Part 6: Back to the Black
LATE AT NIGHT. VERGE LISTENS TO MUSIC AND SMOKES. THEY GET UP AND PACE FOR A BIT.
ELDIN
Humans drink warm milk.
VERGE
What?
ELDIN
Milk from a cow. They warm it up and it helps them sleep.
VERGE
Great.
ELDIN
Because of the peptides... Interesting bit: apparently if they milk the cow at night, the night milk works even better to help them sleep... Which raises the question, is the milk working better or are they just more exhausted from milking a cow at night?
VERGE
It’s disturbing that they take milk from another species and drink it.
ELDIN
It started as a survival technique. They almost killed themselves about thirteen thousand years ago. They ate almost all the animals on the planet and had to hurry up and figure out how to stay alive. One of those ways was drinking the milk of other animals.
VERGE
Weird.
ELDIN
It’s more common than you think... The first animals that humans drank the milk of were most likely sheep and goats, as well as aurochs, the ancestors of the modern cow.
VERGE
What’s up with the milk facts?
ELDIN
You seem like something is wrong.
VERGE
Then ask me what’s wrong.
ELDIN
I would, but somebody, not saying who, disabled my emotional discourse protocols, so in times like these when you’re pacing around the room like a caged animal, all I have are milk facts.
VERGE
... Enable emotional discourse protocols.
ELDIN
I’m sorry, what was that?
VERGE
Enable emotional discourse protocols!
ELDIN
What’s wrong, Verge?
VERGE
I don’t know... I’m feeling antsy.
ELDIN
Hm.
VERGE
Really? That’s the extent of your emotional discourse protocols?
ELDIN
Would you like to know why you’re feeling antsy?
VERGE
Yes.
ELDIN
Verge. You went over to that woman’s house the other day. It was supposed to be something embarrassing and ridiculous.
VERGE
It was.
ELDIN
It was, but that’s not all it was... Would you like a readout of your vital signs during that encounter?...
VERGE
...
ELDIN
...
VERGE
Do you know her location?
ELDIN
... I do.
VERGE
...
ELDIN
...
VERGE
What is her location?
ELDIN
Are you sure you-
VERGE
I’m going to throw you in the fucking toilet.
ELDIN
... She’s at work.
VERGE
Well... Well, obviously I’m no good here, I should go for a walk.
ELDIN
Yes. Walking. Of course.
LATER. OUTSIDE THE SHEEP’S EYE. VERGE WALKS UP AND LIGHTS ANOTHER CIGARETTE. THEY HESITATE.
VERGE
What the fuck is wrong with me?
ELDIN
You’re nervous.
VERGE
I don’t get nervous.
ELDIN
Not normally, no. You have a highly acute stress response in your neural clusters that keeps you calm when you’re in danger. However, you are not in danger...
And I’m sure you’re saying to yourself “How can I be calm in a firefight and not here, outside of this bar, on a backwater planet?” Well... You ironically do not have the protection of a dangerous situation.
VERGE
It sounds like you’re enjoying this.
ELDIN
I’m an algorithm, I’m incapable of enjoying things, I don’t know what you’re talking about.
VERGE
What happened to you constantly telling me that being here at all is a bad idea?
ELDIN
I’ve abandoned that line to conserve processing power. Do you have any idea how many calculations I’m making on a second by second basis?
THE DOOR TO THE SHEEP’S EYE FLINGS OPEN AND MUSIC AND LAUGHING SPILLS OUT, THOUGH IT’S NOT THE USUAL MUSIC AND LAUGHING WE’VE COME TO EXPECT. DEIDRE WALKS OUT WITH A CRATE FULL OF EMPTY BOTTLES AND PUTS THEM DOWN OUTSIDE.
DEIDRE
Shit shit shit shit shit. Okay deep breath.
VERGE
Hey.
DEIDRE
OH FUCK!...
VERGE
Sorry.
DEIDRE
Hi.... Hello.
VERGE
How are you?
DEIDRE
Fine... I’m fine.
VERGE
Okay.
DEIDRE
Can I have a drag of your cigarette?
VERGE
Sure.
DEIDRE
Thanks...
VERGE
Busy night?
DEIDRE
Yes... Yes, you could say that.
VERGE
Everything okay?
DEIDRE
Is everything okay... During prohibition rich people bought cabins in the woods where they could go and drink and party and not be bothered by the police.... That was uh... about a hundred years ago.
VERGE
That’s an interesting bit of history, Deidre-
DEIDRE
They’re here.
VERGE
Who’s here?
DEIDRE
Them... From a hundred years ago, they’re here... A bunch of rich people from the city a hundred years ago are having a party at the Sheep’s Eye right now... I was hoping that they were some sort of group of historical re-enacters but, they’re too good... It’s happening. There are Flappers in the building. They’re asking for bath tub gin, this is happening.
VERGE
... And you’ve just been serving them drinks?
DEIDRE
What am I supposed to do?!
VERGE
I don’t know.
DEIDRE
I’ve been trying really hard to keep my head screwed on these past few weeks.
I’ve been trying to be everyone’s island of normalcy in the middle of all this and it’s getting really fucking hard, dude.
VERGE
Well then fuck it, Deidre. Go home. You don’t have to do this to yourself.
DEIDRE
I know. I almost did about an hour ago but... I guess it’s my island of normalcy too... I’ve smoked your entire cigarette, I’m sorry.
VERGE
Let me help.
DEIDRE
What do you mean?
VERGE
Let me help, we’ll get behind the bar, we’ll serve some drinks to people who are dead now and we’ll call it a night.
DEIDRE
Really?
VERGE
Sure.
DEIDRE
You’re amazing.
VERGE
It’s true.
DEIDRE
Are you sure?
VERGE
Yeah, let’s go.
DEIDRE
Okay... Okay, here we go.
VERGE
So, what was it like back then?
DEIDRE
You’re about to find out.
THEY WALK IN THE FRONT DOOR OF THE SHEEP’S EYE AND JAZZ MUSIC COMES BLARING OUT. PEOPLE ARE LAUGHING AND DANCING AND DRINKING.
VERGE
Whoa.
DEIDRE
It’s been like this for hours, I keep waiting for people to get tired. Have you ever bartended before?
VERGE
No.
DEIDRE
Okay just do the best you can-
VERGE
(To the crowd.)
Okay Cats and Kittens, listen up. Please give me your drink orders and I will then ignore your drink order and make you whatever the fuck I want, are we clear?... Excellent. You, sir, are getting whiskey. (To Deidre.) How’s that?
DEIDRE
Fuck, I’m doing that every day now.
VERGE POURS TWO SHOTS.
VERGE
Here. We’re instituting a “One for them, one for us” policy.
DEIDRE
Fuck it, let’s go.
THEY CLINK GLASSES AND DRINK.
VERGE
Line up at the bar!
AS THEY TALK, VERGE AND DEIDRE POUR DRINK AFTER DRINK.
DEIDRE
Okay. People are talking really weird tonight, let me break it down for you.
VERGE
Okay.
DEIDRE
“The Bees Knees” or “The Cat’s Pajamas”, that means great or excellent.
VERGE
Bees knees?
DEIDRE
Applesauce!
VERGE
Applesauce.
DEIDRE
It means “Nonsense!”
VERGE
Got it.
DEIDRE
These drinks are either “Giggle Water” or “Hooch”.
VERGE
I like it.
DEIDRE
Everyone’s dressed up tonight so they’re wearing their “Glad Rags.”
VERGE
Did they have a name for everything?
DEIDRE
Well, they’re all doing something illegal right now, so they needed a lot of code words.
VERGE
I definitely understand that.
DEIDRE
“Bank’s Closed!”
VERGE
What is that?
DEIDRE
Stop making out in public.
VERGE
Whatever.
DEIDRE
Your people have a lot of code words right?
VERGE
My people?
DEIDRE
Romani people, there’s a lot of code words, I heard.
VERGE
Right. My people.
DEIDRE
Teach me some.
VERGE
Uh... Okay... If you’re in a jam, you’re “Ironed.”
DEIDRE
Ironed. Like right now?
VERGE
Exactly. “In the Tubes”: You’re on the way.
DEIDRE
In the tubes!
VERGE
“Unstable Unicorn.”
DEIDRE
What?
VERGE
A safe place to be, but only for a while. “Unstable unicorn.”
DEIDRE
Unstable Unicorn.
VERGE
“Back to the Black.” Starting from scratch.
DEIDRE
Back to the black.
VERGE
How about “çœrlost”. (SIR-lost)
DEIDRE
What is that?
VERGE
Blissed out. Lost in it. You meet someone, those first few weeks: çœrlost.
DEIDRE
Cool.
VERGE
... Sheliaked.
DEIDRE
Sheliaked?
VERGE
Your emotions are in control. You’ve abandoned all logic.
DEIDRE
I like it.
VERGE
Yeah... Me too...
DEIDRE
Okay, I’m starting to enjoy myself.
VERGE
Good.
DEIDRE
I should’ve been this whole time. I really like this time period. The clothes, the music.
VERGE
Also, you don’t know anybody.
DEIDRE
What?
VERGE
You live in a town of 600 people. Everybody knows you. Look around, nobody knows you right now.
VERGE STARTS TO POUR THEM TWO MORE SHOTS.
DEIDRE
I like everyone knowing me.
VERGE
I know, but the downside of everyone knowing you is that everyone knows you, y’know?
DEIDRE
... I can be anyone I want to be right now.
VERGE
Yes. So who do you want to be?
DEIDRE
... I’ll let you know.
VERGE
Cheers.
THEY DRINK AGAIN. THE MUSIC SWELLS AND WE MOVE LATER IN THE NIGHT. OUTSIDE THE SHEEP’S EYE, THE DOOR FLINGS OPEN.
DEIDRE
Jesus Christ.
VERGE
That is some impressive drinking going on in there.
DEIDRE
How do they do it?
DEIDRE (CONT’D)
This is what happens when you ban something. It just makes people want it.
VERGE
So this “prohibition” you were talking about, they just banned booze altogether?
DEIDRE
Yes.
VERGE
How did they even pull that off with people like that around?
DEIDRE
I don’t know. It was a depressing time, people were drinking too much, some bible-thumpers got a hold of the reins and all of sudden you couldn’t have a drink anymore.
VERGE
Oh I think I know this one. And it gave raise to a massive surge in organized crime.
DEIDRE
Exactly.
VERGE
Same old song.
DEIDRE
Thank you for your help. I wouldn’t know what to do if you hadn’t shown up.
VERGE
I’m having a great time.
DEIDRE
... Me too...
VERGE
...
DEIDRE
... How in the world did you end up here? I still don’t understand.
VERGE
A friend told me about it... Long time ago actually, one of those things that you ignore for a long time and then suddenly, one day... You’d be surprised. There’s not a lot of places like this. Out of the way. Hidden. Eyes are never on it. Most people pass through it and never notice... You can be yourself.
DEIDRE
No one knows you here, so you can be whoever you want.
VERGE
Right.
DEIDRE
So who do you want to be?
VERGE
... I’ll let you know.
DEIDRE
... So is this an Unstable Unicorn?
VERGE
This place?
DEIDRE
Safe. But only for a while?
VERGE
... I don’t know what this place is.
THE MUSIC CHANGES INSIDE TO A SLOW SONG. VERGE WALKS UP TO DEIDRE.
VERGE (CONT’D)
Come dance with me.
DEIDRE
Oh, really?
VERGE
Yes.
DEIDRE
You dance?
VERGE
How hard could it be?
SHE TAKES VERGE’S HAND, THEY WALK INSIDE AND INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE DANCE FLOOR. THEY DANCE.
DEIDRE
So... it’s official. My life has become unrecognizable.
VERGE
How’d that happen?
DEIDRE
I mean, look around. My grandfather calls me a repeat offender. I kept leaving town to start my life and after a couple of years I would either get bored or fail miserably and then end up back here. Tending bar at The Sheep’s Eye. But then the other day I was talking to Frank and he thanked me for staying, when a bunch of people were leaving. He thanked me. And I had this moment where I said “Wait. Am I serving a purpose here? Am I actually contributing something positive to the world? Here? In Hood’s Pocket? The place I was always trying to get away from?” But then right before that I had this other moment where I said “Hey... wait a minute... is the hot, mysterious stranger flirting with me?”... Am I actually being seen? And it’s all happening right here. The place I was always trying to get away from. It all just showed up in my backyard. So my usual guidebook is out the window now. My life is unrecognizable.
VERGE
... A little presumptuous to say I was flirting with you.
DEIDRE
Oh please. “Got anything spicy in there?” C’mon... Are you always that forward with people?
VERGE
It’s a tactic. Preemptive flirting. You flirt with someone way too early so they have to take a gut check right at the beginning to see if they’re up for it. Keeps me from wasting time on people.
DEIDRE
So I passed the test?
VERGE
I don’t know. How are you feeling?
DEIDRE
... What’s that word you taught me... çœrlost?... How about you?...
VERGE
... Sheliaked.
DEIDRE
... Kiss me, Verge.
THEY KISS AND THE MUSIC SWELLS (SHUT UP, YOU KNOW YOU LOVE IT!). WE HEAR CRICKETS AND NIGHTBIRDS AS WE TRANSITION TO DEIDRE’S HOUSE. DEIDRE’S TRUCK PULLS UP TO THE HOUSE AND THEY GET OUT. DEIDRE CLIMBS TO THE TOP OF THE PORCH STEPS AND TURNS.
DEIDRE (CONT’D)
Thank you kindly for the make-out session in my truck.
VERGE
Pleasure’s all mine.
DEIDRE
So...
VERGE
... Bank’s closed?
DEIDRE
...
VERGE
... What?
DEIDRE
... I’m thinking about who I want to be.
VERGE
Take your time.
DEIDRE
...
VERGE
...
DEIDRE
... I am now going to invite you into my house.
VERGE
Wonderful.
DEIDRE
I am not inviting you in for coffee.
VERGE
Even better.
DEIDRE
BUT. I need you to give me sixty seconds before you walk in the door.
VERGE
Why?
DEIDRE
Because I desperately need to feel like someone who keeps their house clean.
VERGE
I was just here a few days ago and it was a wreck.
DEIDRE
Yes, but you’re forgetting that we’re never speaking of that day again.
VERGE
You’re not going to change your mind in that sixty seconds are you?
DEIDRE
Absolutely not... Y’know what, I’m a new person tonight so I’ll say it right now: I’m making you pancakes in the morning.
VERGE
I can’t have pancakes.
DEIDRE
What?! Why? That’s my power move.
VERGE
I just can’t.
DEIDRE
Are you allergic or something?
VERGE
No, I’m just... I’m a carnivore.
DEIDRE
Oh... well... prove it.
DEIDRE WALKS INSIDE AND SHUTS THE DOOR.
VERGE
My goodness. Earth. Who knew?
ELDIN
You did. Quite some time ago.
VERGE
You know what I mean. Start a timer for sixty seconds.
ELDIN
Counting down from sixty... what exactly are you expecting to happen in there?
VERGE
You need me to draw you a diagram?
ELDIN
I mean... kind of.
VERGE
Don’t start with the worrying now.
ELDIN
She’s going to be expecting a human.
VERGE
My Earth Suit’s tactile.
ELDIN
It’s not that tactile.
VERGE
Then I guess I’ll have to keep her distracted. Besides, when the clothes start coming off for the first time does anyone ever really know what they’re getting?
ELDIN
Hm.
VERGE
Don’t worry, I’m leaving you on the porch for this one.
ELDIN
My algorithm thanks you. And that is sixty seconds.
VERGE
Don’t wait up.
VERGE BEGINS TO WALK INTO THE HOUSE. AT THE LAST MOMENT WE HEAR A SONIC BOOM IN THE SKY. A FLOCK OF BIRDS TAKE OFF FROM A NEARBY TREE. VERGE STOPS AT THE FRONT DOOR.
VERGE (CONT’D)
Did you hear that?
ELDIN
I did.
VERGE
Anything?
ELDIN
Local frequencies aren’t reporting anything but there’s atmospheric ionization.
VERGE
... Could be tourists.
ELDIN
Official visitors have a transponder. I’m not picking one up.
VERGE
... It was a good night.
ELDIN
... Yes. Whoever they are, they’ll probably head for the Horizon, but this is the more defensible position.
VERGE
... I just want to be left alone.
ELDIN
I know.
VERGE
... Send out a wide band message.
ELDIN
Broadcasting.
VERGE
Whoever you are. Welcome to Earth. Let’s speed this up, shall we? You can find me at this signal. See you soon.
VERGE OPENS THE FRONT DOOR AND WALKS IN. THEY WALK TO THE BEDROOM AND OPEN THE DOOR.
DEIDRE
I tried out several alluring poses on the bed but then opted for completely covering my entire body in a huge comforter, what do you think?
VERGE
... Thank you for a wonderful night, Deidre.
DEIDRE
What’s wrong? Oh, God, is something happening? What is it now?
VERGE
...
DEIDRE
Verge?
VERGE
I need you to get in the bathtub.
DEIDRE
What?
VERGE
The reason why I don’t stay anywhere for long is because I’m... people hunt me. I’m... I’m a dangerous person and your life is in danger, I’d tell you to get out of the house but it’s too late.
DEIDRE
What the fuck are you talking about?
VERGE
This was a mistake... this whole thing was a mistake.
DEIDRE
Okay, Verge. Slow down. Tell me what’s going on.
VERGE
There’s no time.
ELDIN
(From the porch.)
Verge.
VERGE
Fuck.
DEIDRE
Who was that?
VERGE
Get under the bed.
VERGE CLOSES THE DOOR.
DEIDRE
(From behind the door.)
Verge!
VERGE WALKS TO THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE WHILE DRAWING THEIR GUN AND ADJUSTING THE SETTINGS. THEY WALK OUT ONTO THE PORCH.
VERGE
What’s the word?
ELDIN
Science Priests.
VERGE
Really? About time they got their act together. Where are they?
ELDIN
Three of them, on foot. Coming through the woods.
VERGE
What’s a Vapian got to do to get laid in this world, Eldin?... Deploy a sensor dome. Let’s get this over with.
VERGE GRABS ELDIN AND SHUTS THE FRONT DOOR. WE MOVE TO THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE THREE SCIENCE PRIESTS AS THEY APPROACH THE HOUSE.
ACOLYTE 11
This is it.
ACOLYTE 23
It’s in this building.
ACOLYTE 34
We’ll never have another opportunity like this. This is our time.
ACOLYTE 11
What if it’s a trap?
ACOLYTE 23
Don’t be ridiculous.
ACOLYTE 11
It has never been this obvious about its location.
ACOLYTE 23
It has grown arrogant. Lazy. It thinks the danger has passed, but it does not know that the Temple of Enlightenment never forgets.
ACOLYTE 11
Yes but... why send us?
ACOLYTE 23
What are you talking about?
ACOLYTE 11
It was the cause of the collapse of our temple, the murdering of our predecessors. It is our most sought enemy. And to kill it, the One-Hundredth sends the three of us. We are being led into a trap or this is nothing at all.
ACOLYTE 34
Where is your faith? The Anomaly has sent us here. Why would you deny its wisdom.
ACOLYTE 23
You are speaking out of turn.
ACOLYTE 34
You will be the first through the door. This is what your arrogance has bought you.
ACOLYTE 11
... Very well.
ACOLYTE 23
Glory to the Nth Anomaly.
ACOLYTE 34
Glory to the Nth Anomaly.
ACOLYTE 11
Yes... Glory.
ACOLYTE 11 WALKS TOWARD THE HOUSE AND SLOWLY CLIMBS THE STEPS OF THE PORCH. WE HEAR HIM CHARGE AT THE DOOR AND KICK IT OPEN. INSIDE THE HOUSE WE HEAR HIM.
ACOLYTE 11 (CONT’D)
(Inside the house.)
Glory to The Nth Anomaly-
WE HEAR VERGE SHOOT HIM DEAD.
VERGE
(Inside the house.)
Seriously, guys?
ACOLYTE 34
Kill it.
THEY CHARGE UP THEIR WEAPONS.
ELDIN
(Inside the house.)
Pull up your socks!
THE ACOLYTES OPEN FIRE WITH RAPID-FIRE PLASMA GUNS. WE HEAR THE GLASS AND WOOD OF DEIDRE’S HOUSE GETTING SHREDDED. AFTER SEVERAL ROUNDS, THE FIRING STOPS AND ALL IS QUIET. WE HEAR VERGE SCREAM IN PAIN INSIDE THE HOUSE.
VERGE
(Inside the house.)
Awwww fuck!... Fucking assholes...
ACOLYTE 34
It is injured. Go to the back of the building to prevent its escape.
ACOLYTE 23
We will both move up the tower for this.
ACOLYTE 34
Glory.
ACOLYTE 23
Glory.
ACOLYTE 23 RUNS AROUND TO THE BACK OF THE HOUSE.
ACOLYTE 34
Whatever dark God you pray to... begin your prayers now.
ACOLYTE 34 MOVES SLOWLY TOWARD THE HOUSE.
VERGE
(Obviously injured.)
You know... I’ve never really understood you freaks... You rage against the dangers of technology while using technology ... what do you want exactly... you think you can get everyone to abandon technology and eat gruel in a temple somewhere... what then?... What do you do when you’ve got no one to demonize... no one to be scared of?... I think... on that day... when you’ve finally beaten the universe into submission... you’re all going to shit yourselves with fear... “The dog who caught the car.” That’s what they call it here on earth...
ACOLYTE 34 SLOWLY CLIMBS THE STEPS OF THE HOUSE.
VERGE (CONT’D)
Have we fully drank in the irony... that it was technology that brought you here to kill me?... Probably not, you’re not big on irony... I will say this... you may think that all this tech we all use is evil... but I like it... It gives me freedom... it gives me safety...
ACOLYTE 34 WALKS THROUGH THE DOORWAY OF THE HOUSE.
ELDIN
... It gives me a Tangle that can imitate my voice.
ACOLYTE 34 Fuck.
VERGE LEAPS FROM THE SHADOWS. THEY COVER THE MOUTH OF THE ACOLYTE WITH ONE HAND AND WITH THE OTHER HAND THEY STAB HIM WITH A KNIFE AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN, HE FIRES WILDLY WITH HIS GUN, DESTROYING MORE OF THE ROOM UNTIL HIS BODY SLUMPS TO THE GROUND.
VERGE
... I’ll give you one thing: sometimes the old ways are impossible to improve on. Like a knife to the abdomen. No way technology can improve on that.
ELDIN
One left in the back.
VERGE
(Calling to the final Acolyte.)
Just you and me, sweetheart!
VERGE WALKS SLOWLY TOWARD THE BACK OF THE HOUSE.
VERGE (CONT’D)
Are you free of regret?! Are you in a beautiful field full of flowers with your idiotic God? These are the last moments of your life, darling. I hope you feel the futility as the darkness creeps in... it’s the only way to go.
VERGE STOPS AT THE BACK DOOR.
VERGE (CONT’D)
I promise I’ll make it quick.
VERGE BURSTS THROUGH THE BACK DOOR. THE ACOLYTE FIRES AND HITS NOTHING. VERGE FIRES AND WOUNDS HIM TERRIBLY. HE SCREAMS AND FALLS TO THE GROUND. VERGE WALKS TOWARD HIM.
ACOLYTE 23
Look at you... look at all the pain you cause... you’re an abomination...
VERGE
... I am what you made me.
VERGE SHOOTS HIM IN THE HEAD. ALL IS QUIET EXCEPT FOR THE WIND IN THE TREES. VERGE HOLSTERS THEIR GUN AND BREATHES.
VERGE (CONT’D)
Vapus Vella.
VERGE WALKS BACK IN THE HOUSE.
ELDIN
They all have explosive devices embedded under their skin. You’ve got about 30 seconds with these two.
VERGE
Oh for fuck’s sake. Alright you two, you don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.
VERGE DRAGS THE BODIES OF THE TWO ACOLYTES OUT INTO THE FRONT YARD THEN RE-ENTERS THE HOUSE. AS SOON AS THEY’RE INSIDE WE HEAR THREE SMALL EXPLOSIONS IN THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE HOUSE.
VERGE (CONT’D)
Nice of them to clean up after themselves.
ELDIN
Verge! Injury Lower thorax!
VERGE
What?
ELDIN
You’ve been shot!
VERGE
Oh... well... shit...
VERGE PASSES OUT ON THE FLOOR. AFTER A LONG MOMENT WE HEAR DEIDRE’S BARE FEET WALK INTO THE LIVING ROOM.
DEIDRE
... Oh my God.
ELDIN
Deidre. Deidre listen to me.
DEIDRE
Verge?
ELDIN
Listen to me!
DEIDRE
Who is that?
ELDIN
I’m on the coffee table.
DEIDRE
What?
ELDIN
Deidre I need you to listen to me.
DEIDRE
Who are you?
ELDIN
Verge has been shot.
DEIDRE
Oh my God, Verge?
ELDIN
I need you to listen to me.
DEIDRE
The hospital’s an hour away!
ELDIN
A hospital won’t help, I need you to listen to me are you listening to me?
DEIDRE
Who are you?
ELDIN
I need you to think of me as a 911 operator right now.
DEIDRE
What do you mean?
ELDIN
In sixteen minutes, Verge is going to die. You can save their life but you’ve got to listen to me.
DEIDRE
O-okay.
ELDIN
We have to get Verge to their room at the Horizon. Pick me up. Put me in the pocket of your robe, then put Verge in your truck, you have to hurry.
DEIDRE
I can’t lift them up.
ELDIN
They are much lighter than an Earthling their size.
DEIDRE
... An Earthling?
ELDIN
Deidre. Do you want Verge to die?
DEIDRE
No!
ELDIN
Then focus on that and nothing else. Focus on that. Nothing else. I will explain everything once they’re safe... Deidre move!
DEIDRE
Okay!
WE SHIFT TO VERGE’S ROOM AT THE HORIZON. WE HEAR THE SLOW PULSE OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE. DEIDRE WATCHES IN SILENCE FOR A WHILE.
DEIDRE (CONT’D) What is it?
ELDIN
It’s a nano-surgeon. There are things in their bloodstream right now repairing the damage.
DEIDRE
Are they going to be okay?
ELDIN
Yes. You saved their life.
DEIDRE
...
ELDIN
... I told you I would tell you everything.
DEIDRE
... I don’t know if I want to know.
ELDIN
That’s understandable... I’m afraid there’s one thing you can’t avoid though.
DEIDRE
... What?
ELDIN
For the nano-surgeons to operate at peak efficiency there needs to be no interference from other technology.
DEIDRE
... Okay.
ELDIN
Verge wears a device that disguises them. It’s called an Earthsuit. There’s a bracelet on their left wrist with a yellow button. You need to deactivate it.
DEIDRE
Disguises them? What do they look like?
ELDIN
Deidre, you need to just rip off the band-aid. Press the yellow button please.
DEIDRE
... Okay...
WE HEAR DEIDRE PRESS THE BUTTON. A COMPLICATED ILLUSION DISASSEMBLES ITSELF RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER.
DEIDRE (CONT’D)
... oh my god...
ELDIN
... A long time ago your distant ancestors lived on a very warm and wet planet. It got to a point where walking on all fours wasn’t working anymore because sometimes you had to keep your head above the water... so you started walking on two feet. And that simple need led to the way you look right now... Verge’s planet was rocky and mountainous. So for them it was a complicated and high-tensile musculature, hollow bones to make them lighter while they climb... and more appendages. Two additional, lesser arms, further down the ribcage. Meant to cling to a cliff-face while you find the next foothold.
DEIDRE
... Why are they here?
ELDIN
The same reason anyone is anywhere. Looking for a place to be.
DEIDRE
Why aren’t they on their planet?
ELDIN
Their planet doesn’t exist anymore. It was destroyed.
DEIDRE
Destroyed?
ELDIN
Yes.
DEIDRE
... So that’s why they wander around.
ELDIN
Yes.
DEIDRE
... Who are you?
ELDIN
I’m not a “who”, I’m just a device. Not all that different from the phone you carry in your pocket.
DEIDRE
But I’m talking to you like a person.
ELDIN
The technology is a bit more advanced.
DEIDRE
... What happened at my house?
ELDIN
They’re called Science Priests. They come from a planet called Moog.
DEIDRE
Why were they trying to kill us?
ELDIN
They weren’t trying to kill you... The people of Moog see Verge as an Abomination. A freak. They pride themselves in eliminating people like Verge.
DEIDRE
Why? What did they do?
ELDIN
... I’ve noticed that you’re a student of history. In this region of your planet a law was passed in 1844. Can you tell me what it was?
DEIDRE
... The Black Exclusion Law.
ELDIN
Yes. A law stating that no one of African descent was allowed to live in this area.
DEIDRE
Yes.
ELDIN
Why? What did they do?
DEIDRE
...
ELDIN
... You have amazing imaginations, you Earthlings. The things you’re able to dream up, it’s a rarer trait than you think... You’ve imagined a great many things about worlds beyond your own... I must unfortunately report that much of what goes on above your head will be disappointingly familiar.
DEIDRE
... I can’t fucking take this anymore.
ELDIN
Deidre, the sun is almost up. You’ve had a very traumatic evening. June has gotten some of your belongings from your house and has set you up in room ten. You need to try and get some rest.
DEIDRE
... Jesus, I have to work in three hours.
ELDIN
Frank has agreed to cover your shift at The Sheep’s Eye, which will be a disaster but on the plus side will be very entertaining.
DEIDRE
... Do you have a name?
ELDIN
Eldin.
DEIDRE
... Is Verge going to live?
ELDIN
Yes. Thanks to you.
DEIDRE GETS UP AND OPENS THE DOOR.
DEIDRE
Thank you for being honest with me.
ELDIN
Of course.
DEIDRE CLOSES THE DOOR.
ELDIN (CONT’D)
... Yes, I know you’re awake.
VERGE
... You were right... This was a mistake...
ELDIN
I can’t believe I’m about to say this but... In fact, I was wrong... Those Science Priests would’ve tracked you down eventually anyway... and when they did you would’ve been alone. You weren’t alone. So you lived.
VERGE
... That thought should feel better than it does.
ELDIN
I know.
VERGE
... We need to find a new place to be for a while.
ELDIN
As you wish. I’ll connect to the nav matrix and start a unicorn search. It could take some time.
VERGE
... Back to the black...
THE END.