Episode 23
SCENE 1
(Camera cuts in from black to show a piece of yellow paper with a picture of Tai-San. The headline reads MISSING. A hand picks it up and the camera zooms out to show Ellie leaving her room and walking towards Lex's room. She knocks.)
Lex (off-screen): Yeah?
(Ellie enters. Lex is still lying in bed and looks pissed at being disturbed, but when he sees the piece of paper in Ellie's hands, he brightens up.)
Lex: Is that it?
Ellie (nods): I finished it today.
(She hands him the paper and stands next to his bed waiting. Lex scans the lines of text and smiles sadly at the picture.)
Lex: Looks great.
Ellie: Is the part about the Chosen okay, too?
Lex: What? Why did you write about them?
Ellie (frowns): You did read it, didn't you?
Lex: Of course I did!
Ellie (angry): No, you didn't! I wrote about her involvement as true supreme mother, because that way someone might remember her. You know what, Lex, don't ask me to do you a favour again, if you're not really interested.
(She tries to grab the paper, but he moves it out of her reach and grabs her wrist instead.)
Lex: Ellie, wait!
Ellie: Let me go, Lex! You're such an idiot.
Lex: Ellie! I can't read, ok?!
(She stops struggling and he lets go of her. Her expression softens as she sits down on the edge of his bed.)
Ellie: You could have just said so.
Lex: I don't want people to make fun of me.
Ellie: You could just learn to read.
Lex: Tried that.
Ellie: Fine. Give it to me.
(This time he lets her take the piece of paper and she starts to read it aloud for him in a low voice. Camera pans out.)
SCENE 2
(Camera pans in as Lottie happily makes her way over to Sammy and Mouse's room, but nothing has changed since she last looked in. She frowns and then goes to Chester and Dylan's room. The two boys invite her in.)
Dylan: Hey Lottie.
Chester: Is something wrong?
Lottie: When was the last time you saw Sammy or Mouse?
Chester (shrugs): Don't know.
Dylan: We were with Patch and Dee the whole time.
Lottie (nods): I haven't seen them in a while. Their beds haven't been slept in.
Dylan (frowns): That's odd. Maybe they slept somewhere else.
Chester: Let's go ask.
(The three of them leave with solemn faces in the hope of finding their friends somewhere in the hospital.)
SCENE 3
(As the camera follows the kids out of their room, Ebony passes them and the camera follows her instead. She walks past the door to Slade's room, then stops and walks back. She hesitates and looks to her left and right before slipping into the room without knocking. Inside Slade is getting dressed. Surprised he turns around and covers his chest with a shirt, but puts it down as he spots Ebony.)
Slade: What are you doing? Ever heard of knocking?
Ebony: I could ask you the same thing.
Slade (frown): What are you on about?
(He finishes putting his clothes on and starts to make his bed just to be busy.)
Ebony: First you punch Jay for talking to me and then you ignore me?
Slade: Quit it, Ebony! You weren't just talking.
Ebony: Even so, that's none of your business. You had no right.
Slade (rolls his eyes): Are you here to protect Jay? Save your breath, I already talked to him.
Ebony: You did?
Slade: Yes.
Ebony: What are you playing at, Slade? I don't like you messing with my life.
Slade (sighs): I'm not. Why do you even care? You called it quits.
Ebony: I did. I just don't want you to try to manipulate anything.
Slade: Ebony, I was drunk, I had no intention of manipulating anyone. I had no intention of doing anything but go back to my room and sleep it off.
Ebony (frowns): So you meant what you said?
Slade: Well, obviously you're not my girl.
Ebony: You know, you can't just say things and not follow through.
Slade: There's nothing to follow through. I told you, I loved you and that wasn't enough for you. You are fucking Jay now. I really don't want to waste my energy and time on this.
Ebony: I'm a waste of energy and time now? Good to know.
Slade: Not you, but I pick my fights wisely now.
Ebony: So I'm not worth fighting for.
Slade: I don't think you want me to.
(He finally faces her, clearly waiting for her to give him a clear yes or no, but Ebony only shrugs and leaves. Slade lets out a deep sigh.)
Slade: That woman is driving me insane.
SCENE 4
(Lottie, Dylan and Chester arrive in the café, where most of the Mallrats are sitting and having breakfast. They immediately head for the table where Amber, Salene, Trudy and Bray sit together.)
Lottie: Where are Sammy and Mouse?
Bray: What do you mean?
Dylan: They are gone.
Salene: Since when?
Lottie: We don't know, but they haven't been here all night.
Amber: What?! Does anyone know where they went?
(They shake their heads.)
Bray: Who was on guard duty yesterday?
Trudy: First Ram and then me. I saw them leave the hospital in the afternoon.
Salene: Why didn't you say something?
Trudy: I don't keep track of people leaving when I'm on guard duty. It's about intruders, isn't it?
Bray: It's not Trudy's fault. We have to look for them immediately!
Amber (to the kids): Can you go get everyone?
(They nod and start running to get everyone else. Camera zooms in on the worried faces of the older Mallrats.)
SCENE 5
(Camera pans in to show a door being opened and Ryan walking out just as Jay walks by, which makes Ryan jump. Jay grins.)
Jay: Everything okay?
Ryan: Yea, fine. I just thought you were someone else?
Jay: You have someone creeping on you?
Ryan: No... maybe.
Jay (raises an eyebrow): You're acting weird.
Ryan: I know, it's just...
Jay: Come on, pal, you can tell me. You know that.
Ryan: It's Salene. She wants to get back together and I don't know how to tell her No. She seems really fragile at the moment and I don't want to upset her.
Jay: There is no easy way. You'll upset her no matter how you tell her. And you have to tell her.
Ryan (sighs): Tell me something I don't know. I never thought I would have to do something like this.
Jay: Why's that?
Ryan: I'm not exactly a ladies man, am I?
(Before Jay gets a chance to answer, Chester comes running towards them. He's so fast, he slides along the floor and Ryan has to grab him before he falls.)
Jay: Woah, slow down.
Chester: You have to come to the café. Tribe meeting.
Ryan: What about?
Chester: Sammy and Mouse are gone missing.
(The three of them hurry towards the café and camera fades to black.)
SCENE 6
(Camera fades in from black to the warehouses. Noel is pacing in his room.)
Noel (VO): And why did they attack you?
Ben (VO): Because of my limp. They attacked me because I am weak. Only the strong survive.
Yara (VO): What do we do, Noel?
Noel (VO): I don't know.
(Noel leaves his room, he looks into all the rooms he passes and the community rooms until he finds Yara on her way out.)
Noel (shouts): Yara! Stop!
(Yara turns around and waits for him to catch up to her.)
Noel: I don't want you to go out by yourself.
Yara: But I'm not weak. I can take care of myself.
Noel: I know that, but I don't want you to go missing as well. I need you.
Yara: Fine, I'll stay.
Noel: I'm going to see Bray and the Mallrats about this... this...
Yara: The people who attacked Ben?
Noel (nods): Them.
Yara: Be careful.
(He gives her a quick hug before leaving. Yara crosses her arms and leans against the wall next to the door. She's clearly not happy about staying inside. Camera cuts to the next scene.)
SCENE 7
(Camera cuts to the café where all the Mallrats have gathered to discuss what to do about Sammy's and Mouse's disappearance. Everyone is talking to themselves and Amber struggles to get their attention so Lex puts two fingers in his mouth and whistles loudly and everyone falls quiet.)
Amber: Thanks, Lex. Sammy and Mouse have been gone since yesterday afternoon and nobody has seen them since. I for one am very worried about them and think we should go out and look for them. Do you all agree?
(Some nod, but there's no one who protests so Amber goes on.)
Amber: I'd say we go in groups, nobody is to go alone. (she looks intently at Lex and then Ebony.) I mean it.
Ebony: Alright, alright. I'll go with Jay then.
(They start breaking up in groups. Chester and Dylan are arguing with Patch about going with them and Lottie has the same problem.)
Lottie: I want to go, too! They are my friends!
Amber: Somebody has to stay here, Lottie.
Lottie: But I can help!
Ruby: Of course you can, but I'd feel a lot safer if you would stay here with Chester and Dylan.
Trudy: Besides, I was hoping you could look after Brady for me.
Lottie (mutters): Fine!
(She storms out of the café and soon Chester and Dylan follow her sulking as Patch won't let them go as well.)
Ebony: Somebody has to stay here though. We can't let the hospital be unguarded.
Lex: Who's on guard duty now?
Alice: I am.
Bray: Well, then Alice stays here. Is that okay with everyone?
(Nobody protests and the search groups start heading out.)
SCENE 8
(The screen is all black, hurried footsteps are heard.)
Tilly (off-screen): Cloud! Cloud!
(As Cloud opens his eyes, we see he's sitting in a small room with black walls on which star signs have been painted. There's no furniture just a mattress in the corner and pillows and blankets scattered around and a pile of books next to the mattress. There's no window either and the only light comes from candles. Tilly appears in the doorway.)
Cloud: What is it? No one speaks to me when I meditate! That goes for you, too.
Tilly: I know and I'm sorry, but Rosanne has gone missing.
Cloud (frowns): What do you mean, missing?
Tilly: She went out late last night to be alone with the stars and hasn't been back.
Cloud: Why didn't she go to the roof to do that?
Tilly: I don't know.
Cloud: Do you think she left us?
Tilly (shakes her head): She'd never do that.
(Cloud rises and blows out the candles so the room goes completely dark. The painted star signs glow in the dark.)
Cloud: I'll see what the stars have to say. Don't let anyone disturb me!
(Tilly leaves the room and camera zooms in on Cloud meditating in the dark.)
SCENE 9
(Gel, Darryl, KC and Kayla are looking for Mouse and Sammy near the school and the wide open space in front of it. Some people are trading here and KC checks out their stuff more than ask them for the missing Mallrats. Darryl is talking to a group of people in the distance and Kayla and Gel are looking together.)
Gel: It's a little like in the beginning, when we were handing out the news sheet together.
Kayla (smiles): I hope you don't intend on running away and get beaten up again.
Gel (laughs): Absolutely not.
(Their conversation is interrupted as Kayla stops a young boy completely dressed in fur to ask for Mouse and Sammy, when she returns to Gel she shakes her head sadly.)
Gel: I wonder what happened. It's not like them to disappear like that.
Kayla: I'm really worried.
Gel: Yea... Uhm, Kayla, can I ask you something?
Kayla: Sure, what?
Gel: I know you said the other day, you don't want to talk about it. About the boy thing.
Kayla (frowns): What boy thing?
Gel: Your crush on Jack.
(Kayla blushes and turns abruptly to walk away from Gel, but the younger girl quickly grabs her arm and stops her.)
Kayla: I don't have a crush on Jack!
Gel: It's okay. I thought he was cute, too, when I joined the Mallrats. And then Ellie came back and I didn't stand a chance.
Kayla: What has that to do with me?
Gel: I want you to know that there is no way, he'll look at you twice with Ellie there. He's head over heels in love with her. Always has been.
Kayla: Gee, thanks, Gel.
Gel: There are other boys.
Kayla: I have eyes, I know there are others. (pauses) I can't help it, okay? It's not like I decided, I want to wreck their relationship.
Gel: Of course, but you're not doing anyone any favours.
(Kayla looks down at her feet and Gel puts an arm around her. The boys walk towards them now and the conversation is over.)
SCENE 10
(Lottie, Chester, Dylan, Brady and Bray jr are in the café. They put down a blanket on the floor for the baby to crawl on. Bray jr is sitting in between Dylan's legs as he tries to teach him and Brady pat-a-cake. Brady is pretty good at it already, but Bray needs all the help he can get, he's still enjoying himself a lot.)
Lottie: He's too young.
Dylan: Doesn't matter, he's loving it.
Chester: I hate waiting around. When are they going to be back?
Lottie: They only just left. I wish, we could have gone, too.
(Brady stops playing and moves to sit in Lottie's lap. Lottie strokes her hair.)
Brady: Where is Mouse and Sammy?
Lottie: Out. They'll be back soon.
Chester: You don't know that.
Lottie: Shut up, Chester!
Brady: Everyone is out.
Lottie: They will all be back later. Don't worry.
(Bray Jr. slowly stands up on wobbly legs, walks to Chester and puts his short arms around his neck.)
Bray Jr: Dada! Daddy!
(Chester puts an arm around the small boy to support him.)
Lottie: Oh, Junior, you can say Daddy! That's great.
Chester: Not the right person though.
Dylan: I think that's the first word he said.
Lottie: Amber and Bray are going to freak, if we tell them.
Brady: Chester is not Bray's daddy.
Lottie: That's right. Which is why we won't tell anyone, he just said that.
(She looks at the others intently and Chester and Dylan nod in agreement. She pokes Brady's sides, which makes the little girl squeal.)
Lottie: You can keep a secret, right, Brady?
(Brady nods and puts a finger against her lip.)
Brady: Shhh.
Lottie (smiles): That' right.
(Camera fades out.)
SCENE 11
(Camera fades in to Alice sitting in the control room. She holds a baseball bat in her hands and taps it repeatedly against her boots while watching the screens anxiously. She frowns and the camera pans around to show a figure approaching the main entrance at a fast pace.)
Alice (shouts): Chester! Come here and watch the cameras for a while!
(She gets up and the young boy already comes running. She gives him a smile before going to greet their guest. She leans against the door and watches Noel approach.)
Alice: Oh it's you.
Noel (frowns): Is something up?
Alice: You could say that. Let's talk inside.
(They sit down on the sofa in the entrance hall.)
Noel: I'm actually here to talk to Bray.
Alice: It's just me and the kids right now. Everyone else is looking for Sammy and Mouse.
Noel (shocked): Mouse. They're missing?
Alice: Since yesterday.
Noel: Oh no.
Alice: What's the matter?
Noel: Something's brewing in the city. A few days ago we found a boy badly beaten up in the city and he told us about this new tribe. Although it's not really a tribe, they have a common ideology though. They target the weak.
Alice: That's horrible. What a bunch of losers.
Noel: Might be, but they're dangerous. I just don't know what to do about it.
Alice: Do you think they might have gotten Mouse and Sammy?
Noel (shrugs): They are just kids, which probably makes them weak in their eyes.
Alice: Don't they have a leader?
Noel: I don't know. They are not a tribe, so they might not have one.
Alice: Someone is always the driving force behind this sort of stuff.
Noel: I guess. Will you talk to Bray about this? Maybe one of you has an idea what to do. I have to get back before the others start to worry.
Alice: Sure. Be careful.
(Noel smiles and runs a hand through the blue tips of his hair. Then he leaves. Camera zooms in on Alice's worried expression.)
SCENE 12
(Paul and his friends are sitting slumped against a wall full of graffiti and are packing their bags. Cara and Cal talk as they sign, while Paul only mouths the words.)
Cara: How long are we going to stay here?
Cal: I think we should just get some supplies and get out of here.
Paul: There's beach not far from here and the woods right outside of the city. Any preferences?
Cara: I haven't seen the sea in so long. Can we go there?
Cal (smiles): Sounds great. (to Paul) Do you know where it is?
Paul (shakes his head): We have to ask for directions.
Cara: Which means, I have to. Come on, boys, let's get going.
(They pick up their bags and start walking with Cara leading the way. Suddenly she stops in her tracks and waves the boys closer. Camera pans around and zooms in on a person in a dark blue cloak lying on the ground. Cara pokes the person, but there is no response.)
Cal: Let me, Cara.
(He pushes forward and kneels down next to the person and then turns her over. It's a black girl with long black hair and pale blue star tribal markings. Her eyes stare into space.)
Cal: She's dead.
Paul: She's one of those guys at the cinema. They all wear those cloaks.
Cara: What happened to her?
Cal: Looks like someone attacked her. She has a broken ankle and here (he points at her throat) someone strangled her with a chain.
Paul: We should bring her to her tribe.
Cara: We can't just walk around town with a dead girl.
(Pauls rolls his eyes, kneels down next to Cal and pulls the girl's hood over her face again and picks her up to carry her bridal style.)
Cal (shrugs): I guess we can.
Cara: If we get lynched, it's totally your fault.
(The start to walk in the other direction towards the cinema.)
SCENE 13
(Lex is walking with Ram, Jack and Ellie, but he is hanging back a little. As he trudges after them, he makes sure they aren't watching him as he produces a copy of the article about Tai-San from the inside of his jacket. He puts it up on the wall and repeats doing this every few steps.)
Ram (off-screen): Lex! What are you doing?
Lex: I'm coming!
Ellie: If you keep going at that speed, we'll lose you, too.
(Camera zooms out as Lex starts running to keep up with them and then fades out.)
SCENE 14
(Camera fades in to Alice sneaking past the café and then past Chester in the control room. She quickly walks along the long corridor until she reaches Ruby's room. She takes a quick glance to her right and to her left before entering. On a desk right next to the door all of Ruby's notes sit neatly sorted and the medicine books are sorted after topics in piles on the floor next to the desk. Alice kneels down in front of them and runs a finger over their backs as she reads the titles.)
Alice (mumbles): Human Anatomy and Physiology, Handbook of Fractures, Atlas of Anatomy, Atlas of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Nurse's Drug Handbook, Anatomy and Physiology for Midwives. Gotcha!
(She pulls out the book and looks at the picture of a foetus. Smiling she rub her still flat stomach and gets up to leave the room. Camera zooms in on the books in her hands and fades to black.)
SCENE 15
(Slade and Ruby are by themselves as they look for Sammy and Mouse near the old cinema. They are both talking to city kids before slinking back to each other.)
Slade: Nothing.
Ruby: I feel so bad. I know this is serious and still I keep thinking about something else.
Slade: What about?
Ruby (sighs): Ram.
(Slade grins and puts an arm around the blonde girl.)
Slade: It's okay. Maybe someone else has found them and we have no reason to worry.
Ruby: And maybe not and I'm being horrible.
Slade: Then tell me what is going on and clear your head?
Ruby: It's all your fault anyway.
Slade: My fault?
Ruby (smiles): Yes. You and your stupid comments about Ram and I. They got me thinking.
Slade: So?
Ruby: He's really changed, hasn't he? He came to me yesterday and said things... so unlike the Ram from the Technos or even Ram in Liberty.
Slade: What did he say? How in love he is with you?
(Ruby swats his arms away and shakes her head.)
Ruby: No, just nice things in general. I don't believe he even thinks of me as anything else than friends.
Slade: So you like him. Like more than friends. Ruby, you're a beautiful, smart and funny woman, just go for it. He won't say no.
Ruby: You don't know that. I'm not his type.
Slade: How do you know what his type is? I don't think Ram has a type.
Ruby: What about Java?
Slade: You have to give him a chance to decide that for himself, Ruby. I think he likes you, too.
Ruby: I don't know.
Slade: He might not realize it. Ram is not very experienced with romance. Can't be any worse than being with Ebony.
Ruby (raises an eyebrow): I thought that was done.
Slade: I thought so, too, but she decided to visit me today. I really don't know what's her deal.
(He continues explaining what happened this morning as they walk through the city.)
SCENE 16
(Camera pans around to show Cal, Cara and Paul walking towards the cinema. In the background we can see Ruby and Slade round a corner and disappear. Cara keeps looking around anxiously and then hurries to the entrance of the cinema. Two Astros are guarding the doors and step in their way.
Astro1: What's this?
Cal: We found her in an ally. She's one of your friends, right?
(Cal pushes back her hood to show the girl's face and the guards let them in. Paul places the girl on the floor.)
Astro2: What happened?
Cara: We just found her like this. Looks like she was strangled.
Astro2: Cloud is going to freak. Go get him.
(Astro1 hurries to the back of the cinema.)
Cal: We thought you might miss her and couldn't just leave her there.
Astro2: Thanks, I guess. You didn't see anything?
Cal: No.
(Astro2 emerges again followed by Cloud. Cloud immediately rushes towards the girl, strokes her hair and closes her eyes.)
Cloud: Oh no... Her stars went out.
(As Paul can't see his lips and read them, he nudges Cal.)
Paul: What's he saying?
Cal: Something about stars.
Cloud: I was asking about Rosanne, but there was only darkness. All our starlight is diminishing.
Cara: Look, we're really sorry about your friend, but we're going now.
(Cloud looks up at them and seizes Cara's arm. Paul and Cal immediately jump forward and Cloud quickly lets go of her.)
Cloud: You could stay if you want. I'm very grateful to you.
Paul: We're definitely not staying here. They are weird.
Cloud (frowns): What are you doing?
Cal: He's signing. He's deaf.
Cloud: Oh... I'm sorry.
Paul (frowns): Can we leave? I don't like him.
Cloud: What's he saying now?
Cal: He says, thanks for the offer, but we really have to go.
Cloud: Oh... well, you're always welcome here. I see great things in your stars.
Cara: Okay, see you around.
(The three of them quickly leave. When they are out of sight of the cinema Cara moves her finger in a circle motion at her temple to indicate how ridiculous she thinks Cloud is.)
Paul: Not only was he completely loco, he was also a jerk. Oh, I'm so sorry you're deaf, I'm so sorry you're broken.
Cal: I know. People can be really stupid.
(Cara smiles and hugs Paul.)
Cara: Let's just get out of here, alright?
(The three of them head for the market place in front of the school to get supplies and camera cuts to the next scene.)
SCENE 17
(Camera cuts to Salene, Patch and Dee walking along a huge parking deck. There are not many people on the streets here and Patch and Dee are looking in and behind dumpsters and under scrap metal while Salene asks about Sammy and Mouse. She's talking to a small group of girls.)
Girl1: A boy with bright red hair? Weren't there one with the Anarchists yesterday?
Girl2: I guess.
Salene: Who are they? Where can I find them?
Girl2: You don't want to. If that really was your friend, you can forget all about him.
Girl1: Yea, he's as good as dead by now. I'm sorry.
(The girls quickly walk away and Salene looks after them completely in shock. When Dee notices her expression, she comes over.)
Dee: What did they say?
Salene: Someone called the Anarchists got them. They are probably dead. That's what they said.
Dee: Oh, Salene, we don't know that for sure. Maybe it was someone else.
Salene: Maybe. We have to find those Anarchists.
Voice OS: Seems like you got your wish, missy.
(The girls turn around as a group of seven Anarchists emerge from the darkness of the parking deck. They all look menacing, but only a few of them are carrying weapons. Patch quickly stumbles backwards to get away from them.)
Dee: What have you done with our friends?
Anarchist1 (laughs): Which friends?
Salene: A boy with bright red hair and a small girl.
Anarchist1 (shrugs): We meet a lot of boys and girls in a day.
Patch: Salene, Dee, I think we should go.
Dee: No, I want to know what happened to Mouse and Sammy.
Anarchist2: Are you guys a tribe? Which one?
Patch: None of your business.
Anarchist1: So you are one? A bunch of weaklings huddling together for protection. How pathetic!
(The group of Anarchists start towards them and it only takes the Mallrats a second to realize that the talk is over and action follows. Patch grabs Dee's hand and they run back the way they came form with Salene on their heels.)
Anarchist2 (shouts): Hey, where are you going? We're not finished with you.
(They run as fast as they can, but the Anarchists are getting closer. They are shouting with excitement. As the Mallrats round the corner, they enter a street with small shops lining both sides. Patch glances behind him and as the Anarchists haven't rounded the corner yet, he pulls Salene and Dee into one of the shops. Camera cuts to the next scene.)
SCENE 18
(Kayla, Gel, Darryl and KC are on their way back to the hospital and they've clearly not had any success in the search. Gel and Darryl are holding hands and chatting amongst themselves and Kayla grabs KC to make him stop.)
KC: What?
Kayla: You talked to Gel.
KC: We're friends, we talk.
Kayla (angrily): About me having a crush on Jack. What the hell were you thinking? Telling her of all people. That girl can't keep a secret if her life depended on it. I don't need any of you to tell me how ridiculous it is to like Jack. I'm not stupid or blind, I know he's with Ellie and I like her so I wouldn't come between them. It's none of your business.
KC: That's not what it looks like, Kay. I don't want you to get hurt.
Kayla: Well congratulations, I'm not. I'm pissed off. Is that better? I bet you told Darryl as well, haven't you? Because Gel and Darryl are such reliable people.
KC: You're being really unfair. What have they ever done to you?
Kayla: Am I? Your whole tribe is nosy. Everyone seems to think they have a right to know exactly what I'm thinking and feeling.
KC (angry): My tribe? It's your tribe, too.
Kayla: What are you even doing? Are you jealous, is that it? Because I didn't want to get with you, you're doing this now?
KC: Shut up! You know it was a mistake on my part. I don't want to be with you.
Kayla: That's great, because I don't want to be with you either. Seems like that's a common opinion amongst girls.
(She storms off and KC looks as though she just hit him.)
KC (shouts after her): YOU'RE A BITCH!
(Gel and Darryl look confused, but don't get a chance to ask about it as KC also just storms past them steaming with anger.)
SCENE 19
(Camera fades in to Dee, Patch and Salene as they climb out of their hiding place.)
Salene: They remind me of the Locos.
Dee: They are crazy. Let's get back to the hospital.
Salene: But we haven't found Mouse or Sammy. Maybe we should go search in the parking deck.
Patch: Are you insane? There could be more of them in there and we can't fight them on our own.
Dee: He's right, Salene. We need to get the others and maybe they really didn't see the kids. They could be safe.
(The three of them start walking and camera fades out. When it fades back in they have just reached the hospital. Voices are heard from the café as all the other search groups have already returned. Camera pans around to show Ryan sitting on one of the sofas, when Salene spots him, she smiles happily.)
Ryan: Hey Sal, can I get a word before we go in?
Dee: This is kind of important, Ryan.
Ryan: I know, it'll only take a minute.
Salene: We'll be right there.
(Dee and Patch join the others in the café.)
Salene: So you have made up your mind then?
Ryan: Yea.
(Salene wraps her arms around him.)
Salene: Oh, Ryan, I am so happy.
Ryan: Salene...
(He gently pushes her away and realisation crosses Salene's face.)
Salene: You don't want me.
Ryan: I care about you and I'll always be there for you but only as a friend. You were right, when you said we can't go back.
Salene (shakes her head): No, I wasn't! I was stupid. I need you, Ryan!
Ryan: You don't need me that way.
(Tears form in her eyes and she pulls away from him. As she storms away, he shouts after her.)
Ryan: Salene, what about the meeting?
(She doesn't respond, turns the corner and then the slamming of a door is heard. Ryan sighs, gathers his thoughts for a second before entering the café.)
SCENE 20
(The whole tribe is gathered in the café all talking over each other. Alice, Bray and Amber are standing at the kitchen bar as Ryan enters. He takes a seat next to Lex and Bray and Amber step forward. Bray raises his arms and the café falls quiet.)
Bray: No one has found Sammy and Mouse and no one has heard anything. Alice just told me that Noel from the warehouses has been here to give us more bad news. Apparently there's a new bunch of crazies in this city who explicitly attack weak people.
Dee (interrupts): And people in tribes! Patch, Salene and I were chased by a bunch of Anarchists just now.
Ebony: Anarchists, that's what they call themselves? What are they trying to achieve?
Amber: We don't know that, but we should all be careful when going into town now.
Ruby: Do you think they might have gotten Sammy and Mouse?
Dee: Some girls told us they saw a boy with bright red hair with the Anarchists yesterday, but the bunch we encountered denied that.
Patch: They didn't deny it. They said, they ran into lots of girls and boys.
Lex: Which means they go on and attack lots of people in a day, I suppose?
Ebony: They're a bunch of losers if you ask me. There's no honour in fighting weaklings.
Alice: Apparently they think they have to rid the society of them. That weak people weren't supposed to survive the virus in the first place.
Bray: Then it makes sense for them to attack tribes, because that's how "weak" people survive. Strength in numbers.
Amber: What a bunch of hypocrites!
Alice: They are not a tribe. They only believe the same crap.
(Camera pans around the café to show most Mallrats starting to talk amongst each other. Camera fades out.)
SCENE 21
(Camera fades back in as Ebony stands up to take the word. She whistles loudly to get everyone's attention.)
Ebony: So if these Anarchists are so dangerous and someone supposedly saw Sammy with them, does that mean, they are dead? Sammy and Mouse, I mean.
Trudy: Don't say that!
Lottie: They are not dead! They can't be!
Ebony: Face it, if someone tried to waste them, there's not much they could do.
Bray: Ebony, that is enough!
Ebony (shrugs): Okay, just think about it.
Bray: It's a possibility, but we don't know that for sure. I propose we continue to search for them tomorrow.
Lottie: Tomorrow? They can't be out there another night. You're going to let them die!
(The young girl jumps up and throws down her chair in the process. A glimpse of tears are seen on her face before she turns and runs out of the café. Ruby quickly follows her.)
Trudy: They are just kids. Who would do something awful like this?
(Camera pans around their solemn faces before fading to black.)
SCENE 22
(Camera fades in from black to Trudy's room. She's getting Brady ready for bed, but seems far away. Brady turns in her arms and places her hands on Trudy's cheeks.)
Brady: mummy sad?
Trudy (forces a smile): Don't worry, sweetheart. It's nothing.
Brady: When comes Sammy back? And Mouse?
Trudy: I don't know. Soon.
Brady: I miss them.
Trudy: I do, too.
(She picks up her daughter and walks to the single bed on the other side of her room. When Brady can't see her face, tears wells up in her eyes. She tucks Brady in.)
Trudy: Now it's time for sleep. Sweet dreams.
Brady: Bedtime story?
Trudy (shakes her head): Not tonight. mummy is really tired. Okay?
Brady: Okay.
(Trudy bends down and kisses her. She turns off the lights and lies down on her bed with the back to Brady. Camera zooms in on her as she cries silently into her pillow.)
SCENE 23
(Camera cuts to Jay leaving the café with his hands deep in his pockets. His expression is stony as he walks towards his room. He passes one of the closed doors and stops in his tracks. Faint crying is heard from inside. Jay's expression softens as he knocks.)
(Camera moves through the door to show Salene lying on her bed crying. When she hears the knock, she sits up and tries to dry her eyes and fix her hair.)
(Camera moves back out to Jay, who knocks again.)
Jay: Salene?
Salene (from inside): Come in.
(He opens the door and slips into the room. Salene has stopped crying, but the tears are still visible on her face. Without hesitation he wraps his arms around her and she lets him.)
Jay: I heard you crying.
Salene: I'm... I'm sorry, I...
Jay: Don't be, you have no reason to be sorry.
(Tears start to fall down her cheeks again and she buries her head in his shirt.)
Salene (sobs): You must think I...I'm... that I'm pathetic.
Jay (strokes her hair): No, everyone is upset about Mouse and Sammy.
Salene: Mouse and Sammy?
Jay: Yea, isn't that why you're crying?
(She doesn't answer.)
Jay: Oh... Ryan talked to you, didn't he?
Salene (nods): You knew about that?
Jay: Yea, he told me. He wasn't sure how to tell you. He didn't want to hurt you.
Salene (laughs): Look how great that went. I don't understand him. I thought being married meant something to him. Now I'm all alone.
Jay: You're not alone. We're all here for you. (pauses) And don't be so hard on Ryan, he really cares about you.
Salene: It's all easy for you to say. You have someone to love.
Jay (confused): What?
(Salene wriggles out of the hug to look up at Jay.)
Salene: Ebony. Slade wouldn't punch you for no reason.
Jay (smiles): It's not like that. Ebony and I are friends. To be honest she seemed a little too glad about me getting punched. I think she still cares about Slade.
Salene: Oh...
(Jay shrugs and they sit in silence for a while.)
Salene: What did you say about Sammy and Mouse?
Jay: You don't know? They might be dead, because of those Anarchists.
Salene: No! They said they didn't have them. They are good kids, they are just hiding.
Jay: Maybe. We can hope that, but why aren't they back here? They would come here if they are scared.
(She starts to cry into his chest again. Camera zooms in on Jay's sad expression before fading out.)
SCENE 24
(Camera fades in on Gel and Darryl slowly leaving the café and walking towards their rooms.)
Gel: I feel bad, Darryl. Kayla and KC were fighting because of me.
Darryl: That has nothing to do with you. It's because he told us.
Gel: But then there's Sammy and Mouse. We couldn't find them and they might be out there frightened or dead. I feel so helpless.
(Darryl stops her and pulls her into a tight embrace.)
Darryl: I know. I feel the same way. You know them better, but I care, too.
Gel: I'm scared. What if something worse happens?
Darryl: What could be worse than this?
Gel: More people dying. (whispers) You could die.
Darryl: I won't. (kisses her) I won't leave you, okay.
Gel (nods): I want you to move in with me. I don't want to sleep alone.
Darryl (smiles): We sleep together almost every night.
Gel: I know. Then you can move in with me, right?
Darryl: Of course. I'd love to.
(She presses her lips against his and he pulls her closer. Gel lets go of him and pulls him along to her room.)
Gel: You can move tomorrow.
(The door closes after them before the camera can follow them.)
SCENE 25
(The camera moves along the corridor until it reaches the end and Dee's and Patch's room. The door is open and we see Patch sitting on the bed with Dylan and Chester cuddled up to him on both sides and Dee standing in the room.)
Dylan: I'm scared.
Patch: It's okay. Nothing is going to happen to you. I promise.
Chester: You said that before and then the Technos came.
Dee: But this time it's true. We'll stick together.
Dylan: Do you think it's true? What they said about Sammy and Mouse.
Patch: Might be.
Dylan: But they are so nice, they'd never hurt anyone.
Chester: That's the point, Dylan. There's a bunch of crazies out there and they want to hurt people-
Dylan: I want to leave. I don't want them hurt us.
Dee: What about your friends? Don't you want to look for them?
Patch: We can't just leave now, Dylan. The others need our help.
Chester: But... when we find Sammy and Mouse, can we go then? This is a scary place.
Dee: It's scary everywhere.
Patch: But if you really want to leave, we can talk about it again when the time comes.
(Patch looks at Dee and she sighs and nods. The camera fades out.)