Episode 17
SCENE 1
(Camera moves in on the cafeteria where most of the Mallrats are still discussing the missing camera piece and Lottie's thefts. The discussion is heated as everyone is trying to get their voice heard. As Ruby starts to walk away, Amber turns to her.)
Amber: Aren't you on guard duty?
Ruby: Lottie needed me.
Amber: And this is really not the time to loosen up on our security. We're a target if you haven't noticed.
Ruby: And funnily enough nothing ever happens. I'm going to check up on Lottie now, if you don't mind.
Amber: I do mind! You're still on guard duty.
Ruby: You do it, if you care so much. I need to talk to Lottie now
(She walks off and Amber shouts after her.)
Amber: Maybe you could teach her not to steal when you're at it
SCENE 2
(Ebony is walking away from the cafeteria to her room which is right next to the holding cell. She notices the bar is not in front of the door and that it is slightly ajar. She steps closer and peers into the room to see Alice still sleeping on the mattress while Liam is gone. A small vicious smile plays around her lips. She leans against the wall and thinks for a while and then kicks the door open.)
Ebony (loudly): You should better get up.
(Alice jumps awake. Disoriented her glance wanders through the room and then lands on Ebony. She quickly pulls the blanket up around her.)
Ebony: Looks like you messed up big time, sweetheart.
SCENE 3
(Liam is making his way for the school. The guards at the entrance look surprised to see him, but he brushes them off as he enters. He greets people here and there as he walks through the school until he comes to Kaelem's office. Voices are heard from inside and as he opens the door, we see Jim, Joanne and Kaelem arguing. When they turn around and see him there is immediate silence. Joanne is the first to react and throws herself at him.)
Joanne: Oh my God, you're okay! What happened? How are you here now? Did they let you go?
(Liam hugs her back and then gently pushes her away. Jim walks over to him and pulls him into a hug.)
Jim: Dude, I've been worried about you.
Liam: I'm alright. The Mallrats are much nicer than the Harpies.
(Joanne inspects the few bruises that are still left from Vulture hitting him, but Liam pushes her hands aside. Kaelem only shortly pats his shoulder and then steps back to lean against his desk.)
Kaelem: So how did you get out?
Liam: Well no thanks to you. (pauses) I'm kidding. I didn't expect you to give into their lies. There was a little hole in their security, which I took advantage of.
Joanne: I'm just glad, you're back.
Jim: In fact, we were just trying to get Kaelem to do something to get you out of there.
Kaelem: We wouldn't have abandoned you. You know that, right?
Liam: Of course. I don't think they would have had the guts to actually follow through with their threat.
Kaelem: Well, I don't make empty threats and now they've made me angry.
Jim: Come on, let's get you cleaned up and then you'll tell me everything.
(Liam nods and the three of them turn to leave.)
Kaelem: It's good to have you back.
SCENE 4
(In her room Lottie has pulled the pillowcase out from under her bed and emptied it on the floor. There are tears in her eyes when she spins around as Ruby walks into the room. The older girl takes in the situation and then sighs.)
Ruby: I thought you were done with the stealing. Lottie, we talked about this before.
Lottie: I know
(She bites her lower lip and then buries her face in her hands as the tears start to spill. Ruby closes the door behind her and then puts and arm comfortingly around the younger girl's shoulder.)
Ruby: Are you going to tell me, what's going on?
Lottie (sobs): I didn't take Ram's thing. You can look, it's not there.
(She points at the pile of loot on the floor.)
Ruby: I don't care about Ram and his camera right now. I want to know, why you started to steal again.
Lottie: I don't know. I just...
Ruby: I noticed you've been by yourself a lot the last couple of days. Have you been fighting with the the boys?
Lottie: No. Or... yes, maybe.
Ruby: What is it?
Lottie: Sammy and I always fight.
Ruby: Yes, but you always make up afterwards. That's just how you two are.
(Lottie doesn't respond and instead picks up Sammy's blue cuffs.)
Ruby: I didn't know, it bothered you.
Lottie: It doesn't!
Ruby: Look, if you don't want to talk about it, it's fine. But all of this has to go back where it belongs and you have to apologize.
Lottie: Do I have to?
Ruby: Yes.
Lottie: Even to Gel?
Ruby: Even to Gel.
Lottie: Fine.
(She wipes the tears of her face and turns to look at Ruby.)
Lottie: Do you believe me?
Ruby: About what?
Lottie: Ram's stupid camera thingy. I didn't take it.
Ruby: You wouldn't have a reason to lie, now that I've seen all this. Don't worry, I'll talk to him.
(Ruby walks towards the door and turns around before she leaves.)
Ruby: Take care of that and do it soon. The faster you get it over with, the sooner it's forgotten.
(Lottie looks after her glumly and then kneels down to inspect her loot.)
Lottie (whispers): You just go talk to Ram like you always do.
SCENE 5
(Alice and Ebony have now arrived in the cafeteria. Salene is ushering the kids out as another major fight breaks loose. Lex comes around the kitchen bar with a coffee mug in his hand and shakes his head in disbelief.)
Lex: You've got to be kidding me! The guy got you into bed and then he left? You really have a way with men, Alice.
Ellie: Shut up, Lex!
Lex: What? Am I the only one who remembers Ned?
Amber: Lex, this is not the time.
Lex: I'm trying to see the funny side of this. Then you can do all the yelling.
Alice: Look, I know, I messed up. I'm really sorry.
Ebony: Yes, but sorry won't do us any good. That guy was the only power we had over those assholes. Now they have the upper hand again.
Ram: Who are we kidding here? They always had the upper hand. They have the whole city behind them.
(Amber grabs her head in frustration and slumps down on a chair.)
Amber (shouts): Who is on guard duty now? Darryl, go take over for Ruby!
Darryl: What? No.
Amber: DARRYL!
(He quickly gets up and leaves for his guard duty.)
Ebony: As if we have anything to guard now.
Jay: It's a safety measure. Maybe you want a little warning if someone comes here to kick your ass.
Ebony: What is the warning going to help me? We'll be horribly outnumbered anyway
Trudy: Isn't this your cue to get out of here then? That's what you do, right? Leave the sinking ship and get in with the enemy.
Ebony: That's what rats do.
Ellie: You're not really a Mall Rat
Ebony (laughs): Oh really, Honey?
Amber: I guess, Ebony has been with us so long, she kind of is.
Ram: GUYS! You're missing the point here. What are we going to do about her?
(He points at Alice, who is kind of sitting the whole thing out, not saying a word, if it isn't needed. Ram clearly isn't a fan of Alice at this point.)
Ellie: What do you want to be done, Ram? The damage is done either way.
Ram: So that's it? We tell her 'That was really stupid of you, but it's okay now' and the whole thing is forgotten? Having a captive was what kept us safe for now.
Lex: I agree with Ram on this one. You had one task and you completely messed that one up.
Amber: It's not like you never were in this kind of situation, right, Lex?
(He shoots her a dirty look and slumps down in his chair.)
Amber: That's what I thought. (pauses) But I have to agree. This has to have consequences.
Alice: I understand. It was completely my fault.
Jay: You put the tribe at risk here, so I think your punishment should be something that benefits the rest of the tribe.
Amber: We'll be discussing it. You can go for now.
(Alice gets up from the chair she has been sitting on and quickly leaves the cafeteria. Finally the crowd is breaking apart as well.)
SCENE 6
(Darryl is slowly whirling around on the chair in the control room, while only barely paying attention to the screens. Ruby walks in after talking to Lottie.)
Ruby: Did you take over for me? That's very nice.
Darryl: Amber made me. She's not in a good mood.
Ruby: No. Well, thanks anyway. I'm back now.
(Darryl gets up and the two of them switch places, but he isn't leaving.)
Darryl: Did you talk to the little one?
Ruby (smiles): Don't let her hear that. (pauses) But yes, I did.
Darryl: So she did steal all that stuff?
Ruby: Did she take something of yours as well?
Darryl: No, but Gel is going nuts. I thought she had just misplaced her stuff, but apparently she was right.
Ruby: Could you maybe try to get her to go easy on Lottie? I know the two of them don't get along at all, but just this once?
(Darryl shrugs)
Darryl: I can try, but it's not like she listens a whole lot to me.
Ruby: But you are happy with her, right? I think you two are really cute together.
Darryl: We're good.
(With a nod he turns around and leaves her alone.)
SCENE 7
(KC and Kayla are sitting in her room after the commotion has died down. They are absent-mindedly flicking through a small pile of books and comics.)
KC: This day sucks!
Kayla: I hope they won't go too harsh on Alice. They won't make her leave, will they?
(KC shakes his head)
KC: Nah, something like this happened once with Lex and he's still here. We don't need a huge fight inside the tribe now, so she'll probably just have work to do.
Kayla: Maybe they should make her stay, when we go to the demonstration.
KC: No way! Alice is a fighter, you know that. I'd feel much safer with her there.
Kayla: I know she's great when it comes to confrontations, but she let Liam go and how much will you bet, he's going to be there.
KC: So you don't trust her to make the right decisions?
Kayla: I'd rather not put her in that position. How would you choose, if you and Sparrow were on different sides?
KC: That's stupid, because we're not.
(Kayla rolls her eyes and hits him lightly over the head with one of the comic books.)
Kayla: You have no imagination whatsoever.
(He pokes his tongue out at her and then grabs the comic from her. They sit in silence for a short while until Kayla snaps the book closed that was in her lap.)
Kayla: Why did you stick up for Lottie?
KC (shrugs): I know how it is. When I first became a Mall Rat, I used to steal, too. I had to learn what it meant to be in a tribe and I stopped taking their things. But whenever something went missing, it was always me they accused first.
Kayla: Oh, I didn't know. But...
KC: They were right today, I know. She'll come around.
Kayla: If you say so.
SCENE 8
(Lottie slowly walks through the long corridor of the hospital while fiddling with a pink hairbrush and some earrings. She stops in front of Gel's door, which is ajar. From inside Darryl's and Gel's voices are heard.)
Darryl: I'm just saying, don't claw her eyes out. She probably regrets taking your stuff in the first place.
Gel: Well, that's what she deserves. Just because she's younger, she thinks she can do anything and get away with it.
Darryl: Because she's younger, you should maybe go easy on her. Not let her off the hook of course.
(Lottie shifts from one foot to the other and takes a deep breath before knocking and pushing the door open. As soon as Gel sees her, she jumps up from the bed and crosses the room to rip the hairbrush and the earrings out of her hands.)
Gel: I knew it!
Lottie (mumbles): I'm... I...
Gel: Yes?
Lottie: I'm sorry, okay?!
Gel: Not okay. You always do this!
Darryl: Gel...
Lottie: I do not! I've only taken your stuff twice before and I always give them back.
Gel: How about next time I take something of yours? Your stupid little hat maybe.
(Lottie's hand shoots up to touch her denim hat. She glares at the older girl.)
Lottie: I said, I'm sorry.
(Darryl quickly steps between them and smiles at her.)
Darryl: And that's great. Right, Gel?
(Gel shoots him a death glare and then huffs before turning her back on both of them.)
Darryl (whispers): That's the best you get. Better go now.
Lottie (mouths): Thanks.
(She leaves and Darryl turns around to hug Gel from behind. She is a little stiff in the beginning, but then brings her hands up to hold his arms.)
SCENE 9
(Ellie gently knocks on the door to Alice's room and enters. Her older sister is lying on her bed with her back turned to the door. Ellie closes the door behind her and crawls unto the bed and places a hand on her shoulder.)
Ellie: Are you okay?
Alice: No.
Ellie: What happened?
Alice: I don't want to talk about it.
(The camera pans around to show that Alice has been crying. She wipes the tears from her face with the back of her hand.)
Ellie: You know everybody is going to ask. If you tell me first, maybe it's easier.
Alice: You're my little sister, Ellie.
Ellie: Come on, you told me about Lex and Ned, too. Is this so much different?
Alice: This time I truly believed, he was a good guy.
Ellie (snorts): He abducted Amber and the rest of the Harpies.
(Alice turns around to glare at her younger sister, who quickly realizes her mistake.)
Ellie: I'm sorry. I didn't talk to him. You normally have a good judgement.
Alice: Just not when it comes to guys, I guess. He said, he would give up on the Consilium for me. Oh I was so stupid. The only reason he was here, was, because he was so loyal to his friends. As if he was going to give up on them for me.
Ellie: I'm sorry, Alice. I know you liked him.
Alice: I never said anything.
Ellie: No, but I could see it on you. I've seen you in love and I've seen how happy you were when you left his cell. I know you sneaked in there more than you needed to.
Alice: Did everybody know?
Ellie: No, of course not. But you're my sister, I know you.
Alice: I'm not in love. I only know him for a little more than a week.
Ellie: Sometimes that's enough.
(Alice rolls over again with her back to Ellie.)
Alice: It doesn't matter now. For someone who was so obsessed with honesty, he played me well.
Ellie: Maybe he didn't. Maybe he does really care for you.
Alice: Don't. (pauses) I want to be alone right now.
(Ellie nods and leaves the room.)
SCENE 10
(In the entrance hall of the hospital Lex, Amber, Ebony, Slade and Salene have gathered on the sofas there to discuss the newest events. Amber is rubbing her temples, while Ebony seems to enjoy herself.)
Ebony: So is she getting away with just one of your little sermonts? That would be so typical. 'Oh, it isn't Ebony who did something wrong, then it's not so bad'.
Salene: Oh shut up! Don't play the victim here!
Ebony: In this case I am the victim. All of us are.
Slade: She does have a point there.
Amber: Can we please stop fighting about this? I'm so sick of it. We all know that what Alice did was wrong and that she needs to be prosecuted in some way.
Lex: Are we going to set up a court again?
Amber:Why? So you can bully the younger members of the tribe to do what you want again? No, I think we decide on something together.
Slade: We or you?
Amber: Normally we would vote as a whole tribe, but this is urgent and with everything going on with Lottie, it will be difficult to assemble all of them and get a vote on it today.
Salene: So it's just us? Won't the others be mad?
Amber: Probably. But I am the leader of the tribe and I will deal with that later. Lex has always had a say, because we all know he wouldn't shut up and you have been leading this tribe very well in both our absence for a while. As for Slade and Ebony...
Ebony: Oh I'm interested. Let us hear how we earned the honour to be on your little council.
(Amber rolls her eyes at her.)
Amber: I trust your judgement, Slade. And... well, Ebony, you have been a leader and like Lex, you wouldn't let this go over without having your say. So why fight it?
Ebony: Smart move.
Salene: If it were up to me, you wouldn't have a say at all. Whatever power you get, even if it's just as little as this, you'll use it against us.
Ebony: You give me a lot of credit. I wish I could pull that off.
Slade: And you're selling yourself short. You're pretty good.
(She looks at him intently and then decides, he's not complimenting her and gives him the cold shoulder.)
Lex: I say, we lock her up. That way she can't do any damage.
Salene: We're talking about Alice here. That'll kill her. Besides we can't go anywhere anyway.
Amber: That depends on how things go with the Consilium and when Jack and Ram get the camera done, which hopefully should be soon, when they get the missing piece back from Lottie.
Slade: So what do you say?
Amber: I'm not sure. I just think, Alice shouldn't go with us to the demonstration. Seeing Liam in such an important situation would probably not be the best and someone has to stay here with the kids anyway.
Salene: Do you think it's going to be dangerous?
Slade: Well, it could be. We don't know how the crowds will react and the kids shouldn't be in there. I think Amber's idea is good.
Ebony: But that's not it, right? I'm with Lex, she should get some sort of sentence.
Salene: But I'm against locking her up. That doesn't benefit us at all and just gives us more work.
(There is a short pause in which all five of them think about a better punishment.)
Lex: Then make her work. There's a huge part of the hospital right behind that wall of wood and we need to get that sorted out sooner or later.
Amber: What do you want her to do there?
Lex: As it is right now, everyone can just get in there. I'm not saying, we should make the whole damn building our home, but at least secure it properly, instead of just building that stupid wall there. I bet even the Astros could knock that down.
Slade: And she will do that?
Lex: Alice is usually reliable. She will.
Ebony: Usually she is.
Salene: Well, Lottie could help her. She needs to be shown that stealing isn't acceptable here.
Amber: So is everyone okay with that?
Slade: For how long are they going to do that?
Amber: I don't know. Alice maybe a few weeks, for Lottie only one.
Ebony: Fine. At least they'll be doing something useful.
(They nod and mutter in agreement. Amber gets up with a deep sigh. She and Salene go back to their rooms, while Slade and Lex go back into the cafeteria leaving Ebony sitting alone.)
SCENE 11
(Sammy, Chester, Dylan and Mouse are sitting in the room Mouse and Sammy share. The mood is pretty glum, with Sammy staring out of the window and the other three whispering in hushed voices.)
Sammy: I can still hear you talking behind my back.
Chester: We're just wondering if Lottie did something like this before.
Mouse: Why did she do it?
Sammy: How should I know? It's not like she's talking to me anymore than she's talking to you guys.
Chester: Yea, what's up with that?
Dylan: Are you fighting about something?
(Sammy turns around and shrugs.)
Sammy: I don't think so. I've been with you guys all the time.
Mouse: Maybe it's me.
Dylan: Maybe. Since you've been here, Lottie has kind of been away.
(Chester hits his younger brother in the arm and gives him a stern look.)
Dylan: Sorry.
Sammy: I don't think it's you, Mouse.
Mouse: Really?
Sammy: Of course. Everybody always likes you.
(She smiles, knowing that's one of the nicest things coming from Sammy. There's a pause until Sammy slumps down on his bed. He turns on his back and stares at the ceiling.)
Sammy: She told me once that Ruby caught her stealing in Liberty, but she didn't do it again after that. Sometimes when Gel was mean to her, she would take some of her stuff, but she would just hide it for a few days.
Chester: So something is wrong with her?
Sammy: I guess. I just don't understand, why she wouldn't tell me.
(Dylan snorts, trying hard to not laugh out loud and earns a dirty look from Sammy.)
Chester: He's right. You're always fighting, why would she tell you out of all people?
Sammy: We're friends.
Dylan: Kind of.
Mouse: Probably just the way we were friends before I went to the Ecos. Because Charlie was gone and you were the only other kid.
Dylan: Who's Charlie?
Mouse: My brother.
Dylan: Is-
(Chester hits him again and he doesn't finish his sentence.)
Sammy: No, Lottie and I are real friends.
Dylan: Sure.
SCENE 12
(Lottie is in Salene's room and is holding up the necklace with the wooden pendant in front of her. Salene stands opposite her with folded arms and does not look happy.)
Salene: Look, I know you're sorry and I can accept an apology, but that was the worst thing you could have taken from me. It means a lot to me.
Lottie: I didn't know. Usually the girls love the shiny necklaced more, I didn't think you would notice.
Salene: It's not about the necklace, it's who gave it to me. Many things have a deep value for sentimental reasons, Lottie, and frankly people just don't like you to touch their things without permission.
Lottie: I know, it's just...
Salene: What?
(Lottie hands over the necklace and then pushes her hands into her pockets.)
Lottie: I'm good at it. It's the only thing I'm good at. Stealing, sneaking around, lying...
Salene: That's not true. I'm sure, you're good at a lot of things.
Lottie: No.
(Salene sits down on the edge of her bed to be on eye level with Lottie.)
Salene: Is something wrong? Do you want to talk about it?
Lottie: No. Everything is fine.
Salene (grins): Are you demonstrating your lying skills or are you telling the truth, because I can't tell.
(Lottie's lips twitch, but the smile doesn't come. Salene reaches out to her.)
Salene: You can tell me. One of my finest skills is to keep secrets.
Lottie: Really?
Salene: Yes, although not everything is meant to be a secret.
Lottie: Like what?
Salene: You know, when you're doing something that could hurt someone else or yourself, that shouldn't be a secret. If you need help, it's easier to just ask for it, instead of struggling on your own.
Lottie: But doesn't that make you weak.
Salene: Showing weakness is another form of strength. You don't always have to be tough, Lottie.
(Lottie chews on her lower lip and nods, but instead of telling Salene what's bothering her, she quickly leaves the room. Salene looks down at the necklace in her hands with a sad smile before putting it on.)
SCENE 13
(The nearly finished camera lies on the table in Ram's room with the few loose pieces next to it. Slade is lunging in the office chair and watches Ram and Ruby fighting in the middle of the room.)
Ram: What did I do wrong?
Ruby: She is 12 years old, Ram! You can't just attack her like that. She's just a child.
Ram: Everyone is a child. 12 years isn't that young in these days. She knows what she's doing. Shouldn't she be old enough to know, how important that camera is?
Ruby: She didn't take your camera part.
Ram: And you know that because she promised? She steals and she sneaks around and she's probably a damn good liar, too.
Ruby: She promised and I saw her stealing loot, there was no such thing as you described.
Ram: Then she hid it somewhere else.
Slade: Now you're not even making any sense.
(Both turn around to him.)
Ruby & Ram: Stay out of this!
(Slade raises his hands in defence and leans back again. He seems very amused as he follows the argument.)
Ruby: You are not making any sense though. Why should she confess to stealing and even apologize to Gel, but then not give back your piece?
Ram: I don't know. I'm neither a 12-year old girl nor am I a thief.
Ruby (sarcastic): Oh, but you're a genius. Can't you just hack into her brain. You know, Ram, you're such a hypocrite.
Ram: Me?
Ruby: Of course you! It may seem like everybody has forgotten about what you did, but trust me, nobody has. You need to accept that everybody makes mistakes, but that you can change.
Ram: And how has she changed? She stole then and she stole now.
Ruby: We'll figure it out, but you stay away from her. If I hear about you saying any more disgusting words to her, I'll beat the crap out of you.
(She pushes past him, but stops in the door to glare at him.)
Ruby: And if it comes to that, I'll beat you. Without your stupid little play things, you can't do anything.
(She whirls around and storms off. Ram makes an obscene gesture before he turns to Slade, who is really struggling not to laugh out loud.)
Ram: Can you believer her?
Slade: That's Ruby.
Ram: She has fire, I'll give her that. But there's no way in hell, that she could beat me in a fight.
Slade: If you're actually going to prove her wrong, make sure to tell me first. I want to see that.
Ram: You're having way too much fun there.
Slade: It's hilarious though. You're like an old married couple and you're not even dating.
Ram: Shut up! You and Ebony used to fight all the time.
Slade: Not all the time, just towards the end. And unless you guys, we were actually a couple.
(Ram rolls his eyes at him and then pushes him out of the office chair.)
Ram: Get out of here! Maybe you two can make up and fight some more.
(Chuckling Slade leaves the room.)
SCENE 14
(The door to Alice's room is pushed open and KC and Kayla poke their heads in.)
Kayla (softly): Alice?
(For a moment there is no response, then a sigh is heard from Alice, who is still lying on her bed and she turns around to look at them.)
Alice: Are you guys here to yell at me some more?
Kayla: No, of course not.
Alice: Then come on in.
(KC and Kayla come in and sit next to her on the bed.)
KC: How are you? Did he hurt you?
Alice: I'm mortified, but other than that I'm fine.
KC: So he didn't hurt you?
Alice: No, he didn't.
Kayla: Not physically that is.
Alice: Kayla, don't.
(Alice shoots her a look.)
Kayla: I'm sorry.
Alice: Ellie already gave me that talk. I really don't want to have it again.
KC: Well, he's an ass, but that's not new. Do you know what they're going to do with you?
Alice: No, if it's up to Ebony, I'll probably say Hi to Bray and Noel at the warehouses tomorrow.
KC: They won't kick you out. They can't do that.
Kayla: Technically they can.
KC: But honestly, there is no one who wants to see you go. Except maybe Ram and Ebony.
Kayla: Ram hasn't even said anything about it. He's more worried about Lottie and the stealing.
KC: Well, he's an ass. Asses are often on Ebony's side.
Alice: What is that about Lottie?
Kayla: Apparently she took a bunch of stuff from people and also one of the pieces Jack and Ram need for that camera. She actually came by earlier and gave me one of my books back. I thought KC still had it.
KC: Sure, because I just want to hang on to those.
Kayla: He didn't even read one. Can you believe him? I did everything he asked of me in his week and in mine he refused all the good parts.
(Alice chuckles.)
KC: I did read every day like you said. I'm just a very slow reader, okay.
Alice: That's what happens, when you never do it.
(Kayla laughs and KC pouts. Soon all three of them are laughing together and they help Alice forget about Liam for a while.)
SCENE 15
(Bray is on his way to the hospital. We see him sneak through allies and dodging big groups, until he finally gets to lesser populated streets and can move more freely. The hospital is not far, when he spots Sparrow making her way to the hospital from the direction of the forest that borders the city. When she sees him, she sets up her pace, but he quickly catches up to her.)
Sparrow: I have nothing to say to you.
Bray: Are you going to ignore me forever? I talked to Crow.
Sparrow: She said, we're not supposed to pick fights with you. So, yes, I'm going to ignore you forever.
Bray: Come on, Sparrow. Don't make me explain myself to you.
(She stops walking and looks him dead in the eye.)
Sparrow: I don't want you to explain anything to me, because I will never understand, how you could do that. Why you would think that was an okay thing to do. Crow made it easy for you, but we're not friends any more and Hummy will not be coming by the warehouses any more. You and Noel have to deal with everything by yourselves now. As far as I'm concerned, you are dead to me. And I think I'm speaking for most of the girls here.
(She walks away in a brisk pace, not bothering to look back at him. Bray waits before following her.)
SCENE 16
(Chester and Dylan have left Mouse and Sammy alone in their room. Mouse is lying on the floor drawing on some paper, while Sammy is lying on his bed, throwing a tennis ball into the air repeatedly. A knock is heard and when the camera pans around, we see Lottie standing in the doorway with Sammy's blue cuffs. Mouse looks up and smiles at her.)
Mouse: Lottie, hi.
Lottie: I... uhm... I'm just here to return these.
(She slowly steps forward and places the cuffs next to Sammy, who hasn't looked at her yet, but before she can pull away, he grabs her hand.)
Sammy: Why?
Lottie: Why what?
Sammy: Why did you take them? I know you only take stuff from Gel, when she's mean to you.
Lottie: I didn't only take things from her... and you. I stole a lot.
(She tries to walk away, but he's not letting go of her. To avoid his gaze she looks first at Mouse and then to the ground.)
Lottie (stiffly): I'm sorry.
Mouse: They told you to say that, didn't they.
(She laughs and goes back to drawing.)
Lottie: Yeah.
Sammy: But why did you do it, Lottie?
Lottie (angrily): Because I could. Because you were an ass and I took some of your stuff. Because everyone was ignoring me and I made them pay for it.
(She frees herself from his grip and storms out of the room. Sammy and Mouse exchange a glance.)
Sammy: I don't understand why she's so mad at me.
Mouse: Apparently you were an ass.
Sammy: We are together all the time, I was not an ass to her.
Mouse: A little maybe. Maybe she's tired of fighting with you all the time. Even if that's normal for you guys.
Sammy: She doesn't seem to be tired of fighting. Well, if she doesn't want to be my friend anymore, I don't want to be hers either.
(He slumps back down and continues to throw the tennis ball in the air.)
SCENE 17
(Liam is sitting on the windowsill in a small room. There is a bed pushed against the wall next to the window. On the opposite wall of the room are stacks of books and clothing. In the corner next to the door are a bunch of pillows in which Jim has made himself comfortable, while Joanne sits on the bed with the knees pulled to her chest.)
Jim: So tell us, how was it?
Liam: Boring mostly. I was in this tiny room and they gave me books, but that was all there was to pass the time.
Joanne: But they didn't hurt you?
Liam: No, that was Vulture when they captured me.
Jim: You haven't really told us, how you escaped yet.
Liam: I did. I said there was a flaw in their security.
Joanne: And what does that mean? You don't have to be secretive about it.
Jim: Yeah, that's not you at all. You usually boast about all that honesty crap all day long. Trust me, I should know.
(He gives Joanne a quick glance, which she doesn't notice, but Liam starts to grin. It quickly fades though, as he turns back to look outside.)
Liam: Well, you could call it a human error. I don't want to talk about it.
Joanne: Liam, what did you do?
Liam: I'm not proud of it. Can we just forget about it?
Jim: No, come on, man, tell us.
Liam (sighs): Fine. (pauses) There was this girl and she was my guard. She would come in every day and bring me my meals. And because I was so bored, I started talking to her, which was hard, because she really despised me, but she warmed up to me.
Joanne: So when you say 'human error', this girl fell for you?
Liam: Yes.
Joanne: And you used that to your advantage.
(She looks at him sternly, a gaze he can't hold.)
Joanne: That's disgusting, Liam.
Jim: Well, he had to get out of there. The ends justify the means. Aren't you happy, he's back?
Joanne: Of course, but I wish, there had been another way.
Liam: Trust me, I wish that, too. Alice is amazing.
Jim: Are you telling me, you fell for her? You've only been there for two weeks.
Liam: You're right, it's silly.
Joanne: It doesn't matter now anyway. No self-respecting person would take you back and you're on different sides.
Jim (snorts): Always the optimist, I see.
Joanne: Oh, you know how Liam hates fake-optimism.
Liam: She has a point.
SCENE 18
(In the cafeteria Bray and Amber are sitting at a table, while Bray is feeding his son, when Lex walks in and pulls up a seat in front of them.)
Bray: Lex, what's up?
Lex: Nothing. I just thought, we hadn't talked much since you are back. You know it's weird, you're here all the time, you're still part of the tribe, but you're not living here.
Bray: I didn't know you cared.
Amber: Do you miss him, Lex?
Lex: Pff, I couldn't care less. I'm just wondering, if this is all for show and loverboy has another girl at the warehouses.
(He motions towards them to indicate what he means with 'this'. Seemingly from nowhere Ebony appears behind Amber and Bray and walks up to sit next to Lex.)
Ebony: Isn't that sweet. Are you looking out for Amber now?
Lex: More like testing out if there's another tribe they are pissing off just by being them.
Ebony: Oh yea, I saw Sparrow on her way in. Did you say anything to her? That girl is furious.
Bray: That's none of your business.
Ebony: Well, okay, but don't go make it any worse than it already is.
Bray: Well, I've heard there was a lot going on here as well. Screw-ups that I didn't have anything to do with.
Lex: Isn't that a nice change?
(Lex laughs and it takes a while, but soon all four of them are laughing.)
Bray: No, but seriously, when are we going to take the Consilium down? Their grip is tightening on the city and many of the people at the warehouses are thinking of leaving.
Amber: We have to get the camera done, but other than that we're completely set.
Ebony: Yea, but the missing piece is still, well, missing. So Ram and Jack can't finish it.
Amber: Lottie really didn't have it?
Lex: No, she gave everything back, but there was no camera piece there.
Amber: Okay, I guess she wouldn't lie about it, now that she already admitted to the rest.
Lex: Yea, the kid is smarter than that.
Amber: But apart from that, you guys are ready for the demonstration?
Bray: Yes, we could go immediately.
SCENE 19
(KC sits in the control room with Sparrow in his lap. Every now and then he glances at the monitors, but is clearly paying more attention to his girlfriend, who doesn't seem very happy.)
Sparrow: Are you kidding me? First Bray cheats on Crow, then there is a piece missing for the fucking camera and you let Liam go? The Consilium are going to kill us!
KC: We didn't exactly let him go. It'll be alright, I promise.
Sparrow: Right, you didn't say 'Here, the door is open, go', but the door was open and nobody checked the cameras. We should have kept him with us in the woods.
KC: But you're camp is secret, so...
Sparrow: Not so secret. Kaelem knows where it is.
KC: So you're in danger?
Sparrow: Not really. We're … uhm (pauses) moving it.
(She holds her breath for a second, but when KC doesn't seem to think anything of it, she relaxes against him.)
KC: Probably a good thing. Who knows what happens, when we expose his lies.
Sparrow: Anyway. You also talked about that girl, Lotta?
KC: Lottie.
(She turns around, so she's now straddling him.)
Sparrow: You seemed concerned about her.
KC: You can tell?
(She swats his shoulder.)
Sparrow: I'm your girlfriend, of course I can tell.
KC: It's because, I know what it's like to be accused by the whole tribe. You know, I wasn't always this hot and awesome guy, I am now.
Sparrow (sarcastic): Really? That's so hard to believe.
(She giggles and runs a hand through his turquoise hair before giving him a quick peck on the lips.)
KC: If I weren't in love with you, you'd be in so much trouble.
Sparrow: What did you say?
(The smile is wiped from her face and she stares at him with a slightly open mouth. KC smiles and gently caresses her cheek.)
KC: I said, I love you.
Sparrow: Oh, that's... I-I love you, too.
(She fakes a smile and hugs him. The camera zooms in on her face to show she's not very thrilled with his confession.)
SCENE 20
(Ram is sitting at his desk and fiddling with the nearly finished camera, while Jack is pacing back and forth behind him.)
Jack: So she doesn't have it? Then it must be here somewhere.
Ram: Or someone else took it.
Jack: Who would do that?
Ram: Oh I don't know, maybe a certain someone who walked out here today after two weeks of being our captive? But maybe I'm wrong.
Jack: And you don't think anyone would have noticed him wandering in here? And how would he know about it anyway?
Ram: If she slept with him, she probably also told him all our plans, because 'hey, he's locked up, he can't tell anyone. Urgh... women are so stupid.
Jack: Shut up, Ram! Maybe you just lost it? Has that even occurred to you?
Ram: Me? You were in here all the time as well, so you lost it!
Jack: Ok, let's look for it again.
(He gets down on his knees and inspects the floor, where they started to build the camera together. Ram rolls his eyes, but after a few seconds he too starts to search. First he goes through the pieces on his desk, before he joins Jack on the floor. Jack has now pressed his face to the floor while peering under Ram's bed and fumbling after something with his hands.)
Jack: You better not have anything disgusting under here.
Ram: My room is a 100% clean. There's nothing disgusting under my bed, but maybe you're afraid of the Tickle monster?
Jack (dryly): Very funny.
(Suddenly Jack's eyebrows shoot up, as he finds something under the bed. He pulls his hand out and holds up a tiny silver disk. Ram notices it and snatches it from him.)
Jack: Did you even look under the bed at all before accusing anyone?
Ram: Of course I did. Now, let's not waste time discussing this and get the camera done.
(He pulls Jack with him towards the desk with the camera and starts instructing him.)
SCENE 21
(Outside in the park, Trudy and Salene are sitting in the sandbox with Brady as Jay and Ryan walk out and join them.)
Trudy: Any news?
Jay: Ram found the missing piece and they are finishing the camera as we speak.
Salene: So Lottie really didn't take it? I feel bad for her.
Trudy: But she still stole.
Salene: Yes, but the way Ram shouted at her. Even I was scared and I'm not a 12-year old girl.
Brady: What is with Lottie, mummy?
(Trudy smooths down her daughter's hair.)
Trudy: Nothing, Sweetie. How about you bake a cake for all of us?
(The little girl nods fiercely and starts baking sand cakes for them.)
Trudy: Are we going to punish her?
Salene: She's going to have to work with Alice for a week I think.
Jay: Oh yea, you were invited to the small council that is now making all the decisions here apparently.
Salene: You know that's not true.
Ryan: There just wasn't the time to make the whole tribe vote on this.
Trudy: Alright, but why do Ebony and Slade get a say? If that's the norm around here now, I'll have to talk to Amber.
Jay (softly): The norm will probably be Amber and Bray ruling everything.
(Ryan is the only one who hears him and gives him a little nudge with his elbow.)
Ryan: Trudy, did Bray say anything to you about giving up the warehouses?
Trudy: Not really. He just said, that Noel needed him there right now, but nothing about how long that could take.
(Ryan gives Jay a look and Jay shrugs.)
SCENE 22
(Bray and Ram are sitting in the café waiting, when Amber enters with Sparrow at her side. The younger girl glares at Bray, but still sits down across from him.)
Sparrow: So?
(She looks expectantly from Ram, to Bray and then to Amber.)
Amber: When will you be done with the camera, Ram?
Ram: Jack is finishing it right now, so we're ready for attack.
Sparrow: So we actually get to kick some ass? Great! Crow has gotten very impatient.
Amber: Can you be ready by tomorrow noon?
Sparrow: Yes.
Amber: What about you, Bray?
Bray: We can, too. How's the plan?
Amber: I was thinking we move in as a big group to cause enough distraction so Ram and Crow can get into the school. Maybe the Harpies could meet us here and then we meet up with you somewhere in the city.
Bray: You're going to be a target right away. Maybe you won't even get to the school.
Sparrow: That's where the big screen is, which Kaelem uses to broadcast now that there isn't enough room in the school for big meetings anymore. We have to get to that place.
Bray: Maybe we don't protest until we're there. If we move quick and quietly, we might get there and then we can stir up as much trouble as we like.
Ram: I'm taking Crow and I will not go with you?
Sparrow: I'll tell her to meet you at the outskirts of the forest. She knows the city better than anyone, you'll be a lot safer.
Ram: I wasn't worrying about my safety.
(Sparrow shrugs and gets up from her chair.)
Sparrow: That everything?
Amber: Yes.
Sparrow: Then I'll see you tomorrow at noon.
(She leaves.)
SCENE 23
(Jack walks into the room, he shares with Ellie and just falls down on their bed with a loud sigh. After a while Ellie enters and sits on the edge of the bed. Jack turns so he's lying on his side and facing her.)
Jack: Are you alright?
Ellie: Yea, I think so. It's just... I don't want all of them to judge Alice. They'll keep bringing this up, especially Ebony and Lex.
Jack: How's she? Alice, I mean.
Ellie: She pretends she's fine, but I think she's really hurt. I wish there was something I could do.
Jack: I'll make sure to hit him really hard tomorrow, if I get the chance.
Ellie: Tomorrow?
(She pushes her long blonde hair out of her face.)
Jack: Yea, Ram and I finished the camera. We're going in tomorrow.
Ellie: Great! I can't wait.
Jack: You'll be careful, right? I know there's no use in asking you to stay behind, but at least promise me you'll be careful.
Ellie: Of course, I will. I'll be right by your side.
(He smiles and takes her hand in his.)
Ellie: At least you're not the one going with Crow. I don't want to think about what they're going to do to her and Ram, if they get caught.
Jack: Yea, but Crow is good in sneaking around. At least that's what I've heard.
(For a few seconds they just sit and let their minds wander, but then Ellie interrupts the silence.)
Ellie: Why would she think it was a good idea? There was a reason he was our prisoner. I mean, I know, I said something different to her, but that was just for fun. I didn't think, she would actually do anything with him.
Jack: Shouldn't you know about that? Falling for prisoners.
Ellie: Why are you bringing that up now?
(She lets go of his hand and instead crosses her arms in front of her chest. Jack sighs and sits up.)
Jack: I'm just saying, you shouldn't be too hard on her. That would make you kind of a hypocrite.
Ellie: So it's not about Luke?
Jack: We're over that right? We're good?
Ellie: Of course we are.
Jack: Then it's not about Luke.
(He leans forward and they kiss.)
SCENE 24
(Ram is lovingly looking at the finished camera on his desk, when his door flies open and Ruby walks in, dragging Lottie along behind her.)
Ram: Jesus Christ, Ruby! You startled me.
Ruby: So when were you going to apologize?
Ram: For what?
Ruby: For accusing Lottie, even though she didn't do it.
Ram: But she did. She did steal.
Ruby: But not your stupid camera part.
Ram: And if I haven't said anything, do you really think, she would have come clean with all the other stealing? No, so you should thank me.
(Lottie pulls free from Ruby's grip and glares at both of them.)
Lottie: I'm here, you know. You can stop talking about me now as if I weren't. I don't even care if you apologize or not.
Ruby: But I care. I want you to admit that you made a mistake. Just once, I want you to admit that you make mistakes.
(Ram's defence changes to curiosity.)
Ram: Why?
Ruby: Because!
Lottie: Do I have to be here for this? You can just kiss and make up, but I don't want to be here for that.
(Ram laughs and Ruby looks at her in surprise. Lottie just shrugs and makes her way for the door. Ram looks back to Ruby.)
Ram: I'm sorry.
(Lottie turns back to him, she doesn't seem convinced.)
Ram: Lottie, I'm sorry that I accused you for stealing even though there was no evidence to back it up.
Lottie: Ok.
(She leaves. Camera pans back to Ruby, who doesn't seem as angry any more as she was before.)
Ram: Did that make you happy?
Ruby: Actually it did.
Ram: Don't get used to it. I never admit mistakes, because I very rarely make any.
Ruby (snorts): Yea right.
(She rolls her eyes and walks out after Lottie.)
SCENE 25
(The Harpies have gathered around the campfire in the midst of their camp. Some are eating, others are working on weapons. Crow slides two daggers into her belt and rises. The rest of the tribe falls quiet and focuses on her.)
Crow: The official plan for tomorrow is like this: You are meeting up with the Mallrats at the hospital and then going down to the school together. As I can't be with you, Vulture is in charge. I will be meeting with the guy and the camera at the outskirts and go a different way. Since we're going to be split up, we should all be clear on what's going to happen after the broadcast. The Consilium are no fighters. Very few of them actually are, so it should be easy for you to take them out. There will be a lot of commotion, so you should be able to slip away with them. I'm going to get Kaelem and then we meet up here. You better be packed, because after we get the Consilium into the cages, we're leaving. We're not waiting for anyone, so you better have decided by then. And remember, no one needs to know about this.
(There's a loud murmur as everyone talks among themselves. Vulture turns to Sparrow and hands her some tape.)
Vulture: This is going to be fun.
Sparrow: I guess payback is a bitch.
(The sisters share a laugh. Vulture helps Sparrow to tape her hands and then taps her knuckles.)
Vulture: Been a while since you used these, huh?
Sparrow: True, but they're as good as ever.
Vulture: What are you doing about that boy of yours? You're not thinking of staying, are you?
Sparrow: No, of course not. Wherever you go, I go. That's our deal, right?
Vulture: Indeed it is.
Sparrow: He said, he loved me. He's going to hate me for doing this.
Vulture: He'll get over it, Sparrow. There'll be other boys for you.
(Sparrow nods. Vulture gets up to talk to some of the other girls. Sparrow looks at the flames and starts to tear up. Before she can start to cry, she abruptly gets up and heads for her tree house.)