Cindy: So hey, how does it feel to be the girlfriend of the guy who caused the destruction of the human race?
(Libby narrows her eyes at Cindy. Carl shuffles uneasily.)
Cindy: I mean, I always assumed it'd be nuclear war or the depletion of fresh water resources.
Carl (defending): Come on Cindy knock it off.
Cindy: Or maybe a massive epidemic like bubonic plague, hantavirus or bird flu. You can understand my surprise that my own best friend's crazy boyfriend would cause the end of mankind. Too bad there won't be anyone to read the history lesson on that.
(Carl glances nervously at Libby, who continues to gaze at Cindy with restrained wrath. She offers a presenting hand toward Cindy.)
Libby: You done?
(Cindy avoids her friend's eyes as she realizes of how much of a jerk she's being.)
Cindy (apologetic): I'm sorry Libs... I guess I just don't know what to do.
Carl (optimistic): It'll be okay! Jimmy'll think of a really clever plan involving the wonders of science to save Sheen from a horrible fate from surly future girl and those emotionless killer robots.
(Carl turns to Jimmy, who approaches the group with a downcast expression.)
Carl: Tell 'em I'm right Jim!
Jimmy (in a defeated tone): I don't know if I can Carl...
Libby (worried): What?
Cindy (concerned): You can't be serious!
Carl (screaming): No-ooo! Fate is such a heartless wench!
Jimmy (he snickers): Heh, nah, I'm just messing with you guys. I sort of have an-
(Cindy sucker punches Jimmy in the stomach. Jimmy "Whoofs" with pain as he falls to his knees hugging his abused abdomen. Cindy views him with stiff annoyance.)
Cindy: Try that again and not only will I aim lower, (She lifts one of her legs in a kicking motion) I'll also use steel toed boots.
Carl (pointing an accusing finger at her): Blasphemy!
(Libby offers a hand to Jimmy to help him up, he takes a number of deep breaths as he recovers from Cindy's surprise attack.)
Libby: What have you found out Jimmy?
Jimmy (still in a bit of pain): Well, I'll say the bad news first, the DNA Tracker on the Chrono-Arch has confirmed that none of us are living in the year 2081, its clear that there won't be another Chrono-Arch to use should we travel to the future.
Cindy: Figures, we were probably either drowned by raw human waste or ruthlessly dismembered by vicious robots.
Carl (he covers his eyes in fear): AHH! Too much information!
Libby: Then, should we leave now, it would be a one-way only trip. No chance of returning to our present.
Jimmy: Well, maybe not.
Cindy: How so?
(Jimmy approaches the Chrono-Arch and "blips" it on to Viewing Mode, showing the miserable conditions of 2081 Retroville. The others view it uneasily.)
Jimmy: If I'm able to configure a digital link to my watch and to the program running on the Chrono-Arch, we could freely leave from present to future, or future to present, with a press of a button. As long as the Chrono-Arch is receiving electricity, then nothing can go wrong.
Carl (semi-relieved): Well, at least we have a way back home, but we still have no idea where future girl took Sheen. It may take days to search for him.
(Libby's eyes widen as an idea comes to her. She approaches Jimmy's playground carousel, Sheen's Ultra Lord mask resting on one of the sections. Eyes scanning hopefully.)
Jimmy (off camera): Oh that reminds me.. (He starts yelling) Thanks alot for not bringing her sooner, Carl! What were you two doing anyway; sipping tea and discussing the wonders of llamas and comfortable pants?
Carl (off camera, whiny): I'm sorry! Her unmanageable hairstyle, coupled with her lactose intolerance, intrigued me!
(Libby spots a small hair near the right eyehole of the mask. She rushes toward Jimmy, holding the mask carefully.)
Libby: Jimmy! I found this, maybe the DNA tracker can find Sheen.
(Jimmy squints to get a better look at the mask, he spots the hair and then removes a pair of tweezers from his back pocket to gently lift the hair. He approaches the Chrono-Arch, a pale green light scans the captured specimen. The others look on with hope as the machine hums, mulling about with the new data it was given.)
Cindy (impatiently): What speed is this thing running on? Sloth mode?
Jimmy (irked): Oh button it! I'd like to see you construct an insanely prompt and complicated time travel machine coupled with an advanced DNA scanner!
(The Chrono-Arch blinks to future girl Tabessa trudging along in listless anger, she is holding a leash which has Sheen tied to the end of it. Sheen walks on, appearing horrendously bored as he belts out in song.)
Sheen (awful, awful singing): Ninety-five bottles of Flurp on the wall, ninty-five bottles of Flurp! If one of those bottles just happens to fall due to this incredibly dark, very despondent, robot controlled and totally lame future.. Ninety-four bottles of Flurp on the wall!
Tabessa (fury!): Shut up, shut up, shut up!
Libby (in happy relief): Sheen!
Carl (ditto): He's okay!
Cindy (she covers one of her ears): His singing still sucks.
(The kids watch on as a soft beeping is heard. Tabessa stops and then proceeds to talk into her wrist.)
Tabessa: Yeah, talk to me.
Girl's voice: Hey, just wanna give you the head's up that the party's at your place now, Bakarto's apartment building got demolished by the falcon androids today. Your great grandfather said it was cool, so, a bunch of us are already here. It's gonna be an all-nighter, everyone's going to be there; Tafaratom, Firefly, Sugarcane, Aegospotomi, Obsidian, Yalsvarg..
Sheen (scoffs in frustration): Guh! Don't you future people have any normal names? Has being under the thumb of a robot dictatorship really obliterated simple naming customs? Is it so difficult to give a child a decent name that doesn't sound like its from some poorly written fantasy novel or a cereal box?
(Tabessa tugs angrily at the leash; Sheen winces.)
Tabessa (yelling): How many times do I have to tell you to shut your trap!
Girl's voice (miffed): Excuse me?
Tabessa (back to her wrist communicator): I didn't mean you Polyhymnia.
Sheen (rolling his eyes): God...
(We CUT back to Jimmy and the others watching the actions taking place. They all exchange weary grimaces at all the crazy names.)
All 4 (in wry unison): Lame!
(CUT back to the future. Sheen rolls his neck from shoulder to shoulder as Tabessa continues to talk to her friend.)
Tabessa: 'Kay, that's cool with me. I'll entertain you guys with stories about my trips to the past. I'll be there in, like, five minutes.
(Tabessa signs off, tugging the leash to get Sheen moving. Heading onward to her own home.)
Tabessa: Let's get moving past-ling, I don't want my guests to have all the fun without me.
Sheen (in loud resentment): Oh, I can only imagine what you people of the future do for fun! You probably all gather 'round and think up of more freakishly unusual names you'd like to bestow on your equally lame future kin, or maybe sift through catalogues to choose your unreasonably flamboyant armor and weapons; you know the ones I'm talking about, a rocket launcher the size of a rhino, or one of those huge unwieldy battle swords you see in role-playing games. (He pauses briefly before smiling insanely, his voice becomes more calm and interested) Dang, that would actually be pretty awesome! Can I have a copy to look through, too?
Tabessa (her eye twitches): Look, I haven't shot anything for at least nine minutes, so you can understand that my patience is pretty much zero at this point; just thought I'd let you know.
Sheen: Isn't there some kind of counseling you can take for your anger issues? With a future this messed up, there has to be thousands of quacks to do the job.
(Tabessa closes her eyes, a closed fist to her heart in some sort of prayer, she continues to walk Sheen with her.)
Tabessa: Oh Holy Might, please give me the strength to destroy this horror.
(CUT Back to Jimmy's Lab. Jimmy turns off Viewing Mode, he frowns in deep thought as the others look on in puzzlement.)
Carl: At least his spirits aren't entirely shattered.
Libby: We have to act fast, that crazy future girl could snap at any moment!
Jimmy: I think I know what to do.. (he becomes silent) But..
Cindy: Well, spit it out.
Jimmy (he crosses his arms angrily): I'm going to do a lot of talking, so I need you to promise you won't interrupt me with some kind of abuse while I try to explain.
Cindy (insolent): I promise nothing.
Libby: Cindy!
Cindy: Okay, okay! Let's hear it Neutron.
Jimmy: The history book that future girl left behind gave me some insight of some cultural traditions. Apparently its common for escaped coal miners to reach out to the mercenaries, promising loyalty in exchange for security against the robots. Two of us will disguise ourselves as escaped miners and try to amalgamate into the clan, one will be a decoy while the other will infiltrate the house and rescue Sheen. The remaining two will stay here in the present to watch out for the others through the Chrono-Arch in case of possible robot attacks or other plot twists the writers will try to spring on us.
Carl (in agreeing alarm): Oooh! I hate those things!
Jimmy: That way, should something unexpected happen, all of us will be together in the future to help out and then we'll be able to return to our present safely.
(Libby steps forward to Jimmy, firm courage on her face.)
Libby: I volunteer to go to future. (She motions a thumb behind her, to Carl) Carl, too.
(Carl's eyes shrink with fear at Libby's remark. His hands tremor with anxiety.)
Carl: What? Bu-But that future looks all dark and scary... The air quality will be chaos on my lungs. (He begins to scream) I hate time travel!
Libby (to Jimmy): Excuse us.
(Libby pulls Carl aside, placing a hand on his shoulder in a reasoning manner.)
Libby (in a low voice): Look, Jimmy and Cindy probably need some alone time to talk things over, lets show some courtesy and rescue Sheen ourselves.
Carl (clueless!): What? Won't they end up killing each other?
Libby: It'll work out fine, besides, you are like one of the three wisemen of distractions. Future girl doesn't stand a chance against you.
Carl (relaxing a bit): Really? Wow, I never knew I was part of royalty. (He broods it over for a second.) Okay, I'll try my best.
(They return to Jimmy; Libby gives a thumbs up gesture.)
Libby: We're set to jet.
Jimmy: Alright, I'll let Goddard accompany you guys, I can upgrade a link into his programming as well so he can allow you guys to travel freely from future to present should the plan run smoothly. (He looks to Cindy.) I'm sure you can suit them up with some cleverly arranged disguises; I'll start work on interfacing the links to my watch and Goddard.
(Jimmy approaches the Chrono-Arch and begins to work meticulously. Cindy smiles as she turns to Libby and Carl, muse sparkling in her eyes, she cracks her knuckles enthusiastically.)
Cindy: Right! Let's get you guys lookin' all tough and futuristic!
(CUE Rotating Atom.)
(CUT Back to the Future. Tabessa stares through a cage style door (with bars, y'know?). Muted techno music is heard in the background.)
Tabessa: Still can't behave, can you? Fine then, some solitary confinement should discipline you fairly. Think about how you have caused this despair ridden cesspit of broken hope.
(She puts a hand on her hip and leans closer to the barred door.)
Tabessa: What do you have to say to that you human pile of excrement?
(CUT To a heavily padded cell with white cushioning. Sheen is sitting down on the soft floor, his arms tied to his sides with the leash Tabessa used to "walk" him, he regards future girl with casual grace.)
Sheen: My neck is itchy, I have a crippling wedgie and I'm pretty sure there's a big cockroach crawling up my back. (He pauses for a split second.) Oh, and I hate you.
(Tabessa glowers before leaving Sheen alone in his cozy prison. He glances around in bored misery; the place is empty except for a white plastic coffee mug, imprinted with #1 ASSASSIN in large navy font, near the barred door.)
Sheen (he sighs): Well, guess I may as well make the best of things.
(He gets to his knees, then to his feet. He runs toward one of the padded walls and jumps towards it.)
Sheen: Weeee!
(He ricochets off it painlessly, allowing himself to fall.)
Sheen: Tim-ber!
(He falls on the comfy floor without injury. A cockroach falls off of him and skitters to a corner. He gets back on his feet and runs to a different wall.)
Sheen: Ya-ha!
(Sheen bounces off of it with no injury, crashing down to the pillowy safe floor. He repeats this process two times before a figure approaches the barred door. It is Future Nick. He stares with wild eyed fear at Sheen, who is quite unaware of his presence.)
Future Nick (shouting): Ghost! Stop haunting me!
(Sheen stops playing his odd game and looks toward the old man.)
Sheen: Ghost? What are you talking about?
Future Nick (shrinking back): Leave me in peace!
(Sheen walks closer to the old man, giving him a cranky look.)
Sheen: Great, just what I need, more loonies.
(Future Nick reaches his arm out between the bars to touch him. A tentative pat to a cheek, then a finger poke to the bridge of his nose. Sheen frowns at the unwanted touching.)
Future Nick: Sheen?
(Sheen's eyes study the "stranger" briefly. They suddenly widen with overwhelmed recollection.)
Sheen: No way! Nick!
Future Nick: How did you..wait..Tabessa brought you here, didn't she?
Sheen: You know that psycho future girl?
Future Nick: She's my great granddaughter.
Sheen: Hmm, I wonder why that does not surprise me. (His voice heightens.) Quick! Open this door!
Future Nick: I would if I could but Tabessa's got the only key.
Sheen: Well, can you at least untie me?
Future Nick (he shrugs): I suppose.
(Sheen walks closer to Nick, nearly tripping over the #1 ASSASSIN mug, Future Nick reaches through the bars and begins to untie Sheen. The leash falls to the padded floor as Sheen stretches his arms out.)
Future Nick: I never figured Tabessa would go so far as to bring a person of the past here. She's really quite divided you see, one minute she wishes to correct the past in order to prevent disaster, the next, she's demanding more havoc and destruction so she can fight the robotic government. (He nods) Mmm-hmm, completely undecided of what fate she wants, despite the fact that the majority would rather fade away from living then to exist another second in this squalor.
(Sheen grips the bars and gives an imploring look to Future Nick.)
Sheen: Listen, Nick, you gotta help me get out of here! Where does Jimmy live in this crazy time? He can get me back home.
Future Nick (he stares solemnly at the floor): He's dead. I killed him.
Sheen (stunned): What!
Future Nick: As the robots gained further control of the world, they kidnapped a number of people and brainwashed them to become heartless serial killers in the 2020. (He shuts his eyes remorsefully.) I was one of them. For their own sick entertainment, the robots made me kill innocent bystanders along with most of the people I knew or held dear.
Sheen (some what unbelieving): Oh come on, what about Carl?
Future Nick: Dead.
Sheen: Libby?
Future Nick: Gone.
Sheen: Cindy?
Future Nick: Six feet under.
Sheen: What about me, am I still around?
Future Nick: You were in a persistive depression after the robots cancelled Ultra Lord; witnessing the deaths of all your friends by my hand must have been your denouement 'cause you ended up throwing yourself off a sixty story building in clouded grief.
Sheen (rattled): Geez! Okay, I'm getting desperate, what about Professor Calamitous? He's smart, he must have invented some sorta' time travel.
Future Nick: Drowned him in a birdbath.
Sheen: Beautiful Gorgeous?
Future Nick: Fourteen stab wounds in the back.
Sheen: Eustace Strych?
Future Nick: Killed him too.
Sheen (incensed): Well, isn't that just fine and dandy! What stopped you serial killers from slaughtering everyone else, then?
(Future Nick points to the white gash scarred on his head.)
Future Nick: The masses fought back with corrective, but extremely agonizing, brain surgery.
(Furious, Sheen grabs the plastic mug and hucks it right at Future Nick, who shields himself just in time to avoid injury to his head.)
Sheen (enraged): Well thanks alot murder man! You killed everyone that could've helped me!
Future Nick (he bursts into tears): Oh God how I miss the past! Everyday I long for the quirk and kibosh of everyday Retroville, not the wailing cries and threats from the ghosts of my victims. You can't imagine all the carnage those robots handed out; like some kind of gore covered parking tickets or other nasty sounding metaphors. I once mocked my peaceful home as an escape for compulsive morons, if I knew the future promised such unspeakable horror, I would have treasured those moments of gaiety!
(Future Nick explodes into uncontrollable sobbing. Sheen stares at him with compassionate pity. Future Nick falls to his knees, hands covering his face,howling in inconsolable woe, an expanding darkness appears at the front of his pants as he wets himself. Sheen clenches his jaw in weirded out disgust. Future Nick lifts his hands away and stares wildly to his left, his lower jaw trembles in helpless fright.)
Future Nick (in low panic): Oh sweet Lord, the zebras are staring at me again.
(Future Nick suddenly curls up into a pathetic ball, quaking with terror. Sheen stares at him silently before throwing his arms up in frustrated chagrin.)
Sheen: Man, this future is freaking depressing!
(CUE Rotating Atom)
(CUT to the Present INT Shot - Jimmy's Lab. Carl views himself in a mirror, his attire drastically changed. His hair and eyebrows are now dyed black, donning a pair of WWII pilot goggles instead of his glasses. He now sports a black trench coat, a dark gray shirt with a red Anarchy symbol, torn black jeans with a yellow smiley face patch(a bleeding bullet hole between the eyes) sewn on the left knee. Black fingerless gloves cover his hands along with a pair of black steel toed shoes for footwear.)
Carl (absorbed in his new look): Wow, I've become a sullen youth! The aroma of rebellion is everywhere! (He inhales deeply.) Smells alot like shoe polish.
(Cindy approaches Carl. She tries to clean her hands with a rag, now covered in black smudges.)
Cindy: It's all I could work with, it got the job done though.
Libby (Off Camara): Nice job girlfriend! We both scream future!
(Carl and Cindy turn to face Libby. Her look has greatly changed as well, her hair made into an oriental style bun, a pair of chopsticks impaled to keep it in place; jagged bangs stick out in disorderly, but totally cool, fashion. An authentic looking scar is slashed diagonally upward above her left eyebrow. She's clad in a dark blue sleeveless top, a cream colored pilot's scarf around her neck, a chainmail-leather gauntlet covering her right shoulder all the way down to her hand. A gunmetal gray skirt detailed with green biohazard symbols and dark blue ankle-high combat boots complete her costume.)
Cindy: Well, you did give me some suggestions. (She becomes boastful) Ah, what can I say. I rock.
(Carl gazes admiringly at Libby's future girl look. He darts his eyes to the floor in shy fashion as he fidgets about.)
Carl: Wow, gee...you look pretty cool Libby, I - (He pauses. His tone now antagonistic.) Hey! How come you got a cool scar and I didn't?
Libby (defensive): Come on, you got the goggles! Just be happy with the symmetry Cindy gave each of us!
Cindy: Try not to touch it or get it wet; the makeup is still fresh.
Jimmy (off camera): All set!
(They approach Jimmy and the Chrono-Arch, Goddard patiently waits as Jimmy executes Travel Mode, he regards Carl and Libby.)
Jimmy: Okay, I have it set one mile away from crazy future girl's home, Goddard will stay sentry in case of any robots wanting to crash the party. Cindy and I will monitor your locations through Viewing Mode, we'll be prepared to intervene should you guys need help.
Libby: Right!
Carl: Got it.
(Jimmy's face flickers as he remembers another detail; he crouches down to one knee to Goddard's level.)
Jimmy: Oh yeah, there was a robot guide inside future girl's history book, I had Goddard scan it into his database so he can identify any robot model with its stats, resistances and weaknesses.
Carl (impressed): Cool! Will it work for girls, too?
Cindy (unsettled by the remark): I'm not going to bother responding to that.
(Jimmy puts a hand on Goddard's head; smiling encouragingly at him.)
Jimmy: You look out for Carl and Libby, boy. Okay?
(Goddard promises with a "Wow-wo'!". Jimmy gets to both feet as he watches his dog bound into the Chrono-Arch, vanishing into the pinkish portal. Libby and Carl step forward, ready to go. Libby points toward the shiny portal.)
Libby (fearless): Onward!
(An unexplained gust of wind blows by, causing Carl's trench coat and Libby's scarf to blow in a heroic way. Jimmy and Cindy exchange confused looks.)
Cindy (wha..?): Um, what's with the wind? How'd that get in here?
Carl (he crosses his arms happily): We look that cool, simple enough.
Libby: Indeed.
(Cindy continues to look confused as Jimmy gives a dismissive shrug.)
Jimmy & Cindy: Good luck!
(They look at each other, semi-surprised that they were in unison. Libby enters the Chrono-Arch; Carl hesitates nervously for a second before he finally steps through. Jimmy clears his throat as he views Cindy.)
Jimmy: Okay, you touched alot of my stuff, to prevent further contamination I'm going to have to ask you to wear a chemical protection suit.
Cindy (miffed): Up yours, gray matter!
(CUT To The Future - EXT Shot - Libby and Carl walk down a pothole ridden,building rubble cluttered street. Carl flinches as he hears a distant gunshot. Goddard stays alert as he walks ahead of them, glancing in each direction.)
Libby: I just want to clarify something Carl; I think its best if I do all the talking once we reach that future girl's shindig.
Carl: Why is that?
Libby: How can I put this defense delicately so you can't argue with yet still spare your feelings? (She pauses as she thinks it over.) You tend to crack under pressure like a screaming fangirl at a boy-band convention.
Carl (in quiet agreement): Fair enough.
(Goddard stops and faces the two kids, he growls softly, opening his back to hand a telescope to Libby. She looks through it to see a cracked house with a large metal based patio. Future girl Tabessa and a number of other futuristic looking kids chatter and loaf about as muted techno music is heard. Libby returns the telescope to Goddard.)
Libby: Okay, that's the place up ahead, Goddard will stand guard here and assess the situation. Let's mosey, Carl.
(They begin to depart when Goddard tugs Libby's hand gently with his mouth.)
Libby: What?
(Goddard opens his back to release two mechanical hands, one holding a case of Purple Flurp, the other a box of ammunition.)
Carl: Oh! I get it, peace offerings for unstable future girl.
(Goddard nods as Libby grabs the beverages and Carl takes the ammunition.)
Libby: Thanks, Goddard. We'll try to be quick.
(Goddard stares watchfully as Libby and Carl walk onward to the gathering.)
Carl: Hey Libby, I don't have alot of experience in being a sullen youth, I think my sneer lacks confidence; you squint and look all defiant, right?
(Carl narrows his eyes and curls his lip into a mutinous sneer. Libby eyes him in amused skepticism.)
Libby: You're overdoing it a bit, and remember to slouch.
(CUT To Tabessa's party. Two girls clad in identical white Kevlar suits, one with a blue Beatle haircut the other a redhead with pigtails, chat near an empty water cooler.)
Redhead Future Girl: God, I hate it when the party's at Tabessa's.
Blue Haired Future Girl: Tell me about it, she's always showing off with stories of being chosen to go back to the past or one-upping the guys at shoot-outs.
Redhead Future Girl: Apparently she did go back in the past.
Blue Haired Future Girl (she scoffs): Its obvious she messed up, we're still living in this hellhole.
Redhead Future Girl: I don't know, ye' can't really blame her, I mean its the only environment we grew up in, I somewhat enjoy the thrill and terror of being hunted down by robots like a frightened rabbit. Plus, its scary to think that a number of us may not exist in a different future, we may just disappear into the void of broken time.
Blue Haired Future Girl: I'd take nonexistence any day instead of living in this metal ruled nightmare.
Redhead Future Girl: Did you hear the rumor that Damacus issued a sanction against her?
Libby (off camera): Yo, greetings!
(The girls stop talking and look to see Libby and Carl before them.)
Redhead Future Girl: Who're they?
Blue Haired Future Girl: Beat's me, never seen 'em before.
Libby: We request sanctuary from the robots! Who is the host of this little get-together? We bring gifts.
(Redhead Future Girl stares longingly at the drinks Libby is holding.)
Redhead Future Girl: Oh my God, is that Flurp? I haven't had that stuff in weeks. (She looks to Libby wistfully.) Can I touch it? Please?
Tabessa (off camera): Hey, I'm the MC of this festivity, hands off my offerings!
(Tabessa pops up out of nowhere, eagerly grinning at Libby and Carl. The other two girls exchange tired glances.)
Blue Haired Future Girl: Enter the moron.
Tabessa: New recruits are always welcome; as long as they bring way awesome gratuities of course!
Libby: We've come for refuge, my friend and I barely escaped with out lives from the horrid conditions of the coalmines.
Tabessa: Well, you've come to the right place! As you probably heard, I, Tabessa Redunda, am one of the most highly skilled mercenaries of this city.
Blue Haired Future Girl (revolted at her arrogance): Oh, barf.
Libby (she forces a smile): Um, yeah, that's correct.
Redhead Future Girl: Man, these two must have been living in the coalmines forever, Tabessa would be the last person I'd try to set up with. No, scratch that, I'd just accept my tortuous fate with open arms if she was my only way of salvation.
Blue Haired Future Girl (she bursts into laughter): I second that!
(Tabessa's eye twitches in anger; she snatches the drinks from Libby and forces them into the arms of the Blue Haired Future Girl.)
Tabessa (enraged): Why don't you guys just get lost or something?
Redhead Future Girl (happily): Yes, ma'am!
(The two girls exit with their new treasure. Tabessa views the "strangers".)
Tabessa: So, what're your names?
(Libby tenses as she racks her brain for a believable future name. Two other future kids, a boy with a shaved head and a girl with long brown hair in braids, stop and watch the interrogation.)
Libby: Oh, ah, I am known as Haricot.. Darktalon, um.. Wraith.
(Tabessa nods at the "convincing" sounding name. She looks to Carl, whose eyes are darting frantically from Tabessa, to the other future kids.)
Tabessa: What about you Von Richthofen?
Libby: His name's-
Tabessa (semi-vexed): I'm asking him, not you.
Libby (trying to reason): Uh, he's been kind of mute since the escape.
Tabessa: I'm sure the guy can speak for himself. (She stares at Carl) You speak English don't you?
Carl (jittery): Ah, well, I'm, uh, Zeppelin, ah, Icewind Dale the Twelfth.
(Silence falls as the future kids stare at him suspiciously. Libby holds her breath as Carl's hands tighten around the ammunition box.)
Carl (semi-ashamed): Okay, there weren't really eleven others, I'm the only one.
Braided Future Girl: Ha! I knew it.
Future Boy (he gives a laugh): Heck, don't feel bad, you two'll fit right in!
Braided Future Girl (cheery): Yup! Not a normal name in the city since 2027!
Tabessa (she nods): Just take it easy, I'll hook you guys up with an armor dealer and weaponsmith later tonight.
(Tabessa and the other kids exit. Libby exhales softly, relieved that Carl didn't blow it. Carl hangs his head in weary exhaustion.)
Carl: This crazy future is giving me an ulcer.
Libby: Yeah, I know its lame, but we gotta put up with it to get Sheen outa' here. Keep future girl distracted while I sneak into her house.
Carl (hushed): What should I do?
Libby: Use your unexplainably captivating nerd charm, I don't know how it works, but its our best defense in this situation.
Carl: I'm still puzzled by its mystery as well.
(CUT To Tabessa approaching a boy in camouflage fatigues, he notices her and proceeds to exit away in hurried fashion.)
Tabessa (taunting): Oh, what's a' matter Yalsvarg, can't face me after I totally murdered you in the last round of Brutality Chess?
Yalsvarg (off camera): You sicken me.
(Carl approaches Tabessa, the box of ammunition still in his hands, she notices his presence, he looks at her with a shy smile.)
Carl: Girl with crazy name I can't remember, you're so pretty and mysterious with your arrogantly bitter demeanor and menacing battle armor. I appreciate you taking us under your wing.
(Tabessa blinks with surprise as Carl presents the box to her.)
Tabessa: Um, wow, I've never been hit on by an escaped coalmining slave before. (She rubs the back of her head in embarrassment.) Actually, this is a first for me, since boys never talk to me for reasons unknown to myself.
(She accepts the box and opens it. Impressed wonder crosses her face as she stares at a number of shiny bullets.)
Tabessa: Hey, are these Carbonium? They look wicked!
Carl: I figured with you being an important mercenary an' all, you would need more ammo. Do you do alot of sharpshooting?
Tabessa (in boastful glee): Do I!
(She grabs Carl's hand and proceeds to drag him with her away from the bash. They pass by Libby, who nudges Carl with her elbow.)
Libby (whispering): See, what'd I tell you?
Carl (in quiet fear): Make it quick.
(Libby watches as Tabessa takes Carl away. She turns and acts casual as she approaches Tabessa's house. The other future kids ignore her, chatting with their own company, as she approaches the front door.)
(CUE Rotating Atom)