Thanks again for all the lovely comments, I'm happy you enjoy the story. In regards to Zandra, she might return in season 8 of this. There's no room for her in this one
Episode 10
SCENE 1
(Camera fades in from black to a close-up of the graves in the park. Camera pans around to show Patsy, Cloe, Paul and Ryan standing in front of them. The girls are holding hands as they both fight with tears. Ryan has an arm slung around both of them.)
Patsy: What happened?
Ryan: She was shot. Not so long ago this city was chaos. There was a big fight with this group, who called themselves the Anarchists. It took a lot to get rid of them.
Cloe (mutters): I was so awful to her the last time I saw her.
Ryan: She knew that you loved her.
Paul: She talked about you two a lot.
(Cloe turns to Patsy for a translation.)
Patsy: He says, that she talked about us a lot.
Cloe: It just feels weird without her here.
Ryan: I know. It feels strange with all these changes.
Cloe: What happened to the others? Mouse, Charlie, Pride, Dee?
Ryan: Who's Charlie?
Cloe: Mouse's brother.
Ryan: I think he ran away or was taken back in the old city. I met Dee and Patch briefly, but they left again. (takes a deep breath) And Pride and Mouse... I never met Pride, he died back in the old city.
(He turns around to point at Mouse's memorial tree.)
Ryan: The Anarchists cost us Mouse too. We never found her... so we couldn't bury her like the rest.
Cloe: They killed Mouse? She was so small!
Ryan: They were awful people.
Paul: They weren't people. They were monsters.
(Camera zooms in on his dark face before cutting to next scene.)
SCENE 2
(Camera cuts to Cara barging into Kayla's room. Kayla jumps as the door slams against the wall, then rolls her eyes when she sees it's only Cara.)
Kayla: Nice entrance. How about knocking the next time?
Cara: Oh shut up!
(Cara walks up to her until there's barely any space between them.)
Cara: What the hell do you think you're doing? Other people have feelings, you know? So you can't just go around and do whatever you want!
(Kayla takes a step backwards, but Cara just follows.)
Kayla (calmly): I assume this is about Cal?
Cara: You better believe it is!
Kayla: Okay, I don't think that's any of your business, Cara. You're way out of line here.
Cara: Well, too bad. I'm making it my business.
Kayla: I really don't know what you want from me.
Cara: I want you to stay the hell away from him! Obviously you don't care enough about him to not hurt him, so just stay away from him.
(Kayla snorts and sidesteps the shorter girl.)
Kayla: You can't tell me what to do.
Cara: You better listen.
Kayla: Are you threatening me now?
Cara: That's exactly what I'm doing and I think we both know, I could kick your ass any time.
Kayla: I'm not going to fight you, Cara.
Cara: Won't be much of a fight anyway. You better watch yourself!
(Cara turns around and stalks out of the room. She nearly runs into Gel, but Gel swerves in time to let her through. When Cara is gone Gel hurries over to Kayla, grinning.)
Gel: What was all that yelling about?
Kayla: Don't ask.
Gel (flicks her hair): Don't worry, it's just Cara. She's angry about everything.
(Gel wanders over to the mirror to check herself out, while Kayla stares at the door that Cara just left through. Camera cuts to next scene.)
SCENE 3
(Camera cuts to a close up of various watches, sunglasses, CDs, and jewellery. Camera zooms out to show we're in Lex's room with him and KC standing over their loot.)
Lex: Not bad.
KC: We should start selling some of it.
Lex: Selling it is your job.
KC: How come that is my job? I don't want to do all the work.
Lex: That's how it works. I come up with the plan and you do the work.
(KC laughs. He pushes some of the stuff out of the way and sits down on the bed.)
KC: I'm not a kid anymore, Lex. I'm not going to do the dirty work for you. I think I'll just take my half and do whatever.
Lex: Doing your own thing? Come on, we've always been a good team.
KC: Actually, I always had a good thing going and you wanted in on it, is how I remember it.
Lex: Something must have screwed with your brain. But if that's what you want...
(He opens a drawer at the end of his bed and starts putting the loot in there. KC watches him, making sure he's not taking more than he deservers. Then he catches something else lying in the drawer. Before Lex can stop him, he grabs it and holds up a gun.)
KC: Where the fuck did you get this?
(Lex snatches it out of his hand, but then grins smugly.)
Lex: Took it from one of those Anarchists. Thought I'd keep it as a nice souvenir.
KC: Do you even know how to shoot it?
Lex: Course I do! I got one of those fuckers right in the head.
KC: No, you didn't.
Lex: Wanna bet?
KC: Can I try it out back?
(Lex laughs, puts the gun back and closes the drawer.)
Lex: Good one, kid. Now run along.
(Camera cuts to the next scene.)
SCENE 4
(Camera follows Jack as he walks to his room, holding an apple and a slice of bread. As he enters, camera pans around to show Ellie changing Wylla on the bed. She barely acknowledges him.)
Jack: I got you some food.
Ellie: Oh thanks. I'm not all that hungry.
(He places the food on the table and walks over to them. Gently he brushes a strand of hair out of her face.)
Jack: Are you okay?
Ellie: Yes, why wouldn't I be?
Jack: I don't know. You're so pale and if it's too much with Wylla, I really want to help you out more.
Ellie: She's not too much for me.
(Ellie picks up the baby, holding her close to her chest.)
Jack: I feel a little useless. Even when she cries at night, you're always there first.
Ellie: I don't mind it. I know you're nervous about the whole baby thing, I'm just giving you time to get used to it.
(Jack kisses her on the cheek.)
Jack: That's why you're the best.
Ellie (grins): I know.
(She gets up from the bed and glances shortly at the food on the table, but then walks over to the door.)
Ellie: Come on. I want to hear Patsy and Cloe's story.
Jack: Right, that's why I came here in the first place.
(He jumps up and follows her out of the room.)
SCENE 5
(Most of the Mall Rats have gathered in the café. Cloe and Patsy are sitting in the centre with the rest spread out at the other tables. Cloe keeps her eyes either on Patsy or fixed on the table, because seeing so many old friends is still very confusing to her.)
Patsy: Well... uhm... I don't really know where to start.
KC: What happened after the Chosen took you away and told all of us they had killed you?
Patsy: Oh right. This one guy caught me spying in one of the restricted rooms and the Guardian did order me to be executed. I think after Cloe was found out, he didn't have the same patience with me. I really thought that was it for me, so I just sat in the back of the truck crying. There were other prisoners, who were headed for the mines and some guards too. I guess they took pity on me or actually got confused. In the end I worked in the mines as well. It was no fun, but it was better than being dead. So I don't know if the Guardian really believed me to be dead or not.
Ryan: How come I never saw you in the mines?
Patsy: I don't know. It was a big place, we worked in shifts, and people came and went all the time. I thought I saw Danni once, but it could have been anyone really.
Bray: No, they took care of the leaders. They killed them.
Patsy: Oh...
(Patsy takes a few seconds to process this information. Cloe squeezes her hand lightly.)
Cloe: And how did you get out of there?
Patsy: One day the guards just left and we were on our own. I was lucky to be on a work party at the time, when the last few were overpowered. That way it was easier to get out of there quick. After that I was on my own pretty much.
Lex: You were on your own? How did that go?
(Patsy eyes him with a disgusted expression, but then realizes many of the others look just as surprised. Her expression changes to a scowl.)
Patsy: What? I'm here in one piece, how do you think it went?
Cloe: We can take care of ourselves.
KC: Well, you certainly don't lack ambition. You were ready to punch me in the face for talking to you.
(He smiles proudly at her, impressed at how independent the two girls have become.)
Patsy: It wasn't for talking to us. You were using my name, that's a different story.
Amber: How did you two meet up then? Cloe and you.
Trudy: And why didn't you go back to the city? Tried to find us?
(Patsy looks at all her friends with a guilty expression.)
Patsy: I didn't want to. Even though the guards disappeared, I wasn't sure what that meant for the Chosen. The Guardian wanted me dead, so I was afraid of what he'd do to me, if he ever saw me again. I was free and I wanted it to stay that way. And... I knew Cloe wouldn't be there and that Salene was with the Chosen, so I thought: Why should I go back? What for? (pauses) I'm so sorry.
(Amber walks over and hugs her.)
Amber: It's okay. I understand. I think there were times when all of us felt the same way. I certainly don't blame you.
(The Mall Rats murmur in agreement and a small smile spreads across Patsy's face.)
Cloe: And it was good you didn't. Otherwise, you'd never have found me in time.
Bray: In time?
Patsy: By the time I found Cloe, she was very weak. She hadn't eaten in days and it seemed like she didn't even know that she was supposed to in order to stay alive.
Ryan: What? What happened to you?
Sammy: I remember you went to get registered for the game and you never came back.
Amber: Ved was looking everywhere for you.
Cloe (confused): Ved? Who's that?
(There is complete silence for a moment, as everyone realizes that Cloe has lost some of her memory. Jack looks over at Ram, who has listened with great interest so far, but seems to get a little uncomfortable now. Amber, Trudy and Ruby notice his behaviour too.)
Ruby: Ram?
Amber (angrily): Did you do this?
(She steps away from Patsy and glares at Ram, who tries to keep calm although the whole tribe is now looking at him accusingly.)
Lex: You said, you didn't know anything about the captives!
Ram: Well, that's true. Cloe was different.
KC: How was she different?
Ram: Because of Ved. He was important and I had enough trouble keeping him focused on the matter at hand without her there. She was a distraction and she had to go. (shrugs) It worked.
Amber: And when you didn't need Ved anymore, you deleted him too?
Ram: That was Mega. Annoying as he was, I actually kind of liked Ved.
Ryan: You creep! What did you do to her?!
(Ryan pushes over his chair as he jumps to his feet. Before anyone can stop him, he grabs Ram by the collar of his shirt and pushes him up against the wall. Camera zooms in on Ram, who's desperately gasping for air. Camera cuts to next scene.)
SCENE 6
(Cut to the roof of the cinema, where the Guardian, now dressed in the blue Astro robes, is standing on the edge with his arms outstretched and his eyes closed. Camera moves around him and then pans around to show Camille standing behind him, watching him quietly.)
Guardian (without opening his eyes): You've been standing there for a long time.
Camille: I didn't want to disturb you. Or scare you. You could fall down.
Guardian: No, I'm protected by higher forces.
(He turns to smile at her and beckons for her to come closer.)
Guardian: Come here.
Camille: I'm not sure.
(She hesitantly steps closer, but keeps her distance to the edge.)
Guardian: Fear not. A true believer does not fear, for Zoot shall provide and protect.
Camille: Zoot?
Guardian: Yes. Mighty Zoot.
Camille: But... the stars...
Guardian: Zoot speaks in different ways to different people. When you hear the stars speak to you, it's really Zoot. There is no other God.
Camille: But Cloud said...
Guardian: Cloud is not as enlightened as you think, my child. He has failed to see the deeper meaning. That's why Zoot has guided me here, to make you all see his greatness.
Camille: Jaffa, I know you had different views before, but you can't talk like that here. If Cloud hears this, he's going to kick you out... or worse.
(He smiles at her again, not in the least bit concerned by her warning. He reaches out for her.)
Guardian: Give me your hand, Camille. Zoot has shown me that you are to be the first of his children to be enlightened.
Camille: Jaffa, please... You're scaring me.
Guardian: There is no reason to be scared. No harm will come to you.
(Seconds tick by as Camille stares at his outstretched hand and considers him. She looks up at he morning sky as if searching for stars to help her make the decisions. Then finally she grabs his hand and carefully steps onto the ledge as well.)
Guardian: That was the first step into a brighter future. Zoot will provide for you too.
Camille: He will keep me from falling?
Guardian: Yes.
Camille: Even if I step off the roof?
Guardian: Don't test the powers of the Great One. If you are a true believer, you won't need proof.
Camille: So it's not the stars I should speak too?
Guardian: You are worthy, Camille. You can seek advice from Zoot himself. Now join me in my prayers.
(Still holding her hand, he closes his eyes again. Camille look at him in awe, then does the same. Camera cuts to next scene.)
SCENE 7
(Camera cuts to a close-up of Ram's face as Ryan is still choking him and he's fighting for air. Ryan is then grabbed and pulled off him. Ram sinks to the floor, coughing and rubbing his throat. Camera pans around to show Ryan being restrained by Bray and Lex. Cloe walks up and puts a hand on Ryan's chest to calm him down.)
Cloe: Don't hurt him.
Ryan: Cloe. He...
Cloe: I don't want you to hurt him.
(When Bray and Lex realize that Ryan has calmed down enough, they slowly let go of him. Camera pans around to Ram, who's being lead back to his chair by Ruby. Trudy hands him a glass of water.)
Cloe: I want to hear what else he knows. I don't remember much of anything.
Patsy: You do, it's just that we don't know what is real and what isn't.
Cloe: Same thing.
Ram (croaks): When you got scanned for Reality Space, I had some of my people take you away. I was working on Paradise already at that time. There was a small facility on this island, where I had people trying out the prototype. People that got in my way.
Lex: Is there anyone else we need to know about? Somebody else you put there?
Ram: None of your people.
Cloe: Paradise is what you call it? It didn't seem like paradise to me.
Ram: Because you only tried the prototype and you were in there for too long. I built in some safeties afterwards, but to begin with the headsets would pick up on every thought the individual had and make it real for the user. Good or bad, it didn't matter. The downside was that after a while the test subjects got sick. Not reality sickness, this was different. Their brain activity changed so much that Paradise didn't work anymore. They became sort of walking corpses. There wasn't much human left in them.
(The Mall Rats all look at him in disgust.)
Bray: And you just sit there and talk about it like it's nothing. You did that to them!
Kayla: You say you've changed, but I don't buy it. You speak about it so casually.
Ram: It's in the past! What can I do about it now?
Cloe: Then how did I get out? Why am I not dead?
(Ram swallows hard, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone.)
Patsy: Because I found you. (to Ram) She wasn't meant to live, was she?
Ram: I didn't keep up with her status, after she was delivered to the facility, but... (mumbles) according to protocol the expired test subjects were let go. There was no gain in them.
Ruby: Did you just say expired? She's a human being, standing right there in front of you, Ram!
Ram: She was a virt then. Everyone was a virt.
Cara: Virt? What's that supposed to mean?
(Ram slowly analyses the people around him, coming to the conclusion that all of them, even Ruby, hate him. He considers discussing this further with them, but decides flight is the better option. KC moves to the door to block his way.)
Amber: Let him go, KC. He's said all he needs to.
(KC pauses for a moment, but then lets Ram leave.)
Cal: What did he mean with virts?
Amber: The Technos had some weird idea that everyone but them was virtual in some way. I really don't understand it either.
Cara: I can't believe you let that creep stay here. After what he did to all of you.
Amber: Cara, he's proven himself.
Ryan: And that makes it okay? That makes up for everything else he did?
(Not able to handle the others bash Ram, Ruby gets up and leaves. And then slowly one by one the café empties.)
SCENE 8
(Camera cuts to the entrance hall as Kayla leaves the café. Shortly after Bray exits as well and walks after her.)
Bray: Kayla! Wait a second.
(She stops and lets him catch up to her.)
Bray: I know this is a weird time, but I actually have a request. Noel and I are looking for ways to support the city in terms of food. We're heading out to look for abandoned farms and I thought, it might be good if you came.
Kayla: Me?
Bray: Yes, you're the only one around her who knows a little about agriculture.
Kayla: What about Ellie?
Bray: I don't even need to ask her, to know the answer is no. Anyway, if you don't want to come, that's okay. I think we can figure it out on our own.
Kayla: I was just surprised. I'll come with you.
Bray (smiles): Thank you. See you in a bit?
Kayla: Sure. Might as well get out of here, before I get dragged into this.
(Bray grins, happy to know that the tribe is mostly Amber's business, since he got to be on the forum. Camera cuts to black.)
SCENE 9
(Camera fades in from black on Patsy, Paul, Cloe, KC and Ryan sitting in the café.)
KC: I don't understand how you're so calm, Clo.
Cloe: He wasn't wrong. It is in the past. Nothing he or anyone does now, will change the fact that I got my brain scrambled.
Ryan: You can still be mad about it.
Cloe: And what does that do?
(Patsy takes her hand and squeezes it reassuringly.)
Patsy: It's okay. I'm here and I'll stay here. (to the others) Sometimes when she has strong emotions, it makes it harder for her to stay in control.
Cloe: You give me more credit than I deserve. I've gotten good at controlling my emotions, but not like this. I'm really not mad.
Patsy: Why not? I would be. I am!
Cloe: Maybe I'd be mad, if it had happened to you, but... I'm over it.
KC: So you're happy with him living here?
Cloe: Not exactly. But he's not going to do anything, is he? He has no Technos anymore.
Paul: I wouldn't mind if he had to leave.
Patsy: I guess, that's up to Amber.
(Camera cuts to next scene.)
SCENE 10
(Lottie and Sammy are sitting on the bed in Cara's room, while the older girl stares gloomily out the window. The two of them share a tentative look, as they are both a little scared of Cara and don't know what to say as not to make her angry.)
Lottie: That was... a bit... scary, right?
Sammy: Yea... I can't believe, I played those games.
Cara: You know what's scary? That you all let that fucking psycho live here with us.
Lottie: We didn't know, he did that.
Sammy: Well, we knew he did those weird experiments with Amber and the others. I had to film it.
Cara: What the fuck is wrong with you people? If it were up to me, I'd beat him up and kick him out of the tribe.
Lottie: Ram's not all bad. He helped defeat Mega and he helped with the Consilium and the Anarchists too. He's not like that anymore.
Cara: You only say that, because Ruby is dating him.
Lottie: No, I don't!
Sammy: Maybe it would be better if Ram left.
Lottie: How? Nobody is as smart as Ram.
Sammy: Jack is pretty smart.
(Cara snorts as she moves away from the window and positions herself in front of them.)
Cara: Just because he's smart and useful to the tribe, it doesn't mean, he should go unpunished. I know you two are the youngest here and they have held you out of everything that's been going on, but do you think that's right? Why don't your voices matter? Because you're younger? (to Lottie) Because you're a thief? (to Sammy) Because you went through some shit? Don't let them take your voice from you.
Lottie: Uh... Cara? What are you talking about?
Cara: I'm saying that you always get stuck with babysitting, although you're probably just as old or older than they were when all this started. They're becoming just like the adults. Now they think, they can rebuild this city and create law and order. They don't even realize the world has changed.
Sammy: But what has that to do with Ram?
Cara: Everything. The adults let bad people get off when they fucked up, because they were important or had money. Do you really think, this tribe needs Ram that bad? I hear, the Mall Rats were doing just fine without him before.
Lottie: Maybe, but he's one of us now. Lots of people have done bad stuff.
Cara: Yes, you and I, we stole and maybe I beat some people up, but have I ever oppressed a whole city and made them pawns in some twisted little game of mine and then, when they "expired" and "were of no gain anymore" I sent them out to die? No, I didn't. Because that's fucking insane!
(Sammy nervously fiddles with the cuff on his wrist, while the girls just stare at each other, both too stubborn to back down)
Sammy: Well... you're not wrong. But people are insane; you can't stop them from doing what they do.
Cara: Does that mean, their behaviour should not have consequences?
Sammy (shrugs): I don't know.
(He slowly gets up and looks back at Lottie, who fakes a smile for him.)
Lottie: I'm coming in a second.
(He leaves and as soon as the door closes behind him, the smile falls from Lottie's face.)
Lottie (angrily): Just great! He was doing so well today and now you had to ruin it all with your big talk.
Cara: I... what? You can't continue to coddle him, because he had a rough time. He has to grow up sometime.
Lottie: Shut up! Has anyone even told you, what he went through? You know nothing, Cara, just shut up! Don't talk to him at all!
Cara: I'm just saying. He's a person, he's your age and he has a voice, you should all stop treating him like a baby, because I'm sure, he's sick of it.
Lottie: What do you know!
(She brushes past Cara and leaves. Camera cuts to next scene.)
SCENE 11
(Camera cuts to the corridor with Paul and Patsy standing in front of the mural. In the distance we see Lottie storm out of Cara's room. Patsy only pays her little attention.)
Patsy: What's her deal?
Paul: That's Cara's room. It's not easy to get along with Cara all the time.
Patsy: The girl you were talking about before? The one, who's been travelling with you?
(Paul nods, a fond smile on his face.)
Paul: Cal and I are privileged. When she's mean to us, she actually apologizes.
Patsy (sarcastically): I didn't catch all of that, but she sounds lovely.
Paul: She's really not that bad. Just a very guarded person.
(Patsy shrugs and turns back to the mural, admiring her brother's work.)
Patsy: This is so good. I didn't even know, you were into art.
Paul: I wasn't really the last time, I saw you. It passes the time.
Patsy: 'It passes the time', when did you get so modest? This is amazing.
(She gently touches the painting of Salene)
Patsy: It looks so real. Who are you going to paint next?
(Paul shows her the polaroid picture of Tai-San. She nods and points at the space in between the paintings of Lex and Bray.)
Patsy: Put her there, then you can put Zandra on the other side of Lex.
Paul: I actually have it all planned out.
(Paul pulls the draft out from under a can of paint and holds it up to her. Camera cuts to next scene as Patsy studies it.)
SCENE 12
(Camera cuts to Bray, Noel and Kayla walking in the country side, behind them in the distance, we can see the city.)
Kayla: So what exactly are we looking for again?
Noel: A farm.
Bray: Farms. Plural. One farm alone won't feed the city.
Kayla: Okay, and what if we find a farm, but it isn't abandoned?
Noel: That would be even better. We could try to make a deal with them. They send food to the city in exchange for batteries, work parties or whatever they'd be interested in.
Kayla: It's optional though, right? You're not just going to take from them what you need?
Bray: Of course not, Kayla. That's not what we're about.
Noel: I wouldn't put it past some of the others to try it, though.
Bray: True, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
Kayla: Isn't it a bit boring? Arguing every week with the other leaders?
(Noel laughs and puts his arms around both of their shoulders.)
Noel: I wouldn't call it boring. Cloud and Alpha at each others throat, is always somewhat entertaining.
Bray: Some things are more interesting than others.
(Kayla shrugs Noel's arm off, a little uncomfortable as they only just properly met.)
Kayla: Like what?
Bray: I don't really care about all that money talk and education.
Kayla: Education? Don't you think that's important.
Bray: Sure, but I don't think we need a school like in the old days. So far the tribes have been taking care of it and I think it should stay like this. There are more important things to work on.
Noel: Gordon thinks it's very important. So it comes up a lot.
Kayla: Well, I can think of more important things than school too. For example making sure something like the Anarchists won't happen again.
(She gives both of them a stern look, before she walks off camera. Cut to next scene.)
SCENE 13
(Camera cuts to the lobby of the cinema. Tai-San and the Guardian are sitting in some chairs close to the snack bar, they both have plates of food on their laps.)
Tai-San: I saw you with Camille earlier. You two seem to get along.
Guardian: Camille is easy to get along with. A very nice girl.
Tai-San: The only people here, who can be difficult are Cloud and Tilly. Camille is everyone's favourite, though.
Guardian: I can see why.
(They eat silently for a while.)
Tai-San: Can I ask you something about our past?
Guardian: Of course. Anything.
Tai-San: You said, I wanted to join your tribe. The Chosen, wasn't it?
Guardian: Yes.
Tai-San: Why aren't you with them anymore? Where are they now?
Guardian: The Mall Rats attacked us. It wasn't just because of you, although they were very angry, but they hated that we had found spiritual guidance in these dark times. They didn't believe and therefore they felt we were in the wrong. They claimed, in attacking us, they were protecting themselves and others.
Tai-San: You've talked about those beliefs a lot, but never explained what they are about.
Guardian: It wasn't the right time, but I got a sign today. You are ready now, Tai-San.
Tai-San: Ready for what?
Guardian: Ready to receive the teachings of Zoot.
(Camera zooms in on Tai-San, who seems a little unsettled by his words. Cut to next scene)
SCENE 14
(Camera cuts to Ruby's room. Amber is sitting on her bed, while the other girl is pacing in front of her.)
Ruby: I don't know why I'm this surprised. It's not like I didn't know, he did horrible things in the past.
Amber: It's easy to ignore, with everything that has happened since. Even I sometimes forget and I was a test subject too.
Ruby: It's not just that. It's the way he talked about it, like it was no big deal. People died and he doesn't even care.
Amber (quietly): Yes...
(Ruby stops pacing abruptly and stares at Amber with wide eyes.)
Ruby: He won't have to leave, right? You can't make him leave!
Amber: A lot of people really hate him right now.
Ruby: I know. I'm... mad at him too and disappointed and whatnot, but I don't want him to leave. Ram has changed so much and... and he belongs here now. With us.
Amber: I do think he has changed enough not to do anything like that again. He was delusional back then, but I do feel, like some kind of consequence is needed.
Ruby: I don't disagree, but sending him away can't be the answer. He's so smart and he has since done a lot for the tribe.
Amber: And I really don't want him against me another time. So no, I don't want to kick him out of the tribe either.
(The tension leaves Ruby's body and she slumps a little in relief. She then hugs Amber and sits down next to her.)
Ruby: Oh God! Thank you.
Amber (smiles): You really like him, huh?
Ruby: I love him. That's the problem.
(Amber laughs as the camera cuts to next scene.)
SCENE 15
(Camera cuts to Ram in his room. He's sitting by his desk, tapping his feet rapidly, rubbing his face, clearly very upset.)
Ram: Stupid! So stupid! Why did she have to come here and ruin it all?
Ram (voice-over): I didn't keep up with her status, after she was delivered to the facility, but... according to protocol the expired test subjects were let go. There was no gain in them.
(He pulls his hair and groans.)
Ram: Why did I say that? I should've kept my mouth shut! Now they'll kick me out and I'll have to leave.
(Suddenly he jumps up and kicks over the chair, then flings a book from his desk against the wall.)
Ram (whispers): I'll have to leave Ruby.
(Camera slowly fades out, as Ram leans his head against the wall, taking slow and heavy breaths.)
SCENE 16
(Camera cuts to Ellie putting Wylla in her crib and then lying down on the bed. Jack remains next to the crib to watch Wylla.)
Ellie: Poor Cloe, I can't even imagine what she must have gone through.
Jack: Ram never ceases to surprise me.
Ellie: I wonder how Ruby feels.
Jack: You're friends, right? Maybe you should check up on her.
Ellie: I don't want to leave Wylla. Besides, Amber is talking to her right now. Probably trying to figure out what to do with Ram.
(Jack dangles his hand into the crib and Wylla wraps her hand around his index finger, making Jack smile brightly.)
Jack: I'm happy, I don't have to make that decision.
Ellie: I don't understand, why we kept him with us in the first place.
Jack: He's not that bad. You didn't seem to have a problem with him before.
Ellie: That was before I knew what he did to Cloe, just because she was in the way.
Jack: I don't think, Amber will make him leave.
Ellie: He won't have much to stay for.
(She rolls onto her side and pats the space next to her.)
Ellie: Why don't you come here?
Jack: I would, but...
(Camera pans back to him to show Wylla is asleep, still holding onto his finger.)
Jack: I don't want to wake her.
(Ellie gets up and stands next to him. She gently strokes Wylla's hair and leans into Jack. Camera cuts to next scene.)
SCENE 17
(Camera cuts to Sammy standing in front of the hospital, looking towards the city.)
FLASHBACK
(Mouse and Sammy are walking through the streets of the city as they run into a bunch of Anarchists. They try to hide behind an abandoned car, but it's too late. The Anarchist are quickly upon them and start dragging them away. They struggle against them, but it's hopeless.)
Sammy (shouts): Let go of us!
Mouse: We didn't do anything!
Sammy: We're Mall Rats! Stop it!
(The Anarchists only laugh.)
FLASHBACK ENDS
(Sammy wraps his arms around himself and takes a few steps backwards.)
FLASHBACK
(Sammy is fleeing from the back of the truck that Kierce has dragged him into. His clothes are dishevelled and his face is a mixture of tears, snot and blood. He stumbles and the camera pans around to show, he fell over Mouse's lifeless body on the floor. Sammy shakes her a few times, calling her name.)
FLASHBACK ENDS
(Sammy wipes a few tears from his face and disappears into the hospital. Camera fades to black.)
SCENE 18
(Camera fades back in from black on a farm. Girls and boys of all ages are out in the fields, tending to the crops. Camera pans around to show Bray, Noel and Kayla approach it. One of the older boys puts down the hoe, he had been using and walks towards them. He's tall and muscular with sandy-blond hair. Underneath the dirt, he has a few brown and green tribal markings on his face, and his left shoulder and arm.)
Shane: What do you want here?
Bray: We're from the city.
Shane: I figured. What do you want here? You haven't brought anything to trade.
Noel: We want to make a deal with you.
Shane: We're not interested. Bring something back to trade and we'll think about it.
Bray: We don't want you to just give us stuff, but we were thinking of a longterm partnership.
Shane: Partnership? With people from the city? That'll only bring trouble here. We know what's been going on there. All the fighting.
Bray: That's in the past. We're trying to bring order back. Make it more like in the old days.
Noel: We're looking for a steady flow of food into the city. A lot of the bigger tribes have started to grow their own, but it's not enough and there are still a lot of kids who don't want to be part of a tribe, but also don't have the resources to trade at the market.
Shane: I thought, you didn't want free stuff.
Bray: We'd send you work parties. So we can work for our own food.
(Shane waves him off and turns back to the field.)
Shane: We have more than enough workers and not much to spare.
(Kayla, who has quietly been standing in the background so far, steps forward.)
Kayla: What if we cultivated our own soil? We'd expand the farm and with your knowledge and help, we'd be growing our own food.
Shane: You wouldn't grow anything until late this year though.
Noel: We can go on canned food for a little while longer
Shane: One farm isn't enough to feed the whole city.
Bray: We're out scouting for a few more. Do you know of anyone else out here?
Shane (shrugs): There's the old Thompson place three miles from here. It's abandoned.
Kayla: That's alright. Then we can use what we've learned from you and rebuild it.
(Shane thinks about this for a while. He turns back to look at his tribe and the farm. When he turns back to them, he nods.)
Shane: We still want something in return. We don't get electricity out here. So we want a monthly supply of batteries. And any fuel you have. You won't need it and it makes cultivating the fields easier with a tractor.
Noel: I don't know about the fuel, but the batteries shouldn't be a problem.
(Shane studies the three of them for a while, then extends his hand.)
Shane: All right. Be here in two days with your workers and the batteries and we have a deal.
(Bray shakes his hand.)
Bray: Deal.
Shane: Good, I have work to do now.
(He nods at Noel and Kayla and walks back to the field)
Noel (quietly): Two days isn't much time. Do you think we can get everything ready by then?
Bray: We'll have to.
Kayla: Are we checking out that other farm now?
Bray: We should, then we can start getting it up and running soon.
Noel: And make sure it really is abandoned.
(The three of them start walking again and camera cuts to next scene.)
SCENE 19
(Camera cuts to the hospital corridor as Amber and Ruby head for Ram's room. Amber knocks on his door and they wait for a reply. After a few moments, there's a muffled groan, which they take as an invitation and enter. Ram hasn't moved from when we saw him earlier. He now glances over his shoulder, but doesn't turn around.)
Ram: I was wondering, when you'd turn up. Didn't get around to pack my bags yet though.
Ruby: You're not leaving.
(He turns around, staring at them in surprise.)
Amber: Unless you want to, then I'm not stopping you.
Ram: How come?
Amber: It was an option, but I believe that you truly have changed. And you're useful. I'm not going to pretend that that wasn't a factor that played in your favour.
Ram: Gee, thanks.
Ruby: Shut up, Ram!
Amber: But there are a few things you have to do, if you want to stay. The obvious one is that you apologize to Cloe. You're also on house arrest until further notice, meaning you don't step a foot outside the hospital.
Ram: What about the park?
Amber: The park is fine. I'll also put you on a work party as soon as there's something for you to do.
Ram: Anything else?
Amber: Consider this your last chance. If there is anything else, we should know about, tell us now, because next time, you're out.
(Both girls give him stern looks, expecting some revelation, but Ram just nods.)
Ram: Understood. There's nothing else.
Amber: Are you sure?
Ram: Yes.
Amber: Okay
(She gives him a long look before leaving. As soon as the door closes behind her, Ram lets out a sigh of relief and sits down on the bed.)
Ram: I was sure, I had to go. I don't know, what I would've done.
Ruby (coldly): Are you sure, there's nothing else? No more bad surprises?
(He looks up at her, his smile faltering.)
Ram: Ruby. No, I swear. I'm sorry.
Ruby: It's not me you have to apologize to, but it's not a great feeling having to hear something like that. It would've been different, if I had heard it from you.
Ram: How was I supposed to tell you something like that? When? 'Oh by the way, I used to do these horrible things to people'.
Ruby: Anything would've been better than this. (she heads for the door) I've got to go.
(Ram jumps to his feet and grabs her hand to prevent her from leaving.)
Ram: Ruby, wait!
Ruby: Just leave it, Ram.
Ram: I just need to know if we're-
Ruby (cuts in): Okay? No, we're not, but we will be.
(He lets go of her hand and she leaves. Camera cuts to next scene.)
SCENE 20
(Camera cuts to Paul and Cal's room. The two of them along with Cara and Patsy are just relaxing on the beds and talking.)
Patsy: So you looked out for my little brother the last couple of years?
Paul: You're only older by two minutes.
Patsy: I'm still older.
Cal: Well, we were slaves together for a while until we had the opportunity to escape.
Cara: And I stole from them.
Cal: You don't need to sound so proud every time you say that.
(Cara grins at him and nods.)
Cara: You're right. It was way too easy. Like taking candy from a baby.
Patsy: How did you become friends then?
Paul: Cara's natural charm.
Cal: I think, she was just lonely.
Cara: I was not lonely. I thought, you two numbnuts might need some help surviving.
Paul: Because we wouldn't have without her.
(Cal rolls his eyes and looks at Patsy.)
Cal: Do you see what I had to put up with? One more sarcastic than the other.
Paul: He loves us.
Patsy (laughs): So how come you know sign language? Did Paul teach you.
Cal: No, my parents were deaf. And Paul and I taught Cara.
Cara (to Patsy): I'm better than you are.
(Patsy is unsure if Cara is joking or not and looks at Paul for help, but he only shrugs.)
Patsy: Uh... I didn't have a use for it in the past years. So I'm rusty, I guess.
Cara: Did you ever look for Paul?
Patsy: The others looked for him. They wouldn't let me out of the Mall by myself. I was too little.
Cara: And then you just forgot about him?
Patsy: No, I didn't!
Paul: Cara, stop!
Cara (shrugs): I'm just checking.
Patsy (glares at her): I don't know what your deal is, but I really don't care for your attitude.
Cara: Few people do.
Cal: Cara, just stop it.
(Cara jumps from the bed and holds her hands up in defeat.)
Cara: All right, all right. I'll leave you alone.
(She leaves. Paul nudges Patsy, who looks at the door in confusion.)
Paul: Don't worry, she wasn't as mean as she could've been.
Cal: Maybe she even likes you.
Patsy (dryly): Oh great.
(Camera cuts to next scene.)
SCENE 21
(Camera cuts to Cloe's new room. She's unpacking some clothes with her back to KC, who's sitting on her bed.)
KC: Does it bother you that you don't remember some things?
Cloe: Sometimes, but I think it might be better that I don't remember them. They are probably awful memories.
KC: Yes, but there's other stuff too.
(She turns around and cocks an eyebrow at him.)
Cloe: Like what?
KC (shrugs): Like me giving you a beautiful necklace.
Cloe: You did? Why?
KC: It was the obvious thing to do. I was very desperate for a girlfriend.
(Cloe stares at him blankly for a few seconds then starts laughing so hard, she has to sit down.)
KC: Hey, hey, it's not that funny.
Cloe: Yes, it is. The thought of us together it ridiculous.
(KC snorts and crosses his arms.)
KC: Well, then you won't be disappointed if I don't give you any more jewellery.
Cloe: I think, I'll live.
(There's a knock on the door. Camera pans around to show Ram standing in the doorway. The smiles drop from both of their faces. KC gets up and takes a few steps towards him.)
KC: What do you want?
(Ram studies him for a moment, then inches past him and focuses on Cloe.)
Ram: I'm here to apologize. It probably doesn't mean much to you, but I'm very sorry about what happened to you.
KC (snarls): What you did to her, you mean.
Ram (nods): Yes, what I did.
(Ram rubs his hands. He's uncomfortable as he hasn't apologized to many people before. Cloe watches him with a blank expression.)
Ram: What I did was horrible. I just want you to know, that I regret it very much.
(Cloe nods, then waves KC over. He goes to stand next to her and she grips his hand tightly.)
Cloe (whispers): Is this real?
KC: Yes! Ow, Clo, that hurts.
(He gently pries her fingers off and rubs his hand.)
Cloe: Sorry. (To Ram) Is that all?
Ram: Uh... yes, I guess.
Cloe: Okay, you can leave.
(Ram gawks at her, clearly expecting a different reaction, but then leaves, just happy that he's got it over with. Camera cuts to next scene.)
SCENE 22
(Camera cuts to Bray and Noel walk into the gym of the school. Debra and Leanne are standing next to the door, talking in hushed voices, while the other boys are sitting at the table. When Alpha notices Bray and Noel enter, he takes his feet of the table and waves them over.)
Alpha: Finally! We've been waiting for you guys to show up.
Noel: Hopefully that's not all you did today.
Gordon: Not exactly.
(Debra and Leanne laugh and excitedly drag Bray and Noel to the table.)
Bray: Hey, hey, don't you want to hear about the farms.
Debra: Oh, right. Sure, you go first.
(When they all settle down around the table, Bray reaches for one of the maps of the city and its surroundings. He marks the place of the two farms.)
Bray: We found two farms. This one (points at first one) is inhabited. They will allow us to cultivate a piece of land with their help on their property in exchange for batteries and fuel. And this one (points at the other one) is abandoned and needs a little fixing up. When we have learnt the basics about farming, this one is all ours.
Alpha: They want fuel? Where are we getting fuel?
Noel: All those cars just standing around, there's even a gas station around. We'll find something. The fuel isn't that important anyway, but they want a monthly supply of batteries.
Gordon: That's great news!
Leanne: Even more reason for a party!
Bray: Party?
Cloud: Leanne and Alpha thought we should have a party.
Bray: Why?
Leanne: So everyone can have fun together. The tribes only interact for work and trading and stuff. Why not have a big party together for once?
Debra: We're holding it here and everyone is welcome.
Noel (shrugs): I'm okay with that.
Bray: Is that all you did today? Organize some party? Don't you think there are more important things to do?
Alpha: Probably, but we can have a party and deal with those issues later.
(Noel puts a hand on Bray's shoulder.)
Noel: Relax, Bray. Everyone is tired. Let's just have a little bit of fun.
Bray: Whatever. I'm not working on this thing.
Leanne: You don't have to. Debra, Cloud and I are doing all the planning. You can still work on organizing the farms.
(She grabs for a few pieces of paper and she, Debra and Cloud start discussing more of the planning, leaving the other boys to their own devices. Alpha is the first to get up.)
Alpha: Well, with that out of the way, I can finally leave.
(As he leaves, Bray leans over to Noel.)
Bray (whispers): I still don't like that guy.
Noel: That's because you're paranoid, buddy.
(Camera pans to Cloud, who's watching Bray and Noel with a sinister expression, then cuts to next scene.)
SCENE 23
(Kayla walks into the hospital just as Cal leaves the café. They both stop in their tracks for a second, then Kayla continues walking. Cal falls into pace beside her.)
Cal: Hi.
Kayla: Hey. Didn't think you'd want to talk to me.
Cal: Why? You think, I can't take rejection?
Kayla: I wasn't very nice to you. In fact, Cara thinks I'm the scum of the earth and wants to kill me.
Cal (laughs): I thought she might do something. I'll talk to her.
Kayla: No, don't do that. Then she'll think I'm actually scared of her.
Cal: Okay, then I won't. Where have you been all day?
Kayla: Bray wanted me to check out some farms with him and this other guy. He'll probably want me to work on them too.
Cal: Don't you want to? I thought farming was your thing.
Kayla: Nature is my thing. I like the little vegetable garden we have, but working in the fields is different. But I don't think I have a choice.
Cal: We always have a choice.
(He stops because they've reached his room. Kayla stops too, a nervous smile on her face.)
Kayla: So we're good?
Cal: Sure. I'll get used to it.
Kayla: I'm really sorry.
Cal: I know.
Kayla: Thanks.
(She turns around and heads for her room. Cal doesn't enter his room, but sadly watches her go.)
SCENE 24
(The Astros have gathered in one of the theatres to meditate. Slowly they all open their eyes and relax and Cloud steps into the middle of the circle.)
Cloud: Today at the meeting, it was decided that we are going to have a party at the school. Everyone is welcome. You are all free to go, but I want to remind you that the Mall Rats will be there. The time hasn't come yet to reveal that we know about their evil deeds. Don't engage in any fighting.
(An agreeing murmur goes through the other Astros.)
Cloud: Good. You are dismissed.
(Most of the Astros leave, but Tai-San and the Guardian walk up to Cloud.)
Tai-San: Cloud, you said everyone was allowed to go. Did you mean everyone?
Cloud (smiles): Yes. I think you'd be quite safe there with all of us around and the other tribes too. So would you, Jaffa.
Jaffa (bows his head): I would prefer to stay behind.
Cloud: As you wish.
Tai-San (smiles): Thank you so much.
Cloud: Just don't leave by yourself.
Tai-San: I won't! I have to tell Camille.
(She scans the room for the younger girl and runs over to her. The Guardian watches them happily as the camera fades to black.)
SCENE 25
(Camera remains black. Suddenly a high-pitched scream is heard, then doors opening and the sound of naked feet on the cold floor. Camera fades in from black on the corridor in the hospital as all the Mall Rats come out of their rooms. Their faces pale, eyes wide. Camera zooms in on Patsy, who looks exasperated more than scared.)
Patsy (shouts): It's okay. She has a nightmare, I'll take care of it. Go back to sleep.
(Nobody moves as Patsy walks over to Cloe's room. Camera follows her in as she sits on the bed next to a screaming and thrashing Cloe. Her face is wet with tears and sweat.)
Patsy: Hush, Clo. It's just a dream. It's okay.
(She gently pushes the hair out of Cloe's face and then slips into bed with her, holding her close.)
Patsy: It's just another bad dream. We're safe now. We're with the Mall Rats again. You are safe.
(It's only now that Cloe wakes up.)
Cloe: Patsy?
Patsy: I'm here.
Cloe: I'm sorry. I didn't-
Patsy: Shh, just go back to sleep. I'll stay here.
(Camera fades back to black.)