In this episode, Jenny and Ed Astra enter Hunger again, where Hunger has learned a new trick for getting fed.
Transcript:
Brittle Tourniquet, Episode 4
by Alicia E. Goranson
Scene 1. Introduction Theme
Scene 2. INT. JENNY’s car
SFX:
(Car door opens. ED slides in. He sits. He shuts the door. He puts on his seat belt.)
ED:
(UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCE, BREAKING THE ICE)
Well?
JENNY:
(SERIOUS, HE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND HOW SCARY THIS IS)
Okay. For what we’re doing, we have rules.
ED:
(SHE SKIPPED SAYING HI, SARDONIC)
Great to see you, too.
JENNY:
(EXTREMELY SERIOUS, HE NEEDS TO GET IT)
We don’t leave the car. We don’t split up.
ED:
(SHE DOESN’T NEED TO BE SO STRICT, I GET IT)
Got it.
JENNY:
(JENNY HAS BEEN THINKING ABOUT WHAT TO SAY FOR HOURS)
We have a nice drive around whatever it’s made. We keep our eyes open but we do not engage with anyone in there.
ED:
(WARMLY, CURIOUS)
Actually, I’m hoping to.
JENNY:
(HE DOESN’T GET IT, DAMN IT)
Holy moley, ED. It will wreck you for a meal. It doesn’t care.
ED:
(WARMLY, SMILING, THIS’LL BE GOOD)
I am really looking forward to this, though.
JENNY:
(SERIOUS, CONVINCING)
Do you want me to keep you safe? Once we’re in there, we’re stuck until it feeds.
ED:
(SHE NEEDS TO COOL OFF, THIS IS A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY)
Hey. Take a breath. We’re going to figure this out. You’ll be learning more than I will. You’ll pick up its patterns.
JENNY:
(ANGRY BUT TEMPERED)
I’m not losing myself again. I don’t do ego death. I don’t trip like that.
ED:
(REMEMBERING GOOD TIMES)
Aw, it’s wonderful.
JENNY:
(JENNY HASN’T HAD A GOOD TIME TRIPPING BEFORE)
I need to stay in control. Always.
ED:
(WARMLY, CURIOUS)
You never had anything about yourself you wanted to leave behind?
JENNY:
(DEADLY SERIOUS)
ED, this car is not a psych’s office. We’re here to stop a god.
ED:
(RELENTS, LETS HER HAVE THIS)
Fair.
SFX:
(JENNY starts the car. She starts driving.)
ED:
(A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS, CURIOUS)
How do you know it’s hit Freeburg?
JENNY:
(MORE CASUAL, PROFESSIONAL)
It hit a restaurant on the way there. If you check where it’s been, it’s going in a straight line. I called their town hall before you got in the car and I got nothing. It’s there.
ED:
(REASSURING)
Ah. Look, I know you don’t want to talk about yourself but it’s really important that we do.
JENNY:
(USED TO DEALING WITH ANARCHISTS AS THE ENEMY, A BIT SNIDE)
Yeah, I know you anarchist types like to share all your little secrets with each other. Keep you from going rogue because everyone knows everything about everyone.
ED:
(GENUINELY AMUSED)
Ha! When’s your surveillance from, 2010? You do that, you get laughed out of Signal chats nowadays.
JENNY:
(SERIOUS, EXPLAINING A BOUNDARY)
I’m just telling you I’m not telling you dingus about me.
ED:
(SERIOUS, HAS THOUGHT THROUGH THIS SITUATION)
So if one of us gets lost in there, how’s the other going to bring them back?
JENNY:
(PAUSE, FEELS CALLED OUT, SLIGHTLY DEFENSIVE)
What do you care? You’ve seen my streams. You know all about me.
ED:
(FRIENDLY, CHEERFUL)
Just what you’ve made public. I’m curious about what you haven’t.
JENNY:
(GRUMPY ABOUT THIS)
Apparently I replaced my eye so I could keep dating ANNETTE.
ED:
(CURIOUS)
That true?
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
I don’t know! I don’t remember. I gave up that memory to put Aradia in my eye.
ED:
(CALM, REASSURING)
Okay, okay. Uh. So I have major trust issues. Especially with rich people.
JENNY:
(ALMOST GRINS, ALMOST BREAKS THE ICE)
You don’t say.
ED:
(SERIOUS, DEADPAN)
When I’m twelve or so. My parents leave me with a sitter from one of the swanky-butt households at the time. So of course, while they’re out, the sitter invites her boyfriend over. She puts me to bed and tells me that if I don’t tell anyone, she’ll let me stay up until nine next time she sits.
JENNY:
(SYMPATHETIC, DOESN’T BELIEVE BABYSITTER)
Nine, huh.
ED:
(EDGE OF ANGER, FRUSTRATION)
Nine. Forget nine. There is a stranger in my house who my parents did not invite and I cannot contact them. I do not get a lick of rest. I have been asked to be complicit to something eating at me. I go back downstairs while they’re on the couch, watching TV, and I scream at them. And I scream. And I scream. Get out of my house. Go away. You’re not welcome here. And the S.O.B. won’t budge. He’s still on that couch when the sitter takes me upstairs to cry myself to sleep.
(PAUSE)
I tell my folks the next day, of course. They talk to the sitter’s parents. And they let her off. Like my parents couldn’t get her folks to reprimand her. Get her to understand how she traumatized a child. I had to go to high school while her boyfriend was there. That was great.
(LAUGHS)
JENNY:
(REASSURING, COMMISERATING, REMEMBERING HER RICH DAYS)
Hey, it’s no better even when you’re making their kinda cash. Family influence is everything with them.
ED:
(SERIOUS, NOT QUITE OVER IT BUT SOMEWHAT)
Yup. At least my folks never hired her again.
JENNY:
(COMMISERATING, SYMPATHETIC)
I’m sure she weeps herself to sleep every night over that.
(LAUGHS)
ED:
(GETS VERY SERIOUS)
It goes without saying this stays private.
JENNY:
(SERIOUS, AGREEING)
Sure. What you said.
ED:
(SERIOUS LIKE A GRANDFATHER)
Here. Payment for your silence.
JENNY:
(SARDONIC, AMUSED)
A quarter? I can’t even inflate a tire for that.
ED:
(SLIGHTLY GRINNING)
It’s magic.
JENNY:
(DOUBTING, CONFUSED)
What, did you pull it from behind your ear?
ED:
(SWEARING ITS MAGIC, AMUSED)
I won fifty bucks on a scratch off with it.
JENNY:
(NOT TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY, WANTS TO SEE WHERE ED IS GOING)
Hate to burst your bubble. Your average quarter has only one winning ticket on it, at most.
ED:
(DARING HER)
Prove me wrong.
JENNY:
(SARDONIC)
If you find any unscratched tickets that don’t stink like trash, I’ll let you know.
Scene 3. EXT. Swamp forest at Twilight
SFX:
(Water laps, frog calls and insects chirp)
ED:
(CONFUSED)
Where’s the car?
JENNY:
(NERVOUS, TRYING TO CONTROL THE SITUATION)
Crud. We must have passed into it.
ED:
(CONFUSED, CURIOUS)
So the car is, what? Eaten?
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
No, it’s here. It’s just
(BEAT)
Hidden.
SFX:
(JENNY waves her arms around.)
ED:
(CONFUSED)
Why are you waving your arms like that?
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
It might still be here.
(PAUSE)
I don’t know. I guess that thing’s put on some power.
ED:
(SARDONIC FOR DEFENSE, SLIGHTLY SCARED)
As I’d expect after a good meal.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
There was nothing “good” about it.
(TO HUNGER)
Hey! Hey! Big one who’s doing all this! Aradia and I are here! Both of us. Don’t try anything! You hear me? Don’t try it!
SFX:
(ED begins walking away.)
JENNY:
(CONFUSED)
Where are you going?
ED:
(PLEASANT, WARY)
Exploring the swamp.
JENNY:
(NOPE, DENIED, DEMANDING)
Nuh uh. You stay with me.
ED:
(CONCERNED, WARY)
If we’re screwed, I’m learning everything I can. Like, it’s twilight now. When you picked me up, it was afternoon.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED, KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT THE NEW SITUATION)
It messes with everything. I don’t know. Don’t get too far from the car.
ED:
(CONCERNED, ENCOURAGING)
What car? C’mon. Stay with me, bodyguard.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED, ANNOYED)
Okay. Fine. We’re on the HUNGERcoaster until it ends. I hate this.
SFX:
(FALSE HANNAH and others walk nearby on dirt paths.)
ED:
(RELIEVED TO SEE OTHERS)
Oh good, people.
SFX:
(ED walks toward FALSE HANNAH. JENNY follows.)
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED, EXHAUSTED AT ED)
ED, c’mon. Don’t talk to them.
ED:
(TO FALSE HANNAH)
(POLITE, LOUD)
Hey! Excuse me.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
They’re not going to answer your questions. And don’t let them get close!
ED:
(TO FALSE HANNAH)
(CALM, FRIENDLY)
Pardon me. We’re a little lost in the swamp. You know where we are right now?
FALSE HANNAH:
(EDITOR’S NOTE: All FALSE people should record their dialog at half speed, and I’ll speed it to normal in post production)
Lusitania. Marblesticks.
ED:
(CONFUSED)
Okay.
FALSE HANNAH:
Don’t go in the shacks. Don’t go in the shacks.
ED:
(AGREEING, REASSURING)
All right.
FALSE HANNAH:
They grow the water lilies inside.
JENNY:
(WARNING ED)
We don’t go in the shacks, ED.
ED:
(CURIOUS, NERVOUS)
Is that where HUNGER eats us?
JENNY:
(THINKS, CERTAIN)
It can’t be. They’d be telling us to go there if it were.
FALSE HANNAH:
Don’t look at me like that.
ED:
(CONFUSED, NERVOUS)
Like what? I apologize.
FALSE HANNAH:
Don’t look at me like that!
SFX:
(FALSE HANNAH and others charge at JENNY and ED.)
JENNY:
(SCARED, HURRIED)
Run! That’s an order!
ED:
(RELENTING)
All right!
FALSE HANNAH:
Hell is. Hell is.
SFX:
(JENNY and ED are pursued on the dirt path by FALSE HANNAH and others.)
JENNY:
(PANTING, SCARED)
See anything in the woods?
ED:
(PANTING, NERVOUS)
Yeah. More of them.
JENNY:
(VERY SCRED)
Gods. If they catch us, they will mess us up.
FALSE HANNAH:
They spread! They cover the light! They cover you!
ED:
(NOTICING A SHACK)
Hey.
JENNY:
(SEES IT, SCARED)
No.
ED:
(EXCITED BUT SCARED)
Shack up there.
JENNY:
(NERVOUS, TIRED)
Uh uh.
ED:
(FRUSTRATED, SCARED)
So why can’t we go there?
JENNY:
(WINDED, BEATEN DOWN)
I don’t know.
ED:
(FRUSTRATED, SCARED)
They’re almost on us.
JENNY:
(SCARED, SARDONIC)
Okay. Aradia protect us.
SFX:
(ED and JENNY stop by a shack’s front door. ED bangs on the door. When there is no immediate response, ED kicks it open, and runs inside with JENNY.)
Scene 4. INT. Shack living room
SFX:
(Shack creaks. Water drips on wood floor. ED and JENNY shut the door. They barricade the door with random objects. They sit down, panting.)
ED:
(SURPRISED)
They weren’t kidding about the lilies.
JENNY:
(OVERWHELMED BY THE ABSURDITY OF LILIES EVERYWHERE)
How? They’re growing out of every book. The chairs. The tables. Like freakin’ mushrooms. Don’t they need, y’know, water?
ED:
(FASCINATED)
No idea.
(PAUSE, RELIEVED BUT WARY)
Our pursuers seem to be clearing out.
JENNY:
(PROTECTIVE, DEMANDING)
Hold my hand.
ED:
(I’M GOOD, THANKS)
I don’t need reassurance.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED THAT ED DOESN’T UNDERSTAND)
I’m protecting you, ED. Me and Aradia. She’s got power in here.
ED:
(EXPLORING THE CABIN, CURIOUS)
In a bit.
(PAUSE)
I want to check the lilies out.
SFX:
(Shack interior door opens.)
PHINNEY:
(TERRIFIED THEY WILL ANGER THE LILIES)
Don’t!
ED:
(DEFENSIVE FOR JENNY)
Who’re you?
PHINNEY:
(TERRIFIED THEY WILL ANGER THE LILIES)
PHINNEY. Don’t touch the lilies. You have to go.
JENNY:
(DEFENSIVE AT BEING SURPRISED)
Is this your house?
PHINNEY:
(TERRIFIED)
It was. I haven’t gone outside yet. You can’t stay.
ED:
(REASSURING)
There’s plenty of room here.
PHINNEY:
(TERRIFIED BUT CALMING)
The lilies don’t like it. They only let one person stay. One. And I don’t know why.
ED:
(REASSURING)
And you’re it.
PHINNEY:
(SCARED)
They’ll get rid of you. Go.
JENNY:
(MILDLY ACCUSATORY)
Why aren’t you going outside?
PHINNEY:
(SCARED)
I’m not leaving. I’m not going to the concert.
JENNY:
(OF COURSE, REALIZES A CONCERT IS LIKE A PARTY)
A concert? How do you know about this concert?
PHINNEY:
(SCARED)
There was a flyer. Everybody got one.
JENNY:
(MILDLY ACCUSATORY)
Who’s everybody?
PHINNEY:
(CALMING, MILDLY DEFENSIVE)
In the neighborhood. Before it became a swamp.
ED:
(REASSURING BUT CONFUSED)
How long have you lived here?
PHINNEY:
(DEEPLY FRUSTRATED)
I don’t know!
SFX:
(Deep breaths come from inside the shack.)
JENNY:
(SCARED)
Fiddlesticks.
PHINNEY:
(VERY NERVOUS AT THE LILIES)
That’s them.
JENNY:
(NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT’S HER NEXT STEP)
So where’s the concert?
PHINNEY:
(FRUSTRATED)
I don’t know. The flyer says, “When you’re ready.”
ED:
(SERIOUS)
I’m ready.
PHINNEY:
(THINKS ED IS JOKING)
It’s not funny.
JENNY:
(CURIOUS, AGGRAVATED)
What does that mean, being “ready?”
PHINNEY:
(VERY NERVOUS)
You don’t want to. I’ve seen it. Something with the lilies happens and then they’re not people.
JENNY:
(CURIOUS, AGGRAVATED)
Who’s not people?
PHINNEY:
(VERY NERVOUS)
You. You won’t be. You have to go. Maybe there’s another place you can hide in.
ED:
(DEAD SERIOUS)
No, they know where we are. Let me check the window.
(LOOKS OUT WINDOW, SEES NOTHING, IS SURPRISED)
Huh.
JENNY:
(CURIOUS)
Whatcha see?
ED:
(SHAKES HEAD, CURIOUS, NERVOUS)
Not a one of them. Doesn’t mean they aren’t out there.
PHINNEY:
(FRUSTRATED)
The lilies know about you now. They don’t care.
JENNY:
(TRYING TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY, CONFUSED)
They told us not to come in here.
PHINNEY:
(VERY FRUSTRATED, SCARED THE LILIES WILL TRY SOMETHING)
The lilies grow here. The Lily People want to protect them.
(LOW VOICE)
But the lilies go outside sometimes. The Lily People would have held you for them.
ED:
(SERIOUS)
The plants look stationary to me.
PHINNEY:
(VERY FRUSTRATED)
I’m begging you, please. Leave me alone here. You’re doomed. You can’t help that. Just stop putting me in danger and leave.
ED:
(CONFUSED, NEED CLARIFICATION)
What’s the danger? How about I rip these lilies out?
FALSE JENNY:
(MUFFLED, IN ANOTHER ROOM)
HUNGER wants us isolated. It wants us begging to be whole. Help me! I’m so smart! Help!
ED:
(CONFUSED, WORRIED ABOUT OTHER LILY PEOPLE)
What is that?
JENNY:
(DEADPAN, REALIZING)
It sounds like me.
PHINNEY:
(SERIOUS, SCARED)
It’s starting.
ED:
(DEFENSIVE, CURIOUS)
Who’s back there?
PHINNEY:
(FRUSTRATION RISING)
You don’t want to see. Leave!
ED:
(SERIOUS)
Actually I do.
SFX:
(ED walks to the side door.)
PHINNEY:
(SCARED, DESPERATE)
Go! Go!
JENNY:
(AGGRAVATED, DONE WITH THIS)
All right!
PHINNEY:
(SCARED, DESPERATE)
Leave! Get out!
JENNY:
(AGGRAVATED, DONE WITH THIS)
I’m going!
FALSE JENNY:
(MUFFLED, IN ANOTHER ROOM)
I have all the answers but I can’t move! It’s always about HUNGER! Help me!
SFX:
(JENNY clears the barricade.)
JENNY:
(AGGRAVATED, DONE WITH THIS)
Just clearing the barricade. Okay. C’mon ED. I’m gone.
PHINNEY:
(SCARED, VERY FRUSTRATED)
Leave me alone!
SFX:
(JENNY opens the door and walks outside.)
Scene 5. EXT. Swamp forest at twilight
SFX:
(Water laps, frog calls and insects chirp. Shack door slams shut.)
JENNY:
(LIGHTLY FRUSTRATED)
Nuts.
FALSE ED:
(OTHERWORLDLY, NOT RESPONDING DIRECTLY TO JENNY, SLOWLY)
Butter nuts.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
That answered a lot of nothing. How’re you doing?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SARDONIC, SERIOUS)
I’m the window to your soul, as always.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED AT NOT GETTING A STRAIGHT ANSWER)
Okay. Sure. What do you feel right now?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY WARM)
Tremendously correct. Very real.
JENNY:
(AGGRAVATED, WANTING AN ANSWER)
Good, because I’m seriously creeped out. We’re not sitting this one out anywhere.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY WARM)
Maybe a gazebo.
JENNY:
(DOESN’T UNDERSTAND, WHATEVER DUDE)
Sure.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY WARM)
They’re really funny.
JENNY:
(REALIZES SHE NEEDS TO FOCUS ON GETTING TO THE CONCERT)
They can be. Wait. Give me a second.
SFX:
(JENNY and FALSE ED stop walking.)
JENNY:
(CURIOUS)
So what gets us ready for the concert?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY WARM AND DISTANT)
Garlic barbecue sauce in a Christening pool.
JENNY:
(SLIGHTLY CREEPED OUT)
You feeling okay?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY DISTANT, GRINNING)
Better than you.
JENNY:
(CREEPED OUT)
You seem awfully sure.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
I know who I am.
JENNY:
(CREEPED OUT, THINKING ABOUT EPISODE 2)
Yeah. So, last time, I should have made a beeline for the rec center. You think I should climb a tree to see where the concert is?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
Whittle whittle. Whittle whittle.
JENNY:
(REALIZING)
You don’t sound right. You know that?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY WARM)
Look who’s talking, butter knife.
JENNY:
(PAUSE, CREEPED OUT)
What’s my name?
FALSE ED:
(SPEECH TURNS INTO SPEEDED-UP SLOW SPEECH)
Jen. Nee.
JENNY:
(CREEPED OUT, AFRAID OF ED’S RESPONSE)
What was I doing a couple days ago on my stream?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SARDONIC)
Looking for attention. From pissants.
JENNY:
(CREEPED OUT, NERVOUS)
Not wrong. How many fingers am I holding up?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SARDONIC)
The sun on a frosty morning. Enough.
JENNY:
(SCARED)
What did you do with ED?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY WARM)
I’m your friend.
JENNY:
(SERIOUS)
We both know that’s not true.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
You pissed yourself in fourth grade. They put it in the school paper.
JENNY:
(CREEPED OUT, SERIOUS)
That is also not true. Tell me how much you liked your babysitter.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
You wanted me here.
JENNY:
(FEARING THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION)
Are you HUNGER?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
I am the only one of us who makes sense.
JENNY:
(CREEPED OUT, SERIOUS)
Tell me I’m talking to you, HUNGER.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
You only wish, JENNY. Maybe I’m HUNGER’s secretary. Maybe I’m the first of the new people of this planet. Whichever it is, you’re only talking to me.
JENNY:
(CREEPED OUT, SERIOUS)
I want an audience with HUNGER.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
I want eggs.
JENNY:
(LESS CREEPED, SERIOUS)
Where is HUNGER?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
What if you can’t ever speak to HUNGER? What if you brought me here for nothing? What if the gods don’t give a wet fart about you?
JENNY:
(DONE WITH THIS, SARDONIC)
Goodbye, Fake ED.
SFX:
(JENNY walks away. FALSE ED follows.)
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
You really want me gone?
JENNY:
(TO HERSELF, THROUGH HER TEETH)
I’m not talking to it. Whatever it is.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
There’s no one else.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
Gotta find the concert.
(SEES FALSE HANNAH)
Oh crap.
FALSE HANNAH:
I told you not to go in.
JENNY:
(DEFENSIVE)
Stay back.
FALSE HANNAH:
(LAUGHS)
And you did.
JENNY:
(REALIZES FALSE HANNAH MUST KNOW SOMETHING)
I’m going to run. Wait. Where’s the concert?
FALSE HANNAH:
Butterflies. Softly mounted.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
Where is the concert?
FALSE HANNAH:
Say it right.
JENNY:
(CONFUSED, FRUSTRATED)
How should I say it?
FALSE HANNAH:
Say it like you don’t exist.
JENNY:
(THINKS, LISTING THINGS THAT COME TO HER MIND, SERIOUS)
Okay. Stage. Sound system. Mics.
FALSE HANNAH:
You don’t exist.
JENNY:
(TRYING NOT TO GET RATTLED, SERIOUS)
Cheap beer. Water bottles. Seats everywhere like scales on a fish.
FALSE HANNAH:
You don’t exist.
JENNY:
(TRYING NOT TO GET RATTLED)
Rock. Pop. Rave.
FALSE HANNAH:
You. Don’t. Exist.
(PAUSE)
You’re ready.
JENNY:
(RELIEVED)
Let’s go to the show.
FALSE HANNAH:
For the lilies. The lily winds.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
Ready to be nothing at all?
JENNY:
(SERIOUS, OFFENDED)
Absolutely not…
SFX:
(Wind blows hard, rushes.)
JENNY:
(LOSES ALL ABILITY TO COMPREHEND OR THINK IN LANGUAGE)
Huh huh HUH huh huh. Huh huh HUH huh huh.
SFX:
(Wind subsides)
JENNY:
(WEAKLY, TRYING TO SPEAK UP BUT LACKS ENERGY)
Huh. Not. The. The. Winds. The winds. What did. What did you take from me?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
Never spend a dollar when ten will do.
SFX:
(Subtle wind blows)
JENNY:
(SO VERY WEAK, SPEAKS LOW, MONOTONE)
Where did I go. I can’t touch the ground. I can’t touch. Anything. Move. Move, darn it. There has to be enough of me left to eat.
SFX:
(Subtle wind blows a little stronger, JENNY pants from the effort.)
JENNY:
(WEAK BUT SLIGHTLY RELIEVED)
Uh. Okay. I can move a little. Float a bit. Okay.
SFX:
(Subtle wind blows)
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
Was it everything you’d hoped for?
JENNY:
(WEAK, TRYING TO GET ENOUGH ENERGY TO BREAK MONOTONE)
I’m an astronaut in my own world. I want to punch you.
FALSE ED:
(LAUGHS, STRANGELY GRINNING)
I can call you an old trash basket tranny. And you can’t do anything about it.
JENNY:
(WEAK BUT GAINING SOME ENERGY TO HER VOICE)
You can’t hurt me. Dropping right-wing dog whistles like I care. We don’t say them in our communities. You’ll have to do better than that.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
You’re a missing stair elder passed her prime who will die untouched in a nursing home. Without insurance. Without estrogen to keep the wrinkles away and the hair on your head.
JENNY:
(WEAKLY, A LITTLE STRONGER)
You know what you are? You’re negative repetition. You’re supposed to grind me down until I want to get eaten. Well, listen, buster. I’ve been on self-destructive spirals decades before your creator ate its first Mammon and I
(BEAT)
Won’t be beaten by it.
SFX:
(Quiet swamp ambiance)
JENNY:
(WEAK, CURIOUS)
Where’s everybody?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
Just you and me.
(THINKS)
You’ve done this before, huh.
JENNY:
(WEAK, AFRAID OF HIM)
I don’t know what you mean.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
You’ve been to the show before.
JENNY:
(WEAK, REALIZING SHE COULD GET IN THIS WAY)
Yeah. I want to go again.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
No. Let’s just sit here. You and I. While everyone else goes to the concert.
JENNY:
(WEAK, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT FALSE ED)
Even the real ED?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS, TWISTING THE KNIFE)
Everyone but you.
JENNY:
(WEAK, DEFIANT)
I can’t move fast. But I can try.
SFX:
(Soft wind blows.)
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
You’ll never make it without me.
JENNY:
(WEAK, PANTS, FRUSTRATED)
I had to try.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
So it’s only us.
JENNY:
(WEAK, DEFIANT)
I’ll get away.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SOFT)
Only us. Listen to the frogs.
SFX:
(Swamp ambiance. Frogs creak. Footsteps on a dirt path approach.)
JENNY:
(VERY SURPRISED TO SEE ANNETTE)
Oh my gosh.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, CONFUSED)
ED? What on earth brought you here?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
You’ve never wanted the help, ANNETTE. The sailor enjoys drowning. The miner embraces the tunnel’s collapse.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, INTERROGATING)
Where do you live, ED?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
Serpentine instructions in the void.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, CURIOUS)
Fascinating. So you only look like ED.
JENNY:
(DESPERATE)
ANNETTE, can you hear me? I’m right here. I’m here.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, CURIOUS)
Did you bring anyone else with you, ED? Is there a fake JENNY too?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
She always was.
JENNY:
(DESPERATE)
Hey! ANNETTE! Hey!
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, CURIOUS)
So you’re by yourself. Interesting. Is this some kind of test?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
I’m waiting for the last act of the concert. No encores for the lilies.
JENNY:
(DESPERATE)
Fake ED. Tell her something for me.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
No.
JENNY:
(DESPERATE)
Tell her, don’t go in the shacks.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
Don’t go in the shacks.
JENNY:
(WARMING AT HEARING HIM REPEAT HER, LESS DESPERATE)
Don’t anger the lilies.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
Don’t anger the lilies.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, ACKNOWLEDGING)
That’s riveting to hear. I won’t go in the shacks or anger the lilies.
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Tell her to get out of here.
FALSE ED:
(CHUCKLES)
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
Tell her to leave.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
Leave.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, QUIZZICAL, SUSPICIOUS)
Are you talking with someone?
JENNY:
(DESPERATE)
Yes! Yes.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
Yes.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, FASCINATED)
Is it JENNY?
JENNY:
(RELIEVED)
Yes!
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
You’re not ready for the concert.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, CALLING HIM OUT)
That’s not what I asked.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
You’re not ready for the concert.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, POLITE)
Can you give her a message?
JENNY:
(ANNOYED)
I’m right here.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
No.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, WARMLY)
Tell her, thank you. I can take it from here.
JENNY:
(ANGRY)
No!
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CRYPTIC)
There is no JENNY.
ANNETTE:
(TO HUNGER, MATTER OF FACT, INTERROGATING)
Excuse me, boss? Whoever’s running this illusion?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
JENNY is a toothless saw. The wood bites her.
ANNETTE:
(TO HUNGER, MATTER OF FACT, DEMANDING)
Okay, where are all the people? The real people. Not these constructs. HUNGER god? You haven’t fed yet. You’re keeping them somewhere. Whatever you’ve got,
(PAUSE)
I don’t care. Nom them up. Delicious. But. Is this really all you want? I can take you to much larger, unguarded places. Why are you wasting your time on little towns like this? I bet you could fit a small unprotected city in there, couldn’t you?
JENNY:
(DESPERATE)
Fake ED. Stop her.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
She can talk.
JENNY:
(DESPERATE)
Fake ED. She’s going to take your god away. She’s going to leave you with nothing. You heard her.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS)
She speaks to air.
JENNY:
(DESPERATE, KNIFE-TWISTING)
They’ll go to a better town with a better concert. And it’ll be you and me here forever. Is this what you want?
SFX:
(FALSE ED takes a step toward ANNETTE.)
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SERIOUS, CHILD-LIKE THREATENING)
ANNETTE. You will not take our boss.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, LIKE SHE’S BEEN INSULTED)
I wouldn’t dream of it.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY DESPERATE)
Our god stays.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, SARDONIC)
Probably not after it gets its meal.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY DESPERATE)
You will not make our god abandon us.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, SERIOUS)
JENNY told you that, didn’t she? She’s poisoning you against me.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY DESPERATE)
You said our god is wasting time here.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, EYEBROWS RAISED)
It could be doing a lot better.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY DESPERATE)
You want to take our god.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, COMMANDING)
Why do you believe her? I want the concert. The opening act. The coda. Everything you want. JENNY is lying to you. You have to know that.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
I wouldn’t. You heard her.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, COMMANDING)
Why don’t you take her into a shack?
JENNY:
(QUIET, SCARED)
No.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, ANNOYED)
She’s annoying your god. She wants to destroy it. Get her out of here so the adults can talk.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY AGREEING)
JENNY lies. A lot. It’s true.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, COMMANDING)
See, there you are. Off you go.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
Please. Stop ANNETTE.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY DISTANT)
Time to go.
SFX:
(ED walks away on the dirt path. POV follows.)
JENNY:
(NEAR TO PLEADING)
Go back. You have to stop her.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY DISMISSIVE)
We can wait in a shack.
JENNY:
(WEAK, FRUSTRATED)
You’ll anger the lilies.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
Not me. You.
ANNETTE:
(SMUG)
Bye ED! JENNY!
(TO HUNGER)
Hey, boss running this illusion?
SFX:
(HUNGER rumbles.)
HUNGER:
(IN DISTANCE)
Ah. Net. Let’s talk.
ANNETTE:
(IN DISTANCE, GLOWING)
Lovely.
SFX:
(Sharp blast of wind in the distance.)
JENNY:
(WEAK, DETERMINED)
Fake ED, I’ve changed my mind. Your god doesn’t want me at the concert? I want to go. I will not give you a moment’s peace until you take me there.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
No. We will sit in the shack. By the lilies. And they will be angry. And then you will be less. And less. Until you are no more.
JENNY:
(WEAK, FRUSTRATED)
Well that’s not fair.
(PAUSE, DELIVERED STRAIGHT)
I’m just as edible as anyone.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
No. You end here.
JENNY:
(PAUSE, TO ARADIA, DETERMINED)
Okay, Aradia. I need you onboard with this. I haven’t learned a darned thing about HUNGER. Last time, it was all about community, right? Unity through queerbashing. This time it’s splitting everyone apart. It’s beating us down through isolation. I want it to stop. And I don’t know if you do. So here’s something to think about. Will HUNGER still be your child after ANNETTE is done with it?
(PAUSE)
I don’t know how much you’re protecting me. If you’re doing anything at all. If you’re not, this is one heck of a ride, isn’t it? You like seeing it wipe me away, bit by bit? HUNGER’s getting stronger. It’s going to make things worse for everybody, the longer you let it run wild. Do you really want to destroy the world?
(PAUSE)
Then start with me. Leave me in the shack. Let’s sit together until the lilies whittle us into nothing. What do you say?
SFX:
(Winds lightly blow.)
JENNY:
(BREATHES, ALMOST CHUCKLING)
You don’t like that, huh? Why? Are you afraid you’ll reveal too much about yourself if you say something? You want to hold onto that mystery you’ve kept every time you show up here?
(PAUSE)
It’s too late. When push comes to shove, you want to exist. I bet it skeeves you something fierce when you gotta go.
(PAUSE)
So here’s your choice. You get us to the concert or wait for our annihilation. What do you say?
SFX:
(FALSE ED stops walking. He opens the shack door.)
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
We’re here. Come inside. Help the lilies grow.
Scene 6. INT. Shack living room
SFX:
(Shack creaks. Water drips on wood floor. Deep breaths echo from walls. FALSE ED walks inside and closes the door.)
JENNY:
(WEAK, GRINNING, TRYING TO EGG FALSE ED ON)
You know that water lilies are awful for the plant life under them? They spread out as much as they can. Get all that sunlight. Smother the plants under them. Isn’t that a hoot?
SFX:
(FALSE ED sits on the floor.)
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
Isn’t this nice?
JENNY:
(WEAK, EGGING FALSE ED ON)
Why are you with me, Fake ED? Does everyone get one of you?
(PAUSE)
You know I’ll get my body back someday. And when I do, you’re toast.
FALSE ED:
(WHISTLES)
JENNY:
(WEAK, TEASING FALSE ED)
How do you know you’re not in danger from the lilies, too?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
To them, you’re the only one here.
JENNY:
(CHUCKLES, AMUSED)
Hon, it’s not only me. I’ve got a roommate who hates being ignored. And your whole schtick, disparaging me? Talking like you know whatever ED knows? You don’t. Clearly. You’re spitting horoscope nonsense. The magic’s lost when the audience can see through the trick. Who cares for you? You’re nothing but a.
FALSE ED:
(INTERRUPTS, STRANGELY CALM)
We’re staying right here.
SFX:
(Small flapping sounds around the room. Deep breaths are louder.)
JENNY:
(RESIGNED)
Not again.
SFX:
(Wind blows hard, rushes.)
JENNY:
(LOSES ALL ABILITY TO COMPREHEND OR THINK IN LANGUAGE)
Huh huh HUH huh huh. Huh huh HUH huh huh.
SFX:
(Wind subsides)
JENNY:
(WEAKLY, DETERMINED)
I’m still here.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
I know. For now.
JENNY:
(PAUSE, SERIOUS)
Okay, Aradia. Get us out of this.
(PAUSE, WEAKLY, LOW)
Help.
FALSE ED:
(CHUCKLES, STRANGELY RIDICULING HER)
Help.
JENNY:
(WEAK, ALMOST BEGGING)
Help.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
Help.
JENNY:
(LOUDER, DETERMINED)
Help.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
No help.
SFX:
(Footsteps behind an interior door.)
JENNY:
(WEAK, GRINNING ON HEARING HELP ARRIVE)
You know as well as I do, I didn’t come alone.
SFX:
(Interior door opens.)
JENNY:
(WEAK, RELIEVED TO SEE HER FALSE SELF)
And it’s me!
FALSE JENNY:
(STRANGELY ANGRY)
(NOTE: FALSE JENNY IS STRANGELY EXUBERANT TO REFLECT HER SUPERVILLAINESS SELF, WHILE FALSE ED IS STRANGELY CALM TO REFLECT HIS SERIOUSNESS)
Only one in the shack.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
Only one soon.
JENNY:
(WEAK, HAPPY THAT REAL ED IS PROBABLY HERE)
Hey, fake JENNY. Okay, if I get a fake ED.
(THINKS)
Hey, fake ED. JENNY’s here. JENNY’s here.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
JENNY’s here. But not for long.
FALSE JENNY:
(STRANGELY MANIACALLY GRINNING)
ED’s here. Looking for you. We should see the concert soon.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
No concert for JENNY. JENNY stays until JENNY’s gone.
FALSE JENNY:
(SNICKERS, STRANGELY MANIACAL)
Why another ED? Why not?
JENNY:
(WEAK, ENCOURAGING)
Why another JENNY? Say it. Please.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
Why another JENNY?
FALSE ED and FALSE JENNY:
(TOGETHER, SERIOUS)
Hell is other people.
JENNY:
(PAUSE, JOY FROM REALIZING WHAT’S HAPPENING)
You’re isolating us out and poisoning who we can speak to. You cage us like we’re under the lilies.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
Come sit with me.
FALSE JENNY:
(STRANGELY EXUBERANT)
You have to go.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
Come and sit.
JENNY:
(WEAK BUT GETTING ENERGIZED ON REALIZING WHAT REAL ED IS TRYING TO DO THROUGH FALSE JENNY)
Ah, ED. You’re trying to get them to fight. Noble. I’m not sure they’re down for it. But good try.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
Yes, good try.
FALSE JENNY:
(STRANGELY EVIL)
ED knows JENNY’s there.
JENNY:
(WEAK, MOMENT OF EUREKA)
I know. I know. You’re there too. You gave me a quarter.
(PAUSE)
Wait a second. I can feel my pocket. I can feel two fingers. I can reach in. Yes!
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CONCERNED)
JENNY should have no body.
JENNY:
(STRONGER, EXCITED)
Ha! Who’s got two fingers and ED’s quarter? And you know what you do with quarters? You’re looking a lot like a ticket now.
SFX:
(Quarter scratches the air.)
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SCARED)
Ah! My chest. A hole in my chest.
SFX:
(Quarter scratches the air.)
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SCARED)
My hand!
FALSE JENNY:
(STRANGELY EXUBERANT, SCARED)
How? How?
JENNY:
(STRONGER, EXCITED)
Fake ED. You take me to the concert or I will scratch you into nothing. And then Fake JENNY can take me.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY THREATENING)
I will take your quarter.
JENNY:
(EXCITED, KNIFE-TWISTING)
Let’s see you try. I don’t have a body. You want to take me on? Give me it back.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY RESIGNED)
I cannot.
JENNY:
(EXCITED, KNIFE-TWISTING)
Then I’m going to the concert. Up to you if you want to tag along.
FALSE ED:
(PAUSE, STRANGELY RESIGNED)
The boss will not be happy.
JENNY:
(OVERJOYED, RUBBING IT IN)
That’s how it is.
(BEAT)
Let me check something.
SFX:
(Quarter scratches the air.)
FALSE JENNY:
(STRANGELY GRINNING)
Tickles.
JENNY:
(DEJECTED, THEN ENCOURAGING, SMUG)
That was worth a shot. Let’s go. Up and at ‘em.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY RESIGNED)
This door will take us.
SFX:
(FALSE ED and FALSE JENNY walk to the door and open it.)
Scene 7. EXT. Concert stadium
SFX:
(Soft crowd ambiance. FALSE ED and FALSE JENNY step inside onto a concrete floor.)
JENNY:
(AMAZED AT THE SHEER SIZE OF THIS SPACE)
Whoa. An actual stadium. Huge! I wish it wasn’t so dark here.
(PAUSE)
Oh, that’s not a pillar in the center. That’s a stem. The whole stadium’s covered by a water lily.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY GRUMBLY, ANNOYED)
The show starts soon. The boss is on the stage.
JENNY:
(FASCINATED, REALIZING)
It’s the pit. That’s a real pit. With teeth. HUNGER wants everyone to rush the stage.
FALSE JENNY:
(STRANGELY EXCITED)
JENNY. ANNETTE’s on stage.
JENNY:
(EXCITED, CHEERING REAL ED ON)
Good eyes. Let’s go.
SFX:
(FALSE ED and FALSE JENNY walk and then stop.)
FALSE HANNAH:
Hello.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
Hello.
FALSE HANNAH:
Why are you here?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY DEJECTED)
She took my chest. She took my hand. See?
FALSE HANNAH:
You brought JENNY.
FALSE JENNY:
(STRANGELY EXCITED)
And ED.
FALSE HANNAH:
I will take you back.
FALSE PHINNEY:
(STRANGELY CALM)
I will help too.
JENNY:
(SURPRISED, SAD)
Oh no. PHINNEY. They got you too. Or whoever Fake PHINNEY’s with.
FALSE PHINNEY:
(STRANGELY COMMANDING)
Return to the shack. Go.
FALSE HANNAH:
No ticket for JENNY. No seats.
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT, STRONGER)
Hey. Fake ED. Whoever’s there with the fakers. Tell them, I’m real.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
I’m real.
JENNY:
(REASSURING)
I know you are too.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM, GETTING WARMER)
I know you are too.
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT, ICY)
The concert lies.
FALSE ED:
(PAUSE, STRANGELY CALM)
The concert lies.
JENNY:
(REASSURING)
Let’s leave together.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY REASSURING)
Let’s leave together.
JENNY:
(PAUSE, REASSURING)
I’m real.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY REASSURING)
I’m real.
FALSE HANNAH:
(FEELING THE WORDS OUT)
I’m real.
FALSE PHINNEY:
(STRANGELY CALM)
I’m real.
JENNY:
(CALM, REASSURING)
I know you are too.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
I know.
FALSE HANNAH:
You are too.
FALSE PHINNEY:
(STRANGELY CALM)
You are too.
JENNY:
(CALM, REASSURING)
The concert.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
The concert lies.
FALSE HANNAH:
It lies.
FALSE PHINNEY:
(STRANGELY CALM)
All this is a lie.
JENNY, FALSE ED, FALSE HANNAH, and FALSE PHINNEY:
(TOGETHER)
Let’s leave together.
SFX:
(FALSE HANNAH and FALSE PHINNEY walk away.)
JENNY:
(FLOORED THAT THAT WORKED, HAPPY)
They heard me.
(PAUSE)
And they’re outta here. Right for the exits.
FALSE JENNY:
(STRANGELY EXCITED)
No. You want to stop the concert, JENNY.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
The seed is planted. The concert will fall.
FALSE HANNAH, FALSE PHINNEY, and OTHERS
(IN DISTANCE, NUMBER OF VOICES GROWS)
I’m real. I know you are too. The concert lies. Let’s leave together. (REPEATS)
JENNY:
(EXCITED)
Get me on stage, Fake ED.
SFX:
(FALSE ED and FALSE JENNY approach the stage.)
ANNETTE:
(IN DISTANCE, GROWS LOUDER AS FALSE ED AND FALSE JENNY APPROACH)
(MATTER OF FACT, CONVINCING)
It’s true, but hunting’s still good if you stay within the system. I can help you avoid all the cities protected by cabals so you don’t, deifically speaking, get your butt handed to you. Heck, you’d be doing us a favor if you ate some places. We need to head you down South. Millions want to be eaten if we dress you up right. You want a tour?
(PAUSE, LISTENS TO THE OTHERS CHANT IN THE BACKGROUND)
Oh, look at this. Your dinner’s getting away. Do you need some help with that?
HUNGER:
(GROWLS)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, CURIOUS)
If they don’t want to be eaten, that’s a problem. Can you change the criteria for being eaten? Put your mouth on the exits?
HUNGER:
(GROWLS)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, EVIL GRIN, ENCOURAGING)
I bet I can teach you how.
JENNY:
(ANGRY)
Fake ED, tell her she’s done.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
ANNETTE. You’re done.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, CURIOUS)
I told you to get lost. What happened to your chest?
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY CALM)
JENNY won the lottery.
JENNY:
(EXCITED, PROUD)
Let’s give her a demonstration.
SFX:
(Quarter scratches the air.)
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SCARED)
My arm!
SFX:
(Quarter scratches the air, but rips wildly.)
JENNY:
(SURPRISED THAT SHE ERASED PART OF THE STAGE)
Whoops.
ANNETTE:
(BREAKS HER COOL DEMEANOR, GENUINELY NERVOUS)
The stage. That scratch wiped a hole in the stage.
JENNY:
(CONFIDENT, BRIGHT)
I’m feeling good. Must be everyone telling off HUNGER. Let’s get some light in the stadium. How about I scratch off the giant lily?
SFX:
(Quarter scratches the air, rumbles.)
JENNY:
(SATISFIED, GLOWING, HAPPY AT WHAT SHE DID)
Moonlight.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, SLIGHTLY NERVOUS)
Stop her. ED. Stop her.
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY NERVOUS)
I can’t. She has no body.
JENNY:
(GRINNING, KNIFE-TWISTING)
HUNGER, get out of here. I’m taking your illusions down.
HUNGER:
No.
JENNY:
(GRINNING, KNIFE-TWISTING)
Aradia says otherwise.
SFX:
(Deep scratches turn to rushing winds. Chanting dies away.)
FALSE ED:
(STRANGELY SCARED)
No.
FALSE JENNY:
(STRANGELY SCARED)
No.
SFX:
(All are interrupted by the final scratch.)
JENNY:
(GRINNING LIKE SHE WON A MARATHON)
Hi, ANNETTE.
ED:
(RELIEVED AT HAVING A BODY AGAIN)
You did it. How? Are you okay?
JENNY:
(ENERGIZED BUT EXHAUSTED FROM EVERYTHING)
No, I am not okay. You get it now?
ED:
(FRAZZLED)
Yeah. I do.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, REGAINING COMPOSURE)
JENNY. ED. Well, now I know what you can do.
ED:
(REALIZING JENNY USED HIS QUARTER, GRINNING)
My quarter, right?
JENNY:
(BEAMING)
Yup, right.
(CANNOT FIND QUARTER, ANNOYED)
Where the heck is it?
ED:
(CONCERNED)
Did you drop it?
JENNY:
(DISAPPOINTED)
No. It’s gone.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, COMPOSED)
Scratched itself from existence, probably. Good luck trying that again.
HUNGER:
(GROWLS)
I hate you.
JENNY:
(COMMANDING)
HUNGER, whatever you need, you do not get it this way. Ever again.
ED:
(GRINNING)
Starve, HUNGER.
JENNY:
(SNIDE)
I don’t think its mom approves of that.
(GRINNING)
But I bet she knows that not every hunt gets you fed.
HUNGER:
(GRUMBLES)
Goodbye.
ANNETTE:
(HIGHLY ANNOYED)
Boss?
(PAUSE)
It’s gone. And you made me look like a fool.
ED:
(BEAMING)
That doesn’t take much.
JENNY:
(STANDING UP TO ANNETTE, HER ENEMY)
I tried to save you, ANNETTE. I made the Fake ED tell you about the shacks.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I appreciated the help.
JENNY:
(ICY, ANGRY)
Now get out of here. You tried to get me killed.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, COMPOSED)
I would never hurt you. And I am frankly insulted that you would think I could ever be malicious to you. I care about you. I knew HUNGER couldn’t hurt you. You are the thorn in my side but I still love you.
(PAUSE)
ED, I would have you killed.
ED:
(SERIOUS)
Shame my crew knows where your crew works.
JENNY:
(ICY, ANGRY)
Leave. Now. I can’t stop you. But I do not love you.
ANNETTE:
(SOFTLY, GOADING)
Now who’s lying.
JENNY:
(ICY, ANGRY)
I just freed this town from a massacre. You want more blood on your hands, you do it outside my jurisdiction. Understand?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Clearly.
(TO ED)
ED.
ED:
(DEAD SERIOUS)
Walk away. Now.
SFX:
(ANNETTE walks away. JENNY drops to the ground.)
ED:
(REASSURING)
Hey!
JENNY:
(TEARS UP, EXHAUSTED)
Hi. I’m tired. I’m just so tired.
ED:
(REASSURING)
Same. It’s okay.
JENNY:
(LETS ALL HER FRUSTRATION OUT)
This thing eats at you, you know?
ED:
(GENTLY REASSURING)
I got you.
SFX:
(ED sits on the ground next to her.)
ED:
(GENTLY REASSURING)
I got you.
JENNY:
(LETS HERSELF BE COMFORTED)
Thank you.
SFX:
(They embrace.)
JENNY:
(CHUCKLING AT THE ABSURDITY OF FEELING HUNGRY NOW)
Now I’m hungry.
ED:
(GENTLY REASSURING)
I’ll treat you to dinner.
SFX:
(Phone beeps as JENNY unlocks it.)
JENNY:
(ANNOYED)
HUNGER’s going to want a bigger meal next time.
ED:
(CURIOUS)
You know where it’s going next?
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT)
She’ll tell me.
SFX:
(Phone chirps music as JENNY taps on it.)
JENNY:
(UNSURPRISED, IT’S KINDA FUNNY)
Seattle.
ED:
(LAUGHS, WOW, THE DUKE IS GOING TO RAIN THE SMACK DOWN ON HUNGER)
It’s doomed.
JENNY:
(NOT CONVINCED)
We don’t know that.
ED:
(IT’S FUNNY HOW BADLY HUNGER WILL HAVE IT COMING)
It’s doomed. It’s so doomed.
(CHUCKLES)
You don’t mess with the big cities. HUNGER’s a goner.
Scene 8. END CREDITS