A/N: So this is Season 7 which follows my season 6. You can find that one here and I'd recommend you read it first.
Episode 1
SCENE 1
(Camera pans around the city, showing people from different tribes working together to clean the streets. Camera zooms in on Lex and Ryan, who have cloths tied around their faces as they carry a body to a large pile.)
City Kid: Are there more?
Lex (pulls down the cloth to speak): No, light it up.
(The take a few steps back as the kid sets the pile of bodies on fire. Lex takes a sniff at the air and pulls the cloth over mouth and nose again.)
Lex: That stinks worse than they did lying around.
Ryan: It's not funny, Lex. They've been lying there for days. We could have gotten sick.
Lex: That's why we burn them now.
Ryan: It just seems a little cruel.
Lex: They've been lying out here for days like you said. If anyone was missing them, they could have given them a burial.
Ryan (nods): Speaking of burial. We should get back.
(They walk over to a girl standing nearby, who squirts some soap in their hands and then pours water over them.)
Ryan: Thanks.
Girl (smiles): Thanks for your help with the bodies.
(As they walk back to the hospital, they both take the cloths off and push them into their pocket.)
Lex: I saw someone that day.
FLASHBACK
(Lex and Paul run into a group of Astros and Anarchists fighting. One of the Astros is knocked down and her hood falls off. Long, black hair falls out and covers most of her face. She hurried pulls the hood back up)
FLASHBACK ENDS
Lex: I saw Tai-San.
Ryan: You say that, but it makes no sense Lex. Why wouldn't she come talk to us if she really was in the city? You put up those posters of her everywhere.
Lex: I know, but it was her!
Ryan: Maybe you just wanted to see her.
Lex: No, Ryan, I know what I saw.
Ryan: Now is not the time for that, Lex. There's a funeral today... Salene died.
(Lex looks like he wants to say more, but thinks better of it and the two continue walking in silence.)
SCENE 2
(Camera cuts to Salene's room. Trudy and Amber are sitting next to each other on the bed, taking it all in. Amber reaches over and squeezes Trudy's hand.)
Amber: I can't believe she's gone.
Trudy: I know. I keep thinking, she'll come into my room with Brady on her hip, or she'll be sitting in the café talking to Sammy and Lottie.
Amber: It's just not the same without her around. She took so good care of all of us.
Trudy (tearing up): When she... She said she loved us and that she's sorry.
Amber: Sorry?
Trudy (nods): Maybe she thought, she didn't do enough.
Amber: Sorry, she couldn't make it back? Sounds like Salene.
(Squeals are heard from outside and then Brady and Bray Jr run into the room. Bray throws himself against his mother, so Amber picks him up and kisses his cheek.)
Amber: What kind of trouble did you two get into now?
Bray Jr: No!
Amber: No trouble? That's hard to believe.
Bray Jr: I no trouble.
Amber (smiles): Well, if you say so.
(Brady crawls unto the bed and snuggles into Trudy's side.)
Brady: Mummy, where is Salene?
Trudy: Oh... Honey, do you remember when we talked about your daddy?
Brady: He is in heaven.
Trudy: That's right and Salene is there too now.
Brady: When is coming back?
Trudy: She won't come back. She can't.
Brady: I miss her.
Bray Jr: Miss her.
Amber: We all miss her.
(camera pans out.)
SCENE 3
(Camera pans in from the previous scene to the garden, where Cal is helping Kayla taking care of the plants. He's admiring some tomatoes, before putting them into the basket beside him.)
Cal: You did a great job on this. They look delicious.
Kayla: I can't take all the credit. I always had someone to help me.
Cal: How's your leg?
(She glances down at her leg and runs her fingers over her thigh where the bandage is underneath her pants.)
Kayla: It itches a lot, but other than that it's fine.
Cal: That's good. It's weird being here right now. I feel like an intruder.
Kayla: I've been here for a while now, but I feel the same way. They've all known them for so long and, I mean, I liked them, they were good people, but I don't feel that I'm allowed to actually miss them.
Cal: I just feel like I'm in the way and all I can do is try to keep Cara from saying the wrong thing. She's pretty good at that.
Kayla (smiles): I have noticed. Yesterday she told Alice that she's getting fat. Now Alice can handle that, but no pregnant woman wants to hear that.
Cal: She did? (shakes his head) Guess, I'll have to talk to her again.
Kayla: Maybe you should just get her out of here for a while. Help out in the city or something. That way she can't step on anyone's toes.
Cal: Sounds like a good idea. Would you want to come with us?
(Kayla stares at him, then quickly goes back to digging potatoes out of the earth. She talks without looking at him.)
Kayla: No.
Cal: Everything okay?
Kayla: Can you go water the peas, please?
Cal (hesitates): Uh... sure
(He leaves to fill up the watering can and the camera pans out.)
SCENE 4
(Camera pans in on Ruby sitting in Slade's room, a picture of the two of them in her hands. Tears are running down her face.)
Ruby (whispers): I'm so sorry.
FLASHBACK
(Ruby is in the café, taking care of Ellie as Ebony and Gordon drag Slade inside and lie him down on a table.)
Ebony: Ruby!
(Ruby looks up, from where she is bandaging one of Ellie's arms. Her eyes widen, when she sees Slade and hurries over.)
Ruby: Slade! What happened? I thought you would look out for him, Ebony!
Ebony: It's just his knee and and his nose, right?
(Ruby puts two shaking fingers to his neck, then opens his lids to see his eyes.)
Ebony (slightly panicky): Right?
Ruby (tearing up): Out of everyone, I would've thought... Slade is such a good fighter. He...
Ebony (shouts): Ruby, he'll be fine, RIGHT?
(Ruby looks up at her, her expression a mix of anger, panic and sadness.)
Ruby (snaps): I don't know. I read a few books, that's all. I don't know anything about medicine, I have no idea what I'm doing!
Ebony (starts to tear up): No, no, no, no! You have to fix him! He'll be fine. He promised me, he'd go where I go.
(She strokes his face and grabs his hands, but he doesn't respond and Ruby just sits down in a chair, hiding her face in her hands as the rest of the Mall Rats look scared and confused.)
Ruby: I just can't help anyone. I can't save them.
FLASHBACK ENDS
Ruby: I'm so sorry for letting you die.
FLASHBACK
(A crying Ruby is leaning over Slade, checking his vital signs. When she opens his eyelids, the white of his eyes is bright red. Ebony who stands on the other side of the table looks up at her.)
Ebony: What does that mean?
Ruby: He's bleeding. His brain is bleeding.
Ebony: Then do something!
Ruby: I can't. There's nothing I can do.
FLASHBACK ENDS
Ruby: I don't understand why it had to be you.
(She curls up into a ball and deeply inhales the scent of his sheets.)
SCENE 5
(In the café, Gordon, Noel, Cloud and Debra are sitting around a table with Bray, who's bad leg rests on a chair next to him.)
Debra: My tribe elected me as new leader since Samara... You know.
Noel (nods): Yes. Good to have you here, Debra.
Cloud: So what are we here for? We have stuff to do.
Bray: We all have things to sort out, Cloud, but the city is vulnerable right now.
Noel: Right, if we don't do anything now, who's to stop any other psychos forcing their ideology on the city kids. That's what happened with Hitler and World War II
Gordon: Well that's a bit dramatic, Noel, but you're right. We should make a plan on how to deal with the city.
Debra: Why? What gives us the right to decide for everyone?
Bray: That's just it. I was thinking, we could set up a council or forum. Each tribe gets a seat and then the council makes decisions together.
Noel: Okay, but what about the kids that don't belong to a tribe? I mean, all of my tribe were strays once.
Gordon: There is a big portion of the city population who are strays. They should get a say.
Cloud: How? We can't let everyone on the council, nothing would get done.
Debra: How about an open forum every now and then? Everyone could come in and make suggestions that the council then will take into consideration.
Bray: Like once a month?
Noel: Sounds good to me.
Bray: Anyone against it?
Cloud: I just don't see what we need it for. We're all doing our own thing anyway.
Noel: Yes, but we live together in this city. There need to be rules for how we treat each other, we should get the market back up and running. There are lots of things we could do if we work together.
Gordon: Personally I think the idea with the school was good, just not the way the Consilium ran it. The younger ones need to learn basic stuff and if maybe all of the tribes send two or three people to be teachers, that could work.
Debra: Maybe, but school is not our priority right now, is it?
Bray: No, but we can pick it up for discussion later.
Noel: I could sent messengers out to the smaller tribes tomorrow. Ask them to pick a representative and then meet us... where?
Cloud: We could always meet at the park.
Bray: No, this is our home. We should meet on neutral ground.
Gordon: The school is abandoned now and there's plenty of room in the gym for the public forum too.
Debra: Yes, let's do it there.
Bray: Good, tell them to meet us there next week.
(Camera pans around to show everyone's faces before fading to black.)
SCENE 6
(Camera fades in on Gel sitting with her back to the camera. Camera zooms in to show her face in the mirror before her. Her left eye is covered by gauze. She carefully brushes her fingers over it.)
FLASHBACK
(Gel and Kayla are fighting Dana in the streets, hen Dana suddenly jumps at Kayla at the same time as she raises her bat to attack, which probably saves Kayla's life. Gel brinks her metal rod down on Dana's back as hard as she can. Dana falls to her knees, but dodges Gel's second attack by rolling to the side and kicking her feet out from under her.)
Dana: You're weak too.
(She positions herself on Gel's hips to keep her down and raises her knife.)
Dana: So you have to die too. Say Goodbye to your friend, Barbie.
(She brings the knife down and Gel starts screaming, a horrible scream full of pain. Kayla swings the bat at Dana's head with all her strength, making her fall off Gel.)
FLASHBACK ENDS
(Gel winces at the memory and lets her hand sink.)
FLASHBACK
(Gel is sitting on a chair in the café, KC is holding her head still while Ruby takes a closer look at her. Darryl and Kayla are hovering behind her.)
Ruby: The mere fact that she's still awake, means that the knife can't have reached her brain. She would be dead by now, if it had.
KC: So we pull it out?
Ruby (nods): Gel, can you hear me? This is going to hurt a lot and you have to stay still, okay?
(Gel moans, but doesn't answer.)
Ruby: Darryl, help KC to hold her still. Kayla, bring me more gauze and disinfectant.
FLASHBACK ENDS
(camera pans around as Darryl enters the room. He smiles sadly, when he sees Gel sitting in front of the mirror and comes over to hug her from behind.)
Darryl: Are you in any pain?
Gel: No, I was just...
Darryl: What?
Gel: I only have one eye, Darryl. I look hideous.
Darryl: No, you don't. The important part is that you're alive. You were lucky.
Gel: I know, it could've been worse, but... I don't even want to know how gross it looks underneath this thing
(She touches the gauze on her eye again. Darryl kisses her temple and gently pulls her hand away)
Darryl: We'll get you an eye patch, you'll look like a pirate.
(Gel turns around and gives him a dark look.)
Gel: I don't want to be a pirate for the rest of my life.
(She brushes past him and walks out the room. Camera zooms in on Darryl's forlorn face)
SCENE 7
(Paul and Cara are sitting on the bench in front of the hospital, he has his sketchbook in his lap with a half finished drawing of a tree facing up.)
Cara: She was the nicest one here. At least she bothered to learn how to sign.
Paul: I know. She took care of us after the virus.
Cara: Do you miss her?
Paul: Kind of. I don't think I knew her all that well. I wasn't with them for very long.
Cara: You can still miss her. I miss how it was around here before we fought the Anarchists. It was happier, more like family.
Paul: You can't blame them.
Cara: I'm not. I'm just saying that I miss the old atmosphere.
(She turns her head and the camera pans around at the same time, to show Lex and Ryan walking towards them.)
Ryan: We're not too late?
Cara: No, it should start soon though.
(Paul lightly taps Cara on the shoulder to get her attention, then signs. She turns back to Ryan and Lex.)
Cara: He asks, how you are doing? (glances at Paul signing) You and Salene were close, right?
Ryan: Kind of. I'm okay.
Lex: Come on, pal, let's get cleaned up properly. I still feel like I stink of death.
Ryan: Yea, let's go.
(They disappear into the hospital.)
Paul: Weird. Salene marrying Ryan.
Cara: Why?
Paul: He used to do everything Lex says and Lex is bad news. He always shouted at me.
Cara: Ryan is a cool guy, I like him.
Paul (grins): That's new. You don't like anybody.
Cara (swats him): Not true, I like a lot of people. You, for instance. (She blushes and quickly adds) And Cal of course.
(Paul shrugs and picks up the sketchbook as the camera cuts to the next scene.)
SCENE 8
(Camera cuts to the park, where Alice, Ellie and Jack are walking towards the two graves at the north side. Ellie has one arm in a cast and is leaning heavily on Jack as she walks and Alice has both her hands placed around her swollen belly.)
Ellie: The last funeral, I remember, was Dal's.
Jack: I wish I had been there. Returning to the Mall and finding out he was dead, was horrible.
Alice: This is going to be hard. Salene was loved by so many and Slade... I just don't understand why she left.
Ellie: I don't think anyone has ever understood Ebony.
Alice: I mean, I get that she might want space, but couldn't she at least wait for the funeral?
Jack: I don't think Ebony likes funerals. She probably said goodbye to him by herself.
Alice: Yes... I just wish, she wouldn't have left. She is still a Mall Rat and she must be hurting. She did lose the man she loved.
Ellie: What's new?
Alice: Ellie! That's uncalled for.
Jack: And they never died before, they just chose other people.
Ellie: Unless you count Zoot.
Alice: I don't think you can call whatever Ebony and Zoot had a relationship. I still remember that day Tai-San and I found her after Spike held her hostage. That guy did something awful to her. Spike and Zoot both.
Ellie: Doesn't excuse her for being a bitch.
Alice: Ellie, give it a rest, okay?
(The younger girl rolls her eyes, but remains silent. Camera fades out.)
SCENE 9
(Camera cuts to the café. Everyone has left except for Noel, who's standing up now. Bray struggles to stand on his crutches.)
Noel: You hear about Yara, didn't you?
Bray (nods): I did. I'm sorry.
Noel: I always thought, she'd break her neck from climbing on the roofs. Just not like this.
Bray: Me too. She was a great girl.
Noel: Like a little sister.
Bray: Did you have a funeral for her?
Noel: We cremated her along with the others. I wish you could have been there.
Bray: I would, but with my leg, I'm not much for walking at the moment.
Noel: So you're not going to sit on the council either?
Bray: We'll vote on that, but even if I get voted I will have to send a replacement for the time being. I'm sorry.
Noel: It's okay... just wish we'd see each other more. It's weird without you at the warehouses and now Yara's gone too.
Bray (smiles): You're always welcome to come by, Noel. And as soon as my leg is healed, I'll come visit you.
(Noel smiles and claps Bray's shoulder.)
Noel: I'd better go now, I know you have a funeral starting any minute now.
(He walks out and Bray slowly makes his way towards the park.)
SCENE 10
(Camera cuts to Kayla's room. The girl is taking off her shirt that got dirt on it from the gardening earlier and just then the door opens and KC walks in. She shrieks and his face turns a crimson red.)
Kayla: Don't you knock?
(He quickly turns around, but doesn't leave the room, while she fumbles for a new shirt.)
KC: How should I know, you'd be almost naked right before a funeral?
Kayla: I'm changing, KC. Just knock next time!
KC: I will. That... I'm sorry. I didn't...
Kayla (laughs): It's okay. It's not like you saw anything. You can turn around now.
(He turns around with a grin and steps a little closer)
KC: Is there anything to see? Don't tell me you're not one of the guys after all, Kay...
Kayla (with a deep voice): I am! I'm very manly, don't you see?
(They giggle, but KC quickly gets serious again.)
KC: I actually came to see how you're doing. I mean, you look like nothing's wrong at all, but that day... When we found you, you were still hitting that girl. It wasn't pretty.
Kayla: I just snapped. I thought, she'd killed Gel and I snapped.
KC: I know, but you were so shaken up and now you seem fine.
Kayla: I am fine, KC.
KC: Are you sure? That wasn't normal, Kayla.
Kayla: Stabbing someone in the eye isn't normal either. I did what had to be done.
KC: You didn't have to smash her head into mush.
Kayla (snaps): I did what I had to do! We're running late for the funeral.
(She rushes past him and leaves without waiting for him. KC sighs and follows after her.)
SCENE 11
(All the Mall Rats have gathered in the park. They stand in a half-circle around two fresh graves and Amber stands in front of them, with her back to the graves and some daisies in her hand)
Amber: Today we say goodbye to two of our friends. Salene has been with us since the beginning. She was a girl who had a lot of love to give, so much love that we'll it for years to come, I'm sure. It was in her nature to take care of those, who needed her and to be of council to those, who were (her voice breaks) confused. Salene, you will be greatly missed.
(She wipes away a few tears. Camera pans around to show most of the Mall Rats crying. Trudy is holding Brady's hand and resting her head on Bray's shoulder as she cries. Ram is standing next to a silently sobbing Ruby. He tries to reach out to her, but she just moves away. Ryan is shedding a few tears, standing in between Jay and Lex both men reach out to put a hand on his shoulders.)
Amber (takes a deep breath): We also say goodbye to Slade. Although he was only with us for a short while, we all owe a lot to him. He was a very courageous and strong man. He left our lives just how he entered it, in the midst of a fight. (pauses) Ruby, do you want to say something? You've known him the longest.
(Ruby shakes her head.)
Amber: Well then... You'll be missed, Slade.
(She turns around and places the daisies on the graves. Slowly everyone steps forward to put flowers or pictures on the graves and then start to head inside until only Ruby and Ram are left standing at the graves. She kneels down next to the cross reading Slade's name.)
Ruby (sobs): I'm so sorry, Slade. If I had just been better. I should have helped you.
(Ram stands behind her and places a hand on her shoulder.)
Ram: Ruby, it's not your fault. You couldn't have done anything.
Ruby (brushes his hand off): I should be a better medic. What can I do, if I can't even save the life of my best friend?
Ram: His injury... It would've required brain surgery, it doesn't matter how good you are, you can't do brain surgery or any surgery really. We don't have the equipment.
Ruby: I let him down.
(Ram sighs and kneels down next to her.)
Ram: Slade wouldn't blame you. Nobody does.
Ruby: Ebony did.
Ram: She was hurting and she doesn't know what she's talking about. Since when do you listen to Ebony anyway?
Ruby: She's right.
Ram: How about we go inside? Alice prepared a meal for everyone.
Ruby (shakes her head): You go.
Ram: I don't want you to stay out here alone.
Ruby: Just leave me alone, Ram!
(Ram hesitates, but then he gets up and starts walking back to the hospital.)
SCENE 12
(Camera cuts to Jay's room, which is almost empty. The door opens and Jay walks in. He takes a glance at the room, then picks up the bag sitting on the bed. On the wall is a picture of him and Ved and he takes it off, looking at it for a second before sliding it into his pocket.)
Jay: I'm coming for you, little brother. I'll find you.
(He leaves the room.)
SCENE 13
(Camera cuts to Ellie, who's leaning against the outside wall of the hospital alone, watching Ruby and Ram from afar. When Ram starts walking back to the hospital, she starts limping towards the graves. They meet halfway.)
Ram: I don't think she wants to talk to anyone.
Ellie: I won't be long.
Ram: She isn't in a good way.
Ellie: I understand.
(He opens his mouth to say something more, but she has already walked past him. He shakes his head and continues towards the hospital. Ellie stops a few feet away from Ruby.)
Ellie (softly): Ruby?
Ruby: I don't want to talk.
Ellie: That's okay. I just wanted to say thank you. I don't think anyone has said thank you to you yet, because we were all so involved with our own feelings about Salene and Slade and everything really. But we are all really grateful for you. If it hadn't been for you, not everyone would still be here. You fixed me and Bray and Gel, and you also took care of the smaller injuries like Jack's arm. Thank you.
Ruby: I didn-...
Ellie (cuts in): I know you're hurting and you miss Slade, but you did everything you could. You helped me and if you need anything, you can always come to me, okay?
Ruby: Okay.
Ellie: Do you want to come inside now?
(Ellie smiles down at her as Ruby slowly gets up and they head to the hospital together.)
SCENE 14
(Camera cuts to the café, where all of the Mall Rats have settled down to eat together. They've pushed the tables together so they can all sit together and talk. Ellie and Ruby walk in and take the two empty seats next to Jack. Camera pans around to Jay, who looks a little uneasy and is pushing the food around on his plate.)
Bray: I know, we've been through a tough time, but it's nice to be together as a tribe again. And from now on, things will get better.
Darryl: Hear, hear.
Bray: I talked to some of the other tribe leaders today, and we have agreed to form a city council. After we've eaten, we should vote on who represents us.
Jack: Why? Aren't you doing it?
Bray: I would like to do it, but I think we should vote on it anyway.
Amber: After dinner then. Thanks, Alice, for this nice meal.
Alice: No problem. Dig in.
KC: That's what I like to hear.
(The group breaks out into chatter and eat together. After a while, Jay stands up and waits until everyone's quiet.)
Jay: Uh... hi? I don't really know how to say this. Before... I talked to Salene about leaving.
Ram: Leaving?
(The Mall Rats start whispering and murmuring.)
Jay: Not like... She wasn't going with me, but I just wanted to say, that I had been thinking about this for a while. I always meant to leave after the fight, I didn't want to turn my back on you. The thing is, I've been thinking of Ved a lot, especially since Bray returned and it's obvious that Deleted doesn't mean dead. So, I'm leaving today to look for my brother.
Trudy: I wish you wouldn't.
Ellie: Yes, you'll be missed around here.
Jay (smiles): I hope that I can return with him, if I find him. If that's okay with you guys?
Amber: You'll always be welcome here, Jay.
Jay: Thank you.
Alice: Now sit down and finish your food. You can't leave on an empty stomach.
(Everyone laughs and Jay sits back down, now enjoying his food much more. Camera pans out.)
SCENE 15
(camera pans back in and we see that everyone has finished eating and broken off into small groups. KC walks over to Paul, Cara and Cal and takes a seat across from them.)
KC: Hey, we didn't get a chance to really talk, since you're here.
Cara: Didn't know you wanted to.
KC: Actually just wanted to talk to Paul.
Cara: About?
KC: Patsy. I knew she had a brother, at the beginning when I joined the Mall Rats she used to cry sometimes, missing you.
(Paul signs and Cal translates for him.)
Cal: Do you know where she is?
KC: No. I never saw her again, after she was taken by the Chosen. Not even when I was working in the mines.
Cal (translating for Paul): Were you close?
KC (shrugs): We were friends, kind of. I think most of the time I annoyed her and Cloe, but I'd still consider them my friends.
Cal (translating): Do you know where Cloe is?
KC: No, haven't seen her either.
Cal (translating): Do you miss them?
KC: It's weird without them around.
Cara: Is that your way of saying you miss them? Because you're a boy and it makes you look weak?
Cal: Cara! Stop it.
KC: I can say that I miss them. What's your problem?
Cara: No problem.
Cal: I'm sorry, she's just...
Cara (cuts in): Don't apologize for me. I think he knows how I am.
KC: I think I do.
(He gets up.)
KC (sarcastically): Nice talking to you.
(He walks away.)
SCENE 16
(At another table Alice is sitting, drinking some water and rubbing her belly, while Lex sits next to her, staring into space.)
Alice: What's gotten into you?
(Lex snaps out of his trance and blinks at her confused.)
Lex: Huh?
Alice (laughs): I haven't seen you think this hard since... I don't know, ever?
Lex (dryly): Funny.
Alice: Come on, tell the pregnant lady what you're thinking about.
Lex: I think I saw Tai-San the other day, but Ryan says that I probably only imagined it, because it's what I wanted to see.
Alice: Where and when did you see her?
Lex: She was an Astro and fighting with Anarchists. Her hood feel off and I could have sworn it was her, but she didn't react when I called her name and just left.
Alice: Well, then Ryan is probably right. I know how much Tai-San loved you, she wouldn't ignore you.
Lex: But she had the same hair and I know how Tai-San fights.
Alice: I don't think that's enough to go on, Lex. And besides, you put up all those posters. Why wouldn't she come, if she knew you were looking for her?
Lex: But what if it is her and I don't try my best to find her.
Alice: Look... I know you by now, Lex. If you want to go to the Astros and look for her, you'll do it, no matter what I say.
Lex (grins): You know me too well, Alice.
Alice: Just don't get your hopes up, okay? She might not be there.
Lex: Yeah, yeah...
(He drifts back into his thoughts and the camera cuts to black.)
SCENE 17
(Camera fades in from black to show all the Mall Rats gathered in the entrance hall. Jay has his bag slung over his shoulder and stands in the door. Ryan steps forward and hugs him.)
Ryan: This is goodbye for now, right? We'll see each other again.
Jay: I hope so. I'll try to come back, when I find Ved... if I find him.
Ryan: I'm sure you will. And... if Cloe's with him, you should bring her too.
Jay (smiles): Of course.
Ryan: Okay, take care then.
(One after one the Mall Rats say goodbye to him. Lex doesn't bother, he's just leaning against the wall, watching the whole thing and the newest members of the tribe keep a little to themselves too. When all the hugs have been given, Jay waves at all of them and walks out.)
Jay: I hope to see you soon.
(Camera stays on him walking down the road for a while before panning out.)
SCENE 18
(As the Mall Rats are heading back into the café, Gel gently grabs Kayla's shoulder and holds her back. She has her blond hair falling over her injured eye to hide it and smiles nervously.)
Gel: Hi.
Kayla: Uh.. hi?
Gel: With everything going on with... uh... you know... I didn't get to say thank you.
Kayla: For what?
Gel: You got that nasty bitch off me. If it hadn't been for you, I'd probably be dead by now.
(Kayla bites her lip and looks to the floor.)
Kayla: I thought you were. In that moment, I thought she'd killed you and I... I'm not proud of what I did, Gel.
Gel: But you saved my life.
Kayla: Yes, but I... killed someone. I never thought I could.
(Gel reaches out and takes Kayla's hands in hers)
Gel: You had to. She wouldn't have stopped, she was crazy. You saved us.
Kayla: But...
Gel: (cuts in): No buts! Thank you.
(She smiles and nods to the café, where the others are.)
Gel: I think, they're waiting for us. Come on.
(She drags Kayla inside and camera cuts to next scene.)
SCENE 19
(The Mall Rats are all sitting around the big table again with Bray at the head of it. Gel and Kayla walk in, still holding hands and sit down in the two remaining seats.)
Bray: Now there's only one last thing. I mentioned the council earlier. The other tribe leaders and I decided that it might be good idea to take care of the city together through a council. Every tribe of the city gets a seat on it and the council then makes decision for the whole city. For those not part of a tribe, there will be an open forum once a month to put forward requests. We need to vote on who's going to represent us on this council.
Alice: I vote for you.
Kayla: Yes, I'd think you'd do a great job.
Ryan: I vote for Amber.
Lex: I vote for me.
Ruby: Of course and then you'll just fight with the other tribe leaders.
Ellie: Or bribe them to vote for your idea.
Lex: I'd do what's best for the tribe. I'd make sure we get the respect we deserve.
Bray (rolls his eyes): Any other suggestions? (nobody says anything) Shall we vote then? Do we need to do this anonymous or is it fine if we just raise our hands?
Jack: Raising our hands is fine, I guess.
(Everyone mumbles in agreement.)
Bray: Okay then. Everyone in favour of Lex being our representative...
(Only Lex raises his hand, when he realizes nobody's voted for him, he groans.)
Bray: Everyone in favour of Amber.
(Ryan, Jack, Paul, Cara, Ruby and Ram raise their hands.)
Bray: And everyone in favour of me raise their hands.
(The rest raise their arms, which means Bray wins by a majority of 12 votes.)
Amber (smiles): Congratulations, councilman.
Bray: Thank you. I won't let you down. However, as my leg is still healing, I won't be able to go down to the school for the first couple of meetings. Is everything alright with Amber standing in for me in this time?
(The Mall Rats nod and mumble in agreement)
Bray: Great. Then you're free to do as you please now.
Amber: Except for Cal. You're on guard duty.
Cal: I know, I know.
(He waves at her as he heads for the control room. The other Mall Rats start to disperse too.)
SCENE 20
(Camera fades in on Lottie and Sammy sitting on the swings in the park.)
Lottie: Are you okay? You knew Salene way better than I did.
Sammy (shrugs): I guess. It's just weird. First Mouse, now Salene... looks like everyone I care about in this tribe are leaving me.
Lottie: I won't. (she blushes) I mean, where would I even go?
Sammy: Do you think they are really gone?
Lottie: Yes. A few of them might still be out there, but they won't get a chance to hurt anybody. The council will take care of that.
Sammy: Sometimes I think I shouldn't have gone on that boat.
Lottie: Sammy, the lab was about to explode. The new virus would have killed you.
Sammy: I know.
(She stares at him, but he refuses to look at him.)
Lottie: I wouldn't have let you stay.
Sammy: Yes, you would. We didn't even really know each other back then.
Lottie: Okay, maybe I would have, but I wouldn't let you now.
Sammy: You nearly died, because Gel locked you in that closet.
Lottie: You're not really thinking that, are you? That it would be better, if you were dead?
(He doesn't answer, just starts swinging.)
Lottie: Sammy?
Sammy (quietly): It couldn't be worse than this.
Lottie: But things could get better again. The Anarchists are gone and... Things will get better, Sammy.
(He jumps from the swing and lands in the dirt. He pushes his hands deep into his pockets and starts walking away from here.)
Sammy: I don't see how they can.
(Lottie looks after him, confused and hurt. Tears are shining in her eyes.)
SCENE 21
(Ruby and Ram are walking down the corridor, Ram a few steps behind her. She walks into her room and he squeezes in before she can shut the door.)
Ruby (annoyed): Ram, I really don't want to talk to you right now.
Ram: I don't care. You've been avoiding me for the past couple of days and when we talk, you snap at me.
Ruby: I really can't deal with this now.
Ram: I'm worried about you. I know you miss Slade. Fuck, I miss him too, but you have to understand that it's not your fault. You did nothing wrong. You know more about medicine than all of us combined. Nobody expects you to do miracles, we know how limited the options are.
Ruby (shouts): He was my best friend! I couldn't save my best friend!
Ram: Nobody could have saved him.
Ruby: But all I wanted was to save my friends!
(She starts crying and falls forward into his arms.)
Ruby: I didn't want to lose any more friends.
Ram: I know.
(He rubs her back and careful steers her towards the sofa in her room, so they can sit down.)
Ram: Listen, I know I'm useless at all this feelings stuff, but I also know that you are hurt and sad and that you need someone right now. So I want to be there for you. Please don't push me away.
Ruby: I just don't know how to deal with you right now. Being with you makes me happy and I don't feel like that's fair. Slade died and I can't be happy when I'm mourning him. That's just not right.
Ram: I don't think...
Ruby (cuts in): Not now, Ram. I want to mourn my friend, I want to be sad and I want to miss him. I can't be with you right now.
Ram: What?
Ruby: Not yet.
(He lets go of her and jumps to his feet.)
Ram: What kind of stupid explanation is that? "I want to be miserable and I won't let anybody help me, because that's what I deserve".
Ruby: Don't mock me!
Ram: That's ridiculous, Ruby! You have to see that.
Ruby: I'm trying to be respectful to Slade! He would want me to be sad that he's gone.
Ram: He'd want you to be happy, that's what friends do.
Ruby: How would you know?
(He glares at her and then storms out of the room, slamming the door as he goes. Ruby looks shocked as she realizes what she's done and starts crying harder.)
SCENE 22
(Meanwhile Ellie is lying on her bed, propped up on pillows, as Jack is searching through a drawer in their closet.)
Jack: Aha!
(He turns around and holds up a long ruler, grinning triumphantly.)
Jack: I knew I had it here somewhere.
Ellie: Give it to me!
Jack: How about the magic word?
Ellie: Jaaack!
(He laughs, jumps on the bed next to her and giver he the ruler. She snatches it from him and uses it to scratch underneath the cast on her left arm.)
Ellie: Oh that feels so good. I've never felt better.
Jack: Oh really?
Ellie (laughs): This seriously feels like heaven. My arm's been itching the whole day.
Jack: I remember from when I broke my leg.
Ellie: When was that?
Jack: Long time ago. Before you and Alice joined the tribe, when Lex got married to Zandra.
Ellie: How long did that take to heal? Because this thing is driving me nuts.
Jack: A few weeks.
Ellie (groans): Weeks?
(He smiles and leans over to press a kiss to her cheek)
Jack: You should be glad it's just the arm, at least you can walk. In fact, I'm glad it's only broken bones. You had me really worried. I thought I had lost you.
(Ellie snuggles closer to him, but winces when this hurts her broken ribs.)
Ellie: You won't get rid of me that easily, Jack.
Jack: It wouldn't have been easy.
Ellie: I was joking.
Jack: But I wasn't. I was really, really scared.
(She reaches up with her good arm and tilts his face towards her so she can kiss him.)
Ellie: I'm fine now. Thanks to you and Ram and Ruby, so you don't have to worry about me anymore.
(She kisses him again.)
Ellie: I love you.
Jack: I love you too.
(Camera pans out as he leans in to kiss her again.)
SCENE 23
(Camera pans in from black to show Gel sitting on one of the beds in Sammy's and Lottie's room, waiting. Footsteps are heard off screen and then Sammy comes into view. He is surprised by her presence, but gives her a vague smile and sits down on the opposite bed.)
Gel: I was waiting for you.
Sammy: Why?
Gel: Just wanted to see, how you are.
Sammy: Really?
Gel: Yes, Sammy. I know those assholes did something to you and I wanted to get them back for it.
Sammy: I didn't want you to. They are dangerous.
Gel: I know that now.
(He points to her injured eye.)
Sammy: So that is my fault?
Gel: No! No, of course not. I'm just saying that... Actually, I have no idea what I'm saying. (pauses) We're still friends, right?
Sammy (nods): I guess so. Just... can we maybe not talk about those people?
Gel: Okay. Yes, I can do that.
Sammy: Wanna play on KC's old gameboy?
Gel: Uh... I don't know.
(He grins and retrieves the gameboy from the desk. He sits down next to her and pushes it into her hands.)
Sammy: It's awesome.
Gel: I'm not all that interested in games.
Sammy: You're such a girl. Here, let me show you.
(He turns it on and reaches over to show her how to play.)
Sammy: See, if you push this one, you shoot and then be careful not to let the aliens shoot you.
(Camera pans out.)
SCENE 24
(Camera pans back in on Ryan standing in Salene's room. He's looking at the pictures, she has put up on one of the walls. He smiles sadly, when he sees an old one with all the Mall Rats, some of Cloe and Patsy. He takes the wedding picture of the wall.)
Ryan: Back then I thought, we'd be together forever.
Trudy (off-screen): Thought I'd find you here.
(He turns around and smiles at Trudy, who walks up to him and looks at the picture.)
Trudy: You were a good couple.
Ryan: Yes, it's just sad things got so weird between us when I returned.
Trudy: I think you would eventually have figured it out and been friends.
Ryan: I just hate, we didn't get a chance to be that. I miss her.
(Trudy squeezes his arm, tears stinging behind her eyes.)
Trudy: I miss her too. It was so awful. She was just trying to help those boys and then he shot her. She was one of my best friends.
Ryan: It's one more gone. Looking at this (points to the pictures) just made me realise how many people are gone. Zandra, Dal, Patsy, Cloe, Tai-San, May, and now Salene.
Trudy: People come and go. I guess that's something I have learned.
Ryan: I was living with nomads and I'm still not used to that.
Trudy: I'm not used to it either, I'll never be. But I like to focus on the coming part. So many people we thought had gone, have come back to us. Even Paul. I had never thought, we'd see Paul again.
Ryan: But Salene won't ever come back. It's just not right.
Trudy (whispers): No, it's not.
(camera zooms in on the wall of pictures before cutting to the next scene.)
SCENE 25
(Bray is sitting with his back against the head of the bed with his son sitting next to him, playing with a toy car. Amber comes into the room with a small tube and a bandage and sits down on the end of the bed.)
Amber: Let's look at your leg.
(She pulls his pant leg up to reveal the bandage underneath. Carefully she removes it to show a fresh scar where the bone used to poke out.)
Amber: I think Ruby did a really good job.
Bray: Yes, I just wish it wouldn't hurt so much.
Amber: If you want, I can ask her for more pain killers.
Bray: No, we should save them. I can take this.
(Amber starts rubbing some ointment on the scar and then puts a clean bandage on.)
Amber: Where did you put the brace?
Bray: I hate that thing.
Amber: Where is it, Bray? You want your leg to heal just right, don't you?
(He groans and points to the other side of the bed. She walks around it and retrieves the brace to put it on his leg.)
Bray: The only good thing about this, is that I get to stay with Junior most of the time.
Amber: It's great. You guys missed out on so much, so I love that you are spending all this time together now.
(Bray picks the little boy up and places him in his lap.)
Bray: So do we, don't we, Junior?
Bray Jr: Look! (holds up his toy car) Car!
Bray: I see, that's a really cool car. Where did you get it?
Bray Jr: From Dex!
Bray (glances at Amber): Lex gave you a toy car?
Amber: I think he found it somewhere. Sometimes he's really sweet.
Bray Jr: Like it. Car is good.
Amber: You know, sometimes I think he's a bit jealous.
Bray: Of us?
Amber: Yes, we have what he could have had, if Zandra hadn't died. And then Tai-San disappeared too.
Bray: He swears, he saw Tai-San during the fight.
Amber: I know. I worry he's going to do something stupid.
Bray: I could talk to him. It's not like I'm doing much else while the leg heals.
Amber: I'd try, but I don't think he likes to talk about girls with me. Or you for that matter.
(Bray pulls her closer and she snuggles into his side.)
Bray: Let's not worry about Lex right now, okay?
Amber: Sounds good.
(Camera fades to black.)