Episode 2.12 transcript - “Contingency plan”

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

[SFX: Shuffling feet, mingled conversations, the cry of a baby, the racking cough of an old man, as people prepare to leave en masse with their meager possessions. We start the scene in Gert/Argus/Cas' perspective.]

ARGUS: You three are the most important people in the world to me.

GERT: We know, sweetie.

ARGUS: Vern...

CAS: He'd be proud of the man you've become, Argus.

ARGUS: I wish he were still here. I never got to say goodbye.

CAS: None of us did. Not really. Mila took that opportunity away from us.

ARGUS: (frustrated) Don't remind me. I was under her roof, eating meals at her side. If only I'd known then what I know now, maybe things'd be different.

GERT: This is all happening too fast.. I don't know if my heart can take it.

CAS: Yeah, you know little brother, you really don't have to go.

ARGUS: But I do, though. Between the people I lost in the work camps and what happened to Shaima, I'm a liability...

GERT: Don't you dare say that. Shaima's gonna be just fine, Argus. You'll see.

CAS: Willem's in there working on him right now!

GERT: Couldn't you just, I don't know, wait until you hear that everyone's gotten to wherever they're going safely? Stay with us for a little longer. And if, once they're settled, you still feel like you need to go into exile, we can re-open the discussion.

ARGUS: It's not even about that, Gertie. It's about the fact that I might be able to help convince them to help us fight. I'll be in good hands, I promise.

CAS: I know you say Isaac's changed, but you have no idea what he's done over the years...

ARGUS: (tense) My mind is made up, Cas.

GERT: Let's stop arguing so you can get over here and let me squeeze you.

[SFX: They embrace. Gertie lets out a sad/happy coo.]

ARGUS: I love you so much. I promise that I'll come back, as soon as I can.

GERT: (letting him go) You damn well better.

CAS: Before you leave, there's something I need to tell you. I know that I haven't always been the best to you…(choking up)...when all you wanted was to be cared for by the people you loved the most--

ARGUS: You don't have to say more. I know you just show love differently than me. We don't have to go any deeper than that.

CAS: Just let me get this out, okay? You're my best friend in the entire world. And while you were out there, and I didn't know whether you were alive or dead... it almost broke me. I'm not gonna pretend I understand why you think you have to do this, but I don't need to. I trust your judgement. I trust you with my life. And I need you to know that.

ARGUS: I love you too, Cas.

CAS: (sarcastic) Now, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.

[SFX: They hug and share an awkward laugh before gert clears her throat.]

GERT: Alright, I need to go say good bye to Helina before I hold onto you so tight that I don't let you go. You sure you don't want to come with me, Cas?

CAS: Positive. We've already said our good byes.

GERT: Understood.

[SFX: Gert walks away, our perspective follows her.]

GERT: I can't believe you're letting Claxon and his people join you.

HELINA: Eugh, don't remind me, before I leave them behind for you to deal with.

GERT: (chuckling) Dear lord, no… Are you sure you have everything you need? I'm sure we could spare a little more.

HELINA: I promise you, we'll be fine.

GERT: Let me do this. It'll only take me a minute, I think I've got...

HELINA: Gertie. I've got this covered.

GERT: You sure you're going to be able to look after him?

HELINA: I promise.

GERT: And you. Promise me you'll look after yourself, too. I know you put every body else first, but you matter too.

HELINA: I could say the same thing to you.

GERT: (sad)Even though we haven't always agreed, we couldn't have survived this long without you. You have to understand that.

HELINA: I swear I do. Gertie, I know this all hurts. But I'm not leaving you. I'm leaving Windfall. This city has almost killed me so many times, and I won't let it win.

GERT: Of course not. I wouldn't want you to.

HELINA: And you have to understand that, if I hadn't found your bar or your family, it would have. And I'm more grateful for that than you'll ever understand. Okay?

GERT: Okay. I love you so much.

HELINA: I love you too.

GERT: I'll miss you.

HELINA: I'll miss you too. But this isn't good bye, it's so long.

GERT: Good. I'm glad. Besides, I still never got to try that tree nut loaf you're always raving about…

HELINA: Next time. I'll cook you up my best batch.

[SFX: Gert and Helina hold onto each other tight. Transition music shifts perspective to Pav and Kendall.]

KENDALL: This is all happening so suddenly, Pav. I don't want you to leave.

PAV: I'm scared, Kendall. I keep thinking something's gonna happen to you while I'm gone.

KENDALL: I'll be okay. You're the one I'm worried about. After everything we've been through, I don't want to lose you now.

[SFX: Pav pulls her close. They kiss.]

PAV: Gertie's right. I've been walking around feeling useless. This is something I can do to help all of us, but especially you. Maybe this'll make up for all the years I worked for the Wolfpac, only looking after myself.

KENDALL: We all did what we had to-

PAV: And now this is what I have to do to make it right.

[SFX: They kiss.]

PAV: I love you. I'll never stop thinking about you the whole time I'm gone. I'm coming back for you, Kendall. Just stay alive until then.

KENDALL: I love you too, Pav. I promise this won't be the last time I see you.

[SFX: They embrace.]

KENDALL: (laughing through tears) Promise me that as soon as you've done what Gertie wants you'll come right back to me. Promise.

PAV: I will. I will. As soon as I can.

ISAAC: 

Now this is a sight I don't know if I'll ever get used to...

[SFX: Pav and Kendall pull away from each other.]

PAV: Dad...

ISAAC: It's a long journey to The Reaches, Pavlima, and it seems as though we have a lot of catching up to do.

[SFX: Isaac shuffles away through the crowd.]

KENDALL: I don't like this.

PAV: I can handle him. I'm serious, Kendall. I need you to focus on staying alive. I don't want to think about a world where you don't exist-

KENDALL: Stop. I'll be here.

[SFX: They kiss once more.]

HELINA: All those joining the caravan, we're leaving now! This is your last chance!

KENDALL: I love you.

PAV: I love you, too.

[SFX: Pav is swept up in the movement. Her voice gets further away.]

PAV: I'm coming back!

KENDALL: I know you will! … I know it.

[SFX: The caravan of proximans exit all together.]

WILLEM: Highness, please take a break, you've been on your feet all day.

WANDA: I just, don't quite know what to do with myself, Willem. It's most peculiar. I'm afraid I may have inadvertently encouraged young Benny to-

WILLEM: -We'll never know exactly what happened to Benny, but I found a detonator in the tunnel. It was his handiwork. But... the rest of us are alive. Maybe I'm just looking for the best in people, but something tells me that was a choice, and one he made for all of us.

WANDA: I just wish that he'd have let us in on his plan, perhaps we could've saved him, or helped-

WILLEM: -or more people might have ended up killed, who knows what might've happened, Your Highness?

WANDA: You're a virtuous man. For me, there are just so many choices I've made, that I wonder about now; selfish, petty decisions, they shame me-

WILLEM: -I wasn't always virtuous, my Queen, I have my regrets. Dwelling on the past serves no purpose beyond torturing ourselves. It's better to focus on the here and now. Please, sit. You've done so much today.

[SFX: Three sets of running feet and Root's voice, raised in triumph.]

ROOT: Ha ha! As promised! Here she is! I've brought you to the Queen! Tremble before the might of the superior human weaponry you puny dirty grounders! A serf no longer!

TIN MAN: Wanda June! I have been worried sick! Bimble has been inconsolable. Look at you - filthy and worryingly thin - let's get you home and into a hot bath-

ROOT: How'd I do it you ask?! I cunningly escaped in the chaos, spiriting myself through a labyrinth of tunnels! Laughing the whole way about you finding me missing! I discovered an old maintenance comm line which I-

WILLEM: -nobody realized you were gone.

ROOT: (crestfallen) Oh. Well...

ANTONY: Alright, enough bullshit. Tin Man, grab the princess-

WANDA: Queen!

ANTONY: You - up against that wall. Don't try anything dumb.

WILLEM: I won't let you touch her.

ANTONY: That's exactly the kind of dumb thing I was hoping you'd say.

WANDA: No! Don't harm him, please.

TIN MAN: Wanda June this is madness. Come with me this instant.

WILLEM: I won't allow you to take the Queen against her will.

ANTONY: You - my incredibly stupid friend - are outgunned. Now get out of the way.

[SFX: Two gunshots ring out one right after the other accompanied by a scream.]

ANTONY: Motherfucking Jesus shit!

VIVIENNE: Did you really think we would leave the Queen completely unattended?

[SFX: Antony moans in pain.]

VIVIENNE: You'll be lucky to ever walk again, by the way.

ANTONY: (roaring) Fuuuuck!

ROOT: Ah... I apologize for the intrusion. Perhaps we should be going-

VIVIENNE: Do not move.

ROOT: Of course, of course.

TIN MAN: Wanda, this is very silly and naughty of you, please, enough-

WANDA: I'm not a child, I won't be manipulated by you any longer!

ANTONY: Can we save the family drama for the home stretch, I'm losing blood here-

TIN MAN: Please, my Queen, forgive me if I have overstepped, you are quite right, you are an adult and should be treated as such, at home, in the castle, with me.

WANDA: No, Tin Man, you listen to me. Why do you wish to take me away from my people and imprison me once more? Can't you see? I'm safe.

TIN MAN: But... Wanda June, my only desire is to protect you...

WANDA: You can protect me... by leaving me behind.

ROOT: You know, she has a point.

WANDA: Thank you, Root.

ROOT: In fact, I think I've got an idea that'll keep everyone happy.

WILLEM: Go on.

ROOT: Tin Man, you want the Queen safe, and Your Highness, you wish to stay here?

WANDA: That's correct.

TIN MAN: I suppose-

ROOT: For the grounders, you wish to keep your little hideaway secure, and to keep the Queen.

VIVIENNE: (unsure) Correct.

ROOT: Whereas, I long for the creature comforts of my old status and out from under the thumb of this wretched man.

ANTONY: (struggling) How dare you, Captain! This is insubordination!

VIVIENNE: (steely) I'd worry less about that, and more about your chances of survival, if I were you… I'm listening.

ROOT: The robot and I will be on our way, and in exchange for safe passage, we agree the Queen will remain here. It seems fair to me-

VIVIENNE: That's hardly a negotiation. I am the one with the gun.

WILLEM: Shaima...

VIVIENNE: What?

WILLEM: Shaima's dying... maybe they can help?

ROOT: Oh, no, no, no... let's not get ahead of ourselves.

VIVIENNE: What're you saying, Willem?

WANDA: He's right. Tin Man, this Proximan is nearing death, please...

VIVIENNE: Alright, here's the new deal: you nurse our friend back to health, and we'll let you go leave.

TIN MAN: I do not know if that's a good idea...

WILLEM: Those are our terms.

ANTONY: We're not taking him anywhere-

TIN MAN: And you'll keep the injured human here. To live or die, it makes no difference to us.

WILLEM: Fine. He's our prisoner now.

ROOT: So we take the dying Proximan, you keep the very annoying human and the Queen, and we'll be on our way...

VIVIENNE: We can't just send Shaima off on his own. He's unconscious, they'll need help transporting him.

WILLEM: You'll go with him.

VIVIENNE: Me? I just got here!

WILLEM: I know it's a lot to ask, but he needs a protector. I'm a doctor, but you- you're a Wolf.

VIVIENNE: I just got out of the Wolfpac, and you want to send me back in? Besides, you know his family will have your head for this.

WILLEM: I am... aware.

ROOT: (slimy) Do we have a deal?

ANTONY: Shut the fuck up you fucking weasel!

ROOT: My how the tables have turned! It wasn't so long ago that I was the injured prisoner. Now look at us!

ANTONY: I'm the commander in charge of this mission, Root is a civilian, he no longer has the autonomy to make these kinds of deals-

[SFX: Antony is silenced by a blow to the jaw by Viv's gun.]

VIVIENNE: Hate to break it to you, champ, but you're ours now. Shut the fuck up.

WILLEM: Quickly, take Shaima.

VIVIENNE: How will he survive the trip?

TIN MAN: As soon as we are out of the tunnels we'll call for transport.

WANDA: Will he make it that long, Willem?

WILLEM: He has to. It's the only way.

TIN MAN: I'll hold him. Give him to me.

WANDA: Keep him safe, Tin Man.

TIN MAN: I do not wish to leave you, Wanda June.

WANDA: You know it's right, old friend. Timms won't let me live much longer. I'm safe.

TIN MAN: I-I don't know what to do without you.

WANDA: I'm sad too, Tin Man. We've been together for so long. Just the two of us.

TIN MAN: It's goodbye, then?

WANDA: I'm afraid so.

VIVIENNE: I'll find a way back with him, Willem.

WILLEM: I know.

[SFX: Tin man picks Shaima up from the hospital bed, and Tin Man, Root, and Viv leave.]

WILLEM: What've I done?

[SFX: Transition music ends the scene.]

[SFX: Timms enters the throne room slowly.]

MILA: Admiral Timms, why it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Although, to be honest, you're not quite as imposing in person as you are over a communicator. Are all the females of your species so...small?

TIMMS: Mila… I see you've taken the liberty of seating yourself on the Queen's throne. Is it every bit as comfortable as you imagined?

MILA: When I was a little girl, I knew I was destined for greatness. I used to dream that the Queen had come to find me and take me back to the castle with her to rule.

TIMMS: This throne is nothing more than a symbol of a bygone era. Still, I see how it would hold a level of appeal for a Proximan used to living on the surface, such as yourself.

MILA: You have us all figured out, haven't you? Of course, you're right. This throne... the castle... they've been rendered almost meaningless. It's almost like controlling it is merely ceremonial, at best.

TIMMS: See, while that may be true in theory, I assure you that most Proximans are perfectly happy to allow whoever holds the castle to rule over the city. It's the Queen's role that's ceremonial. Power comes to those who take it, and we've taken it.

MILA: I suppose it might appear that way to an average Proximan.

TIMMS: You don't believe yourself to be an average Proximan.

MILA: Here's the thing, Admiral. I know why you need elderweed. The truth is you don't have enough troops to hold Windfall City. No, you've been sitting up here in the clouds hoping none of us would notice. But I have.

TIMMS: I don't know where your information is coming from, but, I assure you, we're at full capacity.

MILA: Your men are sick, but even if every single one of them were to magically get better tomorrow you'd still be outnumbered, which is why I've brought you the plants. But not all of them.

TIMMS: Excuse me?

MILA: It's a contingency plan. You've heard of those, yes? You see, I have everything you need somewhere very safe. There's a small sample in this pouch here. You'll get the rest once we've come to an agreement.

TIMMS: You're one bold woman, Mila. I'll give you that.

MILA: Now remember, I could've held back on my end. I could've waited you out and let every last one of you die. Wanda knows I considered it. But I didn't.

TIMMS: Because?

MILA: Because I have a better idea.

TIMMS: Go on.

MILA: Call me provincial, but I quite like the idea of a castle and a throne. I have enough men of my own to keep you in power. If you make me an equal leader in this new Windfall City, I'll help you keep it. I know the underbelly of this city, and that's exactly what you need. If we join forces, I'll have the grounders working for us, not against us. Instead of sitting on your hands posturing, hoping no one'll notice that your forces are dwindling, I can give you the numbers you need to keep the city in the palm of your hand.

TIMMS: You'd really sell out your own kind like that? For what? A bit of power?

MILA: Proximans are docile and soft. They need - no, they want - a strong hand to guide them. They're happiest when they're told what to do. I, on the other hand, am the exception.

TIMMS: It's certainly an interesting proposition. And if I refuse? If I kill you now and send my Wolves to take what's mine from that little compound of yours?

MILA: As I said, the elderweed is somewhere safe. If you kill me you'll never find it.

TIMMS: It seems as though you've thought everything through.

MILA: There's one more thing.

TIMMS: And what's that?

MILA: I want to meet Queen Wanda.

TIMMS: (taken aback) The Queen?

MILA: Yes. I want the Queen to anoint me her acting Steward. Proximans will never accept you as their leader, but if the Queen chooses someone to act in her stead... We'll work together, as a unit, but this position, the public nature of it, I need that kind of protection to ensure you won't seek to depose me as soon as things start going your way. I hope you'll understand, distrust is in my nature.

TIMMS: Your forethought is impressive. Unfortunately, the Queen is indisposed. I'll have to discuss this new arrangement with Her Majesty.

MILA: As you say. So, what do you think?

TIMMS: I need that elderweed, Mila.

MILA: And you'll have it. Just say the word.

TIMMS: Fine. You have yourself a deal.

MILA: I thought you'd come around.

[SFX: Mila drops the pouch in Timms' hand.]

MILA: The rest is yours as soon as I'm Acting Steward of Windfall City. Not a moment before… You know, I think this is the beginning of a really wonderful partnership, Admiral. I look forward to it.

TIMMS: If this truly is elderweed, you've made yourself a very powerful ally, Mila.

[SFX: An ominous score takes us out of the scene.]

[SFX: Cas and Gert enter the room where Wanda and Willem are already working on a restrained Antony.]

CAS: (panicked) What the fuck? What happened here? Who is that?

ANTONY: (pained) The man who's going to kill every single one of you.

WANDA: We know how this must look...

GERT: Where's Shaima?

WILLEM: I... I...

GERT: Where's Shaima, Willem?

ANTONY: He traded him. For me.

WILLEM: Please, you have to believe me, it was the only way!

GERT: (icy) What the hell did you do, Willem?

WILLEM: He was going to die here, Gertie! I couldn't watch that happen!

CAS: Where is he?

WANDA: Root took him up. To the humans.

WILLEM: They can save him!

GERT: How dare you! Send my nephew into the belly of the beast!

ANTONY: (resigned) Don't fret, squid, my superior doesn't have half the bite that I do.

[SFX: Willem clamps down on Antony's wound, causing him to cry out.]

WILLEM: Nobody asked you, you monster.

GERT: Isn't it enough that I should watch Argus leave right after we got him back, and now this!

CAS: Gert, Gertie... It's going to be okay.

GERT: It is not! He's as good as dead!

ANTONY: You all are. It's important you realize that.

CAS: Could somebody shut him up already?

WILLEM: Gladly.

[SFX: Antony struggles as Willem plunges a syringe with a sedative into his side.]

WANDA: I wouldn't be so certain he'll die. We also sent the girl.

CAS: Who? Vivienne?

WILLEM: She'll protect him. She said to tell you she's going to bring him back.

GERT: (wailing)Dammit!

CAS: (holding her tight) It's okay, auntie, we still have each other. You still have me.

GERT: (clinging to Cas, crying) I didn't even get to say goodbye.

WILLEM: (aghast) I'm sorry... It was the only way. You have to believe me.

CAS: It's out of our hands now.

[SFX: Transition music out.]

[SFX: Birds chirp and trees rustle. There's a knock on the door before it opens.]

HELINA: I see you got my message.

LUZ: Just finishing up the last of my packing sweet cheeks. My my... who's this erotically grizzled warrior you have keeping you comp- (SHRIEKS) NO! … What in the cursed, misshapen flames of darkest Clanvelt is... why is this happening? Why is he here?

ISAAC: Told you this would be entertaining.

HELINA: It didn't disappoint.

ISAAC: You're looking pretty good yourself Luz-

LUZ: -No! No- stop that! Do not turn your piping hot sexual magma in my direction. You can take that nonsense down the road. Shoo.

ISAAC: I'll run ahead and let the others know you're on the way. Looking forward to catching up later Luzy.

[SFX: Isaac runs off down the dirt path.]

HELINA: Sorry about the ambush. Just thought it might be easier to get that out of the way sooner rather than later.

LUZ: Why....? Why?

HELINA: Strange times, Luz.

LUZ: Is he missing an eye?

HELINA: Yes.

LUZ: Why is that working for me? It's roguish.

HELINA: Look we can mull the mysteries of attraction and ex-husbands on the long march west. But for now, we've gotta hurry. The rest of them are waiting for us just outside the city gates.

LUZ: Before we leave... I have a confession to make. This has to be a fresh start, with no secrets, I've had enough of them in my 30 years here.

HELINA: Shoot.

[SFX: Luz takes a deep breath.]

LUZ: I helped Mila break into your greenhouse.

HELINA: You?! You were the one who burned it down? Why would you--

LUZ: -No I didn't burn anything, I would never-

HELINA: -what happened?

LUZ: I'm so sorry. My daughter has sold her soul to those humans. She threatened to turn me over to them. She told me that no one would get hurt, that we'd just be in and out- all they needed was the elderweed crop...

HELINA: And you believed her.

LUZ: She never told me that she was going to burn the place down, hurt someone-

HELINA: -Kill someone. A friend, of sorts...

LUZ: Had I known, I would've refused... consequences be damned. I should have known. I guess a mother just never stops hoping.

[SFX: A beat of silence. Luz sighs.]

LUZ: I understand if this changes your mind about me coming with you.

HELINA: This isn't on you, Luz. She would've gotten in regardless.

LUZ: I just keep replaying it and thinking if I had just said no-

HELINA: If you'd just said no, you could be dead by now. You can't go back, so torturing yourself over it does no good. It's in the past now.

[SFX: Luz and Helina hug.]

LUZ: (brushing away tears) You're a good egg Helina.

HELINA: You too Luz.

LUZ: (sighing) Fucked if I feel like one right now.

HELINA: I mean it.

[SFX: They walk in silence over fallen leaves, crunchy twigs, birds chirp and a small stream runs somewhere nearby.]

HELINA: Why were the humans so eager to get their hands on elderweed?

LUZ: I wondered the same thing.

[SFX: More walking in silence.]

LUZ: Figured it couldn't be for any good, so when Mila brought me into your greenhouse and asked which one it was I pointed out the blattwort instead...

[SFX: Helina gasps in delighted laughter.]

LUZ: Figured I'd make a run for it before anyone was any wiser, so your invite couldn't have come at a better time.

HELINA: I take it back, Luz, you aren't just a good egg, you're an amazing one.

LUZ: Yeah yeah...

[SFX: The sound of Helina’s laughter takes us out of the scene.]

[SFX: Regal trumpets. Captain Root clears his throat and then, with much pomp, circumstance, formality, self-importance and no small amount of ballyhoo begins his speech.]

ROOT: Dear Proximans,

It is I, your long lost Wolfpac Captain Root, presumed dead in the tragic Contact Day accident, and mourned far and wide. I am here to tell you that miraculously I live, by the grace of a dramatic rescue from the rubble of the East Towers by our heroic human leaders.

I was very badly injured, and in a coma for the last several months, but have made a full recovery thanks to the superior medical technology and care of our gracious leaders. I'm now back to full health and vigor, and have been reinstated as the head of our illustrious Wolfpac. I am proud to serve alongside our benevolent human leaders as we investigate the tragic disappearance of Queen Wanda at the hands of a terrorist sleeper cell of dangerous Proximan rebels.

In her unfortunate and hopefully brief absence, I urge you to join me, and our new head of Proximan/Human relations, Mila Sang, in partnership with our leaders to usher in a new era of harmony and obedience. Together we shall crush this rebellion and restore our Queen to her rightful position on high. Praise be to Wanda.