Episode 2.02 transcript - “Fruit of my loins”

ADAM RAYMONDA: Windfall is intended for a mature audiences, see our show notes for more information. Listener discretion is advised.

[MUSIC: Windfall Theme starts]

[SFX: We follow Tin Man as he makes his way through the hallway. In the distance, a man thrashes against the wall.]

HUMAN SOLDIER #1: (words punctuated by wall hits) Can't... get... them... out...

TIN MAN: Oh dear.

HUMAN SOLDIER #1: (pleading/laughing) Will you please help me smoke the bugs out of my brain?

TIN MAN: If you'll just stop moving, I can get you to the doctor.

HUMAN SOLDIER #1: (serious) Won't work, nothing works, need to keep trying... If I leave this spot they'll crawl further in and then there'll be no stopping them.

TIN MAN: Please, allow me to...

[SFX: Tin Man wrestles with him and struggles to drag him to a door that opens. There’s the sound of medical equipment and a scream from another patient.]

TIN MAN: Another potential infected, Jacob.

JACOB: : Christ. Strap him in.

[SFX: Tin Man and Jacob wrestle him onto a bed. He fights back as they strap him to the table.]

HUMAN SOLDIER #1: (sobbing) NO YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, THEY'RE GOING TO CRAWL INTO MY STOMACH AND EAT ME FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

JACOB: : Shhh, Private, you're safe here with me.

HUMAN SOLDIER #1: I'M GONNA DIE, THEY'RE KILLING ME RIGHT NOW AS YOU SIT THERE AND DO NOTHING.

[SFX: The soldier switches abruptly from screaming to hysterical laughter.]

JACOB: : Tin Man, hand me that syringe.

TIN MAN: Right away, sir.

[SFX: A plunger depresses as Jacob stabs the soldier with a sedative, who finally quiets.]I/E. =

[SFX: Two sets of feet walk over wet, squishy ground. Birds choir happily. A stream trickles somewhere nearby.]

CADE: Mila, we've been walking for over an hour. Where the hell are we? Why couldn't we bring the transport?

MILA: This is a sensitive errand, Cade. The less people involved the better. Besides, it's right up here.

CADE: Oh! That smell is...

MILA:  I know.

CADE:  Assertive.

[SFX: A door bursts open in the distance.]

LUZ:  (yelling) Well hello fruit of my loins! I had a feeling I might be seeing you skulking around these parts any day now. I'm brewing up a batch of that tingle-wheat tincture that helps with the tentacle inflammation you get in the winter. It's a spicy crop this year!

CADE: Is this your mother's house?!

MILA: (under her breath) Yes, now shut the fuck up. This is a business call, we're in and out.

LUZ: Hello Darling!

MILA: Hello mother.

LUZ: (laughing) What a delightfully formal and unenthusiastic greeting. Come in, come in! We're letting all the steam out.

[SFX: Cade and Mila cough from the abrasive steam.]

LUZ: Yes, first you cough, but then it does wonderful things for the sinuses and the bowels. Gives you a fantastic buzz too! Who's this devastatingly attractive young thing?

CADE: (still choking) Cade...ma'am.

MILA: My second-in-command.

LUZ: Hired yourself a little treat did ya?

MILA: Oh for fuck's sake... Cade, please ignore her. Mother. We need elderweed.

LUZ: (still choking) Right to business, just like your father. No beating around the bush with these ones, Cade, none of the old proverbial foreplay… Or literal foreplay with Isaac... none, none to speak of. I always feel that it's important to take ownership of one's own pleasure though, so-

MILA: -Mother! Dear god! Elderweed!

[SFX: Cade stifles a laugh.]

LUZ: Wanda on a whistle! Always so high-strung this one.

[SFX: Rustling of drawers being opened and closed.]

LUZ: Here you go.

MILA: These are seeds.

LUZ: Still sharp as ever I see.

MILA: We need plants.

LUZ: Funny actually, you're not the only one to come around here looking for elderweed after Contact Day. Helina was here a few months ago, of course, she knows how important a robust crop of the stuff is, it's the base of most Proximan medicine, you know. She had the foresight to get some seeds in the dirt immediately. Smart little biscuit that one. Tolerance of a mule...

MILA: You don't have some plants we can just buy?

LUZ: Nope, just a dried handful for my own personal use. The soil on this land is no good for growing it.

MILA: How long does it take? And who's Helina?

LUZ: To maturity, three to four months give or take, but it's finicky, the conditions have to be perfect. You know Helina, tall, she ran the apothecary stall in the upper market bazaar, regular at Gert's...

MILA: Nope...

LUZ: She came here with that girl who used to collect for your father.

CADE: Kendall?

LUZ: Yes! That's the one. I gave her some milm oil for her menstrual triggered migraines and cramping. Tense times for us all these days-

MILA: Is Kendall here often?

LUZ: I decline to answer that with any specificity. Lots of people come here, I'm charming, I'm also discreet.

MILA: I mean, not really, you just told me that- Nevermind. It doesn't matter- great, thanks mother, we'll just take these seeds and be on our way.

LUZ: Nonsense. Cade, can I get you a tea?

CADE: That would be lovely, Mrs... um, ma'am.

LUZ: Call me Luz, sweetheart. Mila, calm your tits. We're gonna have some tea, I'm gonna batch out this tingle-wheat for your tentacles and then you can race out of here like your ass is on fire. Like you always do.

MILA: Five minutes.

[MUSIC: Transition music ends the scene.]

[SFX: The door opens and closes again as Timms strides in.]

TIMMS: : What in the fresh hell was he ranting about?

TIN MAN: It was another private who has spent time on-planet, Admiral. Paranoia seems to be one of the effects of the bacterial infection.

TIMMS: When the fuck are we going to get a handle on this?

TIN MAN: For the moment your lieutenant, the good doctor Jacob, has it under control.

JACOB: We're beginning to see some encouraging results after synthesizing the elderweed from the Queen's garden.

TIMMS: Now that's what I wanted to hear.

JACOB: (exhausted) But we're running out of that small sample and it's only getting worse.

TIN MAN:  I'm only sorry that we grew such a tiny plot, gardening was a whim of Wanda June's that didn't last-

TIMMS: This wouldn't even be an issue if you had FOREWARNED us of this ground sickness disaster-

JACOB: -neurological infection caused by human exposure to bacteria present in the Proximan environment-

TIMMS: (warning) Jacob.

JACOB: Just... good to use the right terminology for things.

TIMMS: If Tin Man had warned us, that this was a possibility- especially in light of what happened to Wanda's parents.

TIN MAN: Kurt and Jill's crew constituted too small of a sample size to draw conclusive causative results...

TIMMS: How about giving us the heads up that the Botanical Garden was the only place in the city where we could grow the proprietary fucking blend of herbs and spices that can treat this nasty infection.

TIN MAN: With all due respect Admiral, in our comms, we discussed your angle of approach, and it was my understanding that your plan was to raze the East Tower, alone.

TIMMS: Don't test me, robot.

TIN MAN: I had no reason to assume that your men would come in slashing and burning all signs of Proximan property and life to the ground.

TIMMS: Ah, you assumed that this was a more elegant invasion. I see.

TIN MAN: I assumed that I was dealing with a civilized army, not a lawless hoard of xenophobic goons.

TIMMS: I am in no mood for your opinion you pompous metal drone. And if you don't shut that fucking speaker where your god damn mouth is I will take GREAT PLEASURE in dismantling it myself.

TIN MAN: Noted.

JACOB: (clearing his throat) Please, this gets us nowhere. If we don't find a better solution soon, I'm afraid our time on this planet will be for nothing.

TIMMS: (sighing) You're right. The Elderweed is proving to be a bitch to acquire. I'll redouble my efforts. Thank you, Jacob… BT9, get the hell out of my way.

[SFX: Tin Man lumbers aside so that Timms can angrily push past him, open the door, and stride out.]

TIN MAN: Doctor, if I may. There is another way to obtain the necessary chemicals for the antidote.

JACOB: No. We've talked about this and I'll have no part in it.

TIN MAN: The key to Proximan immunity is in their cerebrospinal fluid, I posit that if we were able to extract--

JACOB: (slamming his hands down) Enough. I refuse to inflict more pain and suffering on these people. I am here as a doctor, not a mad scientist.

TIN MAN: Of course, forget I ever mentioned it.

[Music: Transition music takes us out of the scene.]

[SFX: Tip-toed shuffling on stone floor.]

WANDA: (whispered) Root?

ROOT: Your highness!? I had no idea you'd be coming down to the cells, I would've tidied myself up a bit, straightened up, moved some of this...hay.

WANDA: Root shut up, this isn't a social visit. Although you look horrifying.

ROOT: Your majesty I implore you I'm being kept like a caged animal, there's next to no food, I'm sleeping on hay-

WANDA: You're preaching to the choir Root. I've lost most of my power myself! I'm being forced to record odious lies about these human scum to my darling people, chef has quite forgotten how to use the spice rack and a temp stick, I'm confined to the northern wing, and they've cut my chambermaids down to just one! I, the Queen, have a chamber staff of one!

ROOT: The ignominy your Highness.

WANDA: These are dark times Captain. The only upside to such unfathomable conditions is that I was able to sneak out when Bimble, that lush, fell asleep during side one of my relaxation tape. I fear the noose tightening, however. That odious Timms seems to regard me, rightly so, as a threat to her. There is talk of placing guards outside my wing.

ROOT: Speaking of guards, how many did you sneak past on your way down here? I'm sure it takes several elite men to keep me secured.

WANDA: Minimal actually, just one old Queen's Guard retiree with a stick, pressed back into service. He's up there, slumbering peacefully.

ROOT: Oh.

WANDA: They're pulling all able-bodied Proximans into service rebuilding the damage below.

ROOT: Ah, so that's where all the other prisoners were taken. Why have they not come for me do you think?

WANDA: I've been eavesdropping and overheard whispers that they fear your influence on loyalist members of the Wolfpac.

ROOT: They do, do they? Well, that shouldn't come as a surprise, I've always been highly regarded as an honorable and faithful servant of the crown. I suppose it's just too dangerous to have this kind of raw power loose, strutting around, a powder keg if you will-

WANDA: Enough. I seem to remember you being eager to hitch your wagon to the Admiral on Contact Day, she just wasn't interested in your services. Faithful servant my bottom.

ROOT: Well, cards on the table it never seemed like you or your metal compatriot had much affection for me. I go where the power goes. The tides turned and I attempted to follow them.

WANDA: To be fair, you're not wrong, but these are strange times and we must seek allies wherever we can find them, no matter how... distasteful.

ROOT: More cards on the table, I've always found you rather intolerable.

WANDA: and I you.

ROOT: (a beat) Potent... divulging ones true emotions.

WANDA: I've come here tonight to propose an alliance. We must get off this cloud and launch a daring escape, soon. To rally the remaining Wolfpac and reestablish my benevolent world order. My people need me, and we, it seems, need each other.

ROOT: There seem to be a lot of dangerous variables in this plan, Your Highness, are you sure there's nothing you or your tin guardian can do to curry favor with our new leadership?

WANDA: I'm afraid my dear friend has been turned against me. I don't know for certain, but my gut tells me he's been using me to further his own agenda for some time. I can no longer trust him.

ROOT: Still, the prospect of starting a rebel alliance, just seems like a lot of... work. Are you sure there's no way we can make a go of it up here?

WANDA: Look at you. They haven't fed you in days. They'll leave you to die here, you must know that.

[SFX: A clang echoes down the hallway.]

ROOT: (sighing, whispered) Yes, maybe... I don't know.

WANDA: I must go. Be ready for my say-so- I have a plan!

[SFX: There’s a knock at Mila’s door.]

MILA: Yes, come in.

[SFX: The door opens and closes.]

MILA: What do we have here?

CADE: Some of our men found this asshole at the front door asking for "Isaac's Daughter".

MILA: (annoyed) Alright, come in. Cade, you can leave us.

CADE: You sure?

MILA: Positive.

[SFX: Swift enters as Cade leaves.]

SWIFT: Hello, I hope I'm not interrupting anything important. My name's Swift. I'm friends with your father.

MILA: No you aren't.

SWIFT: Fair enough. Your father and I... know each other. I used to run this casino-

MILA: Under Hesh Street. I know who you are, what I don't know is where exactly you've been holed up since Contact Day?

SWIFT: In my casino with some others. We were safe with plenty of rations, or so we thought...

MILA: You were raided?

SWIFT: That's right. No idea how they found us. The others were taken to the work camps. Someone gave us up.

MILA: And how did you escape?

SWIFT: You don't own an illegal gambling hub without a few secret exits.

MILA: Alright. Why are you here?

SWIFT: To be candid, I wasn't sure where to go, but then I heard how Isaac's daughter was running things after the Wolves got him. It's a big operation you've got here, thought you might need some help.

MILA: My name is Mila, and while I admire you rushing to my aid, I don't need it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I should really be getting back business.

[SFX: Mila presses a buzzer under her desk. The door opens and slow footsteps walk in.]

MILA: Get him out of here.

CADE: With pleasure.

[SFX: Cade forces Swift to stand up and begins to pull him to the door.]

SWIFT: Wait, wait, wait. I heard a rumor about Isaac! One of my friends swears he saw him just before the festival. I'll tell you where if you just let me stay for awhile to get my bearings. It's rough out there.

MILA: A rumor?

SWIFT: A reputable source.

MILA: Alright, you have my attention. This better be good.

SWIFT: Please, I haven't slept in two days. I'm hungry and I'm thirsty. Could you just-

MILA: -Take him down to the barracks, get him set up with a shower, cot, change of clothes, and something to eat. You have 12 hours to rest and clean up, and then you tell me everything you know. If your intel proves good enough, I might keep you around.

CADE: Yes ma'am.

MILA: This is a short term arrangement, I want eyes on him around the clock while he's here.

SWIFT: Thank you, Mila.

MILA: I wouldn't thank me yet.

[SFX: Cade escorts Swift out. Ominous music plays.]

[SFX: A gate rolls open, creaky and rusty. Someone walks in. The gate begins to close again.]

ANTONY: That won't be necessary.

HUMAN SOLDIER #2: But...

ANTONY: He won't be going anywhere. Will you, Captain?

ROOT: I can behave.

ANTONY: You heard him. Leave us.

HUMAN SOLDIER #2: Whatever you say, sir.

[SFX: The guard leaves begrudgingly. Antony rubs his hands together.]

ANTONY: Goodness, me! How lucky am I to meet the famous Captain Root.

ROOT: I see that my reputation precedes me.

ANTONY: It certainly does. Started as a petty bureaucrat a little over a decade ago. Quickly climbed the ranks to become Alpha Wolf, a decorated officer, and direct advisor to the Queen. Am I getting all of this right?

ROOT: Admittedly, yes, but who are you, exactly?

ANTONY: The name's Lieutenant Commander Antony. I'm in charge of the Wolfpac now, courtesy of Admiral Timms, and you'll understand why in due time.

[SFX: Root shifts uncomfortably in his bunk.]

ROOT: Was there a purpose to your visit, sir?

ANTONY: (ignoring him) I'm going to be honest with you: you're an enigma to me. On your best day, you're little more than a kiss ass. And yet, you ran such a tight ship. What's your secret?

ROOT: (sarcastic) The cornerstone of my strategy was to not tear a hole in the sky and kill thousands of my Queen's subjects. I found that inspired loyalty among my men.

ANTONY: We came in here with a show of force so your people would know not to fuck with us.

ROOT: And how well is that working out for you?

ANTONY: No complaints. We elevate some of you, destroy anyone who may seem to pose a threat, and gradually erode the fabric of the society you've built for yourselves.

ROOT: And yet, you're here asking me how I did business because...

ANTONY: Because the Wolves are mine now, and they're deserting in droves.

ROOT: I know the culture here, I know the people. They listen to me. I'm of more use at your side than rotting away in this cell.

ANTONY: That isn't how things will be going from here on out.

ROOT: Oh?

ANTONY: (menacing) No. You're going to give me a list of your most devoted officers, as well as anyone you feel may be a dissident. And you're going to do that now.

ROOT:  And what makes you think I'll give up that information so easily? You've already said you need my help. What will you do for me in exchange?

[SFX: Antony pushes back his chair and comes right next to Root. Menacing score begins to creep in.]

ANTONY: (whispering) For starters, I won't take this hunting knife strapped to my boot and cut off any of your little bits.

ROOT: (clearing his throat, obsequious again) Well that is rather kind of you sir.

ANTONY: But maybe I should?

ROOT: No, no, no. That won't be necessary. If you'd just give me a pen and some paper, I'll get right to work...

[SFX: ANTONY:  SHOVES SOMETHING INTO ROOT: 'S LAP.

ANTONY: Way ahead of you.

[SFX: Root writes furiously. After a beat, he passes it back to Antony:.

ROOT: This is all of them. These are my most trusted officers and the problem children.

ANTONY: Perfect.

[SFX: Antony removes the knife from his boot and laughs.]

ROOT: What... what are you doing?

ANTONY: Oh, I changed my mind. Just making sure that the next time I come down here you don't hesitate to give me what I'm asking for, not even for a second. (grabbing hold of Root’s head) Tell me something. These fun tentacles you have hanging from the back of your skull?

ROOT: (whimpering) Yes...

ANTONY: What happens if you lose one of them?

ROOT: Please, don't, I'll do whatever you ask!

[SFX: Root creams in agony as Antony cuts one off and drops it into his lap.]

ANTONY: I guess we'll find out.

[SFX: Root sobs as Antony exits the cell.]

ANTONY: You there. Get somebody in here to clean this pitiful mess up.

HUMAN SOLDIER #2: Immediately, sir.

ANTONY: And make sure this shithead doesn't die on your watch. Sadly he's still of use to me.

[SFX: Antony walks away, his footsteps echoing for a long time down the hallway as the transition music creeps in.]

[SFX: From inside Gertie's empty bar we hear the door open, two pairs of footsteps enter, and the door closes again.]

KENDALL: It creeps me out a little bit whenever we come back here.

CAS: It's the same old bar...just empty.

KENDALL: I guess being back at Gert's reminds me of what life used to be like.

CAS: Don't tell me you'd prefer to still be running errands for Isaac? Barely making ends meet?

KENDALL: Is what we're doing now any better, really? We live in a sewer.

CAS: We're free. We come and go as we please. The work we do now is for the betterment of our community. I'll take this over our old gig any day.

KENDALL: You're right. It's just that before we knew where things stood. Now feels...scary. It's hard to see ahead and know whether or not everyone we love will be okay.

CAS: Yeah...I keep thinking if something happened to Argus...I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive myself. All I ever did was rag on him.

KENDALL: Isn't that what brothers do?

CAS: Yeah. I mean, no. It didn't have to be that way. I was so consumed by my own pain and hurt. I never stopped to wonder about what he was going through.

KENDALL: There's no sense in wallowing. It doesn't do anything to help us. We've got someone with a lot more access on his trail.

CAS: I have to believe he's still alive.

KENDALL: He is, and when we find him you can apologize for being such a dick all the time.

CAS: (chuckles) I would be so happy to be sitting in this bar listening to another one of his awful stories again. I never thought I'd miss those stories...

KENDALL: It's the small things we miss the most.

[SFX: Kendall opens the door to the sewers behind Gertie’s counter bar.]

KENDALL: Now, let's get back home with all this food. I can't wait to see Gertie's face when she gets a load of all this.

[SFX: In the far corner of the bar a glass falls to the ground and shatters. Kendall and Cas draw their weapons.]

CAS: Who's there?

[SFX: Rustling from the corner.]

KENDALL: (doing her best Wolfpac impression) Come out where we can see you with your hands up!

[SFX: The person in the corner shuffles slowly into the open.]

BENNY: Hey now, put that thing down! It's me, Benny!

CAS: Perfect! You're just the piece of shit we were looking for.

BENNY: Really?

KENDALL: No, you idiot. You're not welcome here.

BENNY: Fuck you I'm not welcome here. Do you know how much time I spent in this bar? It might as well be my own home sweet home. What're you two doing here?

CAS: Just... feeling sentimental. Passing through.

BENNY: Yes, you're known for your sentimentality, Cas. You think I don't have eyes? Where exactly does that trap door lead, huh?

KENDALL: Wanda-damnit! We're not taking this good-for-nothing little weasel with us, Cas!

BENNY: Come on, Kendall! I'm not looking for a hand-out, I'll work. Please! These humans are monsters. I'm scared to be alone out here.

CAS: Where have you been since the invasion?

BENNY: I was laying low, crashing with a few of the guys over at Swift's. We had a good little system going, scavenging at night, playing cards during the day, but then they found us.

CAS: When was this?

BENNY: A day ago, about. I don't know how, but they took us by surprise! Crashed in during a very lucrative game of rook. Some of the guys pulled guns and retaliated- they were mowed down. The rest of them were taken-

CAS: And how'd you get out?

KENDALL: Bottom-feeders always survive.

BENNY: I made a break for a ventilation shaft when they started firing. Stayed there until I heard them leave and then clawed my way through the wreckage. Please, I need your help! I won't make it out here alone!

KENDALL: How do we know you won't sell us out? That you're not why the humans hit Swift's in the first place? It's awfully convenient that you alone survived.

BENNY: I would never! What do I have to gain by helping the humans? I'm not a snitch like that!

CAS: We know they're paying informants to tip them off to pockets of underground Proximan resistance.

BENNY: You know I would never turn on Gert. She's always been good to me.

KENDALL: I'm sorry. We can't take the risk.

CAS: I have a feeling we don't have much of a choice

BENNY: Stole the words right out of my mouth there, Cassy. I know where that door leads. It's just a polite formality that I'm out here waiting instead of strolling my ass on down.

KENDALL: Wanda dammit.

BENNY: You can't take the risk of me out here knowing how to get into your base.

CAS: We're gonna have to take him with us.

KENDALL: No. He can't be trusted. He's shown that time and time again, he doesn't deserve our help.

CAS: I could say the same of you, and yet here we still are, working with each other.

BENNY: Oh shit...

KENDALL: Screw you, Cas. How long do I have to be punished? I'm sorry! I can't take it back, I wish I could but I can't. I'm trying everyday to make it up to you, to your whole family, for Vern-

CAS: -Don't say his name.

BENNY: Where did we land on me crashing with you guys?

KENDALL: Shut your damn mouth, Benny. That's where we landed.

CAS: You're not the only one struggling everyday! Forgiveness is a process, it's not a switch I can fucking flip, I can't tell you when I'll be done, but I'm in it, every day, putting my life in your hands so you can be grateful that I still consider our friendship worth the work.

BENNY: That was beautiful, Cas.

CAS: He comes with us. We don't have a choice.

KENDALL: Fine.

CAS: Let's get moving.

BENNY: Aw, look at us! The gang's back together again!

CAS: Shut the fuck up Benny.

[SFX: Ominous score transitions to end credits music.]