Episode 2.01 transcript - “Surviving”

[SFX:  The eerie whistle of wind through the remains of Windfall City. Tinny and echoey royal music crackles out rhgouh a rusy tannoy. Recording chime. tapes roll.]

WANDA: (clearing throat) My dear Proximans, we're now three months past the tragic events of Contact Day, and as we recover from the entirely accidental malfunctions of our visiting allies' convoy ships, we implore you all as loyal subjects to work hand-in-hand with our new friends to rebuild a new world for us all. Able-bodied Proximans are kindly requested to report to ground bases one through six, as designated by your neighborhood grid, to join the work effort as we restore the East Tower and the Botanical Gardens to their previous glory. in exchange for your time you will be rewarded with hot rations, and the satisfaction of placing your own humble stamp on this bold new era of Human-Proximan cohabitation. Together we will achieve all that we dare to believe.

[SFX:  Scavenging birds caw at each other over the royal music.]

[SFX: Kendall picks through metal scraps, tossing them aside one at a time. Cas walks carefully through mounds of trash. Kendall throws a piece down in frustration.]

KENDALL: Cas, I need your help. I don't even know what I'm looking for!

CAS: Alright, relax, Kendall.

[SFX: Cas makes his way over to Kendall and crouches down.]

KENDALL: Does this look like something your brother would want?

CAS: Uh... No. We have enough metal sheeting down in the sewage plant. Sorry.

KENDALL: This is a giant waste of time.

CAS: Come on-

KENDALL: Seriously, what're we even doing here?

CAS: Shaima needs replacement parts for his buzz saw.

KENDALL: Maybe he should come up here and snoop around this junkyard himself. I'm no scrapper. It all looks like garbage to me.

CAS: You just have to use your imagination.

KENDALL: (deadpan) What?

CAS: Imagine we're mining. All around us are rocks, but underneath one of them might be a beautiful jewel. A jewel that'll let us build more bunks for the nosebleeds who somehow keep finding their way to us.

KENDALL: And that's another thing. How many more Proximans are we gonna keep taking in? The base is only big enough for so many people. All the new ones are straining our resources.

CAS: Would you turn them away?

KENDALL: I mean...

CAS: It doesn't matter. It's not our call to make.

KENDALL: Then whose is it?

CAS: I don't-

KENDALL: Wait, wait, shut up.

CAS: Wha-

KENDALL: I said shut up.

[SFX: Cas and Kendall sit in silence. As their surroundings come into focus, we hear the sound of booted footsteps.]

KENDALL: (whispering) Someone's coming.

CAS: (hissing) There's no where to hide.

KENDALL: (whispering) Follow me.

[SFX: Kendall and Cas creep over to a shipping container.]

KENDALL: Inside here.

[SFX: The door to the container creaks open slowly, they get inside and close it. As they do, footsteps come over the hill and make their way down, sending trash and metal skittering around the heap. The guards keep their helmets on.]

VIVIENNE: Let's try to be a little more careful, yeah?

WOLFPAC GUARD #1: (mocking) What? It's not like I'm going to break anything. We're in a junkyard.

VIVIENNE: I heard something over here.

WOLFPAC GUARD #1: Well, I don't hear anything now.

VIVIENNE: Maybe if someone wasn't tripping around kicking shit everywhere we wouldn't have lost them.

WOLFPAC GUARD #1: You know, sometimes I don't like the way you talk to me.

VIVIENNE: I honestly could not give less of a fuck about what you do or don't like than I do right now.

WOLFPAC GUARD #1: That's it. I've tried to make this work, but you've given me no choice. I'm going to have to report you for insubordination.

VIVIENNE: Oh, go on, for all I care. They can't afford to get rid of me. It's not like they have any Wolves to spare these days.

[SFX: Inside the shipping container, Cas shifts his body.]

CAS: (whispering loudly) They're getting closer...

WOLFPAC GUARD #1: Did you hear that?

VIVIENNE: Hear what?

WOLFPAC GUARD #1: I think it came from over there.

CAS: Fuck.

KENDALL: Wanda-damnit, Cas.

WOLFPAC GUARD #1: Yeah, there's definitely something in that container.

[SFX: They draw their weapons and advance. Ten feet. Eight feet. Six feet. Kendall’s heart beats loud in her ears. Finally, she kicks the door open, knocking Wolfpac Guard #1 backwards. Cas and Kendall draw their weapons.]

KENDALL: (panting) Don't. Move. A-fucking. Muscle.

CAS: Yeah. We don't want any problems here.

WOLFPAC GUARD #1: EUGHHH!

[SFX: Vivienne kills Wolfpac Guard #1 with a single shot before dropping her weapon.]

KENDALL: What the-

CAS: She shot him! She shot her partner!

KENDALL: Don't move!

VIVIENNE: (extreme calm) I've already put my gun down. I'm unarmed.

KENDALL: (tense) Why would you do that?

VIVIENNE: I didn't want your friend to get hurt.

CAS: Hey, I was handling it.

VIVIENNE: Permission to take my helmet off?

KENDALL: …Yes.

[SFX: Vivienne throws it on the ground, irreverently.]

KENDALL: (amazed) Vivienne?

CAS: You know her?

KENDALL: We were in academy together.

VIVIENNE: I was wondering what happened to you.

KENDALL: Decided the Wolfpac life wasn't for me.

VIVIENNE: Smart.

KENDALL: I see you're still one of them.

VIVIENNE: For now.

KENDALL: What does that mean?

VIVIENNE: I don't really see an alternative. They're forcing everyone else into work camps to rebuild the East Tower.

KENDALL: Don't you mean you're forcing them into labor camps?

VIVIENNE: As if I have a choice. I'm basically in a work camp myself. The humans are in charge of the Wolfpac now.

KENDALL: I'm sure Captain Root is groveling at their feet.

VIVIENNE: No one's seen or heard from him since Contact Day.

KENDALL: Shit.

VIVIENNE: It's bad. I've been biding my time, waiting for the right time to desert. That one was always with me, though. It was only a matter of time before I had to get rid of him.

CAS: (Both disgusted and impressed.) Wow.

VIVIENNE: Let me come with you. I'm done doing their dirty work.

[MUSIC: Dramatic cliffhanger music ends the scene.]

[SFX: A crowd of people push down into the sewers.]

LEBOOF: Would you pick up the pace? It's going to take us a year at the rate you're going.

ENID: I'd make it down faster if you stopped stepping on my fingers!

WILLEM: Everyone calm down, this isn't a race.

NOSEBLED #1: How much further is it, Doctor?

WILLEM: We're not far now. I know we have to be close.

[SFX: A pair of footsteps approach.]

SHAIMA: Willem? Is that you?

WILLEM: Shaima! Thank Wanda we've found you!

SHAIMA: What's happened, are you all right?

WILLEM: It's a long story, one that can wait till we're all safe. Do you have shelter enough for my people?

SHAIMA: We have room...although it may not be what they're used to...

WILLEM: It's better than being left out here. Lead the way.

SHAIMA: Is everyone in?

WILLEM: This is all of us.

[SFX:  SHAIMA CLIMBS THE LADDER TO CLOSE THE SEWER GRATE AND REJOINS THEM.

SHAIMA: (raising his voice) Alright, listen up. It's about to get real dark in here, and there are a lot of ways to get lost. I don't have enough light for all of you, but if you follow me I can take you somewhere safe. Okay?

[SFX: There’s a din of people mumbling in agreement as Shaima lights a torch.]

SHAIMA: Good.

[SFX: Shaima leads the group down the echoing hallway in silence. The mass of footprints takes over the scene until Leboof dramatically inhales through his nostrils.]

LEBOOF: (coughing) What's that smell?

SHAIMA: (smug) Freedom.

ENID: Smells more like death to me.

SHAIMA: That too.

WILLEM: Will the bunch of you please show some respect? Need I remind you this man is saving our lives.

[SFX: The group continues ahead. Willem and Shaima hang back.]

WILLEM: (whispered) I'm sorry, they mean well but they can be a bit--

SHAIMA: Spoiled? Entitled? Bratty? Like children who expect the world to be handed to them on a golden platter?

WILLEM: I was going to say difficult.

SHAIMA: (serious) It's fine, Willem. I can tell they're shaken. We all are these days.

WILLEM: Thank you so much for doing this.

SHAIMA: It's the right thing to do. When are you going to tell me what happened to you out there?

WILLEM: I was hiding out with this lot, holed up in my office, windows and doors locked and blacked out. We didn't know what was happening out there, but we had enough rations to hold us over for a while, at least.

SHAIMA: I know that feeling all too well.

WILLEM: Everything was okay for a few months. We kept our lights off and our volume down whenever we heard anyone coming. But it wasn't long before the humans showed up.

SHAIMA: (sighing) Of course they did.

WILLEM: The Queen's dispatches seemed quite enthusiastic about the reconstruction efforts. At first, I thought maybe they'd come with aid for those of us still affected by the Contact Day incident...

SHAIMA: When are you going to learn that it's all lies with her?

WILLEM: She had nothing to do with the attack. I'm sure of it.

SHAIMA: Let's just say I respectfully disagree.

WILLEM: But these soldiers... they couldn't have been her true allies. They rounded us up like cattle. We've been her loyal subjects since the beginning, she would never turn on us like this.

SHAIMA: For what?

WILLEM: Huh?

SHAIMA: Where were they taking you?

WILLEM: They didn't say. We were cuffed and dragged away.

SHAIMA: And how'd you escape?

WILLEM: (ashamed) I knew if they got us into the camp we'd never leave. But there were only two of them and, well, let's just say they never made it back that day...

SHAIMA: I have to say, I'm impressed.

WILLEM: (morose) I'm not. I'm a doctor, not a killer.

SHAIMA: We all do what we have to do to survive around here.

WILLEM: (sighs) Thanks, Shaima.

SHAIMA: And your arm? What happened to it?

WILLEM: It was when we overthrew the guards. I've never been much of a fighter. They got me pretty good.

SHAIMA: We'll take care of you once we get to the sewers.

WILLEM: There are others in worse shape than I.

SHAIMA: Whatever you say… Alright, hold up!

[SFX: Shaima stops abruptly, some of the group bump into each other. Shaima pulls a lever on the wall and a heavy stone door shifts, at which point Shaima leads the group into the old sewage treatment plant.]

SHAIMA: We're here.

LEBOOF: What is this place?

SHAIMA: (proud) Home sweet home.

ENID: At least it smells better in here.

WILLEM: What's that on the wall there?

SHAIMA: A natural air filter we've been working on. It's made with some kind of fungus, but you'll have to ask Helina if you wanna know more.

WILLEM: Helina?

SHAIMA: You'll meet her soon. She's our medic.

WILLEM: I wish I could've brought my equipment with me, but we had to leave in such a hurry.

SHAIMA: Don't worry. We can send someone out to retrieve whatever's left.

WILLEM: Incredible… How did you find this place?

SHAIMA: It was...sort of a natural choice after the invasion. We've worked hard to turn it into a place we can call home.

WILLEM: That's an understatement. Is that an armory?

SHAIMA: It was my Uncle's. He'd been stockpiling for years. Stubborn bastard knew something was coming before anybody else.

WILLEM: I'm so sorry for your loss. May he rest in Wanda's grace.

SHAIMA: (clearing his throat) All right, that's enough chit-chat. Let's get everyone taken care of. Follow me, the clinic's this way.

[MUSIC: Hopeful transition music creaps in as Shaima leads Willem and his crew to Helina.]

[MUSIC: Music from the end of the junkyard scene plays us back in.]

KENDALL: I don't know about this, Viv.

VIVIENNE: I don't want to work for the humans anymore. They're worse than Root ever was.

KENDALL: How can we trust someone who just turned on their own partner?

VIVIENNE: My partner has been doing the humans' bidding gleefully since Contact Day. He won't be missed.

KENDALL: We have a lot of innocent Proximans we're taking care of, and we need help down there.

VIVIENNE: I'll do anything.

KENDALL: But if I'm being honest, you would be of most help to us from within the Wolfpac.

CAS: What?

KENDALL: We need eyes and ears among the Wolves. We need to know what they're up to.

CAS: That's a good idea.

KENDALL: We're also looking for someone. We think he might be in a work camp. If you help us find him, you can join us.

VIVIENNE: I don't know. How can I trust that you'll hold up your end of the bargain?

KENDALL: You're Wolfpac. Our people won't just let you in, but if you bring us this information they'll change their minds.

VIVIENNE: How do I explain him, then?

CAS: You ran into dissenters. He didn't make it out.

VIVIENNE: (sarcastic) How do I explain the Wolfpac bullet in his head?

KENDALL: We'll dump the body somewhere the Wolfpac won't find it.

VIVIENNE: Okay. If I do this for you, then you'll help me defect?

KENDALL: That's the deal. Take it or leave it.

VIVIENNE: Fine. I'll bite. Who're you looking for, and what do you want to know?

KENDALL: His name's Argus.

CAS: He's my kid-brother.

KENDALL: He got himself tangled up with the Wolves, and then Contact Day happened. We've been looking for him ever since.

VIVIENNE: If that's what you need. I can find him. But if I do this for you, I want out, okay? And, Kendall...

KENDALL: Yeah?

VIVIENNE: It would not be a good idea to double-cross me.

KENDALL: I'd never dream of it.

[SFX: A nosebleed cries out inpain.]

ENID: Could you please be more careful?

HELINA: I'm doing the best I can with what I've got, I promise.

ENID: I'll never walk again if this doesn't work...

HELINA: I know this is scary, but I need you to trust me. Your wounds are..serious. Now, hold tight because this is gonna hurt.

[SFX: Helina dumps liquor onto the wound to clean it off and the nosebleed screams out again. Helina walks away to check on the others.}

WILLEM: Don't mind her, she likes to argue.

HELINA: Oh, I'm used to these self-centered pricks. Before everything went down, I worked up in the bazaar.

WILLEM: Shaima never said you weren't from the ground.

HELINA: Don't mistake what I said. I worked up there, but I was never one of them. Given the choice, I'd have been down here a long time ago. Or back home, as far away from this city as possible.

WILLEM: I split my time between the ground and the towers for the better part of a decade.

HELINA: Shaima said as much. Said you're a real do-gooder.

WILLEM: He spoke highly of you as well.

HELINA: He's exaggerating.

WILLEM: I doubt that very much. I know a healer when I see one… I only wish I could be more help to you now...

[SFX: There’s a moment of silence before Willem gasps in pain.]

HELINA: You understand that arm's going to have to come off, don't you?

WILLEM: ...Yes.

HELINA: And that I don't have any real anesthetic down here. I do my best, but you're going to feel all of it.

WILLEM: I trust you.

HELINA: Good, because if you didn't this would be a lot harder.

[SFX: The door opens and Shaima walks in.]

SHAIMA: How's everybody doing?

WILLEM: (through gritted teeth) Been better. How are the others?

SHAIMA: Getting settled in as best they can.

HELINA: They'll be all right.

WILLEM: Thank you so much for everything you've both done for us.

SHAIMA: Anytime, old friend.

HELINA: Shaima, you came at the perfect time. I need you to hold Willem down.

SHAIMA: What?

HELINA: I don't know if you've gotten a look at that wound in his arm, but if I don't do something about it soon the whole thing's gonna get infected and we could lose him.

WILLEM: She's right. Somebody's got to hold me down.

SHAIMA: I'm pretty squeamish...

HELINA: You? I never would've guessed.

[SFX: Awkward laughter before Helina clears away the desk.]

HELINA: Remove that shirt, Willem. And Shaima? Give me your belt.

[SFX: Rustling as the two men follow orders.]

HELINA: I'd tell you this was going to be quick, but I don't want to lie to you.

WILLEM: I understand.

[SFX: Helina tightens the belt around Willem’s arm, he gasps.]

HELINA: Ready?

SHAIMA: As I'll ever be.

HELINA: I wasn't talking to you.

WILLEM: Ready.

[SFX: Helina lights up a plasma cutter and presses it into Willem’s flesh. His full throated scream ends the scene.]

WANDA: Please don't cry, Please don't scream, progress takes a blended team. If dissent you begin it is not a fight you'll win. Better if, you relent, happy days will soon be spent. Building walls, making friends, Helping Windfall thrive again.

PRODUCER: Cut! That was great, interesting take. If we can just get a little more enthusiasm in this next one, Your Highness. That one read a little more dark and foreboding than we were intending. Let's try to convey how excited you are that we're here, and all working together now, annnnnd, we're rolling-

WANDA: (operatically) BALLS! (mildly) There, did you get what you needed? Was that good?

PRODUCER: Um... no?

[SFX: Wanda rips her headphones off and slams them on the counter.]

WANDA: I refuse to do another take of this fatuous clap trap. Take me to my room, I require a spiked Earling tea and have Bimble draw me a hot bath.

[SFX: Wanda claps sharply, Timms strolls into the room chuckling.]

TIMMS: Oh princess...

WANDA: Queen.

TIMMS: I'll call you whatever I want. Count yourself lucky that basic civility prevents me from calling you by one of the many colorful names currently swirling around in my head. Now sit the fuck down and finish up. We have a lot to get through.

WANDA: I am hungry, and my head hurts. I simply cannot continue at present, we've been doing this for hours.

PRODUCER: It's only been a half-

WANDA: HOURS!

[SFX: A bowl of something gloppy is slapped down on the table, a spoon clatters, Wanda gags.]

WANDA: Oh no.

TIMMS: Consider it a working lunch.

WANDA: I'd rather run naked through a field of brackish thistle.

TIMMS: That can be arranged.

WANDA: Outrage! This is outrageous. Tin Man! Take me to my quarters and find Bimble! I need a bath, and then I need to be lotioned, swathed in fresh linen, and laid upon my bed.

TIN MAN: I'm afraid Admiral Timms is correct, Wanda June. These recordings must be finished tonight. Why not have a little spoonful and then we will resume.

WANDA: Get. that. spoon. away from my face. I am Queen and will not be condescended to.

TIMMS: Alright, real talk then. Finish the recordings or I'll personally march you down to the cells and lock you away for insubordination. You're only useful to us as long as you play nice.

WANDA: But these are patent lies. You came in like animals, guns blazing, blowing up the East Tower! Killing my loyal subjects! DESTROYING MY CORONATION CEREMONY!! It was an attack on Proxima- and now... you serve me hot under-seasoned gruel and expect me to lie to my dear subjects to serve your best interests, like a puppet!! I refuse.

TIMMS: If you think that this is the first time that you have been used as a mouthpiece to spin information that benefits the Human agenda then you're sadly mistaken-

WANDA: -What do you mean by that?

TIMMS: (dry) Hilarious. You still haven't figured it out yet-

TIN MAN: Admiral Timms, perhaps a break would be in order, just a brief intermission, and then we can come back fresh, fed, and ready to focus. As you can see Wanda is in no state to cooperate.

WANDA: Tin Man, what did she mean by that?

TIMMS: For fucks sake- the two of you are making my head pound. We'll continue in twenty.

TIN MAN: Thank you Admiral, most gracious. Come along Wanda, I'll have Bimble draw you that bath and we'll have Chef rustle up something tasty.

WANDA: I'm not a child- I will not be placated like one- this conversation is not over-

TIN MAN: -Perhaps some seared game on a bed of wilted nettle, your favorite.

WANDA: I won't be distracted by-

[SFX: Tin Man’s comm crackles as he speaks into it.]

TIN MAN: Please prepare the Queen's favorite-

WANDA: Tell him to make sure it's medium, last time it was like chewing on a deliciously sauced shoe.

TIN MAN: I'll personally oversee the preparation.

[SFX: Gert busies herself with inventory, moving around cans, counting to herself. Shaima enters, breathless.]

GERT: Oh Shaima, there you are. I've been meaning to run a few numbers by you-

SHAIMA: One moment-

[SFX: Shaima vomits into a bucket.]

GERT: Mighty sun twins! Here-

[SFX: Gert rips a piece of rag and hands it to him.]

GERT: Are you okay?

SHAIMA: (groaning) Yeah, I'll live.

GERT: Here, drink this.

[SFX: Gert pours something and Shaima takes it, sipping.]

SHAIMA: Well, that was a new experience.

GERT: Poor bastard, I could hear his screams from here.

SHAIMA: He eventually passed out from the pain. I don't know how she does it.

GERT: She's carved out of Proximan Ore-

SHAIMA: Poor Willem, what's he gonna do?

GERT: He'll make do, he'll have to. Besides, his strength was always that heart of his, not his arm.

SHAIMA: Or his weakness, Wanda, the amount of fights we got in because of his over-developed sense of justice.

GERT: Please, you two are more alike than you know. It was a real shame when they rezoned the schools, you were a little lost soul without him.

SHAIMA: It's good to see him.

GERT: Too bad he wasn't alone. I just chased three of them outta here, looking for fresh towels and a menu.

SHAIMA: These people... we'll have to set some ground rules. Remind them that we're the ones in charge here, not service staff.

GERT: I think I got that point across. Or this did...

[SFX: Gert cocks her gun, Shaima chokes on his drink.]

SHAIMA: Gert!

GERT: Start as you mean to go on, I always say. A little fear does wonders to reset the natural order of things. Plus, I'm not trying to encourage people to loiter around in here. Supplies were tight enough as it was, before they showed up.

SHAIMA: Is it that bad?

GERT: Cas brings back what he can, but even with rationing, we're getting dangerously close to running out.

SHAIMA: Of what?

GERT: Everything. I'm gonna need you to put a lock on this door so we can control who has access.

SHAIMA: You want me to do it right now? I can-

GERT: -bup bup. Sssh. Sit for a minute. Drink this.

[SFX: Gert opens a bottle, takes a swig, and passes it.]

SHAIMA: Didn't you just say we're running out of everything?

GERT: Booze is the one thing we've still got. I'd gotten a new shipment right before Contact Day.

SHAIMA: Thank Wanda for that.

GERT: Fuck that, thank me.

[SFX: They take a few more swigs.]

SHAIMA: Are we doing the right thing taking in all these people? What if we can't provide for everyone?

GERT: It's a war zone up there. We have the space, so it's our moral obligation to help, the rest is just logistics.

SHAIMA: I keep having this dream that I'm trying to get to one side of the common room with a blanket for this baby that's been abandoned, and each time I try to get across the room I'm stopped by someone asking for food, or complaining about the smell, or demanding a room, and I never get to that baby, and it's so little and it's cold, and I'm trying, but I never get there... Gert, I'm scared I'm failing.

[SFX: Shaima takes another huge swig before Gert grabs the bottle.]

GERT: Be careful there. That's some strong stuff.

SHAIMA: What're we even fucking doing here?

GERT: Surviving. And that's better than I can say for anybody else.

SHAIMA: I don't know how much longer I'm gonna be able to hang on... (choking up) I miss Vern.

GERT: I do too, Shaima.

SHAIMA: I don't know if I can keep doing this without him...

GERT: Shhh. Shhh. Don't say that. Of course you can.

[SFX: Gert and Shaima hug. Shaima begins to cry as the scene ends.]

[SFX: Hustle and bustle of the displaced nosebleeds being directed to different places. Pablima pushes her way through the crowd.]

PAVLIMA: Excuse me. Sorry. 'Scuse me.

ENID: Sorry, Ma'am. Do you know where the lavatories might be?

PAVLIMA: You're going to want to head that way, past the kitchens.

ENID: Wanda bless you, miss.

PAVLIMA: It's not really a bathroom, though... You'll know when you get there!

[SFX: Pav bumps into someone as she speaks.]

PAVLIMA: I'm so sorry!

KENDALL: Hey!

PAVLIMA: (thrilled) Kendall!

[SFX: She throws her arms around Kendall. They kiss.]

KENDALL: (laughing) Pav, what're you doing out here?

PAVLIMA: I came to see if you were back yet.

KENDALL: Just got here.

CAS: Hi Pav.

PAVLIMA: Hi Cas. (suddenly concerned.) Looks like you got in a bit of a scuffle.

CAS: Oh, this? It's nothing.

KENDALL: (cagey) Yeah, pretty boring out there.

CAS: Hey, do you know where Helina is?

PAVLIMA: Haven't seen her.

CAS: Alright, I'll catch you guys later.

KENDALL: (pause as Cas leavs) Wow, it's crazy in here.

PAVLIMA: (quietly) There are so many of them. There's not enough room.

KENDALL: I don't think we have a choice.

PAVLIMA: Yeah...hey, are you hungry? You've been out all day. I can scrounge some food up for you...

KENDALL: I'm fine. You don't have to fuss over me.

PAVLIMA: Well, there's not much else for me to do.

KENDALL: What do you mean?

PAVLIMA: You're out all day with Cas doing Wanda-knows-what, and I'm stuck here hiding out in our room waiting for you to come home. I want to go with you.

KENDALL: No. Absolutely not. We've been through this a million times.

PAVLIMA: You don't think I know how to handle a gun?

KENDALL: It's not that. I don't think you realize how dangerous it is topside. I love you, Pav. I can't.

PAVLIMA: How can I let you, then? Knowing how dangerous it is!

KENDALL: I can take care of myself.

PAVLIMA: And I can't?

KENDALL: It's just-

PAVLIMA: I still don't understand why you won't even entertain the idea.

KENDALL: (serious) There's no point in even discussing this. I'm not going to change my mind.

PAVLIMA: You obviously need the help!

KENDALL: Cas and I are doing just fine.

PAVLIMA: Wouldn't it be less dangerous with another person to watch your backs?

KENDALL: (suddenly self-conscious) Look, I don't want to talk about this here.

PAVLIMA: Fine. But we will talk about it.

KENDALL: Yeah, okay. Why don't we find some food? Turns out I'm hungry after all.

[SFX: They disappear into the crowd of nosebleeds.

[SFX: The sound of a trowel digging in shallow dirt and an occasional spritz of a watering system. Footsteps approach.]

CAS: Helina.

HELINA: (still working) Cas, you're back.

CAS: (walking closer) You've somehow made this place even more amazing than the last time I was here. How do you do it?

HELINA: Oh, stop.

CAS: You found yourself a hole in the deepest, darkest depths of an old, forgotten sewage treatment plant and brought it to life.

HELINA: (stepping back to take a look) I guess I did, huh?

CAS: I don't know the first thing about plants or flowers, but whenever I'm here, in this room, with you...I feel...at peace.

HELINA: Cas...

[SFX: They kiss. Helina breaks away.]

HELINA: I'm glad you're back. I'm anxious every time you go above ground.

CAS: Don't worry about me. We're always careful. You've got enough to worry about putting this together.

HELINA: Come have a look, I just put in a bed of tubers. When they're ready, we'll finally have a reliable food source. And over here? The elderweed I planted is finally starting to seed.

CAS: Elderweed? I'm no expert, but isn't that...a weed?

HELINA: (beaming) I can use its roots in antibiotics, but if we let it grow long enough the flowers are edible, too.

CAS: Amazing what a little love can do.

HELINA: It's funny, I used to day dream about having something like this when I was in the bazaar. A garden of my own.

CAS: And now you do.

HELINA: Thank the gods for it. Focusing on these plants - the life inside this room - is the only time I'm able to think about anything else...

CAS: (gentle) You've gotta stop blaming yourself for Sylvie. I'm glad you have this, I know how much it means to you, but overworking yourself isn't what she'd want for you.

HELINA: I can't help it. You should know that better than anyone.

CAS: You're right, I do. And I wish there was a way to bring the people we love back. I'd do anything to talk to Vern just one more time.

HELINA: Sylvie'd be happy to see me sober. That's what she wanted for me more than anything else.

CAS: See. The only way to honor the dead is to keep going… I'm proud of you. She would be too.

HELINA: (choking up) How was today? Any news about Argus?

CAS: We might have a lead.

HELINA: Really? What is it?

CAS: (backtracking) I mean, it could be nothing.

HELINA: You'll find him. I know you will. It's only a matter of time.

CAS: I just...I can't help thinking if I'd only done a better job taking care of him, then I wouldn't have to be out there searching for him.

HELINA: Now you're the one being ridiculous. How could you have known he'd get picked up by the Wolfpac like that?

CAS: You know, it's my fault he was at the bazaar in the first place.

HELINA: What do you mean?

CAS: I-I've never told you this, but I told him to steal your bag.

HELINA: What?!

CAS: He was into you, and I treated him like a joke, like I always did.

HELINA: Oh, Cas...

CAS: I said he'd be your hero if he returned it after you'd lost it. Sure fire way to get in your pants.

HELINA: How sweet...

CAS: I didn't think he'd go find you himself. I told him to wait for you to come back to the bar.

HELINA: (realization dawning) Only, I didn't come back to the ground at all that week. He must've been feeling guilty.

CAS: Right, since he's the one who pick-pocketed you to begin with.

HELINA: Listen, it doesn't matter. This whole situation is no one's fault. It's just an unfortunate circumstance and your poor brother got caught up in something much bigger than himself.

CAS: I don't know what I'll do if something happened to him. I can't lose anyone else. And Shaima... he couldn't handle it.

HELINA: Shaima will handle it. You'll both handle it. I've lost...everyone, and I'm still here.

CAS: I'm sorry, I shouldn't be burdening you with this.

HELINA: It's okay, Cas. I understand.

[SFX: They hug each other tight.]

HELINA: (clearing her throat) Now, let's get you to work. This is basically free therapy, okay? The rules are, no more serious talk, and absolutely no poetry. I come here to garden in peace.

CAS: You're going to let me touch your precious plants?

HELINA: No, I'm going to let you turn the soil over. Gotta put those muscles to use somehow.

CAS: Alright, that I can do.

HELINA: Over here, the dirt is really packed in, if you could just turn it over and then add some of the grounds I've collected...

[SFX: Fade out on Helina talking.]

[MUSIC: The score changes here as footsteps approach.]

CADE: Mila?

MILA: (startled) Cade, is that you?

[SFX: Cade walks closer.]

MILA: You startled me, old friend. I didn't realize you'd be down here this early in the morning.

CADE: Couldn't sleep. Thought I'd take a walk to clear my head. What're you doing down here?

MILA: Inventory.

CADE: (snorts) You haven't run inventory since you took over for your dad.

MILA: (joking) Yes, well, I'd hate to forget my humble origins.

CADE: Can I help?

MILA: No, that's alright. I was just finishing up.

[SFX: Mila stacks a few boxes and straightens up.]

CADE: Miss doing the grunt work now that you're in charge?

MILA: Only a little.

CADE: I've been meaning to say, being the boss suits you.

MILA: (sighs) Thank you, Cade. Really. I'd be nowhere without you. My father's cronies would never have let me take over if you hadn't interceded on my behalf.

CADE: I knew you were ready. The others just needed a little persuading.

MILA: I know some of them would have preferred to have a man in charge.

CADE: Fuck'em. Who cares what they think.

MILA: I know you're right. It's just-

CADE: Listen, even Isaac would be proud of what you've done. How you've kept this whole operation running after the invasion.

MILA: If there's one thing I've learned, it's that I was born to disappoint. It's a nice thought, though.

[SFX: Mila’s comm rings.]

MILA: Sorry, I need to take this.

CADE: Okay.

[SFX: The comm rings between them.]

MILA: In private, Cade.

CADE: Whatever you say...

[SFX: Cade exits the warehouse while Mila answers the phone.]

MILA: Mila speaking.

TIMMS: You said you'd call with an update on our incoming shipment. What's the hold up?

MILA: Good morning, Admiral Timms. I was just double-checking the outgoing order now-

TIMMS: And?

MILA: (annoyed) And everything seems to be in place. There's just one thing I'm afraid we don't have at the moment.

TIMMS: And what, pray tell, is that?

MILA: The elderweed you requested, but I doubt it'll take long to round up-

TIMMS: No, no, no. You promised me you were the preeminent distributor in all of Windfall City-

MILA: I know, but-

TIMMS: You said that anything we could possibly want, you had access to.

MILA: Yes, and-

TIMMS: And you charged us a pretty penny for your trouble.

MILA: I understand your frustration, but this herb isn't a common one. Even so, it's only a temporary hold-up. You have my word.

TIMMS: (mocking) Even so. (hard) I'll not be paying full price on this shipment.

MILA: (BEAT) Fine. I'll wave ten percent.

TIMMS: Twenty. And I want an update on the elderweed tomorrow.

[SFX: Timms hangs up before Mila can respond.]