Episode 2.08 transcript - “A Social Visit”
ADAM RAYMONDA: Windfall is intended for a mature audiences, see our show notes for more information. Listener discretion is advised.
[SFX: Clinical beeps, clinking of surgical equipment, the drip of a transfusion.]
TIMMS: Tighten the straps on him, his right arm is still twitching.
[SFX: A strap is tightened.]
HUMAN SOLDIER #2: Why did we come? We're killing them, we're killing them, I saw a little one, a baby, a little baby, and he smashed his head in, his head, we're hurting them, we are the monsters, we are guilty, we are guilty, I am guilty, oh god, I am guilty-
TIMMS: Shhh, shh, Davis- you're okay, we're going to make you feel better-
HUMAN SOLDIER #2: No, I can't ever, this is punishment, this pain, I deserve this- I watched, I said nothing-
TIMMS: Administer the maximum dose.
[SFX: Beeping and a rushing fluid sound. the lab doors whoosh open.]
JACOB: Jesus Max, what are you doing?
HUMAN SOLDIER #2: I am guilty, I am guilty- I am...
TIMMS: Spare me Jacob. I am well aware of your moral objections but this needed to be done- it's our only viable lead, the clock is ticking down-
JACOB: This serum has not been vetted properly- not to mention the-
TIMMS: We have no fucking time Jacob- what part of that is confusing to you-
JACOB: How many of them did you authorize to be butchered down there?
TIMMS: I don't care.
JACOB: Wow.
TIMMS: You have your priorities, I have mine. These people are under my protection, I have made assurances to them, promises-
JACOB: You don't even know if this will work, this could make it worse-
TIMMS: We don't know that it won't and if there's even the slightest chance-
HUMAN SOLDIER #2: I am guilty- we-
[SFX: Human soldier screams, gasps, then silence. Body monitor goes off, the patient's vitals crash.]
JACOB: Jesus, he's coding- GET ME THE CRASH CART!
[SFX: Scrambling feet, a crash cart is wheeled over followed by the sounds of defibrillators being used, a body raising up at the electrical impulse and then flopping back on the bed. again, the same procession of sounds, twice more. then the low accusing hum of a flat-line.]
TIMMS: Leave me with him.
[SFX: The clinical team shuffles out, the door whooshes open and closed.]
JACOB: Max, I'm scared you're losing touch here.
TIMMS: I'd like you to leave as well.
JACOB: Please, I'm worried about you.
TIMMS: I'm fine, get out… That's an order.
JACOB: Fine.
[SFX: The doors whoosh open and close as Jacob leaves. Timms clicks off the vitals monitor and sits down next to Davis's body. she clears her throat and when she speaks her words come out thickly.]
TIMMS: Your are not guilty, it is me, I failed you soldier, and I am so sorry. I absolve you of your guilt because it is mine to hold, not yours. I will not let your death be in vain, I will make this right, no matter what I have to do, I will make this right for all of you.
[SFX: Timms chokes on her last words, stifling her sobs.]
[SFX: Isaac and argus stand in a windy barren wasteland.]
WOLFPAC GUARD #2: This is where I leave you.
ISAAC: (skeptical) Just like that? We're free to go?
WOLFPAC GUARD #2: I guess, man. I'm used to orders that make no sense.
ARGUS: What's the catch? We won't be brought back the second another wolf sees us?
WOLFPAC GUARD #2: I don't know, but if I were you I'd get outta here before I find out.
[SFX: Wolfpac Guard #2 leaves, stepping around concrete foundations and large pieces of a broken building.]
ARGUS: You have any clue where we are? I need to get home.
ISAAC: You're not in any shape to go far.
ARGUS: Have you got a better idea? How close is your base?
ISAAC: Not close enough.
[SFX: The sound of a small group approaching.]
MILA: Well, Hello Dad. Long time, no see. You look like shit.
ISAAC: Mila? What are you thinking, being out in the open like this?
MILA: Who else was gonna break you out?
ISAAC: Yeah, but you didn't... they just let us go.
MILA: I have my ways… Wait, who's us?
ARGUS: (clearing his throat) Care to introduce me?
[SFX: Mila's henchmen cock their guns in alarm.]
ISAAC: Put those down! He's not gonna hurt anyone.
MILA: Is that... Cas' little brother?
ISAAC: This is Argus. He needs our help.
MILA: (sarcastic) Oh, he does, does he?
ARGUS: Pleased to finally meet you, Mila.
MILA: It's alright boys, lower your weapons… I wish I could say the same, kid.
[SFX: They lower their guns. Then, Argus cries out in pain.]
MILA: Woah, what the fuck is wrong with him?
ISAAC: It's a long story.
ARGUS: (clenching teeth) I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me.
ISAAC: I'll worry about you if I want.
MILA: So, this one gonna be a liability??
ISAAC: The humans did some kinda fucked up experiment on him. It was touch and go for a minute, but he'll pull through.
MILA: And you're sure that's what you want? After the way his brother treated you?
ARGUS: I'd like to point out that Cas and I are different people--
ISAAC: (interrupting him)This isn't up for discussion. He's coming with us.
MILA: Who said we'd even take him in?
ISAAC: I'm not going anywhere without him, Mila. I'm serious, he's in a lot of pain. And since I'm the one with my name on the deed to the warehouse. What I say goes.
MILA: Already making demands, huh? Only problem is, we're not going to the warehouse.
ISAAC: What the fuck does that mean?
MILA: We relocated.
ISAAC: Wherever I go, Argus comes.
MILA: (exasperated) Whatever you say, Dad.
[SFX: Mila and her group escort Isaac and Argus away from the rubble. foreboding music plays.]
[SFX: Soft proximan jazz is piped into the hallways, tin man clanks alongside the military rustle of Antony.]
ANTONY: It stinks up here. What floor is this?
TIN MAN: 206. A very desirable domicile for Proxima's who's who. That smell is jubba fruit extract, piped through the air filtration unit. Besides the pleasing aroma, absorption of it provides additional healthy vitamins-
ANTONY: Shut the fuck up. I just asked for the floor number not a fucking... which apartment?
TIN MAN: 206-G
[SFX: Antony bangs aggressively on a door at the end of the hallway, tin man clanks hurriedly behind him.]
TIN MAN: Perhaps it would be better if I were to take the lead on this conversation, sir?
ANTONY: Knock yourself out, just know that we're on a deadline. If we don't get what we need, I take over. Admiral's orders.
[SFX: The door opens a crack and rubeen pokes her head out.]
RUBEEN: Hello gentlemen? Can I help you with-
ANTONY: We're coming in-
[SFX: Antony shoves the door, pushing past rubeen and into her apartment, tin man clanks in as well.]
RUBEEN: Oh. well. Of course. I suppose, please do excuse the mess, I've, we've, we're not expecting company. Thea, THEA! We have company, please do come down and fix some tea for our guests, THEA!
TIN MAN: Please, madam...?
RUBEEN: Rubeen.
TIN MAN: Rubeen, do not fuss on our account, we assure you this will be brief… What a beautiful space you have here.
[SFX: Rubeen titters, a soft girlish sound.]
RUBEEN: Thank you, I have a corner view of the castle, which I must say is quite spectacular, if one is to- oh dear, Thea, THEA! These windows are disgraceful! Thea! We have guests! Where is that girl?
TIN MAN: Please, do not worry on our account-
ANTONY: How do you know Captain Root?
RUBEEN: Oh my. Quite assertive this one.
[SFX: Bottles clinking.]
RUBEEN: May I offer you some mead? I believe I have a bottle stashed away somewhere.
TIN MAN: None for me, thank you.
ANTONY: This is not a social visit, ma'am. Sit down.
RUBEEN: Oh.
ANTONY: Please describe your relationship with Captain Root.
RUBEEN: Um... I'm not sure it's befitting to-
ANTONY: So it was sexual in nature?
RUBEEN: Um... yes. I suppose that's the most utilitarian way to describe our dalliance.
ANTONY: He put you up in this place?
RUBEEN: Well, we were down in the high hundreds, but after my husband passed-
ANTONY: How'd your husband die again?
RUBEEN: He was in Wolfpac Internal Affairs, died very suddenly, tragically really, fell from a window in the Municipal Block. A faulty latch, they said.
ANTONY: Yeah, I bet they did.
TIN MAN: I'm very sorry for your loss.
RUBEEN: Thank you. I'm not sure what I'd have done if Root hadn't been there to pick up the pieces. He's a dear friend.
ANTONY: He put you up in this place?
RUBEEN: Yes, pulled some strings so that we could be on the same floor-
TIN MAN: Rubeen, when was the last time you saw Captain Root?
RUBEEN: Goodness, let me think... it's been quite a while. Not since Contact Day--Are you sure I can't offer you some mead? It's Root's favorite, it's been so long since I've had guests-
ANTONY: You know what, I'll take a glass after all.
[SFX: Soft tinkly jazz takes us out.]
[SFX: After an extended passcode is entered, a heavy metal door opens. Mila enters, alongside her men, Isaac, and Argus.]
ISAAC: Wow.
MILA: (proud) I've done the best I could while you were away… Prepare another room for our guests. And grab the doctor for me, tell her they have wounds that need tending to.
HENCHMAN: Yes, ma'am.
[SFX: Mila's henchman break off in another direction. She leads Argus and Isaac down a hallway.]
ISAAC: New blood?
MILA: Plenty of the old guard is still here, but business has been good, so we brought in a few fresh faces.
ARGUS: (weak) Could you tell me where we are? Is my Uncle's shop far from here? I need to tell my family that I'm okay.
MILA: (distant) It's dangerous out there. I really wouldn't recommend leaving quite yet.
ISAAC: Don't worry, kid. We'll clean you up and then figure out where your aunt and uncle have gotten to.
MILA: That's right… Now, Dad. If you'll come with me, we'll leave Argus here for the doctor.
[SFX: She pulls open a door and strides in.]
ISAAC: (tense) That's... an impressive array of hardware you've collected, Mila.
MILA: I thought you might like to see what I've been up to while you were gone. Follow me, there's more.
ISAAC: (still shocked) Lead the way.
[SFX: Mila shuts the door behind them and walks a ways more before opening another door.]
MILA: This right here is the storehouse. We have enough for the next five years over, as well as some particularly rare art, vehicles, and a few other expensive goods we were able to salvage after the Tower collapsed.
ISAAC: Is that a whole refrigerator of produce?
MILA: It certainly is.
ISAAC: This all seems a little dangerous. Why hand onto all this stuff?
MILA: I really hope you haven't gone soft in that work camp.
ISAAC: I've been through more than you can imagine, daughter dear. In fact, I think I may be more aware of the kind of danger we're in than you.
MILA: You don't have to worry about the humans anymore… I'm sorry about your-
ISAAC: Eye... Yeah, me too.
MILA: (genuine) I can't believe what they did to you-
ISAAC: (cold)There's nothing to discuss. I made it out, alright.
MILA: (cold in return) Of course, father. Let's get back to business.
[SFX: Transition music ends the scene.]
[SFX: sloshy footsteps, shovels scraping on the ground, the sound of wanda gagging.]
WANDA: May I ask, oh benevolent jailer. Is there a purpose to this deeply foul activity, or is it merely another form of punishment. Because if it's just punishment, I think I'd rather take my chances with another round of physical abuse from the big one.
SHAIMA: We're not in the habit of pointless torture around these parts. Although given your leadership style I can see how you'd be confused.
ROOT: Ha ha! Zing your highness!
SHAIMA: Shut up.
ROOT: Indeed.
WANDA: Having the life near choked out of me wouldn't be considered pointless torture?
SHAIMA: Oh, there was a definite point to that.
WANDA: So my erstwhile commander has informed me. Apparently I am not as widely loved down here as my advisor had led me to believe.
SHAIMA: What was the tip off?
WANDA: Oh Several things, but this shovel literally brimming with Proximan excrement that I am currently wielding is not a ringing endorsement of my popularity with you I'd say.
[SFX: Shaima laughs in spite of his hostility to wanda, and then turns it into a cough to reassert the battle lines.]
SHAIMA: Shut up and keep working.
WANDA: Terse.
[SFX: More shoveling and hose sounds for a few beats.]
ROOT: If I may though... are you sure you haven't reconsidered my offer? I assure you, my administrative and intelligence skills far outstretch my physical prowess.
WANDA: You're not wrong there. I may be new to physical labor, but I don't think you're holding that correctly.
ROOT: Majesty. I am a man of means, a leader of Proximans-
WANDA: You have a dab of poo on your upper lip.
ROOT: (roaring in horror) NO! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!
SHAIMA: This area needs to be cleared, sanitized and repurposed into housing by next week. You can either get it over and done with, or you can drag out the task, no difference to me.
WANDA: Housing!? Why would anyone choose to live in a newly renovated sewer?!
SHAIMA: Maybe because a tiny dictator forced large swaths of the city's population to live down on the ground level, and then a slew of her countrymen viciously attacked the city, forcing us to seek refuge even deeper underground into the sewers to avoid death or enslavement?
WANDA: Difficult to argue with that graciously.
ROOT: I speak three different Proximan dialects, I have read the complete works of Wigeerian, I am a fabulous amateur chef, I CAN MAKE MAHAI FROM SCRATCH! THIS WORK IS BENEATH ME!
SHAIMA: This little project here is gonna help the people of this city have a place to lay their heads away from the Wolfpac and the humans.
WANDA: That's actually quite admirable...
SHAIMA: I know it is, now both of you, get back to work!
ROOT: I AM THIRSTY. And my arms hurt.
WANDA: For the love of me, Root. Give it a rest. Let's just get this over with.
ROOT: But Majesty I-
WANDA: -Root!
ROOT: Displeased.
[SFX: Shoveling, grunting, and roots continued low grumbling take us out of the scene.]
[SFX: Tinkly proximal jazz, that high girlish giggle, a responding low laugh from antony, the clink of booze on ice in crystal glasses.]
TIN MAN: Well, what a lovely rose-glass vase you have there.
RUBEEN: Yes, purchased from a Hinterlands merchant in the bazaar ten years ago. It's one of my favorite pieces.
TIN MAN: You have more?
RUBEEN: Of course. I'm an art collector, dear. It's what I do… Would you like to see?
TIN MAN: Please.
[SFX: Rubeen stands, her silk robe swishing as she leads tin man into the hallway.]
RUBEEN: Over here, this teal and pomegranate mosaic was specially designed for me. A gift from another of my lovers...
TIN MAN: The design is distinctly of the North Bayou style. Very impressive.
RUBEEN: (astonished) It is!
TIN MAN: I thought so.
ANTONY: (groans in frustration) Have we had enough yet?
TIN MAN: And this canvas...
RUBEEN: Another of my favorites. Why, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were a collector as well...
TIN MAN: I dabble, Madam.
RUBEEN: How exciting. And what do you think about the-
ANTONY: (clearing his throat) Rubeen, this has been real nice. Thanks for your hospitality, all the art talk is very exciting, but I'm afraid we have to get going.
RUBEEN: Antony, BT9, the pleasure has been all mine. I'm just sorry that mead was all I had to offer. I can't imagine where that infernal girl has gotten to. You must come back. I'd love to keep picking your brain about art-
TIN MAN: My friends call me Tin Man.
RUBEEN: Tin Man, then… And of course I'll let you know if I hear from Root. I know it's been hard to locate several people since the Contact Day... umm... well, when your wonderful people landed.
ANTONY: We'll be in touch.
RUBEEN: Of course. Let me just grab my wrap and I'll see you to the door-
[SFX: A gunshot and then a body crumples to the ground.]
ANTONY: (chuckling) Nice lady, shame I had to do that.
TIN MAN: What- Why?
ANTONY: No loose ends. Those were the orders.
TIN MAN: I see.
ANTONY: We're officially "off-leash" in our search for the missing assets. That comes from Timms herself.
TIN MAN: Regardless, I'm not sure if that was entirely necessary.
ANTONY: And I'm not sure that I asked for your fucking opinion. Let's keep moving. Grab me that delicious bottle. These rich squids sure know how to live.
TIN MAN: Yes. Although the apartment is incredibly under stocked. It almost seems as if it was all she had.
ANTONY: We've been starving out anyone associated with Captain Root since his initial imprisonment. Her financial account has been frozen for months.
TIN MAN: I see.
ANTONY: Incredible to see the lengths these snobs will go to keep up appearances. Dollars to donuts that girl of hers hasn't turned up in a long time.
TIN MAN: Should we do anything with Rubee- with the body?
ANTONY: Yup, toss it out of the window, right by that fantastic view she was bragging about.
[SFX: A body is dragged as ominous music takes us out.]
[SFX: A tape deck clicks on and a grainy recording plays distorted audio of Queen Wanda.]
WANDA: Darling Angels, please do not fret. The HUMANS ARE OUR FRIENDS. We are playing on the same team, and the BALLS are in our court.
[SFX: The tape clicks off. there is a long silence and then…]
TIMMS: Explain to me again what I just listened to....
PRODUCER: It's the best that I could do with the remaining audio files.
TIMMS: First of all, I'm 99% positive that Proximans don't play basketball. So... perhaps this metaphor would be lost on them, but that's just semantics… The primary issue I think I'm having here is WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK did I just listen to?! How is this the best that you were able to do? I'm actually flabbergasted and that's the first time that I've ever used that word.
PRODUCER: Somebody erased all the files.
TIMMS: The files?
PRODUCER: Yes, the back stock of pre-recorded messages. They've all been wiped.
TIMMS: Wiped.
PRODUCER: Yes wiped.
TIMMS: I see.
[SFX: We hear the sound of a glass being smashed.]
TIMMS: (struggling to regain composure) How, how is that possible? Is this studio not kept under lock and key at all times.
PRODUCER: Um, yes Admiral. The problem is that they were wiped remotely. All we have left is loose bits of conversation from before and after sessions. Somebody must've hacked the system.
[SFX: Timms expels a long angry sigh/grunt/expletive.]
TIMMS: When?
PRODUCER: 3 weeks ago.
TIMMS: The same day that-
PRODUCER: -the Queen... got out...
TIMMS: And you're just telling me now why?
PRODUCER: It was suggested that you might be... preoccupied with the escape and the sickness...
TIMMS: (dangerous) Who suggested that?
PRODUCER: Not me! Just people, people have been saying that you might be going through a difficult time-ugh-
[SFX: the sound of the producer gasping as Timms grips them by the throat.]
TIMMS: While I appreciate your concern let me make a few things very, very clear. Firstly, I am fine. We are all fine. There've been a few pitfalls on this mission, but everything's fine. Secondly, if you ever keep me in the dark about a development that has occurred on MY SHIP again I will have you court-marshaled and then personally drop you from the bay window of my choice.
[SFX: Producer continues to gasp.]
TIMMS: Am I understood?
PRODUCER: (under duress) Yes.
TIMMS: Fabulous. Now play me what that little bitch has left us with.
[SFX: The tape deck clicks on again in the middle of a diatribe from the queen.]
WANDA: This chair will. not. do. My bottom is aflame, simply agonized by the severity of the wood. It's too much. Bimble! BIMBLE! If I am to record I shall require the silk cushion from the throne room, and actually, just get the throne. Get the whole thing-
[SFX: Indiscernible squeaky voice that we can assume to be bimble responds.]
WANDA: Well, get someone to help you carry it. I don't understand what this chair is, or why it's happening, but I refuse-
TIMMS: Turn it off.
[SFX: The recorder clicks off.]
TIMMS: Fuck.
[SFX: There's a knock at the door. before mila has a chance to get up to open it, Isaac bursts in.]
MILA: Father. How nice of you to join.
ISAAC: (hurried) I was just seeing to Argus. Your doctor says he'll be just fine. She's unsure of how to treat his pain flare ups, but-
MILA: Did you come here to give me the rundown on Argus' health, or...
ISAAC: No, no, of course not.
[SFX: Isaac takes a moment to compose himself, looking around the room.]
ISAAC: Looks like a pretty good office you've made for yourself. This couch is an impressive find. Pre-Wanda, is it?
MILA: Just a little something we found after the humans. I spend so much of my time here, I wanted it to feel like me… You don't approve?
ISAAC: It's not that. This piece is gorgeous. It's just between this and the guns... I'm just wondering where all of it came from.
MILA: You have been going for a long time. Life has changed drastically under the humans. We've adapted, and it seems as though we made the right decisions. I made the right decisions.
ISAAC: What decisions were those?
MILA: I'm glad you asked, after Contact Day a lot of the old import and export businesses were badly damaged. We invested heavily in ships and equipment at the docks, and now we're in charge of all trade, and not just on the ground-level either. It has proven to be... beneficial, to say the least.
ISAAC: Trading? The only people you could be trading with are the humans themselves.
MILA: We're not the only Proximans who have figured out how to stay on top. Where there's a shift in power, there's always space for some to shift into whatever opening is available. I'd think you would know all about that.
ISAAC: Who else?
MILA: (taken aback) Excuse me?
ISAAC: I asked, who else has that kind of capital and man-power? What Proximan business could possibly be thriving under these conditions? Even the nosebleeds have fled the remaining towers. You forget, daughter, I've seen those weapons before. I felt them pressed up against my skin.
MILA: You recognize them?
ISAAC: You may have my men fooled-
MILA: -my men-
ISAAC: -But you can't hide it from me. I know exactly who you've been dealing with since Contact Day.
MILA: You're right. Why hide it? I'm not ashamed of doing whatever I had to do to keep this place afloat! Besides, since when have we ever taken the moral high-ground on any issue? You taught me that, Dad.
ISAAC: Haven't you seen what they're doing to us? They've destroyed our city! They're enslaving our people!
MILA: I don't give a fuck about about anyone but us!
ISAAC: This... this is too far.
MILA: I'm only doing what you trained me to do. Survive, by any means necessary. If there's something you don't like about what you see, then it's only because I'm the spitting image of you back when the towers were first built.
ISAAC: No, the Wolfpac and the rebellion... that was different. It was still Proximans. It was the new order. The rich and the poor. Life has always been that way. The humans are not like us. You have to see that. They're here to take our world and use us like cattle.
MILA: No, what you're not understanding is that this is the new world order. I'm just trying to keep us on top, again.
ISAAC: They'll never treat you as an equal. You have to see that.
MILA: I know, I'm not an idiot. We're going to become so valuable to them that they can never get rid of us. Trust me, the humans are weaker than they're letting on. They're sick. Some are even dying. I've got them cornered because we're the ones with access to the cure-
ISAAC: Did you make a deal with them to get me out of the work camp?
MILA: Once we figured out where you were I was able to pull the necessary strings-
[SFX: The door opens, interrupting their conversation.]
SWIFT: Sorry to interrupt... Just wanted to make sure everything was alright in here...
MILA: Everything's fine, Swift. I told you to leave us-
ISAAC: (amused) Swift? How nice to know you're here looking out for my pride and joy.
SWIFT: Yes, sir. And let me just say that we were all absolutely thrilled to hear that you were found safely.
ISAAC: Oh, I'm sure. If you'll excuse me, I have to go… I need to check on Argus.
MILA: Yes, go on, avoid the conversation, as usual.
[SFX: Isaac ignores her as he leaves. Swift enters the room and closes the door behind him.]
SWIFT: Listen to me, don't let him distract you. Everything's going according to plan.
MILA: Yeah?
SWIFT: Yes. Trust me.
MILA: What's the word on Benny?
SWIFT: Everything is already in position. We're waiting on your word.
MILA: Good.
[SFX: Foreboding music ends the episode.]