In this episode, Jenny and Ed ally with Annette to break into Roxdale’s Vault again, this time with Aradia’s help.
Transcript
Brittle Tourniquet, Episode 7
by Alicia E. Goranson
Scene 1. Introduction Theme
Scene 2. EXT. Public Park, sunny day, 2016
SFX:
(Protesters shout as JENNY and ANNETTE walk by)
MUSIC:
(Trans folk music)
PROTESTERS:
Trans rights are human rights! Love trumps hate!
(REPEAT)
JENNY:
(DRIPPING WITH GLEEFUL SARCASM)
Oh heavens. Aren’t they the cutest things?
ANNETTE:
(BEAMING WITH MATTER OF FACT SARCASM)
I wish them the very best.
JENNY:
(GLEEFUL, BEAMING AT ANNETTE)
I wouldn’t be caught dead living in a commune on rice and beans.
ANNETTE:
(SYMPATHIZING)
Uh huh.
JENNY:
(INDIGNANT, HAVING FUN BEING EVIL)
Wasting my hours shouting on a street corner. Beans are not my world. Cracking glass ceilings? Sign me up.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Literally, I assume?
JENNY:
(LAUGHS)
Sometimes.
ANNETTE:
(BEAMING AT JENNY)
It’s always a blast when I’m with you.
JENNY:
(SCHMALTZY)
Aw!
ANNETTE:
(REGRETFUL)
I just wish I could smite your enemies.
JENNY:
(INQUISITIVE)
Who were you thinking of?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Larry.
JENNY:
(JENNY’S BOSS, JENNY CAN’T STAND HIM)
Oh gods. Larry.
ANNETTE:
(ICY)
Does he still want to go out with you?
JENNY:
(ANNOYED)
Yes.
ANNETTE:
(SEETHING)
Despite being your boss.
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT)
He knows not to push it.
ANNETTE:
(SYMPATHETIC)
Hon. This is why I contract. I’m serious. They think they can take advantage of you.
JENNY:
(SHE’S HANDLING THIS, IT’S OKAY ANNETTE)
So I’m feeding intel to this guy, CLYDE. He’s in another department, but you know. He could be a player. He might take over for Larry.
ANNETTE:
(SYMPATHETIC)
Mmm hmmm. Unless you’re caught.
JENNY:
(TRYING TO BE REASSURING BUT WORRIED)
I’m careful.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
It doesn’t matter. You’re trans. Doesn’t matter how much the cabal needs you – you’ll be the first to go.
JENNY:
(HANDLING THE SITUATION, CONFIDENT)
I know. And if Larry tries anything, I am ready to take it to the Big Guy himself.
ANNETTE:
(GENTLY INQUISITIVE)
Sure, but how’s your parachute?
JENNY:
(DOESN’T WANT TO GO THERE)
Don’t start.
ANNETTE:
(SYMPATHETIC)
I know it feels good to live well. I never want to go without some New York bagels for breakfast. But you have to be ready for when this ends.
JENNY:
(CONFIDENT)
I am. They can take my rights. But they’re not touching my checkbook. Because they know if they start taking rich people’s money, it’s a free for all. It’s over. The economy? It’s done. Socialists take money. Capitalists? It’s sacred.
ANNETTE:
(ANNOYED)
It’s still a hassle to move countries if it comes to that.
JENNY:
(ALSO ANNOYED)
I know. I’ve thought about it. Especially since they’re putting The Apprentice in charge. Believe me.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
It’s how the right will win the social war. Just seize the political scene and wait for the liberals to do nothing.
JENNY:
(ANNOYED)
Right, like my office will send me a card if I get dragged off by the state. But visit me in prison? Uh uh.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, REASSURING)
Prisoners are an American caste. But you have cash. It moves. Follow it wherever it goes.
JENNY:
(CONFIDENT)
Right. That’s my point. You and I are the real influencers. Not the idiots on the phones. You want a raid or a transport? That’s us. If I stand with those protesters? It becomes all about me. No one will care what they’re talking about. Just “JENNY Bitters makes a stupid public appearance on social media.” I’m not helpful to the cause. It becomes all about me.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Exactly.
Scene 3. INT. Dank hidden room from previous episode, present
SFX:
(Loud phone alarm, followed by silence)
ANNETTE:
(ANNOYED, MATTER OF FACT)
Well, that didn’t wake him.
JENNY:
(EXASPERATED)
How much did you give him?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Enough to take you out for hours.
JENNY:
(SEETHING, BUT UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS HOW ANNETTE OPERATES)
I should slap you again.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Aradia was a liability.
JENNY:
(EXASPERATED)
Was?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
HUNGER is off the leash in ROXDALE’s hands. It is the priority now.
JENNY:
(EXASPERATED)
And this didn’t occur to you while you were training it?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I did the best with the time I had.
ED:
(GRUNTS, STIRS)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, SMUG)
See? He’s okay. You would have been fine.
JENNY:
(REASSURING)
ED. Hey.
ED:
(GROGGY GRUNTS)
ANNETTE:
(RASSURING)
Give him a minute.
JENNY:
(PAUSE, SEETHING)
How can you work with HUNGER?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Same reason you work with Aradia.
JENNY:
(EXASPERATED)
I don’t have a choice.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
And we don’t with HUNGER. Especially as a toy for the rich. We left a HUNGER-free world weeks ago. You’ve done nothing but piss it off and look where we are now.
JENNY:
(EXASPERATED, SARDONIC)
My experience with it is slightly different than yours.
ANNETTE:
(SLIGHTLY PISSED OFF)
We lost our chance to keep it properly under control. Because of you.
JENNY:
(EXASPERATED, FRUSTRATED)
I don’t care. It’s an abuser. You can’t civilize it any more than being President civilized the Apprentice.
ANNETTE:
(MORE PISSED OFF)
How would you know? We have people worse than it in power. And they leave a trail of people like you in their wake. That’s the business. And HUNGER can’t shut up about you. You’re always on its mind. Does that help?
JENNY:
(SEETHING)
I’m going to kill it. And you are going to assist.
ANNETTE:
(INTERRUPTS, PISSED OFF)
How? I spent a month with that godling trying to figure out how. And I don’t think Aradia would let you.
JENNY:
(GRINNING)
She can stop me anytime.
ANNETTE:
(PISSED OFF)
And she has.
ED:
(GROANS, WEARY)
Hey, kiddos. You want to turn it down a bit for Uncle ED?
JENNY:
(REASSURING)
Oh gosh. Hey. Things are bad.
ED:
(WEARY)
Tell me about it.
(SEES ANNETTE, ICY)
What’s she doing here?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, COMPOSED)
I want what you want.
JENNY:
(EXASPERATED)
I stopped HUNGER from joining the Pantheon. But it’s working with ROXDALE now.
ED:
(ANGRY)
Why?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
He promised it something worthwhile.
ED:
(SEETHING)
And that would be?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I left before I heard.
ED:
(FURIOUSLY DENYING)
Oh no no no. I’m not working with you.
JENNY:
(REASSURING)
Come on.
ED:
(SEETHING)
She wanted me to drug you so she could destroy Aradia.
JENNY:
(REASSURING)
Yes.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I told her.
JENNY:
(PLEADING)
ED, this is the best chance we have to stop it. We need her influence. And her resources.
ED:
(ICY)
I don’t need diddly squat.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I took a contract with ROXDALE once. I have access to his uniforms and parts of his security system.
ED:
(SEETHING)
So what? What’s your endgame on this?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Getting HUNGER in control.
ED:
(SEETHING)
Your control.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
As opposed to?
ED:
(COMMANDING, ANGRY)
Put the God Muzzle on it. Get the Deus Trystero. Shut it up forever.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
The Deus Trystero. Which is in ROXDALE’s Vault. Which opens to the upper atmosphere. Which is where I went. Thank you so much for the reminder.
ED:
(SARDONIC)
My pleasure.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
The Vault is no-go. I researched that thing for months and I still didn’t know where it opened.
ED:
(ALSO FRUSTRATED)
You’ve got a better idea? Spill it.
ANNETTE:
(THINKS, AGREEABLE)
It’s not the worst. I can probably get us to the Vault if someone can get us in the compound.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
And then what? Strap on a space suit and go space treasure hunting?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I genuinely don’t know.
ED:
(ANNOYED, SURPRISED)
That’s disconcerting.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
A portal like that shouldn’t exist.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
But it does. JENNY, could you bring me that globe from over there?
JENNY:
(LOW, FRUSTRATED)
Got it.
SFX:
(JENNY walks away. She picks up the globe. She walks back, stops, and sets the globe down.)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Thank you. As I understand it, the portal can only be set once. So it opens to here, the same spot over the Pacific Ocean. The world turns. JENNY, please spin the globe.
SFX:
(JENNY rotates the globe.)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
And that spot rotates with the planet. It stays in that relative location over the ocean.
ED:
(DISBELIEVING)
And what’s the advantage of that?
JENNY:
(REALIZING, EUREKA MOMENT)
So they know where to dock the Vault.
ED:
(SARDONIC)
And where is it when it’s not being docked?
JENNY:
(CONSIDERING HARD)
That is an interesting question.
ED:
(FRUSTRATED)
And why a portal? Why not just fly up to it?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Perhaps you can’t get inside it from the outside.
ED:
(FRUSTRATED)
Look, governments are very particular about unregistered objects floating over their airspace.
JENNY:
(CURIOUS)
What if they can’t see it?
ED:
(FRUSTRATED)
That’s a lot of ‘whats.’ How does it get into position?
JENNY:
(SARDONIC)
Let’s kidnap ROXDALE and make him call for it.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Inadvisable while he has HUNGER.
ED:
(ANNOYED)
Distract HUNGER. We’ve done it before.
SFX:
(JENNY spins the globe hard, and then stops it loudly. She cannot pull her hand away.)
JENNY:
(SCARED)
Aradia can get the Vault in place.
ANNETTE:
(CURIOUS)
How do you know?
JENNY:
(SCARED)
Because she’s holding my hand still on the globe. I can’t pull away.
(BEAT)
I know what she’s saying. We’ve been doing this a while.
SFX:
(JENNY’s hand releases the globe. The globe rolls a bit. She pants.)
JENNY:
(ADRENALINE RUSH SUBSIDING)
I’m okay.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Great.
(PAUSE)
HUNGER will have eaten the fear from ROXDALE’s security team. That’s good news for us.
ED:
(SARDONIC)
That’s an interesting way of putting it.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I mean, of course, they’ll have the focus of a thousand dosages of Ritalin. But, you know.
JENNY:
(SARDONIC)
What do I know?
ANNETTE:
(INCENSED, SMUG)
I gave you the folder detailing everything I taught HUNGER at the conference. Our training left people without their ‘gut instinct.’ Something that feels wrong to you and me? They won’t notice.
ED:
(DEAD SERIOUS)
Okay.
(THINKS)
Okay. I can work with this.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Tell me what you need.
ED:
(SLY, FRUSTRATED)
Nothing would make be happier. I think I can get us in there, at least. Do you have to come?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I can get the Vault open.
ED:
(DEADPAN)
I’m serious.
JENNY:
(REASSURING, FRUSTRATED)
ED, I don’t want her there either.
ED:
(RELINQUISHING CONTROL)
All right. I guess we’re all caught in this.
Scene 4. EXT. Forest around ROXDALE’s compound, afternoon
SFX:
(Forest ambiance. A drone flies by the POV.)
ED:
(COMMANDING)
Heads up, kiddos. We’ve been spotted.
ANNETTE:
(BEAMING)
Excellent.
JENNY:
(TO RADIO, ATTENTIVE)
Yup, okay.
(TO ED, PROFESSIONAL)
Team reports are in. Everyone’s in position. I’ve got the audio clip we made ready.
ED:
(ALSO PROFESSIONAL)
Right. They should let us in the compound in a bit.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
JENNY, you spot any of ED’s crew near us?
JENNY:
(PROFESSIONAL)
I shouldn’t.
ED:
(SARDONIC)
You don’t trust ‘em?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
To not shoot me? No.
ED:
(ANNOYED)
I don’t have time for this. Make sure your helmets are tight.
JENNY:
(ATTENTIVE)
Drone’s coming back.
SFX:
(Drone buzzing returns)
ED:
(LOW, PROFESSIONAL)
Get down. On my mark. Tell them to fire.
SFX:
(JENNY pushes her radio button.)
JENNY:
(TO RADIO, PROFESSIONAL)
Prepare to fire.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
In three.
JENNY:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Three.
SFX:
(Drone buzzes by. After two seconds, an AR-15 fires. The drone stops. It falls to the leaves.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL, HINT OF APPROVAL)
There. It got a nice look at all of us in our ROXDALE uniforms. ANNETTE, submit our post online, please.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Posting the secure link to Reddit. It should get discovered very quick.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Good. Stay down.
JENNY:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Your crew’s backing off. They’ll be offsite in a few.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL, HINT OF APPROVAL)
Gooooood. We’re in the clear.
ANNETTE:
(PAUSE, UNSURPRISED, MATTER OF FACT)
Leftist social media has found our Reddit post. And now it’s getting some right wing attention.
JENNY:
(PROFESSIONAL, QUIZZICAL)
Does ROXDALE actually let his security check social media?
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
No. Doesn’t stop ‘em.
SFX:
(Van in distance pulls up and stops. It turns off.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL, HINT OF APPROVAL)
Nice. There’s the ROXDALE crew.
JENNY:
(PROFESSIONAL)
The very confused crew hopefully.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
More confused than paranoid.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
What’s the opposite of paranoid?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Blind acceptance.
JENNY:
(PROFESSIONAL, BEMUSED)
Well, they’ll see their own security specs and troop movements posted on Reddit soon. And then they’ve got a choice to make.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Okay, under the tarp. Don’t want them seeing us.
SFX:
(Quiet forest ambiance)
ANNETTE:
(PAUSE, CALLING A HUNCH)
They must know by now.
ED:
(WARY)
Let it sink in.
(PAUSE)
They don’t know who posted that. Let it sink.
(PAUSE)
JENNY, confirm their frequencies?
JENNY:
(PROFESSIONAL)
I got their chatter on my radio.
ED:
(BEING CAREFUL)
Don’t turn it up. Don’t make a noise.
(PAUSE)
Ready the clip we made.
JENNY:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Sure. Sounds just like ROXDALE.
ED:
(STAYING CAREFUL)
Another second.
(PAUSE)
Okay.
SFX:
(ED turns on his radio.)
ED:
(TO RADIO, TAUNTING)
Hey fellas. How’re you doing?
SFX:
(ED releases the radio button.)
ED:
(EXCITED)
Play it.
ROXDALE:
(ON RADIO, FURIOUS)
Shoot whoever let him on this channel! Now! Do it!
SFX:
(AR shots in the distance, erratic. They slow.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL, NERVOUS)
Okay, let me hear the channel.
ROXDALE:
(ON RADIO, FURIOUS)
Stop shooting! That wasn’t me on the radio! Stop it! Nobody shoots. All firearms on safety! Now!
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL, WARY)
All right. Come on.
SFX:
(ED, ANNETTE, and JENNY stand from under the tarp. They walk on leaves toward the van.)
ED:
(WARY)
Quiet. See anybody?
JENNY:
(NERVOUS)
They’re off to the east.
ED:
(WARY)
Okay. Probably in absolute chaos now.
SFX:
(They reach the van and stop.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
You two in the back.
SFX:
(ED opens the van door. ANNETTE and JENNY step inside.)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
This key will start it.
ED:
(DISMISSIVE)
Got my own.
SFX:
(ED shuts the van door. He walks to the driver side door. He opens the door and gets inside.)
ED:
(GRINNING, SOMETHING WENT RIGHT)
Look at that.
(LAUGHS)
Scene 5. INT. Van
SFX:
(ED shuts the door. He puts on his seat belt. He starts the van.)
ED:
(RELIEVED)
Bingo.
SFX:
(ED rolls down the window. He drives the van a short distance to the checkpoint.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
It’s not long to the gates. Just keep it down. I’ve got this.
SFX:
(He stops and leaves the van idling.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
ID’s here.
SFX:
(ID checker beeps. The gate does not open.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Hey, open the gate.
(PAUSE)
We got guys in the back the boss needs to see! Open up.
SFX:
(Pause, then the gates open.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Appreciated.
SFX:
(ED drives the van through. He stops in a parking lot. He turns off the van. He sighs. He opens the driver side door.)
ED:
(RELIEVED)
Okay. We are golden.
Scene 6. EXT. Parking lot
SFX:
(ED walks to the side van door. He slides it open. ANNETTE and JENNY step out.)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I said they’d believe anything.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
I didn’t doubt that. Place is in complete confusion now.
JENNY:
(SCARED)
HUNGER can’t keep eating people’s fear like this.
ANNETTE:
(REASSURING)
I know.
JENNY:
(NERVOUS)
Especially with ROXDALE giving it ideas.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Yes. As long as HUNGER is wild, it affects every choice we make. The djinn cannot go back in the bottle.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
We’re clear. Let’s rock.
SFX:
(ANNETTE, JENNY, and ED walk across the parking lot.)
JENNY:
(LOW)
I think it looks more natural if we talk.
ANNETTE:
(GIVING ORDERS)
Shh.
SFX:
(They stop. ANNETTE presses an ID against a reader. The reader beeps. A door releases its magnetic lock with a buzz.)
ED:
(ANNOYED)
We’re in your hands, ANNETTE. No escape route once we’re inside.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
We’ll be fine.
JENNY:
(FASCINATED)
Wait. In the parking lot. I recognize those plates.
ED:
(REALIZING)
Oh yeah.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Senator’s plates. And cops.
ED:
(REALIZING)
Oh wow. I’ll bet they’re battening down the hatches somewhere.
ANNETTE:
(LIGHTLY GIVING ORDERS)
Come on.
SFX:
(ANNETTE walks into the building. ED and JENNY follow.)
Scene 7. INT. Office hallway
SFX:
(JENNY and ED follow ANNETTE walking on tile floor.)
JENNY:
(INTERESTED)
Aren’t you curious who’s here with the cops?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Extremely. We’re making a detour.
ED:
(ANNOYED)
No.
SFX:
(ANNETTE stops in front of a door. JENNY and ED stop next to her.)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, SNIDE)
You’re outvoted.
SFX:
(Another ID reader beeps. The door opens. ANNETTE walks inside.)
ANNETTE:
(TO THE GUARD INSIDE, PROFESSIONAL)
Excuse me. Security?
SFX:
(ANNETTE shoots the guard with a silenced pistol. The guard falls to the floor and wheezes.)
ED:
(ANNOYED)
Aw, nuts.
SFX:
(ANNETTE walks over to the guard. She shoots him again. The guard goes quiet.)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Let me check the cameras.
SFX:
(ED and JENNY walk in the room. ANNETTE types on a keyboard.)
ED:
(EXTREMELY ANNOYED)
Someone sees you shot this guy, it’ll be full lockdown.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
It’s already full lockdown.
JENNY:
(CONCERNED)
Try not to get HUNGER’s attention. I can definitely feel it here.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, SNIDE)
Then let’s hope Aradia keeps us hidden. Right?
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL, ANNOYED)
I’m watching the door.
SFX:
(ANNETTE stops typing.)
ANNETTE:
(INTRIGUED)
There he is. ROXDALE’s in an office off the parlor. Talking to himself.
JENNY:
(REALIZING)
No, he’s not. Give me audio.
SFX:
(ANNETTE starts tapping on the keyboard again.)
ANNETTE:
(LIKE A CAT LOOKING OVER A DELECTABLE MOUSE)
This console shouldn’t be able to.
SFX:
(ANNETTE slams a button and stops typing.)
ANNETTE:
(EXCITED)
Ha!
ROXDALE:
(ON RADIO, GLEEFUL)
… her to sponsor this bill before the Senate.
HUNGER
(ON RADIO)
Why won’t she?
ROXDALE:
(ON RADIO, GLEEFUL)
It won’t get her any votes. She doesn’t care. But I care. The federal government is storing thirteen artifacts I want to purchase. But I don’t know where they are. Yet. Can you do this?
HUNGER:
(ON RADIO)
The request’s awfully specific.
ROXDALE:
(ON RADIO, SLIGHTLY ANNOYED)
I don’t care what state you leave her in. I don’t care if she passes anything that hits her desk from here on. Make her think she’s lost something in those facilities.
(PAUSE, KNIFE-TWISTING)
Do let me know if I’m asking too much of you.
HUNGER:
(ON RADIO)
Don’t try me.
ROXDALE:
(ON RADIO, COMMANDING)
Your cabal arrives tomorrow. Friends of mine are flying in from around the world to pay you tribute. They’ll offer you fabulous things to grow your power. Because that’s how it works. Quid pro quo. I assume you want to remain here, under my protection. Unless you want to go off to scavenge on your own.
HUNGER:
(ON RADIO)
I’ll see what I can do to your Senator.
ROXDALE:
(ON RADIO, GLEEFUL)
The Speaker of the House will be here next week. I figure you’ll have honed your craft by then, won’t you? Excellent. She’s all yours.
SFX:
(On radio, ROXDALE walks out from the room.)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
At least he’s starting small.
JENNY:
(CONCERNED)
I have to stop it.
ED:
(GENTLY)
No.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
ED, it’s messing with the frikkin’ Congress. You’ve been inside it when it’s doing its whole hallucination schtick.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Big picture, JENNY. We need you and Aradia.
JENNY:
(ANNOYED)
No, you don’t get a vote on this. You’ve never been on the other end of a HUNGER meal.
ED:
(FRUSTRATED WITH JENNY)
Look, I get it. But ANNETTE’s right. We need you. And we don’t have a better plan to stop HUNGER permanently.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
And Aradia’s going to get us in the Vault. I know. I just don’t like it. At all.
ANNETTE:
(REASSURING)
Hey. Let this one go.
JENNY:
(ANNOYED)
No. Not if I can help it.
Scene 8. INT. Void
SFX:
(All background noise is cut.)
JENNY:
(CONFUSED)
ED? ANNETTE?
(PAUSE)
Hey, hey! Anyone? I can’t see anything. It just turned pitch black in here!
SFX:
(JENNY walks on tile.)
JENNY:
(ANNOYED, SCARED)
Hey! Anyone?
SFX:
(Lights are flicked on, sharply. They echo.)
JENNY:
(SUSPICIOUS)
Oh. Okay, this is weird. This is my house. This is my kitchen. Aradia, what’s going on?
SFX:
(Knock on the door echoes.)
JENNY:
(WORRIED)
Mmm mmm. Not answering that.
SFX:
(Knock on the door echoes louder.)
JENNY:
(PANTS, WORRIED)
Nope.
SFX:
(Knocking continues.)
JENNY:
(RELENTS)
If it’ll shut you up.
SFX:
(JENNY walks to the door. She opens it.)
CLYDE:
Hello JENNY.
JENNY:
(SHOCKED)
You’re dead.
CLYDE:
I followed ANNETTE. May I come in?
JENNY:
(FIRM)
No.
CLYDE:
Do I have to call my buds from the car?
JENNY:
(FIRM)
Wait.
SFX:
(CLYDE walks in. JENNY shuts the door.)
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
I remember. You walked in. Then I made you a drink.
CLYDE:
I know you’ve got a good whiskey in there. On the rocks, please.
SFX:
(JENNY puts ice in a glass, and pours a drink over it. She hands it to CLYDE.)
JENNY:
(REALIZING)
And I gave it to you.
CLYDE:
I watch it all the time. Love noticing what you don’t say. Super impressed, really.
JENNY:
(DEVASTATED)
This was the last time I saw you.
CLYDE:
About what? No. I don’t care.
JENNY:
(REMEMBERING)
And you asked me.
CLYDE:
No, I want to speak with Aradia.
JENNY:
(DEADPAN)
I’m not laughing now.
CLYDE:
That’s right.
JENNY:
(ANGRY)
You broke her.
CLYDE:
I do.
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
I should have stayed.
CLYDE:
Gladly. Mind if the bottle and I have some privacy?
JENNY:
(FIRM)
No.
CLYDE:
I’ll pay for the time. Two hundred thousand right now for five minutes. I have a check.
JENNY:
(DEADPAN)
I never cashed it. It’s probably still at home.
SFX:
(JENNY signs the check.)
CLYDE:
Glad we could do business.
JENNY:
(FIRM)
No. I deny you access.
CLYDE:
Could I start now?
JENNY:
(FIRM, ANGRY)
No, you may not speak with her.
CLYDE:
Thanks, I will.
(PAUSE)
Aradia, do you mind if I record this talk?
SFX:
(Silence)
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
Then what happened? What did he say? And what about you?
SFX:
(JENNY walks up to the frozen CLYDE.)
JENNY:
(MORE FRUSTRATED)
Come on! I’m your best bud here. What did you say?
(PAUSE, REALIZING)
His phone. That’s what you’re showing me. It’s on his phone. How do I unlock it?
(PAUSE)
Of course. He’s tapping in his password now. Two, six. Okay. Okay. Okay. Got it! I’ve got it!
Scene 9. INT. Office building
SFX:
(Security room ambiance.)
ANNETTE:
(REASSURING)
Hey. Let this one go.
JENNY:
(RELIEVED)
Holy cripes. That was intense. Hey. We have to move.
ANNETTE:
(BEAT)
(CONCERNED)
Are you feeling all right?
JENNY:
(EXCITED)
Yeah. Can we get out of here? There’s a place I have to check.
ANNETTE:
(FIRM)
No.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL, IS JENNY ALL RIGHT?)
We discussed this. There’s no way out once we’re inside the compound.
JENNY:
(REALIZING)
We don’t [have a way out].
(INTERRUPTS HERSELF, THINKS)
All right. You’re right. After we do this though, I have to get CLYDE’s phone back at the Mammon compound. It’s really important.
ED:
(CONCERNED)
We will. You’re scaring me a little. Are you up for the job?
JENNY:
(EXCITED)
Yeah. Let’s bust in the heckin’ Vault. Chop chop. Now.
ED:
(CONCERNED)
Sure. But ROXDALE’s probably switched his biometric lock to passcodes. Ones that change every day.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Hourly.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Can you get them?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
No. That’s why I brought explosives. One way trip, right?
JENNY:
(SERIOUS)
Don’t say that.
Scene 10. INT. Office hallway
SFX:
(ANNETTE leads JENNY and ED down a hallway on tile floor.)
JENNY:
(LOW, CONCERNED)
Hey, security ahead.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
On it.
SFX:
(Two silenced gunshots. Two bodies fall. ANNETTE, JENNY, and ED approach and stop.)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, SNIDE)
You’re not having objections?
JENNY:
(PROFESSIONAL)
They knew the job had risks. I know.
ED:
(LOW, PROFESSIONAL)
We’re on camera right now.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I’ll be quick.
SFX:
(ANNETTE ruffles in her pack. She pulls out explosives and attaches them to the door.)
JENNY:
(NERVOUS, CONCERNED)
ED, I apologize for saying I wanted to drop out. I swear I’m focused on this. I’ve got a fat check at home and some more squirreled away for when all this is done.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Save it for the party. We’ve got company soon. Take the north. I’ll take south. Anybody comes.
JENNY:
(PROFESSIONAL)
I’ll fire. I’m here for you.
SFX:
(ANNETTE finishes setting the explosives.)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Explosives ready.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Round the corner.
SFX:
(ANNETTE, ED, and JENNY walk around the corner. They stop and crouch. Footsteps approach.)
JENNY:
(PROFESSIONAL)
They’re coming from the north.
ANNETTE:
(GLEEFUL)
Perfect. They’ll have to cross in front of the Vault checkpoint.
SFX:
(Footsteps continue to approach. A beep happens. An explosion, chunky and loud, destroys the checkpoint. Concrete hits in the ground.)
ED:
(SARDONIC)
You have a heart of ice.
ANNETTE:
(BEAMING)
JENNY knows I love the dramatic.
JENNY:
(SARDONIC)
We sure got into some stuff back in the day.
ANNETTE:
(BEAMING)
Heck yeah.
SFX:
(ANNETTE, JENNY, and ED walk to the checkpoint and through the hole in the wall.)
ED:
(CONCERNED)
Consider the chaos broken. They’re all gonna be on us.
ANNETTE:
(BEAMING)
Ta da! The Vault door. JENNY, you are going to miss doing this.
JENNY:
(DEADPAN)
I’ll live.
ED:
(WARY)
Looks like you took out the Vault computer.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I wasn’t going to use it anyway. Brought my own.
SFX:
(ANNETTE, JENNY, and ED take their positions in the room and stand still.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Great. Strap yourself to anything that’ll hold you.
SFX:
(ANNETTE slaps her laptop against the wall, where it sticks. She types on it.)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Logging into the Vault system.
JENNY:
(PROFESSIONAL)
I don’t want to add problems to our problems. But there’s a lot of rubble in here. Those concrete chunks aren’t going to play nice when we open the Vault door.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Whatever Aradia does, I hope she skips the space part.
SFX:
(ANNETTE stops typing on her laptop. Footsteps outside approach. She resumes typing.)
ANNETTE:
(MILDLY ANNOYED)
Son of a biscuit. Security’s coming.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
It’s going to get ugly. Everyone secured?
JENNY:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Yup.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I’m good.
SFX:
(Footsteps approach louder. Computer beeps.)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Latch activated! We got five seconds before it opens.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
No such thing as warning shots.
SFX:
(ED fires his AR.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
But let’s pretend there are.
SFX:
(Vault door mechanically rumbles as it rolls outward. Guards outside bark. Vault door opens to space. Rush of wind. Two guards shout as they fly into space.)
ANNETTE:
(VERY ANNOYED)
Come on! What is Aradia waiting for?
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
I’m thinking!
SFX:
(Behind the rush of wind is a deep rumble.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL, LOUD)
I don’t think they care! They’ll fire!
SFX:
(ARs fire. Rumble increases.)
ED:
(GRUNTS)
(STRESSED)
I can’t move.
ANNETTE:
(STRESSED)
I can’t either.
JENNY:
(REALIZING)
Look! Neither can they!
ED:
(STRESSED)
The weight’s awful. What’s happening?
JENNY:
(STRESSED)
See outside!
ANNETTE:
(PAUSE)
(STRESSED, SHOCKED)
Why are the stars moving?
JENNY:
(STRESSED, SHOCKED)
They’re not.
(PAUSE)
Earth is.
ED:
(PAUSE)
(STRESSED)
This is unreal!
ANNETTE:
(FLABBERGASTED)
How could she do that? How can she move Earth?
JENNY:
(FRUSTRATED)
I don’t know!
ED:
(STRESSED)
Hey, folks? She’s holding everything in place! Including the rounds fired at us!
ANNETTE:
(STRESSED)
Hope she holds them a little longer than us!
ED:
(STRESSED)
Hey! What is that?
SFX:
(Rush of wind turns into a hiss.)
ANNETTE:
(EXCITED)
That black wall moving up in the Vault. That’s it! That has to be it!
SFX:
(Hissing stops. Rumbling stops.)
ANNETTE:
(WARNING EVERYONE)
Down!
SFX:
(AR rounds hit the concrete walls and clatter on the ground.)
ED:
(AMAZED)
We found the Vault.
ANNETTE:
(STRESSED)
Get in there! Quick!
SFX:
(ED fires his AR at the hole in the wall.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
You go while I hold them off!
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Okay. JENNY!
(BEAT)
JENNY!
JENNY:
(DISTRACTED)
Something’s off.
SFX:
(ED shoots his AR at the hole in the wall.)
ANNETTE:
(FRUSTRATED, ENCOURAGING)
Figure it out when we’re in the Vault.
JENNY:
(DISTRACTED, MATTER OF FACT)
I’ve got to talk to HUNGER.
ED:
(ANNOYED)
That is the stupidest thing I’ve heard from you!
JENNY:
(PROFESSIONAL)
I’ll cover you!
SFX:
(JENNY shoots her AR at the hole in the wall.)
ED:
(ANNOYED)
They will kill you.
JENNY:
(STRESSED FROM GUNFIRE)
ROXDALE will want to take me to HUNGER.
ANNETTE:
(SEETHING)
I don’t have time for this.
SFX:
(Deep grinding sound.)
ED:
(CONCERNED)
The Vault is slipping!
ANNETTE:
(DEMANDING)
JENNY! Get in there!
JENNY:
(COMMANDING)
Go!
SFX:
(JENNY shoots her AR at the hole in the wall.)
ED:
(ANGRY)
Good luck.
ANNETTE:
(SEETHING)
You better know what you’re doing.
SFX:
(ED and ANNETTE run into the Vault. JENNY shoots her AR at the hole in the wall. Hiss starts and then a rush of wind.)
JENNY:
(SHOUTING OVER THE WIND, PROFESSIONAL)
I surrender!
SFX:
(The Vault door mechanically rumbles as it closes. It thuds closed.)
JENNY:
(ADAMANT)
I surrender.
SFX:
(ROXDALE walks in and stops.)
ROXDALE:
(ANNOYED)
Of course it’s you.
JENNY:
(ADAMANT)
I want to talk to HUNGER.
ROXDALE:
(LAUGHS)
No.
JENNY:
(ADAMANT)
It can choose its own schedule.
ROXDALE:
(AMUSED)
Not under my watch.
JENNY:
(ADAMANT)
I bet it’s wondering why the world just moved.
SFX:
(ROXDALE taps his phone.)
ROXDALE:
(VERY ANNOYED)
It’s worse than that. Satellites are out of alignment. Communication networks are down. You did this?
JENNY:
(ADAMANT)
Yes.
ROXDALE:
(REALIZING THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM)
Just to get in my Vault.
(THINKS, GENUINELY AFRAID)
All right. Escort her to the main house. The parlor. She stays in my sight the whole time.
JENNY:
(SARDONIC)
Thanks. You’re a peach.
SFX:
(Guards enter. They escort JENNY out.)
Scene 11. INT. ROXDALE’s Parlor
SFX:
(Interior room ambiance, soft breeze blows through a window)
HUNGER:
Now we’re in your previous house. It’s morning and the sun is grazing the eastern windows, spilling over the sills onto the lush lavender carpet. Your alarm seems so far away and yet it rang forty-five minutes ago. You’ve had your shower. You’ve dressed in the closet. You kissed your husband. Your daughters have dragged themselves to the dining room table. They need to be in school in half an hour. You hunt for your car keys. They should be in the bowl by your dresser.
SFX:
(Gentle crunch of a thing being eaten)
HUNGER:
They are not. You never found them. If you ever did, that memory is now gone.
(PAUSE)
Let’s move to a time a year later. Your request for sensitive data from the Department of Defense has been approved. Your aides inform you it’s been shipped to your office.
SFX:
(Parlor door opens. JENNY and ROXDALE walk in. Soft breeze stops blowing.)
HUNGER:
(TO ROXDALE)
Excuse me. I’m working here.
ROXDALE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
She wants to talk with you.
HUNGER:
JENNY.
JENNY:
(GENTLE, MATTER OF FACT)
Hi again.
ROXDALE:
(POLITE)
Senator, give us a moment, please.
SFX:
(Senator walks out.)
HUNGER:
I should try to feast on whatever I can inside you. You ruined my chances with the Pantheon. You show up and wreck whatever I do. What is it now?
JENNY:
(GENTLE, MATTER OF FACT)
Aradia’s gone.
HUNGER:
(SHOCKED, CONFUSED)
Gone?
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Whatever she did when she stopped the world, it was too much. I can’t sense her anymore. I thought you should know.
HUNGER:
(PAUSE)
Why would she do this?
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT, ALMOST AMUSED)
I was her roommate and I don’t know why she did anything.
HUNGER:
Did she tell you anything?
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I think so.
HUNGER:
What was it?
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT)
It’s not for you to hear.
HUNGER:
(THINKS)
Not yet anyway. ROXDALE, hold onto her. When I’m better at reading human minds, I want to know.
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT)
She told you what you needed to hear.
HUNGER:
(ANGRY)
I want! To know!
(ON THE EDGE OF CRYING)
How dare she. How absolute dare she.
ROXDALE:
(ANNOYED)
She got JENNY’s crew in my Vault.
HUNGER:
Oh.
(THINKS)
Will I be okay?
ROXDALE:
(SNIDE)
Sure as sunshine. Because they’re never coming out.
HUNGER:
Good. Good.
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I’m sorry you lost your mom.
HUNGER:
Don’t presume to know how I feel. You never cared for her.
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT, SLIGHTLY DISAPPOINTED)
She never opened up to me. Which I think was a failure on her part.
HUNGER:
You were just using her! To get famous! Or rich! Or whatever humans want! The Quid Pro Quo. She wouldn’t even give you that.
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT, GENTLE)
I liked that about her.
HUNGER:
I hate you, JENNY. Which I know is a very human thing to say. But I hate you. And I want you dead. And you are the only one to hold memories of my mother. And I will have them someday. And then I will make sure there is nothing left of the woman who made my mother die. Whatever sacrifice she made, she made it for you. And I will know why.
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I do want you to appreciate that I came to tell you this.
HUNGER:
And I hate you for it.
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT)
So turn that intellect on yourself. If you heard about it third hand, maybe from some friend of ROXDALE’s, you wouldn’t believe it. But here I am. And I know you do.
HUNGER:
Stop. Why are you doing this?
JENNY:
(BEAT, MATTER OF FACT)
To hurt you. You lost your last connection to the Pantheon. It’s only you now. And she didn’t even say goodbye.
HUNGER:
Shut! Up!
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Sure. I’m done here. And so are you.
HUNGER:
ROXDALE, I don’t care what happens to her. Just keep her alive and her mind intact.
ROXDALE:
(SATISFIED)
Excellent. Your word is law. She’ll stay on the premises. May I bring the Senator back?
HUNGER:
No. You may not. I need some time to think.
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT)
To mourn. That’s the word for it.
HUNGER:
A god doesn’t mourn.
(TEARS UP)
I don’t mourn. Even if she’s gone.
ROXDALE:
(PAUSE, GROWING ANGRY)
Security, take her away. While I count the charges against her.
SFX:
(ROXDALE’s phone rings.)
ROXDALE:
(CONFUSED)
What in the world?
JENNY:
(CONFUSED)
Isn’t that your… [phone]?
Scene 12. INT. Vault ship in low orbit
SFX:
(Dulled interior airplane ambiance. ANNETTE and ED walk on an airplane floor.)
ED:
(MISSING JENNY)
Gone.
ANNETTE:
(FASCINATED)
It’s a plane. Sealed up. There has to be a way off this plane.
ED:
(FRUSTRATED)
The heck did she think she’s doing?
ANNETTE:
(VERY FRUSTRATED)
I don’t know. And HUNGER is out of control and I am uniquely qualified to know how bad that is.
SFX:
(ANNETTE taps a metal box.)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
But nevermind. Look, lockboxes. Shelves of them. Everywhere. It’s a good sign.
SFX:
(ED walks around, knocking on thick metal walls.)
ANNETTE:
(WORRIED ED’S DOING HIS OWN THING)
ED?
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Trying to find a way out of here.
ANNETTE:
(PROFESSIONAL)
The Deus Trystero is here.
ED:
(CONCERNED)
And we don’t have an exit strategy.
ANNETTE:
(FASCINATED)
Suit yourself. Hundreds of artifacts. You know the disruptions we could cause with these?
ED:
(PONDERING)
Hmm. In nonstandard lockboxes. Dual locks. Need a code to open a flap over the keyhole.
SFX:
(ANNETTE presses four buttons which beep. A metal flap flicks open.)
ED:
(SURPRISED)
How’d you open that?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I thought you watched JENNY’s stream. Rich people can’t remember codes. That one was zero zero zero zero.
ED:
(FLUMMOXED)
Okay. And you want me to pick that?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Depends if ROXDALE’s master key still works.
SFX:
(ANNETTE puts a key in the lock. It clicks the box open.)
ED:
(SURPRISED)
Wow.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Hubris. This is all security theater.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
What’s inside?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Amber pendant on a horse hair chain. I’m not touching it.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Fair. I’m getting a good feel from that big safe at the front.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Agreed.
SFX:
(ANNETTE and ED walk to the front of the Vault plane. Suddenly, around them, echoing heavy breaths gasp slowly. ANNETTE and ED stop. There is one last gasp which fades.)
ED:
(FASCINATED, CONCERNED)
What was that?
ANNETTE:
(FASCINATED)
Something powerful. But not anymore. That was its end.
ED:
(CONCERNED)
Creepy. Does it still have a friend here?
ANNETTE:
(FASCINATED)
No. It must have been alone.
SFX:
(ANNETTE walks up to a lockbox and stops.)
ANNETTE:
(FASCINATED)
It was emanating from this box.
SFX:
(Four beeps. A flap opens. She opens the box with her key.)
ANNETTE:
(SURPRISED)
Oh.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
That’s a spirit shackle, isn’t it?
ANNETTE:
(VERY CONCERNED)
Worse. Far worse. This is a god shackle. ROXDALE’s a piece of work. I’m taking this.
ED:
(CURIOUS)
Can we use it?
ANNETTE:
(CONCERNED)
No no. This one’s drained.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Right. Well, I’m going for the big safe.
ANNETTE:
(WARNING HIM BEFORE HE DOES SOMETHING DUMB)
Wait!
ED:
(DISMISSIVE)
I’ll just be…
SFX:
(ED’s speech slows to a crash and stops.)
ANNETTE:
(FRUSTRATED AT HIM)
For the Pantheon’s sake. This place is littered with stasis artifacts. Littered!
SFX:
(ANNETTE flips some switches. ED’s speech returns to normal.)
ED:
(DISMISSIVE THEN CURIOUS)
… a moment. What was that?
ANNETTE:
(ANNOYED)
You walked into an area that freezes time and space. Some of those artifacts are bound to get into mischief up here. And they’re unsupervised.
ED:
(ALSO ANNOYED WITH HER)
Warn me next time.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
The other areas are much smaller. But I wouldn’t put your hands in them.
SFX:
(Safe keypad beeps four times. A flap opens. ED slips some picks in the keyhole.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Just about got it.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Let me know if you need help.
SFX:
(Safe clicks and swings open.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL, DISAPPOINTED)
And another box. Only with the keypad though.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
So that’ll have a different code.
SFX:
(Four beeps)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Six six six six. Easier than four twenty or sixty-nine.
SFX:
(Lockbox clicks open. Deus Trystero’s vocal theme plays.)
ED:
(TRANSFIXED)
The Deus Trystero.
ANNETTE:
(WORRIED)
Careful with it. If you accidentally start it, it’s another thousand years for it to recharge.
ED:
(DISMISSIVE)
I know how it works.
ANNETTE:
(WORRIED)
And no telling what it would do to us. Let me see it.
ED:
(DISMISSIVE)
It’s fine.
SFX:
(ANNETTE inspects the box. She beeps some of the buttons.)
ANNETTE:
(RELIEVED)
It’s fine.
SFX:
(ANNETTE locks the Deus Trystero’s box. ANNETTE passes back the lockbox.)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
All yours.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Thank you. Let’s scram now.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, CONCERNED)
Right. I didn’t see any emergency exits. Did you?
ED:
(CONCERNED)
Ah. Yeah. Sixty hours in here, we’ll starve.
ANNETTE:
(CONCERNED)
This thing can’t fly indefinitely. It must need refueling. The autopilot needs maintenance.
SFX:
(ED taps on a metal wall.)
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Cockpit’s behind this, right?
ANNETTE:
(CONCERNED)
Theoretically.
SFX:
(ED walks down the aisle.)
ANNETTE:
(CONCERNED)
Hey. Whatever you’re planning. Run it by me.
SFX:
(ED stops and picks up the amber necklace. He walks back.)
ED:
(DISMISSIVE)
I’m good.
ANNETTE:
(CONCERNED)
You… really shouldn’t touch that amber necklace.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
I know.
SFX:
(ED drops the necklace against the front wall.)
ANNETTE:
(EXTREMELY CONCERNED)
Oh no no.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Give me your pistol.
ANNETTE:
(EXTREMELY CONCERNED)
You know what will happen?
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Not really. You should probably stand back.
ANNETTE:
(EXTREMELY CONCERNED)
This could be incredibly…
SFX:
(ED racks the silenced pistol and shoots the amber necklace. It releases a fast metallic explosion.)
ANNETTE:
(EXTREMELY CONCERNED)
… bad.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Well, we’re through.
ANNETTE:
(EXTREMELY CONCERNED)
You have no understanding of what’s in here.
ED:
(DISMISSIVE)
I absolutely do.
SFX:
(ANNETTE kneels and walks through the metal hole. Airplane ambiance is stronger, less dull. ED follows her through. A computer warning beep starts.)
ANNETTE:
(SEETHING)
Well, you wrecked a lot of the equipment.
ED:
(WRY)
You haven’t said we’re screwed.
SFX:
(ANNETTE starts typing on a keyboard.)
ANNETTE:
(CONCERNED)
How many flight hours do you have logged?
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Enough. Why?
ANNETTE:
(CONCERNED)
We’re going down. Thank you so much for that.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
I can land this.
ANNETTE:
(VERY CONCERNED)
No. No, you cannot. This plane. Look. I have minimal control. Look at the console. Where do I deploy the landing gear? Does this thing even land?
ED:
(QUIZZICAL)
This is strange.
ANNETTE:
(EXTREMELY CONCERNED)
Oh yeah. And we are two degrees, no, two point three degrees towards the planet. I’m going to need some time to figure out how to operate this.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
No, we’re good.
ANNETTE:
(SHOCKED)
What?
ED:
(BEAMING)
Let us crash.
ANNETTE:
(PAUSE, EXTREMELY CONCERNED)
Were you listening about the amount of power we could wield?
ED:
(BEAMING)
I’m good.
ANNETTE:
(EXTREMELY CONCERNED)
You’re serious.
ED:
(BEAMING)
We pull everything from the stasis fields. We take it all out. These artifacts are beyond value to the rich idiots who own them. And you said you liked disruption.
ANNETTE:
(PUTTING HER FOOT DOWN)
No.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL, BEAMING)
Don’t worry. I proofread my own plan. It’ll be fine.
ANNETTE:
(VERY CONCERNED)
Some of it might survive. Unlike us.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
That is a problem. So we destroy all of it. We know where the world’s most powerful artifact is.
ANNETTE:
(EXTREMELY CONCERNED)
The portal. You want us to hit the Vault portal. Oh gods. The explosion.
ED:
(BEAMING)
Let’s see if we can take out ROXDALE’s compound.
ANNETTE:
(EXTREMELY CONCERNED)
And JENNY?
ED:
(THINKS, PROFESSIONAL)
I bet that radio doesn’t connect to the FAA.
ANNETTE:
(CONCERNED)
You’re going to call ROXDALE.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
I’m going to warn ROXDALE he better clear the area.
ANNETTE:
(VERY MATTER OF FACT)
No. You are not going through with this.
ED:
(WRY)
Is that a threat?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Always.
SFX:
(ED crawls out for a moment and then crawls back in the cockpit.)
ED:
(WRY)
So you’ve got a better idea?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Of course.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
I can’t quite hear you. Can you come over here?
SFX:
(ANNETTE walks over to the entrance of the cockpit.)
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
We can slow the craft enough to make a water landing. I have a crew who can…
SFX:
(ED clicks a button. ANNETTE’s voice slows until it stops.)
ED:
(WRY)
I hope I can fit in the stasis bubble too.
SFX:
(ED flicks some switches on the console. Computerized ringing.)
ROXDALE:
(ON PHONE, EXTREMELY CONCERNED)
Who is this?
ED:
(WRY)
Hey. How’s the planet?
ROXDALE:
(ON PHONE, SEETHING)
You’ll never leave the Vault ship.
ED:
(BEAMING)
Wasn’t planning to. You’ll want to evacuate your compound, now.
ROXDALE:
(ON PHONE, SEETHING)
I think you’re mistaken.
ED:
(BEAMING)
I’m descending on your location and I do not intend to decelerate.
ROXDALE:
(ON PHONE, SEETHING)
I can control the ship.
ED:
(BEAMING)
Yeah, good luck with that. I broke half your stuff in here.
ROXDALE:
(ON PHONE, ANNOYED)
You’re bluffing.
ED:
(BEAMING)
Check the flight path. See you in a few.
ROXDALE:
(ON PHONE, PAUSE, TERRIFIED)
Everyone! Evacuate now! Get the Senator out! Priority!
SFX:
(Connection clicks off.)
ED:
(BEAMING)
Heh.
Scene 13. EXT. Forest around ROXDALE’s compound
SFX:
(Forest ambiance. ROXDALE, JENNY, and others are running. They stop.)
ROXDALE:
(SEETHING)
Hold. If he’s bluffing, I want to go back.
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT)
He wouldn’t.
HUNGER:
You shouldn’t have let this happen.
ROXDALE:
(FRUSTRATED)
There wasn’t time. It’s a transitional period.
JENNY:
(FASCINATED)
Here it comes.
ROXDALE:
(SEETHING)
Damn.
SFX:
(Plane screeches downwards, grows louder, and hits the compound. Magic explosion.)
JENNY:
(OVERJOYED)
They did it.
ROXDALE:
(SEETHING)
Sergeant. Give me your pistol.
JENNY:
(FEARFUL)
What are you doing?
SFX:
(ROXDALE grabs the pistol. He unloads five shots into the air.)
ROXDALE:
(SHOUTS IN ANGER)
JENNY:
(TERRIFIED)
Gods, ROXDALE.
ROXDALE:
(BEYOND FRUSTRATED)
They took everything.
(PANTS)
Sergeant, I want the compound remains searched. I want their bodies. If anything survived. Anything. Do not touch it. Send for me.
HUNGER:
I doubt anything survived.
ROXDALE:
(BEYOND FRUSTRATED)
When I want your opinion, I will ask for it! Sergeant, go!
SFX:
(Footsteps on leaves run off.)
JENNY:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Are you going into hiding?
ROXDALE:
(FURIOUS)
I still have a lot of favors. I’d watch out for your own skin first.
SFX:
(Van drives toward ROXDALE and JENNY, slows and stops.)
HUNGER:
ROXDALE.
ROXDALE:
(FURIOUS)
I said not to interrupt me.
HUNGER:
Something survived.
ROXDALE:
(PANTS, RELIEVED)
Good. Very good.
SFX:
(Van door opens. Security escorts ED and ANNETTE out.)
JENNY:
(RELIEVED)
ED. ANNETTE.
ED:
(RELIEVED)
Great to see you.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
This wasn’t my idea.
JENNY:
(RELIEVED)
How’d you survive?
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
Stasis field.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Apparently thrown clear from the explosion. Which blew up the artifact holding us.
(COUGHS)
ROXDALE:
(FURIOUS)
Sergeant, get their weapons. I will take them somewhere I can make them suffer. I will make examples from them.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Actually, you won’t. Honored guest, I assume you’re here?
HUNGER:
Why did you do this?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I did not. ED did. But that’s moot. Check my right pocket.
HUNGER:
(PAUSE)
That’s a spirit shackle.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, ENTHUSIASTIC)
Wrong. It’s a god shackle. Because in the Vault plane, there was a god. Old and burnt out. I heard it die.
ROXDALE:
(ANNOYED)
A pity.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, FURIOUS)
You chained it up there, didn’t you? To protect your artifacts. Your own angry, lonely guard dog. All by itself in the upper atmosphere. For years.
HUNGER:
Really.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Oh yes. And in my other pocket, there’s a fresh one.
ROXDALE:
(SEETHING))
Do not listen to her.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
It’s for you, Honored Guest.
HUNGER:
(TO ROXDALE)
You lied to me.
ROXDALE:
(SEETHING)
This is nonsense.
HUNGER:
You would chain me to a box?
ROXDALE:
(SEETHING)
I promised you a coven.
HUNGER:
To guard your trinkets?
ROXDALE:
(SEETHING))
I will make good on my promise.
HUNGER:
Until I died?
ROXDALE:
(SEETHING)
You’re too clever for that. I wouldn’t do that.
HUNGER:
I can feel the god’s death on this shackle.
ROXDALE:
(SEETHING)
You can’t trust a word these people say.
HUNGER:
You’re a murderer.
ROXDALE:
(DEFENSIVE)
I didn’t.
HUNGER:
Don’t lie! You only wanted a dog!
ROXDALE:
(DEFENSIVE)
I’m not lying!
HUNGER:
You! Are!
SFX:
(HUNGER crunches ROXDALE. HUNGER chews ROXDALE’s flesh. ROXDALE screams and is silenced.)
HUNGER:
(PANTS)
ANNETTE:
(TERRIFIED)
You shouldn’t be able to do that.
HUNGER:
I didn’t think I could.
JENNY:
(VERY TERRIFIED)
ROXDALE. Oh gods.
ED:
(TERRIFIED)
How?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT, TAKING CONTROL)
Sergeant! Good to see you again. If you know what’s good for you, release us. Ah, there’s ROXDALE’s phone. Good thing I know his PIN. Don’t worry, you’ll be rewarded.
HUNGER:
JENNY.
JENNY:
(VERY TERRIFIED)
Oh crap.
HUNGER:
JENNY. What did I promise to do to you if I could?
JENNY:
(VERY TERRIFIED)
You still want my memories from your mother.
HUNGER:
Perhaps I’ll read them in digestion.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
You don’t know that.
HUNGER:
I really don’t care now.
ED:
(FEARSOME)
I’ve taken on worse than you.
HUNGER:
I just ate a man against his will. You don’t have any power left against me.
SFX:
(ED unzips his backpack.)
ED:
(FEARSOME)
You won’t. Because I’ve got something neat in this lockbox.
JENNY:
(EXCITED)
You found it!
ED:
(BEAMING)
We did.
HUNGER:
I’ll race you. Can you get that open before I figure out how to eat JENNY?
ED:
(CHALLENGING)
You’re on.
SFX:
(ED hits four beeping buttons. A buzzer indicates the wrong code. He beeps four buttons again. The buzzer plays again.)
ED:
(FRUSTRATED)
What the…
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I changed the code.
ED:
(AGHAST)
You what.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
For leverage.
HUNGER:
You want to work with me again?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
While the government still hates queers, I do.
HUNGER:
Hmm. After I eat JENNY.
ANNETTE:
(COMMANDING)
Let her go.
HUNGER:
You love her? Is that it?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
It’s much more complex than that. I’m happy to teach you.
HUNGER:
I have my own thoughts on this. First, my mother is gone. JENNY has no one to protect her. She’s ruined every opportunity I’ve had to better myself.
JENNY:
(SEETHING)
I told you how to better yourself.
HUNGER:
No, that’s a lie. You’re lying. You want me dead. And I want you dead. I want you out of this life. I want to feel my teeth on you and then, nothing. Nothing forever. That is what I want.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I understand.
HUNGER:
Great. Let me at her.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
This isn’t in your best interest.
HUNGER:
It really is.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
Not if you want my help.
HUNGER:
It’s JENNY or me. You can only have one of us. We’re not a package. Which of us do you want?
JENNY:
(SCARED)
Please.
ED:
(PROFESSIONAL)
ANNETTE.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I know which.
SFX:
(ANNETTE racks the slide on ROXDALE’s pistol.)
JENNY:
(VERY TERRIFIED)
What are you doing?
SFX:
(ANNETTE shoots JENNY in the chest. JENNY falls, coughing, and wheezing.)
ED:
(BEYOND SEETHING)
You.
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
I’ve chosen.
JENNY:
(PANTS, WHEEZES)
Why?
ANNETTE:
(MATTER OF FACT)
This became all about you. Now it’s not.
Scene 14. END CREDITS