Episode 2.06 transcript - “They need me”

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: Medical beeps, suction sounds, soft groans of someone in pain, someone is saying "wake-up" but the sound is distorted and other-worldly.]

ARGUS: (indistinct groaning) Eugh...

TIN MAN: Ah, awake are we? Just in time, actually.

ARGUS: Who? What is- Where am I?

TIN MAN: You are currently in a makeshift laboratory specially outfitted for a very important procedure.

ARGUS: I don't understand... How'd I get here?

TIN MAN: Your little coup attempt failed, and as one of the survivors-

ARGUS: (horrified) One of the survivors? Who? (suddenly remembering) Oh gods, Oz...Tuck...

TIN MAN: So you remember?

ARGUS: But I thought they would-

TIN MAN: (amused) Let you go? One of the downfalls of the Proximan race as I've observed. A far too trusting species.

[SFX: Tin Man positions Argus' mechanical bed and wheels a whirring machine closer.]

ARGUS: What're you doing to me?

TIN MAN: It might be best if you don't know. I'm not sure how high levels of distress may impact the procedure.

ARGUS: (panicking) Please! Don't hurt me!

TIN MAN: I'm afraid it will most certainly hurt a little. That cannot be helped.

[SFX: Rustling sound as Argus tries to sit up in bed, grunting, followed by sudden aggressive beeping.]

TIN MAN: Really now, you must calm down.

[SFX: Tin Man cranks a knob on the machine and we hear dripping through an iv. Argus' struggling eases up.]

ARGUS:Why are you doing this to me?

TIN MAN: Your life has been deemed expendable.

ARGUS: Please, if you tell me what you're doing I'll stay calm. I won't struggle. I just need to know.

TIN MAN: Very well, it makes no difference to me. Proximans' cerebrospinal fluid includes a naturally occurring defense against a common - yet still undetected - bacteria on this planet. Humans do not have this same defense, and so this bacteria is infecting them at a rapid rate. My hypothesis is that by extracting trace amounts of your cerebrospinal fluid, I will be able to create a sort of vaccine for the humans.

ARGUS: Will I die?

TIN MAN: Very likely, but you never know.

ARGUS: (crying softly) If you do this to me, then no one else will have to go through this... procedure, right?

TIN MAN: On the contrary, if this is successful, we'll begin cerebrospinal fluid extraction for wholesale the purpose of vaccine manufacturing… Now, best not to delay.

ARGUS: Wait! I have one more question-

[SFX: Tin Man turns a dial. Argus yelps in pain.]

TIN MAN: We have no time for questions, I'm afraid. Prepare yourself.

[SFX: Dial is turned more. Argus' screams take us out of the scene.]

[SFX: We come into this scene mid-conversation. Things are getting heated already, people are shifting in their seats.]

SHAIMA: The fact that we haven't already put a bullet in their heads is still shocking to me.

WILLEM: (shocked) Shaima!

SHAIMA: Look, I know you come from a world where that woman's name is synonymous with wealth and comfort, but I can't be alone in this, can I? She's our fucking oppressor.

PAVLIMA: However...

SHAIMA: I know you're right. I know she's worth more to us alive than dead-- it's just a bitter pill to swallow.

LEBOOF: If any of you do anything else to harm the Queen you'll have a revolt on your hands. Our people love her, unequivocally.

[SFX: Shaima lets out a deep groan.]

PAVLIMA: She's vile, but she's the closest thing we've had to leverage since coming here. Besides, something's up with her, she didn't even have a Wolfpac escort. Trust me, her smarmy dick of an advisor doesn't count.

LEBOOF: I fail to see what that has to do with anything.

PAVLIMA: She was running, so somebody's bound to be looking for her. That has to buy us some kind of protection when they show up.

WILLEM: We are not trading her away! We can use her to recruit more of our people. THAT is what will make us stronger.

[SFX: There is a moment of silence.]

SHAIMA: Absolutely not, we need to be strategic about who knows we have her. Plus we're not exactly in a position to house and feed anyone else.

WILLEM: Gert, what do you have to say about all of this? You've been awfully quiet.

GERT: I've spent the last twenty years wishing I could kill her, but now that I've met her? She seems, I don't know, kinda pathetic, in a way?

PAVLIMA: She clearly has no attachment to reality.

SHAIMA: What does that change?

GERT: She might be as much of a pawn as we are.

LEBOOF: This is all so offensive.

WILLEM: So, what are we doing with her?

GERT: Since we're still trying to figure that out I say we put her to work.

LEBOOF: You can't seriously be suggesting that we turn our glorious Queen into a work mule.

SHAIMA: House rules Leboof. She's gotta earn her keep if she's gonna be another mouth to feed.

WILLEM: I'm troubled by the prospect too, my friend, but it's a compromise that keeps her alive and under our protection.

LEBOOF: I suppose.

SHAIMA: What about Captain Root?

GERT: Eugh, that guy sucks.

[SFX: Agreement all around.]

PAVLIMA: What's the nastiest work we have going?

SHAIMA: Grease traps and latrine sanitation

PAVLIMA: Perfect.

LEBOOF: The Queen will be placed on a task more befitting to her station I trust?

SHAIMA: Everybody works Claxon. She'll do what we see fit. But in exchange we give her food, lodging, and safe harbor from whoever she's running from.

LEBOOF: -But-

WILLEM: Let us pick our battles Claxon. This'll have to do for the moment.

PAVLIMA: All in agreement?

[SFX: Each of the other members of the council answers "aye" in turn. Transition music takes us out of the scene.]

[SFX: The familiar ring of a bell as the door to vern's shop opens and two sets of footsteps enter, letting the door swing closed behind them.]

KENDALL: Are you sure it's a good idea for you to be back here?

CAS: I know Vern had a communicator in his office. If we can just find it...

KENDALL: Hey, hey, hey...

[SFX: Kendall stops Cas in his tracks.]

KENDALL: We don't have to go through with this. We can find a different way to check in with Vivienne.

CAS: I can't just never come here again. It's where I grew up.

KENDALL: Well, I certainly wouldn't blame you if it was too difficult. I just...

CAS: I'm fine. Really.

KENDALL: Okay...but even still, what if Mila's been casing the place?

CAS: You know what, part of me really wishes she would. This time she won't have the upper hand.

[SFX: They move around the office, looking at things here and there.]

CAS: Found it.

[SFX: Kendall joins him at Vern's old desk. It takes a moment for the communicator to start up.]

CAS: Still works. See, I told you it was worth it. Do you think she's found Argus by now?

KENDALL: I'm sure she'll have something for us.

[SFX: They dial a long number on the communicator and it rings.]

CAS: I just know once we bring him back home, everything'll be alright. I won't even mind living in the sewers anymore. Really. He's my best friend and I never even told him.

KENDALL: I'm sure he knows...

CAS: You think so? I was never that nice to him.

KENDALL: Hey, hey, there's no sense in thinking about that now. We have to find him first.

[SFX: The communicator on the other end picks up.]

VIVIENNE: Hello?

[SFX: The steady drip of water as it pings against metal. One body in the prison cell is breathing heavily through his nose. The other is rustling around, clearly unused to being confined.]

ROOT: My Queen, if you would just be still for longer than a moment...

WANDA: I cannot, Root. I've never had my movements restricted in this way. It is quite loathsome and I'm afraid we won't be out of here any time soon.

ROOT: Try to calm down. It might actually be a little nice sitting here quietly... with your thoughts, plotting your revenge... Besides, I hate to say it, but I'd be more concerned about what'll happen once we're removed from this cell than how long we'll be stuck.

WANDA: But that is precisely why I cannot be still. I escaped from the castle, ready to fly to the aid of my loyal subjects, only to find they're not loyal at all.

ROOT: But you are our benevolent Queen. The city adores you. They worship you!

WANDA: They're certainly not worshiping me down here. I knew Tin Man was keeping something from me, but this? It's horrible and inappropriate.

ROOT: (makes a strangled noise) Well...

WANDA: Please, Root, be honest. I beg you. Tell me, what do the people of Windfall really think about their Queen? I don't want to die never knowing the full truth.

ROOT: If it's what you want...

WANDA: It is. Now tell me everything. Don't hold back.

ROOT: Okay... so, for starters, you enslaved a good quarter of the population to build the East Tower thereby causing a bloody rebellion, which saw many Proximans hanged or imprisoned for life-

WANDA: But I-

ROOT: If you argue with me, I'll stop.

WANDA: Fine, fine, fine. I'll keep quiet.

ROOT: Now, where was I? Oh, yes, these public hangings created an atmosphere of dread on the ground level and orphaned many children in the process. Since then, you've deprived those same people of sunlight, strangled the economy thanks to ever-growing tax hikes that benefit only the very wealthy, you've leveled entire villages in the Western Reaches. You arrest anyone who refuses to worship Your Highness, ripping families apart. You force everyone in Windfall to listen to those absurd, sing-songy rhyming announcements every single morning and night-

WANDA: People like those! Whimsy is an important part of-

ROOT: What did I say?

WANDA: Sorry, as you were.

ROOT: You enforce a city-wide curfew, arrest Proximans for very low-level offenses. You once pressured a prisoner into gifting you a family heirloom because it was "insulting for anyone other than a Queen to wear jewelry that was so pretty"....

[SFX: Root's voice fades out as he drones on and on. Music plays in the interim until his voice comes in again, suggesting that some time has passed.]

ROOT: ...the Wolfpac has successfully silenced all opposition to your monarchy, searching out any mere whiff of possible dissent, we've invaded homes, killed anyone who seems even faintly traitorous, and smeared those rising high enough in the ranks to pose an actual threat to your legitimacy.

SHAIMA: You forgot about the public executions.

[SFX: Shaima drops a tray of food loudly on the floor. Root and Wanda scramble forward to grab it. They eat ravenously.]

ROOT: (his mouth full of slop) Oh no, I covered those earlier. You just missed them.

SHAIMA: (enraged) My parents are dead, because of you!

WANDA: Whe- When was this?

ROOT: He's referring to the executions from twenty years ago.

WANDA: But I was only a child then. I was twelve-years-old. I had no real control over anything.

SHAIMA: You've been in charge for a long time now, and I don't exactly see how anything's gotten better. Look around you. The ground is a war zone because of your dictatorship.

[SFX: Shaima exits the room. Wanda and Root wait till he's gone to continue speaking.]

WANDA: These people's lives, they've been destroyed because of me... and now ours are in their hands.

ROOT: Yes, Your Highness, I hate to say it but: we're fucked.

[SFX: Menacing transition music takes us out of the scene.]

[SFX: Medical beeps and whirs.]

TIN MAN: Still conscious?

ARGUS: I feel...dizzy.

TIN MAN: Confused, perhaps?

ARGUS: I think... I think I'm gonna be sick.

[SFX: Argus wretches onto the ground.]

TIN MAN: Most unpleasant.

ARGUS: Why'd you keep me awake?

TIN MAN: Data. We need to know the effects the procedure has on its subject.

ARGUS: You talk like we're livestock. Don't you see we're just as alive and intelligent you? As the humans?

TIN MAN: My core drive is to prolong the human race. At any cost. So, no, to me you are not as important.

ARGUS: (afraid) What are you? You're not like any of the droids I've ever seen.

TIN MAN: I am a far superior to the simple bots you're accustomed to in Windfall City. I am a BT9 model created in Detroit, Michigan, USA, Earth, in the year 2139.

ARGUS: How long have you been on Proxima.

TIN MAN: I came with the Queen when she was a baby. A very good one, I might add. Rarely cried. Just wanted to be held, so I did that, rather frequently...

ARGUS: Do you love her? The Queen?

TIN MAN: I found her little face fascinating, small and soft, but alert. She was a curious thing. I liked - enjoyed even - the countless questions she'd ask about about absolutely everything. Brilliant, in her own way.

ARGUS: That's not the Queen I know. The Queen I know is a monster.

TIN MAN: The Queen had very little to do with whatever you're referring to.

ARGUS: Then who did?

TIN MAN: (thinking) Well, I suppose I did.

ARGUS: An android?

TIN MAN: I came to create a new home for the human race. By any means necessary.

ARGUS: (becoming increasingly upset) What happened to theirs? Why don't they just go home?

TIN MAN: In the Year 2051 a report was released to all of the World Leaders of the Planet Earth stating that unless they immediately ceased the production of plastics and brought about the cessation of utilizing fossil fuels...

[SFX: Music vamps and Tin Man’s story fades away over it.]

[SFX: The communicator picks up.]

VIVIENNE: Private Vivienne speaking?

KENDALL: Viv, it's us. Is this a good time?

VIVIENNE: Why hello, Kendall. I'm glad you called, I have an update I think you'll be pleased to hear.

CAS: Is it about Argus?

VIVIENNE: It is.

KENDALL: You found him?

VIVIENNE: I may have...

KENDALL: Okay...

VIVIENNE: I'll get to that soon. I was hoping we might chat about me moving down to - wherever it is you're living - first.

CAS: (growling) Listen, I don't know what you're playing at, but if you've found my little brother, you'd better damn well tell me.

VIVIENNE: (suddenly icy) No, you listen to me, I've been doing what you wanted, sticking my neck out for the two of you, and what do I have to show for it? I have the information you're after, but I need some guarantees before I'm willing to hand it over. Is that clear?

KENDALL: What kind of guarantees?

VIVIENNE: I know exactly where Argus is, and I will tell you. Hell, I'll even take you right to him, but first, I want out of the Wolfpac. I want a new life. Once I have that, Argus is yours.

KENDALL: You have to understand, we can't just make that happen. We have to go through the proper channels-

VIVIENNE: (laughing) The proper channels? Why Kendall, you're starting to sound like Root.

KENDALL: Give us time. We need to talk to the others. We can't just bring you without permission.

VIVIENNE: Do what you need to do. I have time to wait it out. I'm not so sure I can say the same about your brother, Cas… Until next time.

[SFX: The communicator cuts out. There's a momentary pause, and then Cas slams his hands down on Vern's desk.]

CAS: (enraged) Wanda dammit!

KENDALL: Come on, Cas. Keep it together. Argus needs you now more than ever.

CAS: We're so close! So close!

KENDALL: At least we know he's still alive. That's something.

CAS: But for how long?

KENDALL: He's made it this far, Cas. Have faith.

CAS: (lets out a huge sigh) Let's go. I need to tell Shaima and Gert about this.

KENDALL: Don't you mean, we need to tell the Council about this?

CAS: Fuck. I forgot about that. This is gonna be a real hard sell.

KENDALL: I know. That's exactly what I'm afraid of. If only we'd have found this out sooner we wouldn't even have to worry about some dumb council.

CAS: They'll have to see our side. They have to.

KENDALL: Ugh... let's get outta here.

[SFX: The bell on the door rings as they exit Vern's shop once more.]

[SFX: Medical beeps and whirs, we enter an on-going conversation.]

ARGUS: Wait, so how many humans are coming here?

TIN MAN: Oh, a couple million, I'd say.

ARGUS: A couple million?!

TIN MAN: Yes, they left many behind.

ARGUS: They left their own species behind on a dying planet? I don't understand.

TIN MAN: Only those who could afford to were able to board the ark.

ARGUS: Oh, so human nosebleeds. And who are all these human soldiers?

TIN MAN: Mercenaries mostly. Sent to further prepare the way for the rest of their species.

ARGUS: Gods, the work camps?

TIN MAN: Soon Windfall City will become Earth's newest colony, and as the population grows it shall expand into The Reaches and beyond.

ARGUS: What about the people who already live in Windfall? What about my family? Please, you have to see that you're nothing more than a servant to them.

TIN MAN: My mission is to create a sustainable Neo-Earth for the human race.

ARGUS: How do you not see that you're expendable? Once they get here they'll toss you into some trash heap. Make way for a newer model.

TIN MAN: Not if I bring them this vaccine. They will see my usefulness. I understand this planet, and I understand you Proximans. They need me.

ARGUS: You're not like other androids, BT9, I can see it when you talk about the Queen. Even you must see that the humans ruined their planet and left their own behind to die. They'll do the same here. They're not worth it!

TIN MAN: Enough! I have clearly let this get out of hand. I must do what I can to further the lifespan of the human race. That is all… It was perhaps cruel of me to humor you in this way.

ARGUS: No, BT9, you have to listen to me-

[SFX: Tin Man turns a dial. Argus weeps in frustration - he was so close to getting through.]

MECHANICAL VOICE: Maximum sedative administered.

TIN MAN: There, there. That feels better, doesn't it?

[SFX: Argus's sobs become more muffled and somber music ends the scene.]

[SFX: There's a quick knock at the door, before it opens and Helina enters.]

HELINA: Willem said you wanted to see me?

GERT: Yes. Sit.

HELINA: (pulling a chair out) What's on your mind?

GERT: I'm a little too exhausted to do this whole song and dance right now.

HELINA: I have no clue what you're talking about.

GERT: I'd like to think you have enough respect for me not to pretend your little visit to Wanda never happened.

HELINA: Oh... that.

GERT: Yes, that, Helina.

HELINA: Look, I got a little carried away...

GERT: A little carried away? You damn near killed her! Do you know what would've happened if Cas hadn't stopped you?

HELINA: I wish he hadn't! I wish that I hadn't ever faltered. The whole fucking world would be better for it.

[SFX: Gert slams her hands on the desk.]

GERT: I understand that you may disagree with the council's decision, but that doesn't mean you had any right to take matters into your own hands.

HELINA: (sarcastic) Yes, the precious council. The one I'm so conveniently absent from. Willem I get, Gertie. He's a good guy, despite his failings. And Pav too -- even if she is your little yes woman. But Claxon fucking Leboof? Even his name's a fucking joke.

GERT: I don't like him any more than you do, but he was elected just like the rest of us. We did this so I wouldn't have to keep making these calls by myself.

HELINA: Elected. The whole thing was a fucking sham. What about everything I helped build? That means nothing to you? You know as well as I do it's fucked up that I don't have a seat at the table.

GERT: Tell me though, would you really want to lose hours out of your day to listen to every one else's problems? Instead of doing the work you care about, in the greenhouse? You hated dealing with people in your old shop.

HELINA: I did just fine, thank you very much.

GERT: What we're doing here, Helina, it's delicate. It's a microcosm of what would need to change to start healing the gaping wound that is this city, but it's progress. And pissing off half of the people here just because we don't like Wanda jeopardizes that.

HELINA: (laughs) We don't like Wanda? Is that all that is? What the hell happened to you? What about all of the people that DIED to put that woman in power? My parents... your own fucking brother!

GERT: That's not fair and you know it. I told you that in confidence, you don't get to weaponize my grief. People are allowed to change, Helina. She's clearly fleeing something, maybe this is her time to be a better person.

HELINA: Always a saint, aren't you Gertie? Ready to listen to everybody's sob stories and take them at face value.

GERT: It's certainly easier than carrying around so much hate in my heart every single day. Letting it consume me.

HELINA: You too, eh? You people, you're all the same. You think you have all the answers to all my problems. Be less angry, Helina. Stop drinking, Helina. Stop working so hard, Helina, you're gonna burn yourself out.

GERT: Oh would you shut the fuck up already?

HELINA: Excuse me?

GERT: (furious) I'm so sick of this. Every single person I deal with, every day, all they ever do is come groveling at my feet, saying ME, ME, ME. What about me, Helina? What about my problems? What about coming in and asking me what you can do to help me for once? My nephew is out there, suffering Wanda knows what. I have enough trouble not sleeping at night without you, my best friend, making it worse.

HELINA: (taken aback) Gert... I'm so sorry... I didn't mean...

GERT: (serious & quiet) I don't want to hear it. Helina, I love you. So much, but I can't do this right now. I'm doing everything I can to keep things running smoothly around here, and I can't baby you anymore. Get your act together, or I'm not gonna be able to stop them when they want your head on the end of a stick.

HELINA: (resigned) I understand.

[SFX: Helina starts to walk away.]

GERT: And don't think I don't know you're drinking again.

HELINA: Nobody's ever loved me like the bottom of a bottle.

GERT: I'm sorry you feel that way.

HELINA: Yeah, me too.

[SFX: Helina exits, letting the door slam behind her.]

[SFX: The door opens and closes. Someone paces the hallway while Tin Man walks out.]

ANTONY: Finally, you've been in there forever.

TIN MAN: It is a delicate process, Lieutenant Commander.

ANTONY: Well, did it work?

TIN MAN: We will soon find out. What should I do with the specimen?

ANTONY: (a sigh) As much as I'd like to toss him into a river, if he manages to survive we'll send him back to the work camp. We need all the bodies we can get after the goddamn mutiny.

TIN MAN: He will not be of much use for the time being.

ANTONY: Have him moved back into his cell. If he pulls through fine, if he dies... well, he had it coming.

[SFX: Tin Man hands a metal case over to Antony.]

ANTONY: And what do we have here?

TIN MAN: A sample for the good doctor. It should be enough for him to begin running tests.

ANTONY: Vegas.

VEGAS: Yessir.

ANTONY: You heard the robot. Have this brought to Jacob, and then take our patient back to the work camp.

VEGAS: Right away, sir.

TIN MAN: Actually, I thought I might take it to Jacob myself-

ANTONY: I don't think so BT9. Wherever I go, you go. Those are the new rules.

TIN MAN: And where is it that we're going, if not back to the castle?

ANTONY: I've just received a tip on a potential lead as to the whereabouts of the Queen.

TIN MAN: Excellent, Lieutenant Commander. Happy to assist.

[SFX: Antony walks away as Tin Man opens the door, returning to a snoring Argus. Transition music ends the scene.]

[SFX: Night time prison noises. Snoring, clanging of doors, a guard yells "quiet the fuck down you dirty squids!" a key turns in the cell door.]

ISAAC: Who's there?

VEGAS: (sarcastic)Delivery for Prisoner 394!

ISAAC: Argus! What the fuck did you do to him?!

VEGAS: (guffawing) This one bought himself a little one-on-one time with our very own Doctor Mengele.

ISAAC: Gods, Argus, are you okay?

ARGUS: Isaac, you were right... You were right all along...

ISAAC: (pained) It's okay. It's gonna be okay.

VEGAS: He has a week, and then it's back to work. Do you hear me?

[SFX: Isaac ignores him and the door clangs shut.]

ARGUS: (broken) Oz and Tuck... they're gone...

ISAAC: I don't want to talk about that right now.

ARGUS: (wailing)

ISAAC: (voice wobbles) I'm right here kid, I'm right here.

[SFX: Melancholy score ends the episode.]