

ROGER:

(TRYING TO STAY CALM)

Stay here. I want to check on the rec center.

PHIL:

(DOESN’T WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE)

Wait!

SFX:

(ROGER hurries out from the alley.)

JASON:

(SHOUTING IN DISTANCE)

The party is open! Get in line if you’ve got your pass!

ROGER:

(SCARED)

Frick.

SFX:

(HUNGER growls low.)

JASON:

(SEES ROGER, ANGRY)

Hey! Hey you!

SFX:

(ROGER runs.)

PHIL:

(SCARED)

Wait up!

SFX:

(PHIL runs after ROGER.)

PHIL:

(SCARED)

Where you going?

ROGER:

(SCARED BUT CURIOUS)

To get a good angle with my camera.

SFX:

(PHIL and ROGER stop running, fast, on seeing through the camera.)

ROGER:

(TERRIFIED)

Frick.

SFX:

(HUNGER growls.)

PHIL:

(LOW, SCARED)

That’s a maw. Where the rec center should be.

ROGER:

(SCARED, REALIZING THAT THE ToWN HAS CHOSEN SELF-DESTRUCTION)

And they’re walking right in. Every person in this town.

SFX:

(People file into the maw. They softly vanish.)

FP:

(CONCERNED, ANXIOUS)

Boys, what are you doing? Did you catch him?

PHIL:

(FRUSTRATED)

Get in line.

(PAUSE)

(FRUSTRATED, ANGRY)

Well, get in line. It’s not getting any shorter!

FP:

(SCARED THAT THEY’LL MISS OUT ON THE PARTY)

All right! I’m going!

SFX:

(FP runs into the line.)

FP:

(TO OTHERS IN THE LINE, SCARED OF BEING LEFT OUT)

Wait for me!

PHIL:

(MATTER OF FACT)

Your mom’s going to get eaten.

ROGER:

(KINDA WANTS IT TO HAPPEN)

I know.

(PAUSE)

(REALIZES THEY COULD TRY TO STOP THESE IDIOTS)

What if we burn it?

PHIL:

(SCARED)

The mouth?

ROGER:

(FEELING MORE CONFIDENT, BUT HURRIED)

Yeah, the rec center. There’s a bonfire here. We grab sticks and chuck those burning clothes into it.

SFX:

(More people whisp away. HUNGER growls.)

PHIL:

(AGREEING)

Okay. I’ll take a stick.

SFX:

(PHIL and ROGER grab poles. They swipe burning clothes from the fire. They run back to the rec center.)

ROGER:

(HURRYING, CONCERNED)

Careful. They’re hot.

PHIL:

(STOP LECTURING ME, MOM)

I got it.

SFX:

(ROGER trips and falls.)

PHIL:

(SHARP, ALMOST DERIDING)

Careful.

ROGER:

(GRUNTS)

(FRUSTRATED, SCARED)

I can’t get up.

PHIL:

(FRUSTRATED THAT ROGER CHOOSES NOT TO GET UP)

Give me your hand.

ROGER:

(GRITS TEETH, TERRIFIED AT BEING HELD)

Something is holding me down.

PHIL:

(FRUSTRATED AT ROGER, IS ROGER LYING?)

I don’t see anyone.

ROGER:

(REALIZES THAT THEY CAN SENSE ARADIA AND HER OTHERWORLDLYNESS TERRIFIES THEM)

The something in my eye. I can feel her. She’s holding me.

PHIL:

(WHATEVER, SURE, WHATEVER YOU SAY)

Okay.

ROGER:

(SCARED, ENCOURAGING, DO WHAT I CAN’T, GOSH DARN IT!)

Go! Take my torch! You gotta wreck Ahab’s party.

PHIL:

(SURE, WHATEVER, LET’S DO THIS)

If you say so.

SFX:

(PHIL takes ROGER’s torch.)

FP:

(SCARED AT SEEING THE TORCH)

What are you doing?

ROGER:

(SCARED, PANTING)

This has to end.

PHIL:

(CONFIDENT)

Burn it down.

SFX:

(PHIL tosses their burning clothes into the rec center maw. It flames up. HUNGER roars.)

FP:

(SCARED THAT THEY’LL MISS THE PARTY!)

I have to get in there!

ROGER:

(FP IS AN IDIOT, COME ON)

It’s burning.

FP:

(DESPERATE)

I have to get to the party!

SFX:

(More footsteps run into the burning maw.)

JASON:

(FURIOUS)

You. Two. Little. Worms.

ROGER:

(RELIEVED, SCARED)

I’m up! She let me up!

SFX:

(PHIL and ROGER run.)

ROGER:

(ENCOURAGING PHIL, GETTING OUT OF BREATH)

Beat it!

SFX:

(JASON catches PHIL and ROGER in each arm.)

JASON:

(ANGRY)

No. You don’t. Either of you.

SFX:

(PHIL and ROGER struggle.)

PHIL:

(ANGRY, SCARED)

What’s your problem?

JASON:

(ANGRY, SARDONIC)

It’s time you joined the party. You earned it.

ROGER:

(STRUGGLING, SCARED)

You all deserve to be in there.

JASON:

(ANGRY, MATTER OF FACT)

Well, you’re one of us now.

ROGER:

(REALIZING THAT JASON CAN’T DRAG BOTH OF THEM)

PHIL, dead weight.

PHIL:

(GETS IT)

Right. Dead weight.

SFX:

(PHIL and ROGER stop struggling. They press against the ground as much as they can.)

JASON:

(SARCASTIC)

Aw, you’re barely fighting. You’re just hugging the ground.

SFX:

(HUNGER roars.)

ROGER:

(DESPERATE BUT A LITTLE SMUG)

Yeah. But it’s ending soon. Look at that line. You’re not going to make it to the party. Unless you drop us.

JASON:

(ANGRY)

I can.

(GRUNTS TRYING TO MOVE THEM)

I can haul you over.

(STRAINS, REALIZES HE CAN’T BRING THEM OVER)

Crud!

SFX:

(JASON drops PHIL and ROGER and runs for the maw.)

PHIL:

(MATTER OF FACT, WITH A BIT OF SYMPATHY)

We can’t stop them.

ROGER:

(DRY, SARDONIC)

You know, I don’t want to.

SFX:

(Crowd runs into the fire, burns, and evaporates. HUNGER growls.)

Scene 14. EXT. Town square

SFX:

(The bonfires vanish. Cars return to the background town ambiance.)

JENNY:

(DESPERATE, STILL SCARED)

Oh, gods. It left. Crap. What the heck was that?

PHIL:

(TERRIFIED AT THE SCENE CHANGE)

I’m getting out of here.

JENNY:

(WANTS TO TALK WITH PHIL ABOUT THIS)

Wait!

PHIL:

(SCARED)

This is too much!

SFX:

(PHIL runs away down a street.)

JENNY:

(NERVOUS, RAW)

Heck.

SFX:

(ANNETTE’s car pulls up.)

NEWS ANNOUNCER:

(ON RADIO)

Some towns have started to institute LGBT-free zones, encouraged by…

SFX:

(ANNETTE turns off the radio. She opens the car door. She steps out of the car.)

ANNETTE:

(DRY, WITH AN EDGE OF SYMPATHY, MOSTLY “PICK YOURSELF UP” VIBE)

Are you okay?

JENNY:

(MATTER OF FACT)

No. I am not.

ANNETTE:

(WARMER, SHE’S THERE FOR JENNY, STILL DRY AND MATTER-OF-FACT AS IS ANNETTE’S WAY)

It’s all right. Come here.

SFX:

(ANNETTE and JENNY hug.)

JENNY:

(RELIEVED SHE CAN TELL SOMEONE WHO WILL LISTEN, HOLDING HERSELF TOGETHER)

It did things to me in there.

ANNETTE:

(MATTER OF FACT, SLIGHTLY WARM)

What did?

JENNY:

(FRUSTRATED)

Whatever that was. It watched it eat everyone.

ANNETTE:

(MATTER OF FACT, SLIGHTLY WARM)

It ate people? Like at the Mammon compound?

JENNY:

(FEELING RAW, TRYING TO FIND WORDS FOR WHAT HAPPENED)

It had a mass hallucination up. It convinced them they wanted to be eaten.

ANNETTE:

(QUITE CURIOUS)

How?

JENNY:

(MATTER OF FACT, SCARED, ALMOST DEADPAN)

I don’t want to talk about it right now.

ANNETTE:

(FIRM IN HER MANNER AS IS ANNETTE’S WAY)

Okay. Let me hold you.

(PAUSE)

(SHARING HER THOUGHTS)

So I’m thinking. If it had to convince them, most likely it can’t eat them directly. They have to want to be eaten.

JENNY:

(FEELING RAW, SHAKEN, REMEMBERING)

It was a pretty good convincer. You hurt someone, you get in.

ANNETTE:

(MATTER OF FACT)

Pretty basic psychology.

JENNY:

(RAW, FRUSTRATED)

I don’t know how much it even understands people.

ANNETTE:

(MATTER OF FACT, SLIGHTLY WAMRLY)

It’s very young. That would make sense.

JENNY:

(REALIZES WHERE THE GODLING GOT THE IDEA)

I bet it heard the radio.

ANNETTE:

(QUIZZICAL)

What about it?

JENNY:

(OF COURSE, IT ALL MAKES SENSE)

Ads and right wing shows. Hate for queers.

ANNETTE:

(HMM, INTERESTING)

So it didn’t know better.

JENNY:

(RAW, FRUSTRATED)

Does that matter?

ANNETTE:

(MATTER OF FACT)

Of course not.

JENNY:

(BEAT)

(REALIZING THAT SHE FELT ARADIA INSIDE THE GODLING, SCARED)

She’s real.

ANNETTE:

(QUIZZICAL)

Aradia?

JENNY:

(SLOWLY REALIZING)

She protected me.

(BEAT)

(ANNOYED)

I don’t think she liked that I hurt it.

ANNETTE:

(MATTER OF FACT)

Well, she’s not wrong.

JENNY:

(ANNOYED)

Excuse me?

ANNETTE:

(MATTER OF FACT, SLIGHTLY GLEEFUL)

This godling. HUNGER. Whatever. It would be a fantastic weapon if we could harness it. What do you think?

(BEAT)

You want in?

Scene 16. END CREDITS