ADTEO: Josh’s office. Josh, Alec enters.
Alec: We need to talk.
Josh: Okay, yes, it was me, but I had a good reason.
Alec: What are you talking about?
Josh (beat): Nothing. (beat) What’s your thing?
Alec (gives him a look): Ess is going on a ski trip with her sister and the sister’s fiancé.
Josh (beat): That’s what we need to talk about?
Alec: It’s a big deal.
Josh: It’s a small deal. It’s actually no deal at all.
Alec: It’s a big deal to me.
Josh: Yeah, but you’re high-strung.
Alec: She didn’t invite me.
Josh: Maybe she didn’t want you to come with them.
Alec: Well, clearly. Clearly, she didn’t want me to come with them. The way I know she didn’t want me to come with them is that she didn’t ask me to come with them.
Josh: I think that’s a safe assumption.
Alec: The question is ‘why.’
Josh: Really?
Alec: Is it something I did?
Josh: I don’t know. What did you do?
Alec: I didn’t do anything.
Josh: Then it probably wasn’t that.
Alec: Then what?
Josh: Maybe she has a secret boyfriend who is going to be there.
Alec: You think this is a time for your funny jokes?
Josh: No.
Alec: No.
Josh: Maybe?
Alec: No.
Josh: Okay.
Alec: Should I ask her?
Josh: If you can go?
Alec: What?
Josh (beat): What are we talking about again?
Alec: Should I ask her why she didn’t ask me, or will that seem too needy?
Josh: It will seem needy.
Alec: Yeah?
Josh: And you know what else? It will seem like you don’t trust her.
Alec: I trust her.
Josh: Good.
Alec: I just like to ski, is all.
Josh: Have you ever skied?
Alec: I’ve seen people ski.
Josh: You should try it sometime; it’s a blast.
Alec: That’s what I’m saying.
Josh: Maybe she knows you can’t ski, and doesn’t want you to embarrass her.
Alec: You think that could be it?
Josh: Sure.
Alec: She’s afraid I’ll embarrass her?
Josh: I’d go with it.
Alec: Well, now I have to talk to her.
Josh: Because of my advice.
Alec: That was good advice.
Josh: No, it was bad advice. The way you can tell it was bad advice is because I’m the one who gave it.
Alec: You give good advice.
Josh: I do. I do give good advice, but this time I was giving bad advice.
Alec: Why?
Josh: Because you’re feeble at the moment, and I enjoy messing with your mind.
Alec: I’m not feeble.
Josh: You’re paltry and languid.
Alec: I’m not.
Josh: You are.
Alec: You’re saying that I shouldn’t talk to her?
Josh: I did say that, yes.
Alec: Was that the good or bad advice?
Josh (beat): I don’t remember.
Alec: I think I’m going to talk to her.
Josh: Okay.
Alec: I’m not feeble.
Josh: Like a newborn chick.
Alec: You think Ess is making me weak?
Josh: No, I think your paranoid, and it’s making you feeble.
Alec: Well… it’s not. I mean, I’m not. Paranoid. Or feeble.
Josh: Well-argued.
Alec: Shut up.
Caelyn knocks and comes in.
Caelyn: What are you guys doing?
Alec: Why didn’t Ess ask me to go skiing with her?
Caelyn: I didn’t know you skied.
Alec: I don’t sk- that’s not the point.
Josh: I ski.
Caelyn: I’ve skied a few times. I’m not very good at it.
Alec: The point is, she’s going there with people, and not one of those people are me.
Caelyn: That’s the point?
Alec: That’s my point.
Caelyn: Okay. (to Josh) I usually stay on the Bunny Hill.
Josh: Most people don’t say things like that with so much pride.
Alec: Maybe she thinks we’re moving too fast.
Caelyn: That’s why I stay on the Bunny Hill.
Alec: What?
Caelyn: You know. Moving too fast.
Alec: Ess and I!
Caelyn: You’ve been out twice.
Josh: Maybe she’s worried her sister might be attracted to you.
Alec: There’s a thought.
Caelyn: Yeah, I don’t think that’s it.
Alec: What, then?
Caelyn: You can’t ski!
Alec (snorts dismissively): That means nothing.
Josh: I’d talk to her if I were you.
Alec: Yeah, I think I have to.
Josh: No, see, that was the bad advice again.
Alec: Stop doing that.
Josh: I can’t help it; you’re just so feeble.
Alec: I’m not-
Josh: You really are.
Alec: I’m not feeble!
Caelyn: I think I could make you cry right now.
Alec (looks at her blankly, then turns to Josh): So the sister-thing?
Josh: Yeah, I’m going with the sister-thing.
Caelyn: You guys are idiots.
Josh: Maybe she’s afraid to commit.
Alec: The sister?
Josh: Ess.
Alec (beat) That makes more sense.
Caelyn: This is incredible.
Ess storms in.
Ess: You can’t ski!
Alec (beat/ turns to Josh who is looking at him questioningly): I left her a message last night.
Josh: Did you?
Alec: Yes. (to Ess) Let me-
Ess: You are so paranoid that you think that not asking you to go on a outing with my sister means I’m dumping you!?
Alec (beat): Ess-
Ess: What?
Alec: You should know that I’m quite feeble right now.
Josh: Like a puppy, almost.
Alec: Yes.
Ess: You’re feeble? What-… what does that even mean?
Josh: He sometimes forgets to ask to be let out when he has to-
Alec: It means that I really like you, and that I’m scared that I might do something, anything, to wreck it.
Caelyn: Like leave an irate message on her machine at 2am?
Alec: Why did you come in here, again?
Caelyn: I heard there might be a show.
Alec (to Ess): You tell her everything?
Ess (to Josh): Can’t you help him?
Josh: Help him what?
Ess: I don’t know. You were engaged once. Somehow, you managed to make it that far.
Josh: Luck.
Alec: Listen-
Ess: You think I wasn’t?
Alec: I think it’s possible you weren’t.
Ess: I was.
Alec: Okay. (beat) I’m sorry?
Ess rolls her eyes and walks out.
Caelyn (beat): You two are such a cute couple.
Alec looks at her blankly, and she smiles and exits.
End Scene 1.
Scene 2 - ADTEO: Kevin, Janie, Luke. Elevator opens. Timothy Reynolds and two men in suits (his body-guards) step out.
Janie: Mr. Chairman! (the three of them stand up)
Reynolds: Is Commander Sully in?
Janie: Yes, sir.
Reynolds: Does he have a moment?
Janie: Of course, sir. (picks up phone) Gerrard, the Chairman is here to see you. (pause) Chairman Reynolds. (hangs up)
Gerrard exits his office.
Gerrard: Mr. Chairman! To what do we owe the honor?
Reynolds: I have a few issues I’d like to go over with you, if you have the time.
Gerrard: Of course. (beat) Would you care to step into my office?
Reynolds: Thank you.
Gerrard: Can we get you anything?
Reynolds: I just came from breakfast. But thank you.
The four men enter Gerrard’s office and shut the door. Luke, Janie, and Kevin stare at the door.
Luke (beat): One of you going to call Josh?
Janie: Oh! Yeah, I’m on it.
Luke (to Kevin): You know anything?
Kevin: I know many things.
Luke: About why he’s here?
Kevin: I know very few things about that.
Luke: Maybe Josh knows.
Janie (on phone, to Luke): Josh doesn’t know.
Luke: Okay.
Kevin (beat): How’s your girlfriend?
Luke (beat): I think I picked the wrong one.
Kevin: Ouch.
Luke: Yeah.
Kevin: Well, if it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be.
Luke (beat): Thanks, I feel better now.
Kevin: You could always get back together with Tammie.
Luke: Tanya.
Kevin: That’s the one.
Luke: I could, you know, get back together with her, but I don’t think it would work out, as she doesn’t want to see me ever again.
Kevin: I don’t know. Makes it challenging.
Luke: Because dating’s not hard enough without an extra challenge.
Kevin: I’ve been married for thirty-eight years.
Luke: You and your wife… was there ever a time when you broke up, before you got married?
Kevin: Nope.
Luke: Not even a little?
Kevin: What’s ‘a little?’
Luke: She started dating a librarian, maybe?
Kevin (laughs): Be thankful for what you got.
Luke: Yeah, I know.
Scene shift - Gerrard’s office.
Reynolds: You understand that I know very little of what is going on that isn’t covered in the ‘general’ section of this topic?
Gerrard: I understand.
Reynolds: For all I know you have good reason for this… campaign, if you will. You know the Council trusts you.
Gerrard: But I over-stepped the bounds?
Reynolds: Well, hopefully not yet. But the other Commanders are getting anxious, and there’s a feeling out there that they’d all be more comfortable with you out.
Gerrard: Would you?
Reynolds: I’m sorry?
Gerrard: Would you be more comfortable, sir?
Reynolds: Like I said, not yet.
Gerrard (beat): Sir, you know I have enormous respect for you, personally and professionally.
Reynolds: I appreciate that, Commander.
Gerrard: You have men working for you that are getting our people killed.
Reynolds: I have a lot of people working for me that are getting our people killed. It comes with the territory.
Gerrard: Not like this.
Reynolds: You think I need to be made aware?
Gerrard (beat): There are men in this very building who should have been shown the street corner a long time ago.
Reynolds: I let the Director take care of it.
Gerrard: The Director doesn’t have the authority nor the courage to go after these men.
Reynolds: So you take shots from the back, hoping someone notices?
Gerrard: Someone did.
Reynolds looks at him contemplatively.
Scene shift: Offices.
Luke: Why would the Chairman be here? (beat) Anybody? Nothing, huh? Maybe they want to give Gerrard an award.
Janie: An award?
Kevin: What kind of award?
Luke: I don’t know what kind of award. They have awards, and sometimes they give them to people.
Kevin: I don’t think so.
Luke: You don’t think they have them, or you don’t think they give them to people?
Kevin: I don’t think Gerrard’s getting an award.
Luke: Why not?
Josh and Alec enter.
Kevin: Because they usually tell people they’ve won over the phone.
Josh: What’s going on?
Luke: Chairman Reynolds is here.
Josh: Yeah, I know. What’s he doing here?
Luke: Talking to Gerrard.
Josh: Do you know anything that Janie didn’t tell me over the phone?
Luke: No.
Josh: But you wanted to talk anyway.
Luke: Yes.
Josh: How many guys came with him?
Janie: Two.
Josh: There’s a whole squad in the lobby.
Luke: There’s only a few up here.
Josh: Kevin?
Kevin: Yes?
Josh: What’s going on?
Kevin: I wouldn’t worry about it.
Josh: Really?
Kevin: Yeah.
Josh: Okay.
Luke (beat): I’m confused.
Alec: Perpetually?
Luke: Kevin says ‘don’t worry’ and Josh says ‘okay?’
Josh: Actually, sounds like you’re right on top of it.
Luke: What’s going on?
Josh: Kevin has a feel for these things.
Luke (to Kevin): You told me-
Kevin: Yes.
Luke: Why didn’t you-
Kevin: I don’t know.
Luke: You don’t know?
Kevin shrugs. Gerrard’s office door opens and the four men walk out. Everyone stands up.
Reynolds: Moritz.
Josh (they shake hands): Mr. Chairman.
Reynolds: I hear only good things, son.
Josh: My team is impeccable, sir.
Reynolds: So it seems. Keep up the good work, everyone. You’re making us proud.
Josh: Thank you, sir.
Reynolds nods, and the three of them enter the elevator and exit.
Josh (to Gerrard): What was that about?
Gerrard: Nothing. (beat) Get back to work. (he goes back into his office and shuts the door)
Josh (beat): Kevin, is it possible you’re a hack?
Kevin: It’s nothing to worry about.
Josh: I think it is possible. I think it’s possible that you’re a hack, and that I am unwise to put faith in your opinions.
Kevin: Be that as it may, I’m telling you it’s nothing to worry about.
Janie: Take it from me, the man is a hack.
Josh: Janie says you’re a professional hack, and have deep roots in hackism.
Kevin: That’s not a word.
Josh: Hack…izzle.
Kevin: I’m going to do what he said and get to work.
Janie: You would.
Luke: Maybe Gerrard’s getting fired.
Alec: Maybe you’re getting fired.
Luke: Either that or he’s getting an award.
Josh: An award?
Kevin: We already talked about this.
Josh: We did?
Janie: Before you got here.
Josh: So ‘we’ is not including myself?
Janie: Or Alec.
Josh: Okay.
Luke: We can go over it again.
Josh: Please, stop talking.
Luke: Sure.
Josh (beat): Alec, you want to go talk to Gerrard?
Kevin: Why don’t you let it go?
Josh: Because I’m not like that.
Alec: Sure. It’s not like I have work to do.
Josh: It’s not.
Alec: I know.
Josh: You don’t have any work to do.
Alec: That’s what I’m saying.
Josh: I thought you were being facetious.
Alec: I wasn’t.
Josh: Okay. (beat) Why don’t you have work to do?
Alec: I do not know.
Josh: We should look into that some time.
Alec: Later.
Josh: Yes. Let’s go see Gerrard.
Kevin: Idiots.
Josh: Did he just-
Alec: Yeah.
Josh and Alec go to Gerrard’s office and knock.
Shift to Gerrard’s office.
Gerrard: What?
Josh (opens door): I need to talk with you.
Gerrard: About what?
Josh: Can I come in?
Gerrard: Fine.
Josh and Alec come in.
Gerrard: Alec?
Alec: Boss.
Josh: So…, how about them… (to Alec) I’m drawing a blank.
Gerrard: What do you want?
Josh: Are you getting fired?
Gerrard: Excuse me?
Josh: Fired.
Alec: Axed.
Josh: Shown the door.
Alec: Given the pink slip.
Josh: Terminated.
Alec: Let go.
Josh: Canned.
Alec: Sacked.
Gerrard: That’s enough! (glares, and then breaks into a conceding smile; they grin back) You’re stuck with me awhile longer.
Josh: What did he want?
Gerrard: He wanted what you want.
Josh: To be added in your will?
Gerrard: It’s really none of your business, though, so let’s leave it at that.
Josh: It’s just I keep hearing how you’re loaded.
Gerrard: Josh.
Josh: Okay. (beat) Everything’s okay?
Gerrard: I’m fine.
Josh: Okay. Good. (to Alec) Deputy Fife.
Alec: For what it’s worth, if they ever did fire you, we’d make sure we were next.
Gerrard: Alec, that doesn’t make me feel better. It doesn’t make me appreciate your stupidity. I don’t want to take anyone down with me, I don’t want you to try to be noble. You understand?
Alec: Yeah. But it’s what we’d do.
Gerrard (sighs): You boys make life harder than it should be.
Alec smiles and nods. He and Josh exit.
Shift - main offices. Ess and Caelyn are there now.
Ess: Right here?
Luke: Yes.
Ess: In the building?
Luke: In this office.
Ess (to Josh and Alec): The Chairman was here?
Josh: He was.
Ess: I missed him?
Alec: He looks a lot like he does on TV.
Ess: Did you talk to him?
Alec: Josh did.
Ess: What did you say?
Josh: I told him his fly was undone.
Ess (beat): You’re so immature.
Josh: I know.
Caelyn: What did he want?
Alec: No one’s saying.
Kevin: Told you.
Alec (to Ess): Can I talk to you for a minute?
Ess: Okay.
They exit to the hallway.
Shift to hallway.
Alec: I’m sorry about overreacting.
Ess: It’s okay.
Alec: I don’t want to mess this up.
Ess: I know.
Alec: Okay. (beat) That’s all I wanted to say.
Ess: You should learn how to ski.
Alec: I should.
Ess: It’s fun.
Alec: I believe you.
Ess: Going ‘swish-swish’ down the slopes.
Alec: I’m saying I believe you.
Ess: Feeling the air on your face as you ‘swish-swish’ down the slopes.
Alec: Are you taunting me?
Ess: Maybe. You’re kind of frail.
Alec: Feeble.
Ess: Feeble?
Alec: The word is ‘feeble.’ I’m ‘feeble.’
Ess: ‘Frail’ is better.
Alec: It’s better to be frail?
Ess: ‘Frail’ is a better word.
Alec: Than ‘feeble?’
Ess: Yes.
Alec: Why?
Ess: Doesn’t matter.
Alec: Okay.
Ess: Are you going to learn how to ski?
Alec: Yes.
Ess: Good.
Alec: You could teach me.
Ess (smiles): That’s a nice idea.
Alec: I thought so.
They head back to the offices. Fade out. End Scene 2.
Scene 3 - ADTEO lobby. Ess and Caelyn.
Caelyn: Please?
Ess: No.
Caelyn: Please?
Ess: Caelyn, I don’t enjoy disappointing you. I really don’t, but I’m not going to change my mind on this.
Caelyn: Okay.
Ess: Okay?
Caelyn: Fine.
Ess: Thank you.
Caelyn: I’ll train him to go in a box.
Ess: That’s… gross!
Caelyn: I’ll make sure he doesn’t jump on the furniture, and you won’t have to feed him or bathe him or anything.
Ess: No.
Caelyn: Come on, he’s so cute.
Ess: Of course he’s cute, now. In a few months he’ll be big, and smell bad, and tear apart my sofa.
Caelyn: He will not, and I’ll ask you to not talk disparagingly about Jeffy.
Ess: Jeffy?
Caelyn: I named him after the Family Circus kid.
Ess: Tell me you haven’t bought him yet.
Caelyn: I haven’t bought him yet.
Ess: Caelyn.
Caelyn: I haven’t bought him yet.
Ess: I’m serious about this. I can’t have a dog in there.
Caelyn: I’ll bathe him every day.
Ess: No, you won’t.
Caelyn: I’ll bathe him every week.
Ess: Caelyn, you’re gone all day. Having a dog cooped up in an apartment is just cruel.
Caelyn (beat/pleading): But he’s so cute.
Ess: And you’re adorable, but no.
Caelyn (pouting): Fine.
Ess: Sorry.
Caelyn: Yeah.
They enter the elevator.
Shift to offices. They exit the elevator.
Janie: Hey there.
Caelyn: Hey, Janie. Guess what.
Janie: I’m getting a raise?
Caelyn: Um, I don’t know.
Janie: ‘Cause I deserve one.
Caelyn: I’m getting a puppy!
Ess: Caelyn!
Caelyn: I mean, I would be if I didn’t share an apartment with the Gestapo.
Ess: Hey!
Caelyn: I’m kidding. (beat) Thank you for letting me stay with you, Hadassah.
Ess: Yeah.
Caelyn: Really, I appreciate it.
Ess: There better not be a dog there when I get home.
Caelyn: There won’t be. (beat) I really do appreciate it.
Ess (smiles): I know.
Gerrard enters via elevator.
Gerrard: What a beautiful day!
Ess: It’s raining.
Gerrard: Rain is beautiful, my dear.
Ess: Okay.
Gerrard: You ever have one of those mornings where you just… feel alive?
Caelyn: Are you okay?
Gerrard: Caelyn, I am better than okay. I’m alive!
Caelyn: You’re scaring me.
Gerrard (laughs): This… is a good day.
They watch him as enters his office whistling.
Ess: What was that?
Caelyn: I don’t know.
Ess: He’s your uncle.
Caelyn: I really don’t think so.
Ess: Doppelganger?
Caelyn: How do you kill those?
Ess: You know, I’m not sure.
Josh enters.
Josh: Hey, Ess, you know what I was thinking you need?
Ess: I need something?
Josh: You need a dog.
Ess: I really don’t.
Josh: Are you sure?
Ess: Quite sure.
Josh: ‘Cause the word on the street is that you could use a nice dog.
Ess (to Caelyn): You called him before you even asked me?
Caelyn: I had a feeling.
Josh: Was that good enough?
Caelyn: Yeah, it’s not going to go. Thanks, though.
Josh: Anytime.
Ess: Hey, go look in Gerrard’s office.
Josh: Why?
Ess: Just do it.
Josh: Okay.
Josh knocks on Gerrard’s door.
Gerrard (off-screen): Come in, and know me better, man!
Josh (looks at the girls with a look of pure astonishment): Just seeing if you were in, boss.
Gerrard (off-screen): I’m in like Flynn!
Josh (to Ess): Is he drunk?
Ess: I have no idea.
Josh (to Caelyn): What’s going on?
Caelyn: We think he’s a doppelganger.
Josh: Yeah.
Janie: Maybe he liked what he heard from the Chairman.
Ess: I guess that’s possible.
Caelyn: Oh, and doppelgangers aren’t? (beat) Okay.
Josh: Huh. (beat) Anyway. Alec and Luke called from Mexico. They’ll be back tonight.
Ess: Thanks.
Josh: Yeah.
Janie: Josh?
Josh: Yeah?
Janie: Mark said he’s okay with us hosting the next dinner.
Josh: Oh yeah? Great, tell him we appreciate it.
Janie: He doesn’t want you guys to eat all his steak.
Josh (beat): Okay.
Janie: He said that that the steak is his only true escape.
Josh: I don’t need to know these things.
Janie: He wanted me to tell you about not eating all the steak.
Josh: Tell him to not cook it, then.
Janie: He thinks you might ask him to cook it, and wanted to set up before hand that he wouldn’t be.
Josh: Janie, we don’t have to come over. There are plenty of nice restaurants in the area.
Janie: We want you to.
Josh: Uh huh.
Janie: Really.
Josh: Okay. (beat) Should we bring our own food?
Janie: Don’t be like that.
Josh: Like what?
Janie: I’ll smack you in the face.
Josh: Excuse me?
Janie: You heard me. Don’t be like that.
Josh: I’m serious.
Janie: I’m serious about smacking you in the face.
Josh (beat): I’m going into my office now.
Janie: You’ll stay there if you know what’s good for you.
Josh (looks at Ess, who shrugs): Okay.
Josh goes into his office.
Caelyn: So I’ve been thinking about getting a puppy.
Ess: Caelyn.
Caelyn: Oh yeah.
Ess: It’s not that I have something against dogs. I don’t. I like dogs. I think they’re nice, loyal animals and that they make good pets. I don’t want them in my apartment all day when we‘re not around.
Caelyn: Okay.
Ess: Now stop. You’re making me feel bad.
Caelyn: I’ll stop.
Ess: You’re going to show me a picture, aren’t you?
Caelyn (shows her a picture): Look at that face.
Ess: Caelyn!
Caelyn: I’ll bring him to work with me.
Ess (beat): You’ll bring him to work?
Caelyn: Or, you know, you can, if you want.
Ess (beat): Okay it with Josh.
Caelyn (grins): Okay.
Caelyn goes and knocks on Josh’s door.
Shift - Caelyn enters Josh’s office.
Josh: Gerrard’s weird, Janie’s weird, please tell me you’re not weird.
Caelyn: I’m not weird.
Josh: Thank you for that.
Caelyn: I need your permission to bring my new puppy to work.
Josh (beat): Get out.
Caelyn: Josh!
Josh: Out.
Caelyn: I’ll owe you!
Josh: You’ll owe me?
Caelyn: I’ll owe you more… than I already do.
Josh: You owe me a lot.
Caelyn: Look at the picture.
Josh (looks): He’s cute.
Caelyn: He really is.
Josh: He can’t come in here.
Caelyn: Please?
Josh: No.
Caelyn: I’ll be your best friend.
Josh (laughs): Nice.
Caelyn: So ‘no,’ huh?
Josh: Sorry, Cae. (beat) He really is cute.
Caelyn: Yeah. (beat) I didn’t think so, but I figured I should try.
Josh: I don’t blame you.
Caelyn: Okay. (beat) I know that I owe you.
Josh: What?
Caelyn: Just… I know.
Josh: I didn’t mean-
Caelyn: Oh, no, no. I know you didn’t. I just wanted to tell you, that I know how much you’ve done for me.
Josh (smiles slightly): You have no idea how glad I am that you’re here.
Caelyn: Thank you. (blushes, laughs slightly) Okay, I’m going to go back out there.
Josh: Okay. You know…
Caelyn: What?
Josh: You’re already one of my best friends.
Caelyn (smiles): You are too.
Josh grins and Caelyn exits. Fade out. End Scene 3.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Ep 8
Scene 1: ADTEO - Josh, Luke, Caelyn.
Luke: Josh.
Josh: Yeah?
Luke: My dad is in town this week.
Josh: Oh yeah? Need some time off?
Luke: No, that’s cool. I was just wondering if it’d be all right if he came for a brief tour or something.
Josh: That’s no problem.
Luke: Thanks. I really want him to see me working at a respectable place.
Josh: Then why are you bringing him here?
Luke (snickers): Right. I’m pretty sure this would count in his book.
Caelyn: You know, your dad will love you no matter where you work.
Luke: I’m sorry?
Caelyn: You don’t need to impress him, is all I’m saying.
Luke: He bet me fifty dollars. When I was still working in service, he bet me fifty dollars that I would never get a respectable job.
Caelyn: Your dad told you that you would never make it anywhere in life?
Luke (nods): Bet me fifty dollars.
Caelyn (beat): Okay.
Josh snickers.
Luke: What? Your dad was Mr. Cunningham?
Caelyn: What?
Luke: The dad from Happy Days. Howard Cunningham?
Caelyn: What’s ‘happy days?’
Luke: You hearing this, Josh?
Josh: Yeah.
Luke: She doesn’t know who Mr. Cunningham is.
Josh: I’m surprised you do.
Luke: I know culture.
Josh: You really don’t.
Luke: Well, I know of it.
Josh: Fair enough.
Caelyn: My dad died when I was four.
Luke (beat): I’m sorry. I didn’t-
Josh (to Luke): Maybe tomorrow you can push her down and then kick her. (Luke glares at him, and Josh shrugs)
Luke: I’m really sorry.
Caelyn: He didn’t really. He lives somewhere in Wyoming.
Luke: That’s not funny.
Caelyn: Wyoming is funny.
Luke: I mean saying your dad is dead and making me feel bad.
Caelyn: I thought it was funny.
Luke: It wasn’t.
Caelyn: Your face went (makes a face).
Luke: That face means it wasn’t funny.
Caelyn: Josh laughed.
Luke: No, he didn’t.
Caelyn: He would have if he had seen it.
Luke: Seen what?
Caelyn: Your face.
Luke: My face was funny?
Caelyn: Among other things.
Luke: Okay. Whatever.
The elevator opens, and Alec and Ess walk out.
Caelyn: Good morning.
Ess: Morning.
Alec: Hey.
Luke: So?
Alec: What?
Luke: How’d it go?
Alec: I am sure I do not know what you are talking about.
Josh: You are sure you do not know, are you, Hal?
Alec: Mock me if you must.
Josh: I must.
Alec: I figured.
Luke: The date. How was the date?
Alec: Great.
Ess: Very nice.
Alec: We had a good time.
Ess: Yeah.
Alec (beat): Yeah.
Luke: You see a movie?
Ess: Yes, we did.
Alec: Did indeed.
Ess: It was nice.
Alec: Yes, it was.
Luke (beat): So are you going to be weird all the time now, or is this a passing thing?
Ess: We’re not being weird.
Josh: Yeah, ya’ are.
Ess: We are not.
Caelyn: Kind of weird.
Ess: Hey!
Caelyn: Sorry.
Ess: Better be.
End Scene 1.
Scene 2: ADTEO - Janie, Alec, Caelyn, Ess, and Luke. Caelyn picks up her phone and calls someone. Ess’ phone rings.
Ess (into phone): ADTE, Agent Aben speaking.
Caelyn (phone): So what happened?
Ess: Caelyn?
Caelyn: Shh. I’m undercover.
Ess: Well, you know, I’d tell you, but it might be too weird.
Caelyn: Don’t be penitent.
Ess: Penitent?
Caelyn: Yeah.
Ess: Petulant?
Caelyn: Penitent doesn’t mean ‘petty?’
Ess: No, it means ‘contrite.’
Caelyn: I thought it meant petty.
Ess: That’s petulant.
Caelyn: Are you sure?
Ess: I have a thesaurus right here.
Caelyn: Well, you’re being cranky, too.
Ess: Not helping.
Caelyn: So what happened?
Ess: Whose side are you on, now?
Caelyn: Yours!
Ess: Earlier, it didn’t seem-
Caelyn: I was undercover.
Ess: Then or now?
Caelyn: Then.
Ess: Why are we talking on the phone, again?
Caelyn (beat): I’m still undercover.
Ess: I don’t know. I’m not certain you’re trustworthy.
Caelyn: Definitions aside, I think you’re being penitent.
Ess: And it’s not like I don’t expect it from Josh, but you-
Caelyn: Look, I know you want to tell me.
Ess: I also want to punish you.
Caelyn: It’s been forty-five minutes already. That’s akin to a flogging.
Ess (giggles): Okay, fine. Meet me in the hall.
Caelyn: You go first.
Ess: Why?
Caelyn: So they don’t suspect anything.
Ess: I’m pretty sure they already do.
Caelyn: Well, that’s not my fault.
Ess hangs up and walks out. After a moment, Caelyn follows.
Janie: Okay, Alec.
Alec: What?
Janie: Spill the details.
Alec: No.
Janie: I thought we were friends, Alec.
Alec: Oops.
Janie: Alec!
Alec: What?
Janie: Ess is telling Caelyn everything. Would you rather we heard it from her?
Alec: Ess or Caelyn?
Janie: Either.
Alec: I really don’t care.
Luke: Come on, you wuss.
Alec: Hey Luke, how are your girlfriends? I say “friends” because I understand it’s still plural.
Luke: Leave me alone.
Alec: Does your dad know about that, I wonder?
Luke: Janie, leave the man alone.
Josh exits his office.
Josh: Hey, guys, we have - where are the girls?
Janie: Ess kissed and is now telling.
Alec: We didn’t kiss.
Janie: Well, better luck next time, Al.
Alec: Don’t call me that.
Janie: What movie did you see?
Alec (sighs): The one with the underdog sports team that shows a lot of heart.
Janie: Seriously.
Alec: Go busybody elsewhere.
Janie: Josh, make him tell me things.
Josh: I get the feeling that often times you mistake the bounds of my authority.
Shift to hall - Ess and Caelyn.
Ess: And then we went and saw that new Marty Simmons movie, where he wakes up from the coma.
Caelyn: Ooh, I want to see that. He’s so cute.
Ess: I know! It’s a great movie, too. So romantic, and I cried at the end.
Caelyn: Happy or sad?
Ess: I’m not going to spoil it for you.
Scene shift - main offices.
Janie: And are you going out again?
Alec: I think so. It went well, you know? I made her laugh, and I wasn’t stupid, so…
Josh looks at him blankly a moment then gives him an exaggerated ‘two-thumbs up’ gesture. Alec scowls.
Josh: Yeah, okay, so we have to go to the Office Protocol meeting today, after lunch.
Luke: Come on!
Josh: Dude, you’re so loud.
Luke: Josh, don’t make us do this.
Josh: Not my call.
Alec: You know what? I’m not going to let this get me down.
Josh: Good.
Alec: I’m having a good day, and I am going to continue to do so.
Josh: I like your pluck.
Alec: I’m sorry?
Josh: Somebody let the girls know when they get back.
Luke: I hate these ‘classes.’
Alec: Blocking out the negativity.
Janie: I, for one, am happy with the news. (grins) I get to go home after lunch.
Alec: And I am happy for you, Janie.
Janie: Thank you, Alec.
Luke: Give me a break.
Alec: Luke, you know what you need?
Luke: If you say ‘a hug’ then I am going to smack you down.
Alec: No, man. A song. The skies are gonna’ clear up! Put on a happy-
Luke throws a book at him. Janie snickers.
Scene shift - hall.
Ess: The best part was how he was just so sweet, the whole time. I mean he was…
Caelyn: Charming?
Ess: Well… sweet.
Caelyn: See, I almost thought you were going to say something else that time.
Ess: It’s a big deal! I mean, funny is good, charming is good, but sometimes a girl wants their guy to be sweet.
Caelyn: Which I hear Alec was.
Ess: He really was!
Caelyn (grins and hugs Ess): I’m glad for you. (beat) We better get back before they realize we’re in cahoots.
Ess: Yeah. Or before I start talking like you.
Scene shift - main offices. Gerrard enters.
Janie: Hey, boss.
Gerrard just grunts.
Alec: You okay there, big guy?
Gerrard: Don’t call me that.
Alec: Okay.
Gerrard: I was up all night listening to the neighbors three dogs.
Luke: You should have called them.
Gerrard (turns and glares at Luke): Why are you talking? Did you feel an important voice was being omitted from this conversation?
Janie: Wow, you’re pretty nasty if you don’t get sleep.
Gerrard: Yeah, it’s a condition I have called ‘humanity!’
Alec: Good one, big guy.
Gerrard looks at him angrily.
Alec: Oops.
Gerrard (glares for a moment, then stalks into his office): Josh!
Josh steps out of his office.
Josh: He okay?
Alec: Seemed fine. Cheerful.
Josh: Cheerful?
Alec: Hey, don’t ask me.
Josh looks confused then goes into Gerrard’s office.
Janie: So… Luke.
Luke: Leave me alone, thou strange woman.
Janie: Any of your girlfriends seem like serious prospects?
Luke (beat): I miss Tanya.
Alec: The librarian?
Luke: She’s not a librarian.
Alec: I thought she was.
Luke: She’s dating a librarian!
Alec: Oh yeah. Heh.
Luke: Shut up.
Janie: That’s a little obsessive.
Luke: I know.
Alec: What’s it like being dumped for a librarian?
Luke: You know what? Take your pluck and-
Ess and Caelyn enter.
Caelyn: Yes, they do.
Ess: Not real ones, no.
Caelyn: I’ve heard people. Real people!
Ess: They really don’t. Alec, do people use the word ‘cahoots?’
Caelyn: Hey, you can’t ask him.
Ess: Why not?
Caelyn just looks at her.
Luke: Ooh, I know! ‘Cause you’re in love with him.
Ess: What!?
Luke: Alec told us.
Ess: Excuse me?
Alec: Don’t listen to him. He’s waging war on my pluck.
Caelyn (beat as Ess and Caelyn look at him): Okay, ask someone else.
Ess: Where’s Josh?
Alec: Talking to Gerrard.
Janie: Probably getting dressed down like a new recruit on a field day.
Caelyn: What does that mean?
Ess (shrugs, to Caelyn about Janie): Sometimes she just says words.
Josh walks out of the office, giving Alec a look. Alec just smiles.
Josh: Okay, listen up. We have the ‘office protocols’ class today after lunch.
Josh heads to his office.
Ess: Josh!
Josh comes back out.
Josh: What?
Caelyn: Is ‘cahoots’ a word?
Ess: Today!?
Josh (to Caelyn): Yes, but it’s not one people say. (to Ess) Don’t complain.
Ess: Why not?
Josh: Be more like Alec. He’s plucky.
Alec: Yeah, I’m not liking that distinction so much anymore.
Ess: Fine. I can do that.
Josh: Be plucky?
Ess: Not complain.
Josh: It’s a noble endeavor.
Ess: I can.
Josh: Sure.
Ess: Josh!
Josh: You’re our resident George Costanza.
Ess: That’s mean. (To Caelyn) Tell him he’s being mean.
Caelyn (looking at Alec): He is rather plucky, today.
Ess (muttering): ‘Cahoots’ is not a word people say.
Caelyn: Oh, but they say ‘plucky?’
Ess (beat): Fine, we’ll ask Gerrard.
Luke: Good idea.
Caelyn: What’s this class supposed to be about?
Alec: How to behave in the office.
Caelyn: I actually knew that much.
Josh: You know, rules, guidelines. Not shooting me again. Basic stuff.
Caelyn: Oh, I see. Just in time, too.
Josh gives her an amused look, and she just smiles.
Janie: I don’t have to go.
Caelyn: Why not?
Janie: Loop-holes. (she grins)
Alec: Who’s giving the class?
Josh: Paul Finely.
Ess: Hey, you love Paul Finely.
Josh: I hate Paul Finely.
Ess: Oh, yeah.
Luke: Then why are you making us go?
Josh: Because I secretly hate you too.
Luke: Josh.
Josh: Okay, maybe not so secretly.
Luke: Seriously.
Josh: It’s mandatory, Luke. I don’t decide this one. (beat) That’s why I’m always there, too.
Ess: At least your best friend Paul Finely is the one-
Josh: Ess.
Ess: Oh, yeah.
Fade out. End Scene 2.
Scene 3: ADTEO, early morning. Josh is working alone, walks out of his office and sees Caelyn at her desk.
Josh: Hey, you’re here early.
Caelyn: Hey. (beat) Yeah, I couldn’t sleep.
Josh: You look terrible.
Caelyn: Thanks, that helps.
Josh: I mean, you don’t need to be here if you don’t feel like it.
Caelyn: Really? ‘Cause it sounded like you think my face scares small children.
Josh: I didn’t-
Caelyn: Then why did you say it?
Josh (beat): I was lying.
Caelyn: Now I’m going to site here and try not cry.
Josh: Did you sleep at all last night?
Caelyn: No.
Josh: What’s wrong?
Caelyn: I couldn’t sleep.
Josh: Why?
Caelyn: Insomnia.
Josh: Caelyn.
Caelyn: You should be impressed my mind is currently functioning this well.
Josh: You should go home.
Caelyn: And not sleep some more?
Josh: Is it because you were feeling guilty about that time you shot me?
Caelyn: No, I’m cool with that.
Josh: Personal problems?
Caelyn: No.
Josh: You sick?
Caelyn: I don’t think so.
Josh: Because Paul Finely often makes me sick.
Caelyn: My head hurts.
Josh: Seriously, go home.
Caelyn: My head will hurt there, too.
Josh: Then go to the doctor.
Caelyn: Doctors are useless.
Josh: Did someone drop a cinderblock on you? Is that what happened?
Caelyn: I’m fine.
Josh: No, you’re not.
Caelyn: Yes, I am.
Josh: Your head hurts, and you haven’t slept.
Caelyn: Sounds like the perfect time for paperwork.
Josh: Caelyn.
Caelyn: Really, I’m fine.
Josh: Why don’t you want to go home?
Caelyn (beat): It’s lonely there.
Josh: It’s lonely?
Caelyn: I like it here.
Josh (beat): My office has a sofa you can use. I’ll work at your desk.
Caelyn: What?
Josh: Go get some sleep.
Caelyn: You sure?
Josh: Yeah.
Caelyn: Only for a few hours.
Josh: Okay.
Caelyn: Thanks.
Josh: You should probably look into why you aren’t sleeping.
Caelyn: Because my head hurts and I have chills.
Josh: You have chills?
Caelyn: Yeah.
Josh: You have the flu!
Caelyn: No, I don’t.
Josh: And it’s apparently making you delirious.
Caelyn: I don’t have the flu.
Josh: Go to sleep, and then I’m taking you to the doctor after work.
Caelyn: I don’t need-
Josh: Stop. Go to sleep.
Caelyn: Okay.
Scene shift - (later) main office, Josh is working at Caelyn‘s desk, Luke enters.
Luke: Josh?
Josh: What’s up?
Luke: Why is your office closed?
Josh: Caelyn’s sleeping on the sofa.
Luke: Why?
Josh: Because she has the flu, and was up all night, and now she’s delirious.
Luke: If only there were doctors in this part of the world.
Josh: I’m taking her after work.
Alec enters via elevator.
Alec: Good morning, fellow workmen! I feel like a new person.
Luke: Shut up.
Alec: I feel like an illuminated being, filled with joy of knowledge.
Luke: He’s a walking self-help brochure.
Alec: I have been touched by science, and the mists of ignorance have been dispelled.
Josh: Bro, it wasn’t a cult meeting.
Luke: Still, if you say ‘touched’ by science again, I may have to make some phone calls.
Alec: I could be mistaken, but I don’t think either one of you is fostering a healthy work environment.
Luke (snorts): Neither is Caelyn.
Josh: You’re dad coming today?
Luke: Yeah.
Josh: Anything you want me to tell him?
Luke: About what?
Josh: I don’t know. Anything that would impress him.
Luke: You’d do that?
Josh: Of course.
Luke (beat): I find myself not trusting you.
Alec: I, for one, will act like an officer of the ADTE both while I am on the clock and off, for I know I am representing a public entity.
Luke (to Josh): He’d probably like to see me shoot somebody.
Josh: Alec’s available.
Luke: Excellent.
Alec: Why aren’t you in your office?
Josh: Caelyn’s sleeping in there.
Alec (to Luke): Then again, if you shoot your boss, you get to take naps in his office.
Ess enters via elevator.
Ess: It’s cold out there!
Alec: Is it?
Ess: What?
Alec: Is it?
Ess: Is it what?
Alec: Cold.
Ess: I just said-
Alec: I know. I was… showing interest.
Ess: Oh.
Josh: Another Hallmark Special Moment.
Ess: That reminds me; I gave Paul your cell number.
Josh: Why?
Ess: Because of the Hallmark Moment thing.
Josh: But I just said that.
Ess: I had a feeling.
Josh: Uncanny.
Ess: I think so.
Caelyn walks out.
Caelyn: I’m sick.
Josh: Really?
Ess: Oh, honey, you look awful.
Caelyn (pitifully): I know.
Josh: Why aren’t you sleeping?
Caelyn: I threw up in your waste-basket.
Josh (to Luke): Seriously, anyone in the room is fair game.
Ess: Come on, I’m taking you to the doctor.
Caelyn: Okay.
Josh: Wait, how come when she says that, you’re all agreeable?
Ess: Josh! Leave her alone.
Josh: Sorry. (beat) You puked in my waste-basket?
Ess: Josh!
Josh: Sorry. (to Luke) It’s your lucky day!
Luke: No.
Josh: Sorry, man.
Luke: No! Wait for Janie.
Josh: I can’t. It might have permeated by then.
Caelyn (very sick): I’m sorry.
Josh: Don’t worry about it. Luke will take care of it.
Luke sighs and goes into the office. The elevator opens and Janie and Mr. Sorrason walk out.
Janie: Hey, guys, this is- Caelyn, you look sick!
Ess: I’m taking her to the doctor.
Janie: Josh!
Josh: What?
Janie: You shouldn’t have made her come in today! She looks awful.
Josh looks at her blankly.
Janie: By the way, this is Mr. Artie Sorrason.
Josh stands up to shake his hand as Luke comes out with the waste-basket at arms length.
Luke: How long before I get taken off vomit duty- (sees his father) Hey, dad.
Artie: Vomit duty?
Alec: Could not have planned this better.
Scene shift- sometime later after Luke disposed of the vomit.
Artie: Pay up.
Luke: Dad, I kill monsters on a weekly basis.
Artie: I don’t see monsters. I did see the vomit.
Josh: He was doing me a favor.
Artie: You’re the one who’s his boss?
Josh: I like to think of myself as an elevated colleague.
Artie: I see.
Josh: We’re very fortunate to have Luke working here with us at Sierra.
Alec (off-screen): Luke! Somebody messed up the bathroom real bad!
Josh (to Artie): He’s kidding.
Luke: Yeah, I’m not coming back from the vomit.
Artie (laughs): Here. (hands Luke a fifty dollar bill) You won the moment I walked into the lobby.
Luke (grins): Thanks.
Artie: Can you show me where you keep all the guns?
Luke: Ah, I can’t. The armory is off limits. I can take you to the shooting range, and the training area. We can shoot some stuff.
Artie: Sounds good.
Luke: How long before you need me back?
Josh: Tomorrow at 4am.
Luke: Yeah? Thanks, man.
Artie: You have a mission tomorrow?
Luke: Yeah, heading back to New York.
Artie: Is it dangerous?
Luke (beat): Not especially so.
Artie: Mr. Mortiz?
Josh: Call me Josh.
Artie: Okay. Josh, is it dangerous?
Josh: All our missions have elements of danger. That’s why we’re trained so well.
Artie: I see.
Luke: Come on, let’s go.
Artie: Okay.
Luke: Thanks, Josh.
Luke and Artie exit. Alec enters and they pass.
Alec: Nice guy.
Josh: Yeah.
Alec (beat): You miss your dad?
Josh: Every day.
Alec: Me too.
Josh: If Caelyn’s out tomorrow, you’re on perimeter.
Alec: That’s fine.
Josh: She didn’t think she was sick.
Alec: Women are psycho.
Josh: They really are.
Fade out. End Scene 3.
Scene 4: Ess’ car - Ess and Caelyn. (Caelyn is drugged up and sleepy)
Ess: You okay over there?
Caelyn: I’m cold.
Ess (turns heat on): Here.
Caelyn: Thanks.
Ess: You shouldn’t have come in today.
Caelyn: I know.
Ess: Why did you?
Caelyn: I don’t like my apartment.
Ess (laughs): Really?
Caelyn: I like you guys.
Ess (grins): Yeah. We like you too.
Caelyn: Thanks for taking care of me.
Ess: I was thinking.
Caelyn: About Alec?
Ess: No, not about Alec. Are you thinking about Alec?
Caelyn: Now I am.
Ess: I was thinking I could use a roommate.
Caelyn: Use them for what?
Ess: Rent.
Caelyn: You’re going to sell you’re roommate?
Ess: Caelyn, what exactly did they give you in there?
Caelyn: Lots of… stuff, I think.
Ess: I was saying that I’ve been considering getting a roommate again. My apartment is way too big for just me, but my last two roommates were complete disasters, and I haven‘t been looking for a replacement.
Caelyn: Oh.
Ess: Caelyn?
Caelyn: What?
Ess: Do you want to be my roommate?
Caelyn: Me?
Ess: Yeah.
Caelyn: Yes.
Ess: Are you going to remember this conversation?
Caelyn: I don’t think so.
Ess: I’ll ask you again tomorrow.
Caelyn: Okay.
Ess: Try not to go to sleep. We’re almost home.
Caelyn: Okay.
Long moment of silence.
Ess: Cae.
Caelyn: What?
Ess: You’re almost sleeping.
Caelyn: Sorry.
Ess: Just a little ways.
Scene shift - ADTEO.
Gerrard: Luke, is this your father?
Luke: Yes, sir.
Gerrard (extends hand): Gerrard Sully. (they shake)
Artie: Artie Sorrason.
Gerrard: Luke give you the tour?
Artie: Yes, he did.
Gerrard: Ah, it’s a pity they won’t let you into the trainnig area. You would have enjoyed that.
Luke (beat): He’s kidding, dad. I’m not in trouble.
Artie: Oh. Good.
Gerrard: We’re very proud of Luke here. He’s done a remarkable job.
Artie: Wasn’t he almost fired a few months ago?
Gerrard (beat): Well, that happens to the best of us.
Artie: I see.
Gerrard: What is it you do, Mr. Sorrason?
Artie: I recently retired from Geneosis Labs. (beat) Early retirement.
Gerrard: I’m sure you earned it. Geneosis does good work.
Artie: That they do.
Gerrard: Well, you two enjoy your day. I’m going out for lunch. (nods and exits)
Artie: I really should be going.
Luke: Yeah.
Artie: I’m proud of you, son.
Luke: Thanks.
Artie: It looks like you have something good here. Don’t mess it up, okay?
Luke: I won’t.
Artie: Good boy. (shakes his hand) Take care of yourself.
Luke: You too.
Artie pauses, smiles, and exits.
Alec: You know, you’re lucky.
Luke: Yeah.
Alec: Good.
Luke: Thanks for not mentioning the girlfriend situation.
Alec (laughs): Yeah, I’m really not out to get you, man.
Luke: I know.
Alec: I’m going to take off in a few hours, try and get some sleep before tomorrow. You should get out of here while you have the chance.
Luke: Yeah, you’re probably right. (beat) I don’t mean to pry, so tell me to back off if I am. (Alec looks up at him questioningly) What happened to you parents?
Alec: After the cataclysm occurred, they were never found.
Luke (nods): I’m sorry.
Alec: Thank you. (he shrugs) Same thing with Josh’s entire family. Ess lost a brother.
Luke: I am lucky.
Alec (smiles): Yeah.
Luke: I’ll see you later, Alec.
Alec: Take it easy.
Luke exits. After a moment, Josh exits his office.
Josh: It smells in there.
Alec: Gross.
Josh: It’s like dead fish.
Alec: Or, you know, vomit.
Josh: Yeah.
Alec: Do we need to be here?
Josh: I really don’t think we do.
Alec: I mean, no one else is here.
Josh: No one but us.
Alec: That’s what I’m saying.
Josh: Well… that’s just not right.
Alec: If they can leave before lunch, why not us?
Josh: Yes.
Alec: Good.
Josh: Want to throw rocks at cars?
Alec: Strangely, yeah, but I’m trying to be mature now.
Josh: Okay. I’ll not to enable you, then.
Alec: Appreciate it.
Josh: We could go take some loser’s money at the casino.
Alec: I like it.
Josh: Let me grab my coat.
The two of them gather their things and exit. Fade out. End Scene 4.
Luke: Josh.
Josh: Yeah?
Luke: My dad is in town this week.
Josh: Oh yeah? Need some time off?
Luke: No, that’s cool. I was just wondering if it’d be all right if he came for a brief tour or something.
Josh: That’s no problem.
Luke: Thanks. I really want him to see me working at a respectable place.
Josh: Then why are you bringing him here?
Luke (snickers): Right. I’m pretty sure this would count in his book.
Caelyn: You know, your dad will love you no matter where you work.
Luke: I’m sorry?
Caelyn: You don’t need to impress him, is all I’m saying.
Luke: He bet me fifty dollars. When I was still working in service, he bet me fifty dollars that I would never get a respectable job.
Caelyn: Your dad told you that you would never make it anywhere in life?
Luke (nods): Bet me fifty dollars.
Caelyn (beat): Okay.
Josh snickers.
Luke: What? Your dad was Mr. Cunningham?
Caelyn: What?
Luke: The dad from Happy Days. Howard Cunningham?
Caelyn: What’s ‘happy days?’
Luke: You hearing this, Josh?
Josh: Yeah.
Luke: She doesn’t know who Mr. Cunningham is.
Josh: I’m surprised you do.
Luke: I know culture.
Josh: You really don’t.
Luke: Well, I know of it.
Josh: Fair enough.
Caelyn: My dad died when I was four.
Luke (beat): I’m sorry. I didn’t-
Josh (to Luke): Maybe tomorrow you can push her down and then kick her. (Luke glares at him, and Josh shrugs)
Luke: I’m really sorry.
Caelyn: He didn’t really. He lives somewhere in Wyoming.
Luke: That’s not funny.
Caelyn: Wyoming is funny.
Luke: I mean saying your dad is dead and making me feel bad.
Caelyn: I thought it was funny.
Luke: It wasn’t.
Caelyn: Your face went (makes a face).
Luke: That face means it wasn’t funny.
Caelyn: Josh laughed.
Luke: No, he didn’t.
Caelyn: He would have if he had seen it.
Luke: Seen what?
Caelyn: Your face.
Luke: My face was funny?
Caelyn: Among other things.
Luke: Okay. Whatever.
The elevator opens, and Alec and Ess walk out.
Caelyn: Good morning.
Ess: Morning.
Alec: Hey.
Luke: So?
Alec: What?
Luke: How’d it go?
Alec: I am sure I do not know what you are talking about.
Josh: You are sure you do not know, are you, Hal?
Alec: Mock me if you must.
Josh: I must.
Alec: I figured.
Luke: The date. How was the date?
Alec: Great.
Ess: Very nice.
Alec: We had a good time.
Ess: Yeah.
Alec (beat): Yeah.
Luke: You see a movie?
Ess: Yes, we did.
Alec: Did indeed.
Ess: It was nice.
Alec: Yes, it was.
Luke (beat): So are you going to be weird all the time now, or is this a passing thing?
Ess: We’re not being weird.
Josh: Yeah, ya’ are.
Ess: We are not.
Caelyn: Kind of weird.
Ess: Hey!
Caelyn: Sorry.
Ess: Better be.
End Scene 1.
Scene 2: ADTEO - Janie, Alec, Caelyn, Ess, and Luke. Caelyn picks up her phone and calls someone. Ess’ phone rings.
Ess (into phone): ADTE, Agent Aben speaking.
Caelyn (phone): So what happened?
Ess: Caelyn?
Caelyn: Shh. I’m undercover.
Ess: Well, you know, I’d tell you, but it might be too weird.
Caelyn: Don’t be penitent.
Ess: Penitent?
Caelyn: Yeah.
Ess: Petulant?
Caelyn: Penitent doesn’t mean ‘petty?’
Ess: No, it means ‘contrite.’
Caelyn: I thought it meant petty.
Ess: That’s petulant.
Caelyn: Are you sure?
Ess: I have a thesaurus right here.
Caelyn: Well, you’re being cranky, too.
Ess: Not helping.
Caelyn: So what happened?
Ess: Whose side are you on, now?
Caelyn: Yours!
Ess: Earlier, it didn’t seem-
Caelyn: I was undercover.
Ess: Then or now?
Caelyn: Then.
Ess: Why are we talking on the phone, again?
Caelyn (beat): I’m still undercover.
Ess: I don’t know. I’m not certain you’re trustworthy.
Caelyn: Definitions aside, I think you’re being penitent.
Ess: And it’s not like I don’t expect it from Josh, but you-
Caelyn: Look, I know you want to tell me.
Ess: I also want to punish you.
Caelyn: It’s been forty-five minutes already. That’s akin to a flogging.
Ess (giggles): Okay, fine. Meet me in the hall.
Caelyn: You go first.
Ess: Why?
Caelyn: So they don’t suspect anything.
Ess: I’m pretty sure they already do.
Caelyn: Well, that’s not my fault.
Ess hangs up and walks out. After a moment, Caelyn follows.
Janie: Okay, Alec.
Alec: What?
Janie: Spill the details.
Alec: No.
Janie: I thought we were friends, Alec.
Alec: Oops.
Janie: Alec!
Alec: What?
Janie: Ess is telling Caelyn everything. Would you rather we heard it from her?
Alec: Ess or Caelyn?
Janie: Either.
Alec: I really don’t care.
Luke: Come on, you wuss.
Alec: Hey Luke, how are your girlfriends? I say “friends” because I understand it’s still plural.
Luke: Leave me alone.
Alec: Does your dad know about that, I wonder?
Luke: Janie, leave the man alone.
Josh exits his office.
Josh: Hey, guys, we have - where are the girls?
Janie: Ess kissed and is now telling.
Alec: We didn’t kiss.
Janie: Well, better luck next time, Al.
Alec: Don’t call me that.
Janie: What movie did you see?
Alec (sighs): The one with the underdog sports team that shows a lot of heart.
Janie: Seriously.
Alec: Go busybody elsewhere.
Janie: Josh, make him tell me things.
Josh: I get the feeling that often times you mistake the bounds of my authority.
Shift to hall - Ess and Caelyn.
Ess: And then we went and saw that new Marty Simmons movie, where he wakes up from the coma.
Caelyn: Ooh, I want to see that. He’s so cute.
Ess: I know! It’s a great movie, too. So romantic, and I cried at the end.
Caelyn: Happy or sad?
Ess: I’m not going to spoil it for you.
Scene shift - main offices.
Janie: And are you going out again?
Alec: I think so. It went well, you know? I made her laugh, and I wasn’t stupid, so…
Josh looks at him blankly a moment then gives him an exaggerated ‘two-thumbs up’ gesture. Alec scowls.
Josh: Yeah, okay, so we have to go to the Office Protocol meeting today, after lunch.
Luke: Come on!
Josh: Dude, you’re so loud.
Luke: Josh, don’t make us do this.
Josh: Not my call.
Alec: You know what? I’m not going to let this get me down.
Josh: Good.
Alec: I’m having a good day, and I am going to continue to do so.
Josh: I like your pluck.
Alec: I’m sorry?
Josh: Somebody let the girls know when they get back.
Luke: I hate these ‘classes.’
Alec: Blocking out the negativity.
Janie: I, for one, am happy with the news. (grins) I get to go home after lunch.
Alec: And I am happy for you, Janie.
Janie: Thank you, Alec.
Luke: Give me a break.
Alec: Luke, you know what you need?
Luke: If you say ‘a hug’ then I am going to smack you down.
Alec: No, man. A song. The skies are gonna’ clear up! Put on a happy-
Luke throws a book at him. Janie snickers.
Scene shift - hall.
Ess: The best part was how he was just so sweet, the whole time. I mean he was…
Caelyn: Charming?
Ess: Well… sweet.
Caelyn: See, I almost thought you were going to say something else that time.
Ess: It’s a big deal! I mean, funny is good, charming is good, but sometimes a girl wants their guy to be sweet.
Caelyn: Which I hear Alec was.
Ess: He really was!
Caelyn (grins and hugs Ess): I’m glad for you. (beat) We better get back before they realize we’re in cahoots.
Ess: Yeah. Or before I start talking like you.
Scene shift - main offices. Gerrard enters.
Janie: Hey, boss.
Gerrard just grunts.
Alec: You okay there, big guy?
Gerrard: Don’t call me that.
Alec: Okay.
Gerrard: I was up all night listening to the neighbors three dogs.
Luke: You should have called them.
Gerrard (turns and glares at Luke): Why are you talking? Did you feel an important voice was being omitted from this conversation?
Janie: Wow, you’re pretty nasty if you don’t get sleep.
Gerrard: Yeah, it’s a condition I have called ‘humanity!’
Alec: Good one, big guy.
Gerrard looks at him angrily.
Alec: Oops.
Gerrard (glares for a moment, then stalks into his office): Josh!
Josh steps out of his office.
Josh: He okay?
Alec: Seemed fine. Cheerful.
Josh: Cheerful?
Alec: Hey, don’t ask me.
Josh looks confused then goes into Gerrard’s office.
Janie: So… Luke.
Luke: Leave me alone, thou strange woman.
Janie: Any of your girlfriends seem like serious prospects?
Luke (beat): I miss Tanya.
Alec: The librarian?
Luke: She’s not a librarian.
Alec: I thought she was.
Luke: She’s dating a librarian!
Alec: Oh yeah. Heh.
Luke: Shut up.
Janie: That’s a little obsessive.
Luke: I know.
Alec: What’s it like being dumped for a librarian?
Luke: You know what? Take your pluck and-
Ess and Caelyn enter.
Caelyn: Yes, they do.
Ess: Not real ones, no.
Caelyn: I’ve heard people. Real people!
Ess: They really don’t. Alec, do people use the word ‘cahoots?’
Caelyn: Hey, you can’t ask him.
Ess: Why not?
Caelyn just looks at her.
Luke: Ooh, I know! ‘Cause you’re in love with him.
Ess: What!?
Luke: Alec told us.
Ess: Excuse me?
Alec: Don’t listen to him. He’s waging war on my pluck.
Caelyn (beat as Ess and Caelyn look at him): Okay, ask someone else.
Ess: Where’s Josh?
Alec: Talking to Gerrard.
Janie: Probably getting dressed down like a new recruit on a field day.
Caelyn: What does that mean?
Ess (shrugs, to Caelyn about Janie): Sometimes she just says words.
Josh walks out of the office, giving Alec a look. Alec just smiles.
Josh: Okay, listen up. We have the ‘office protocols’ class today after lunch.
Josh heads to his office.
Ess: Josh!
Josh comes back out.
Josh: What?
Caelyn: Is ‘cahoots’ a word?
Ess: Today!?
Josh (to Caelyn): Yes, but it’s not one people say. (to Ess) Don’t complain.
Ess: Why not?
Josh: Be more like Alec. He’s plucky.
Alec: Yeah, I’m not liking that distinction so much anymore.
Ess: Fine. I can do that.
Josh: Be plucky?
Ess: Not complain.
Josh: It’s a noble endeavor.
Ess: I can.
Josh: Sure.
Ess: Josh!
Josh: You’re our resident George Costanza.
Ess: That’s mean. (To Caelyn) Tell him he’s being mean.
Caelyn (looking at Alec): He is rather plucky, today.
Ess (muttering): ‘Cahoots’ is not a word people say.
Caelyn: Oh, but they say ‘plucky?’
Ess (beat): Fine, we’ll ask Gerrard.
Luke: Good idea.
Caelyn: What’s this class supposed to be about?
Alec: How to behave in the office.
Caelyn: I actually knew that much.
Josh: You know, rules, guidelines. Not shooting me again. Basic stuff.
Caelyn: Oh, I see. Just in time, too.
Josh gives her an amused look, and she just smiles.
Janie: I don’t have to go.
Caelyn: Why not?
Janie: Loop-holes. (she grins)
Alec: Who’s giving the class?
Josh: Paul Finely.
Ess: Hey, you love Paul Finely.
Josh: I hate Paul Finely.
Ess: Oh, yeah.
Luke: Then why are you making us go?
Josh: Because I secretly hate you too.
Luke: Josh.
Josh: Okay, maybe not so secretly.
Luke: Seriously.
Josh: It’s mandatory, Luke. I don’t decide this one. (beat) That’s why I’m always there, too.
Ess: At least your best friend Paul Finely is the one-
Josh: Ess.
Ess: Oh, yeah.
Fade out. End Scene 2.
Scene 3: ADTEO, early morning. Josh is working alone, walks out of his office and sees Caelyn at her desk.
Josh: Hey, you’re here early.
Caelyn: Hey. (beat) Yeah, I couldn’t sleep.
Josh: You look terrible.
Caelyn: Thanks, that helps.
Josh: I mean, you don’t need to be here if you don’t feel like it.
Caelyn: Really? ‘Cause it sounded like you think my face scares small children.
Josh: I didn’t-
Caelyn: Then why did you say it?
Josh (beat): I was lying.
Caelyn: Now I’m going to site here and try not cry.
Josh: Did you sleep at all last night?
Caelyn: No.
Josh: What’s wrong?
Caelyn: I couldn’t sleep.
Josh: Why?
Caelyn: Insomnia.
Josh: Caelyn.
Caelyn: You should be impressed my mind is currently functioning this well.
Josh: You should go home.
Caelyn: And not sleep some more?
Josh: Is it because you were feeling guilty about that time you shot me?
Caelyn: No, I’m cool with that.
Josh: Personal problems?
Caelyn: No.
Josh: You sick?
Caelyn: I don’t think so.
Josh: Because Paul Finely often makes me sick.
Caelyn: My head hurts.
Josh: Seriously, go home.
Caelyn: My head will hurt there, too.
Josh: Then go to the doctor.
Caelyn: Doctors are useless.
Josh: Did someone drop a cinderblock on you? Is that what happened?
Caelyn: I’m fine.
Josh: No, you’re not.
Caelyn: Yes, I am.
Josh: Your head hurts, and you haven’t slept.
Caelyn: Sounds like the perfect time for paperwork.
Josh: Caelyn.
Caelyn: Really, I’m fine.
Josh: Why don’t you want to go home?
Caelyn (beat): It’s lonely there.
Josh: It’s lonely?
Caelyn: I like it here.
Josh (beat): My office has a sofa you can use. I’ll work at your desk.
Caelyn: What?
Josh: Go get some sleep.
Caelyn: You sure?
Josh: Yeah.
Caelyn: Only for a few hours.
Josh: Okay.
Caelyn: Thanks.
Josh: You should probably look into why you aren’t sleeping.
Caelyn: Because my head hurts and I have chills.
Josh: You have chills?
Caelyn: Yeah.
Josh: You have the flu!
Caelyn: No, I don’t.
Josh: And it’s apparently making you delirious.
Caelyn: I don’t have the flu.
Josh: Go to sleep, and then I’m taking you to the doctor after work.
Caelyn: I don’t need-
Josh: Stop. Go to sleep.
Caelyn: Okay.
Scene shift - (later) main office, Josh is working at Caelyn‘s desk, Luke enters.
Luke: Josh?
Josh: What’s up?
Luke: Why is your office closed?
Josh: Caelyn’s sleeping on the sofa.
Luke: Why?
Josh: Because she has the flu, and was up all night, and now she’s delirious.
Luke: If only there were doctors in this part of the world.
Josh: I’m taking her after work.
Alec enters via elevator.
Alec: Good morning, fellow workmen! I feel like a new person.
Luke: Shut up.
Alec: I feel like an illuminated being, filled with joy of knowledge.
Luke: He’s a walking self-help brochure.
Alec: I have been touched by science, and the mists of ignorance have been dispelled.
Josh: Bro, it wasn’t a cult meeting.
Luke: Still, if you say ‘touched’ by science again, I may have to make some phone calls.
Alec: I could be mistaken, but I don’t think either one of you is fostering a healthy work environment.
Luke (snorts): Neither is Caelyn.
Josh: You’re dad coming today?
Luke: Yeah.
Josh: Anything you want me to tell him?
Luke: About what?
Josh: I don’t know. Anything that would impress him.
Luke: You’d do that?
Josh: Of course.
Luke (beat): I find myself not trusting you.
Alec: I, for one, will act like an officer of the ADTE both while I am on the clock and off, for I know I am representing a public entity.
Luke (to Josh): He’d probably like to see me shoot somebody.
Josh: Alec’s available.
Luke: Excellent.
Alec: Why aren’t you in your office?
Josh: Caelyn’s sleeping in there.
Alec (to Luke): Then again, if you shoot your boss, you get to take naps in his office.
Ess enters via elevator.
Ess: It’s cold out there!
Alec: Is it?
Ess: What?
Alec: Is it?
Ess: Is it what?
Alec: Cold.
Ess: I just said-
Alec: I know. I was… showing interest.
Ess: Oh.
Josh: Another Hallmark Special Moment.
Ess: That reminds me; I gave Paul your cell number.
Josh: Why?
Ess: Because of the Hallmark Moment thing.
Josh: But I just said that.
Ess: I had a feeling.
Josh: Uncanny.
Ess: I think so.
Caelyn walks out.
Caelyn: I’m sick.
Josh: Really?
Ess: Oh, honey, you look awful.
Caelyn (pitifully): I know.
Josh: Why aren’t you sleeping?
Caelyn: I threw up in your waste-basket.
Josh (to Luke): Seriously, anyone in the room is fair game.
Ess: Come on, I’m taking you to the doctor.
Caelyn: Okay.
Josh: Wait, how come when she says that, you’re all agreeable?
Ess: Josh! Leave her alone.
Josh: Sorry. (beat) You puked in my waste-basket?
Ess: Josh!
Josh: Sorry. (to Luke) It’s your lucky day!
Luke: No.
Josh: Sorry, man.
Luke: No! Wait for Janie.
Josh: I can’t. It might have permeated by then.
Caelyn (very sick): I’m sorry.
Josh: Don’t worry about it. Luke will take care of it.
Luke sighs and goes into the office. The elevator opens and Janie and Mr. Sorrason walk out.
Janie: Hey, guys, this is- Caelyn, you look sick!
Ess: I’m taking her to the doctor.
Janie: Josh!
Josh: What?
Janie: You shouldn’t have made her come in today! She looks awful.
Josh looks at her blankly.
Janie: By the way, this is Mr. Artie Sorrason.
Josh stands up to shake his hand as Luke comes out with the waste-basket at arms length.
Luke: How long before I get taken off vomit duty- (sees his father) Hey, dad.
Artie: Vomit duty?
Alec: Could not have planned this better.
Scene shift- sometime later after Luke disposed of the vomit.
Artie: Pay up.
Luke: Dad, I kill monsters on a weekly basis.
Artie: I don’t see monsters. I did see the vomit.
Josh: He was doing me a favor.
Artie: You’re the one who’s his boss?
Josh: I like to think of myself as an elevated colleague.
Artie: I see.
Josh: We’re very fortunate to have Luke working here with us at Sierra.
Alec (off-screen): Luke! Somebody messed up the bathroom real bad!
Josh (to Artie): He’s kidding.
Luke: Yeah, I’m not coming back from the vomit.
Artie (laughs): Here. (hands Luke a fifty dollar bill) You won the moment I walked into the lobby.
Luke (grins): Thanks.
Artie: Can you show me where you keep all the guns?
Luke: Ah, I can’t. The armory is off limits. I can take you to the shooting range, and the training area. We can shoot some stuff.
Artie: Sounds good.
Luke: How long before you need me back?
Josh: Tomorrow at 4am.
Luke: Yeah? Thanks, man.
Artie: You have a mission tomorrow?
Luke: Yeah, heading back to New York.
Artie: Is it dangerous?
Luke (beat): Not especially so.
Artie: Mr. Mortiz?
Josh: Call me Josh.
Artie: Okay. Josh, is it dangerous?
Josh: All our missions have elements of danger. That’s why we’re trained so well.
Artie: I see.
Luke: Come on, let’s go.
Artie: Okay.
Luke: Thanks, Josh.
Luke and Artie exit. Alec enters and they pass.
Alec: Nice guy.
Josh: Yeah.
Alec (beat): You miss your dad?
Josh: Every day.
Alec: Me too.
Josh: If Caelyn’s out tomorrow, you’re on perimeter.
Alec: That’s fine.
Josh: She didn’t think she was sick.
Alec: Women are psycho.
Josh: They really are.
Fade out. End Scene 3.
Scene 4: Ess’ car - Ess and Caelyn. (Caelyn is drugged up and sleepy)
Ess: You okay over there?
Caelyn: I’m cold.
Ess (turns heat on): Here.
Caelyn: Thanks.
Ess: You shouldn’t have come in today.
Caelyn: I know.
Ess: Why did you?
Caelyn: I don’t like my apartment.
Ess (laughs): Really?
Caelyn: I like you guys.
Ess (grins): Yeah. We like you too.
Caelyn: Thanks for taking care of me.
Ess: I was thinking.
Caelyn: About Alec?
Ess: No, not about Alec. Are you thinking about Alec?
Caelyn: Now I am.
Ess: I was thinking I could use a roommate.
Caelyn: Use them for what?
Ess: Rent.
Caelyn: You’re going to sell you’re roommate?
Ess: Caelyn, what exactly did they give you in there?
Caelyn: Lots of… stuff, I think.
Ess: I was saying that I’ve been considering getting a roommate again. My apartment is way too big for just me, but my last two roommates were complete disasters, and I haven‘t been looking for a replacement.
Caelyn: Oh.
Ess: Caelyn?
Caelyn: What?
Ess: Do you want to be my roommate?
Caelyn: Me?
Ess: Yeah.
Caelyn: Yes.
Ess: Are you going to remember this conversation?
Caelyn: I don’t think so.
Ess: I’ll ask you again tomorrow.
Caelyn: Okay.
Ess: Try not to go to sleep. We’re almost home.
Caelyn: Okay.
Long moment of silence.
Ess: Cae.
Caelyn: What?
Ess: You’re almost sleeping.
Caelyn: Sorry.
Ess: Just a little ways.
Scene shift - ADTEO.
Gerrard: Luke, is this your father?
Luke: Yes, sir.
Gerrard (extends hand): Gerrard Sully. (they shake)
Artie: Artie Sorrason.
Gerrard: Luke give you the tour?
Artie: Yes, he did.
Gerrard: Ah, it’s a pity they won’t let you into the trainnig area. You would have enjoyed that.
Luke (beat): He’s kidding, dad. I’m not in trouble.
Artie: Oh. Good.
Gerrard: We’re very proud of Luke here. He’s done a remarkable job.
Artie: Wasn’t he almost fired a few months ago?
Gerrard (beat): Well, that happens to the best of us.
Artie: I see.
Gerrard: What is it you do, Mr. Sorrason?
Artie: I recently retired from Geneosis Labs. (beat) Early retirement.
Gerrard: I’m sure you earned it. Geneosis does good work.
Artie: That they do.
Gerrard: Well, you two enjoy your day. I’m going out for lunch. (nods and exits)
Artie: I really should be going.
Luke: Yeah.
Artie: I’m proud of you, son.
Luke: Thanks.
Artie: It looks like you have something good here. Don’t mess it up, okay?
Luke: I won’t.
Artie: Good boy. (shakes his hand) Take care of yourself.
Luke: You too.
Artie pauses, smiles, and exits.
Alec: You know, you’re lucky.
Luke: Yeah.
Alec: Good.
Luke: Thanks for not mentioning the girlfriend situation.
Alec (laughs): Yeah, I’m really not out to get you, man.
Luke: I know.
Alec: I’m going to take off in a few hours, try and get some sleep before tomorrow. You should get out of here while you have the chance.
Luke: Yeah, you’re probably right. (beat) I don’t mean to pry, so tell me to back off if I am. (Alec looks up at him questioningly) What happened to you parents?
Alec: After the cataclysm occurred, they were never found.
Luke (nods): I’m sorry.
Alec: Thank you. (he shrugs) Same thing with Josh’s entire family. Ess lost a brother.
Luke: I am lucky.
Alec (smiles): Yeah.
Luke: I’ll see you later, Alec.
Alec: Take it easy.
Luke exits. After a moment, Josh exits his office.
Josh: It smells in there.
Alec: Gross.
Josh: It’s like dead fish.
Alec: Or, you know, vomit.
Josh: Yeah.
Alec: Do we need to be here?
Josh: I really don’t think we do.
Alec: I mean, no one else is here.
Josh: No one but us.
Alec: That’s what I’m saying.
Josh: Well… that’s just not right.
Alec: If they can leave before lunch, why not us?
Josh: Yes.
Alec: Good.
Josh: Want to throw rocks at cars?
Alec: Strangely, yeah, but I’m trying to be mature now.
Josh: Okay. I’ll not to enable you, then.
Alec: Appreciate it.
Josh: We could go take some loser’s money at the casino.
Alec: I like it.
Josh: Let me grab my coat.
The two of them gather their things and exit. Fade out. End Scene 4.
Ep 7
Scene 1: ADTEO lobby area, party is going on; lots of people. Ess approaches Caelyn, who is cautiously watching people.
Ess: You won’t meet anybody standing back here by yourself.
Caelyn: I’ve already met two people.
Ess: Whatever. Go out there and start talking.
Caelyn: I’m really not comfortable at these kinds of things.
Ess: No kidding.
Caelyn: Just, you know, out of curiosity,… how long before it’s no longer rude for me to leave?
Ess: Sweetie, you should be having fun.
Caelyn: I should be sleeping. Or, at least, watching TV alone.
Ess: Yeah, that’s what you need. Look, Cae-
Caelyn: Who is that talking to Josh?
Ess: What?
Caelyn: Who is she?
Ess (looks): Amanda… Amanda… something. She works in Bravo, I think.
Caelyn: Is she flirting with him?
Ess: Looks like it. He is rather eligible.
Caelyn: I better go over there. (Ess gives her a look, and she grins) We made a deal. I’ll be right back.
Caelyn heads over to Josh. Ess watches and is approached by Alec.
Alec: Hey.
Ess: Hey.
Alec: Have I mentioned how much I hate these?
Ess: Everyone hates these, Alec.
Alec: Luke is hitting on three girls at once.
Ess: Everyone who is more mature than the average fourteen year-old.
Alec: Who comes up with these themes, anyway?
Ess: I don’t know.
Alec: I mean seriously, could there be more pastel decorations in this room?
Ess: I think you should focus on the pastels.
Alec: It’s either that or this food.
Ess (nods in concession): This really bites, doesn’t it?
Alec: Yeah.
Josh and Caelyn approach, arm-in-arm.
Ess: You two want to tell us something?
Josh: We’re together, for the duration of this cotillion.
Caelyn (as doting girlfriend): Isn’t he adorable? (Josh snickers)
Ess: Saved him from that icky Bravo?
Josh: She did, and with style, I might add.
Caelyn: I can do style like nobody’s business.
Josh: What are you guys doing?
Ess: Talking.
Alec: About pastels.
Josh (beat): Okay.
Caelyn: There are a lot of pastels in here, aren’t there?
Alec: There certainly are.
Long pause as they all kind of look around blankly.
Josh: Well… you guys are depressing.
Ess: We should start having fun.
Alec: Twister?
Ess: Grow up.
Caelyn: We could start a fire.
Alec: And get then all go apply for new jobs at the local McDonald’s.
Caelyn: I’m not saying it has to be a big fire.
Josh: Is that Luke?
Alec (nods): Apparently, he’s popular among the brainless twit crowd.
Ess (hits him): That’s extremely rude.
Alec: The good-looking brainless twit crowd.
Ess snickers.
Caelyn: Like, a small plant or something.
Josh: Like that one? (points)
Caelyn: Yeah.
Josh: Can you keep them all distracted?
Caelyn: No.
Josh: Then how-
Caelyn: You distract them, and I’ll be the pyro.
Ess: Are you all drunk?
Alec: I wish.
Josh (looking at Luke): Seriously, there’s like three of them hovering around him.
Caelyn (as annoyed): Should I go tell Amanda we broke up?
Josh: Sweetheart, you always take the things I say out of context. You know you’re my world.
Caelyn: Well, sometimes I just feel like you take me for granted.
Alec (stares at them for a beat, then to Ess): I’ll be over there, starting myself on fire.
End Scene 1.
Scene 2- Party.
Luke: I knew it was wrong, according to the rules. But you know, when it’s your friends who are at stake, you realize career doesn’t matter. There was only one thing I really could do.
Girl 1: Wow.
Girl 2: That’s so heroic.
Girl 1: Like, for real.
Luke (shakes head somberly): Not heroic. I only did what anyone in my situation would have done.
Girl 1: Run into a ghoul’s nest to try and save your friends? I know a lot of guys who wouldn’t have even considered it. I mean, that’s… really great.
Luke (shrugs): I don’t know. Maybe it was a little heroic.
Scene shift - Ess and Alec.
Alec: Maybe we should start dancing.
Ess: Dancing?
Alec: Yeah.
Ess: You don’t dance.
Alec: I dance.
Ess: I don’t dance.
Alec: I’ve seen you dance.
Ess: You’ve seen me?
Alec: Yeah, one time. It was…funny.
Ess: Shut up.
Alec: I think you fell down.
Ess: Think of something else.
Alec: Now I’m thinking of when you tried to get back up.
Ess: A different idea, Alec.
Alec: We could play pranks.
Ess: Keep going.
Alec: We could play pranks and then we could… you know, I think the pranks are enough.
Ess: Okay. What kind of pranks are we talking about here?
Alec: Dye in the punch.
Ess: But then I won’t get any more punch.
Alec: Yes.
Ess: The punch is the only thing this has going for it.
Alec: Well, now it has pranks going for it.
Ess: Okay.
Alec: I’ll go get some dye.
Ess: I’m going to get some punch.
Scene shift - Josh and Caelyn.
Caelyn: Couldn’t the five of us have just gone to dinner?
Josh: No.
Caelyn: Why?
Josh: Because then we wouldn’t have suffered.
Caelyn: Alec said there might be dancing.
Josh: Right.
Caelyn: You don’t dance?
Josh: I can tango.
Caelyn: Really?
Josh: No.
Caelyn: Can you waltz?
Josh: No.
Caelyn: The Twist?
Josh (laughs): As if you’d dance in front of people anyway.
Caelyn: I’d watch you and make scathing comments.
Josh: That’s entertainment.
Caelyn: I think so. (beat) What do you usually do?
Josh: Play RPGs on my PC.
Caelyn: I mean at these events.
Josh: List the reasons I have for not taking my own life.
Caelyn: You’re kind of a downer.
Josh: I need to level my ranger’s bow skills a few more times before entering the Blackwood Forest.
Caelyn (laughs disbelieving): Okay.
Josh: I decided to share that with you.
Caelyn: Yeah.
Josh: I don’t just tell that stuff to anyone.
Caelyn: No, ‘cause then they’d think you’re mad.
Josh: Yes.
Caelyn (giggles): I appreciate your faith in me.
Josh: You should.
Scene shift - Luke and Alec at punch bowl. Alec is carefully and stealthily trying to pour some dye into the punch.
Luke: What are you doing?
Alec: Making my own fun.
Luke (beat): Why is Ess planting cups all over the room?
Alec: She likes the punch.
Luke: I guess. So tell me, are Josh and Caelyn-
Alec: Together?
Luke: Yeah.
Alec: Sure looks like it.
Luke: Huh.
Alec (hands him a cup): Punch?
Scene shift - Gerrard, Caelyn, and Josh.
Gerrard: You can’t compare the two. They’re nothing alike. Incomparable.
Caelyn (beat): So you’re saying I shouldn’t compare-
Gerrard: She has quite a lip, this one.
Josh: Yes, sir.
Caelyn: I do not.
Josh: Little bit, yeah.
Caelyn: And you don’t?
Josh: No, I do too.
Caelyn: You’re telling me.
Josh (beat): Okay.
Gerrard: Look at that.
Josh (looks): Huh.
Caelyn: What is that?
Gerrard (chuckles): Someone dyed the punch.
Caelyn: Wow.
Josh pauses and looks down at the cup in his hand.
Scene shift - Alec and Luke in the hall, outside the restrooms.
Alec: You up for this?
Luke: Yeah, man.
Alec: Okay. (beat) If something goes wrong, you should know… I’ll give you up in a heartbeat.
Luke stares at him blankly.
Alec: Ready?
Luke nods. Alec looks around to make sure they are alone.
Alec: Go!
They quickly begin applying gobs of honey to the restroom door handles.
Scene shift - Ess and Josh.
Ess: I have an idea.
Josh: Okay.
Ess: You listening?
Josh: Yeah.
Ess: You seem distracted.
Josh: I’m not.
Ess: It seems like you are.
Josh: What’s your idea?
Ess (beat): This is your fault.
Josh: You forgot.
Ess: Because you were distracted, and I had to bring you out of it.
Josh: And then you forgot.
Ess: Yes, I did. I forgot.
Josh: You brought me to the door, and then failed to open it.
Ess: You really don’t have to supply metaphors for it.
Josh: Okay.
Ess: It was good, too.
Josh: What was?
Ess: The idea! The idea was a good one.
Josh: How do you know? You can’t remember it.
Ess: I remember it was good.
Josh: What was?
Ess: Funny.
Josh (beat): How long has it been?
Ess: Why?
Josh: I want to go home. Can we leave yet?
Ess: Have we heard the speech?
Josh (quietly): No.
Ess: Then, no.
Josh (beat): You forgot?
Ess (sighs): It was a good idea.
Scene shift - The six members of Sierra (Gerrard, Josh, Alec, Luke, Ess, Caelyn) are sitting around a small table. Many other tables are set up in front of a small podium where a man is speaking.
Caelyn (whispers to Josh): This is boring.
Josh: Builds character.
Caelyn (laughs quietly/beat): I have a druid.
Josh (beat): Like, in your closet?
Caelyn: No, on a game. I just thought you should know, since I kind of gave you a hard time about-
Josh: Kiven.
Caelyn: Kiven?
Josh (nods): My ranger. Kiven il’Thri.
Caelyn: Yeah, that. I have one, too. A character, I mean.
Josh (patronizingly): Cae…
Caelyn: What?
Josh: You went over to a friend’s house and they made you a character that you’ve never seen again, didn’t you?
Caelyn (laughs a little loudly, then stops, embarrassed, and looks around): Look what you made me do.
Josh: It was a nice try, though.
Alec (to Ess): He looks like an owl.
Ess: I’ve never seen an owl.
Alec: You don’t know what an owl looks like?
Ess: Of course I know what-
Alec: You said-
Ess: A live owl!
Alec (beat/quietly): Now everyone is looking at us.
Ess: It’s your fault.
Fade out on their table. End Scene 2.
Scene 3: ADTEO hallway - Josh and Alec.
Josh: You did what!?
Alec: I… I told her-
Josh: What were you thinking?
Alec: Don’t yell at me.
Josh: Oh, I think I will.
Alec: The night was going so well. I was, I was making her laugh, and then she spilled water on me.
Josh: Ah, now I see. ‘Cause that’s usually when I profess my undying love, too.
Alec: I didn’t-
Josh: What were you thinking?
Alec: You’re saying this could be bad.
Josh: There’s a chance, yeah.
Alec: Well, I don’t think you’re giving her enough credit.
Josh: Well, I think I’ve been giving you way too much.
Alec: What does that have to do with-
Josh: It doesn’t.
Alec: Look, she didn’t overreact. I think it is going to be okay.
Josh: That’s completely beside the point.
Alec: What?
Josh She might not be okay!
Alec: Don’t be paranoid.
Josh: I’m not. I’ve moved past paranoia into extreme phobia. Less talking to myself, but I have a hard time breathing in the presence of other people.
Josh begins walking down the hall. After a beat, Alec follows.
Alec: She’s fine.
Josh: Maybe, but you’re still an idiot.
Alec: Yeah, like ‘buy her a dog’ was the route to go.
Josh: Now we’ll never know.
They come in to the main office area. Janie is on the phone.
Janie: Yes, sir. I don’t think- (pause) Sir, I have no- (pause) I wasn’t trying to be flippant. (pause/ she covers the receiver end and talks to Josh) Commander Tolvard is pretty angry.
Josh: What?
Janie: Apparently, Gerrard sent a memo to the Council suggesting Cormele be retracted.
Josh (looks at her for a moment blankly): Give me the phone.
Janie looks surprised but does what he says.
Josh (into phone): Commander Tolvard, this is Field Commander Moritz. (pause) Yeah, um, don’t yell at my secretary over policy she has no business implementing. You have a problem, take it up- (pause). That wasn’t Commander Sully’s memo. It was mine. (pause) I wrote the memo. (pause) Because- (pause) I understand that- (pause) Sir- (pause/ Josh looks annoyed and briefly holds the phone away from his ear) I understand that, sir, but I did what I felt was best in the interest of my team. (pause) I had no intention of betraying your trust in any- (pause) Sir- (pause/sighs, looks at phone and hangs up). He hung up.
Alec: What was that about?
Josh (beat): Nothing. I’ll take care of it.
Janie: Josh, you shouldn’t-
Josh: I’ll take care of it.
Janie: Josh.
Josh: Leave it alone.
Josh walks into his office and shuts the door. Alec and Janie exchange a look. Scene shift.
Ess and Luke are in a different hallway. Luke is reading a paper. Ess is preoccupied.
Luke: Rodgers scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. When asked to comment, he said, ‘I feel fortunate to be alive at a time where my particular talent is able to be properly respected and utilized.’ (beat) Well, first of all, there’s no way he said that. I mean, I’ve heard the man speak, and it’s a good day if only half of his words are actually guttural noises.
Ess: Yeah.
Luke: And then there’s the quote itself. Having already determined it was not Rodgers who said it, we have to conclude that some over-zealous reporter thinks you can win a Pulitzer by pontificating in the sports pages. ‘Fortunate to be alive at a time….’ Yes, because the last hundred years have been remarkably intolerant on those who play baseball, and even up until that time, there was no use for people who had strength and hand-eye coordination.
Ess: Yeah.
Luke: It’s not that it’s ridiculous so much as the fact as someone actually sat down and tried to sound smart by writing it. If the man had been capable of saying it, then, you know, I’d at least get it. But one Louis Antoine had to actually spend time fabricating it-
Ess: Uh-huh.
Luke: Ess.
Ess: What?
Luke: You okay?
Ess (beat): Yeah.
Luke: Normally you’d have contributed a little more, is all.
Ess: What?
Luke: To the conversation… that I was having with myself.
Ess (embarrassed laugh): Sorry.
Luke: What’s up?
Ess: Something… last night…(beat) I’m fine.
Luke (laughs): Yeah, you are.
Ess (smiles): Watch it, newbie.
They enter the main offices. Janie and Alec are there. Alec and Ess avoid eye-contact.
Luke: Alec, you seen today’s paper?
Alec: No.
Luke: If you get a chance, check out the Sports-
Ess: Alec, can I talk to you in private?
Alec: Sure.
They stand up and exit.
Luke: That’s okay. Not like I was talking or anything. Nope.
Janie: You talking to yourself?
Luke: Apparently.
Janie: Okay.
Scene shift - Alec and Ess in hallway. Both of them are nervous, Ess more than Alec.
Alec: Look, I-
Ess: Wait! Don’t-… let me start.
Alec: Okay.
Ess: Alec, I… you know I love you, right?
Alec: As a brother.
Ess: Yeah.
Alec: Yeah, I knew that.
Ess: Okay. Good. (beat) I- (suddenly horrified)… is that what you meant last night?
Alec: Um… yeah.
Ess: Really?
Alec: No.
Ess: Alec!
Alec (gets louder and more intense as he goes on): I meant that I like you a lot, and I’d love to take you out sometime, and that I think we have great chemistry, and that just because we work together doesn’t mean we can’t be mature about this, and that you shouldn’t write me off because of the times- okay, the many times I’ve been somewhat childish in your presence!
Ess (beat): You meant all that?
Alec: Ess-
Ess: I don’t know what to say, Alec. I never thought about you like that!
Alec: Never?
Ess: Well, unless you talk to Caelyn, who’s convinced I think you’re gorgeous.
Alec: You think I’m gorgeous?
Ess: No. Caelyn thinks I think your gorgeous.
Alec: Do you?
Ess: No!
Alec: Attractive?
Ess: Alec-
Alec: Down-right ugly?
Ess: Of course not.
Alec: So on the scales, I’m tipping toward the gorgeous end?
Ess: Alec, that is neither here nor there.
Alec: You brought it up.
Ess: I know, I know, and I shouldn’t have.
Alec: I’m glad you did.
Ess: Alec-
Alec: Does Caelyn think I’m gorgeous?
Ess: What!?
Alec: I’m just asking, because-
Ess (very excited): You can’t tell me you have feelings for me and then ask me about other women!
Alec: You said-
Ess: I said I had never considered it!
Alec: So you might?
Ess (beat): Maybe.
Alec (nods): Okay.
Ess: Okay?
Alec (smiles): Right now, I’m good with a ‘maybe.’
Ess (looks at him a long beat): Ask me out to dinner tomorrow.
Alec (smiles): Want to go out for dinner tomorrow?
Ess: I meant, ask me tomorrow.
Alec: Oh. (beat) Sorry.
Ess: Okay. I, uh… I have to get to work.
Alec: Yeah.
They both slowly head back to the office.
Scene shift: Lobby - Caelyn and Kevin are each having a bagel. Caelyn is laughing at Kevin’s story.
Kevin: Every sprinkler in the building came on. The speaker didn’t get more than four words of his speech out.
Caelyn: Wow. That is so much better than starting a fire.
Kevin: Well, a fire is the first step.
Caelyn: Did they find out it was you?
Kevin: Nope. In fact, you and my wife are the only two other people who know.
Caelyn (touched): Wow. I’m flattered.
Kevin: Well, it’s too late for them to do anything to me anyway. I wasn’t really taking a risk in sharing.
Caelyn: How’d you get around the security cameras?
Kevin: That’s a whole other story. Suffice to say, they weren’t working that evening.
Caelyn: You sabotaged the security system?
Kevin: That was someone who shall remain nameless.
Caelyn: Well, it was either you or your wife, and I’m leaning toward the person with ‘spy’ on their résumé.
Kevin (laughs): That’s ‘cause you haven’t met her. She’s sneaky.
Caelyn: I’m sure. (looks at watch) I better get to the office.
Kevin: Yeah, me too. Janie is probably filling my desk with sand right now.
They enter the elevator.
Caelyn: So how come you didn’t have to come last night?
Kevin: Years of practice and dumb luck.
Caelyn: it’s because you’re a secretary, isn’t it?
Kevin: Assistant to the Director.
Caelyn: Okay.
Kevin: Yeah, that’s why.
Scene shift - Offices
Luke: We’re going out tonight.
Alec: Which one was she?
Luke: The really blonde one.
Alec: I would have gone for the other one. (beat as Ess looks up at him questioningly) You know, if I were a cad.
Luke: Yeah, well, I’m seeing the other one tomorrow.
Long beat as the other three stare at him.
Luke (defensively): I wasn’t sure which one-
Ess: Shut up.
Luke: I’m not-
Janie: Shhh!
Luke: Alec, help me out.
Alec: Yeah right.
Elevator opens - Caelyn and Kevin exit.
Caelyn: Good morning.
Everyone returns the greeting.
Ess: I need to talk with you.
Caelyn: To me?
Ess: Yeah.
Alec: Why?
Ess: Excuse me?
Alec (quietly): Nothing.
Ess: That’s right. (To Caelyn) You have a minute?
Caelyn: Okay.
They exit to the hallway.
Luke: What is up with her today?
Alec: Hard to say.
Kevin: Esther?
Luke: Yeah.
Kevin: Something’s bothering her?
Luke (to Alec): What did she want to talk with you about?
Alec: Me?
Luke: Yeah.
Alec (beat): Floral… arrangements.
Luke: What?
Alec (beat): Yeah, I pretty much blew that one.
Kevin: I’ll say.
Alec looks at them both, then turns to his computer and begins typing without looking up.
End Scene 3.
Scene 4 -ADTEO hallway. Ess and Caelyn.
Caelyn: What’s up?
Ess: Alec… Okay, when I tell you this, I need you to be… (Stops talking)
Caelyn (beat): Ess?
Ess: I don’t want you to think… don’t act like it’s a good thing, okay?
Caelyn (puzzled): Okay?
Ess (beat): Alec told me that… he has… feelings.
Caelyn (excited): Oh, Ess! That’s great!
Ess: No! No, it’s not great. We, we don’t know what it is.
Caelyn: We don’t?
Ess: No.
Caelyn (beat): I’m so happy for you. (gives Ess a hug. Ess sighs and lightly pushes her back)
Ess: Would you cut it out?
Caelyn: Okay, sorry. Sorry. You’re just such a cute couple!
Ess: We’re not a-
Caelyn (hurriedly): In my mind.
Ess: I just… I don’t know what to do.
Caelyn: Marry him.
Ess: Caelyn!
Caelyn: I’m kidding. (beat, off Ess’ look) Really. Tell me what happened.
Ess: Last night at the party. We were having a good time, and then, out of no where, Alec looks at me and says he has strong feelings for me.
Caelyn: He said that?
Ess: Those were his exact words.
Caelyn: And then you told him you think he’s gorgeous.
Ess: What?
Caelyn: In my mind, again.
Ess: Caelyn!
Caelyn: This is a good thing, Ess.
Ess: How do you know?
Caelyn: Because you’re such a cute couple. (beat) Trust me.
Ess: You think I should go for it?
Caelyn: Yes, I do.
Ess: But what if it doesn’t work out?
Caelyn: What kind of attitude is that?
Ess: I don’t want to lose my friend.
Caelyn: You won’t.
Ess: I might. (begins to panic) What if I lose Alec, and then Josh chooses to be his friend instead of mine? I’ll lose both of my friends. Caelyn, why is this happening?
Caelyn: Ess, you’re overreacting.
Ess: I don’t think I am!
Caelyn: All right, you need to breathe. (beat) First of all, I’m your friend too, okay? And have some faith in those guys. I’ve hardly known them compared to you, but it’s already clear to me they deserve more credit than that.
Ess (quietly): Yeah, they do.
Caelyn: Okay?
Ess: Yeah. (beat) He’s going to ask me out tomorrow.
Caelyn: That will be nice.
Ess: I don’t know what to say.
Caelyn: Say you think he’s hot, and smart, and funny, and you find him remarkably charming, and that you would love to go out with him.
Ess (beat/giggles): You are so ridiculous.
Caelyn: I know.
Scene shift - Offices.
Gerrard (off-screen): Josh!
Josh looks at Janie, then walks into Gerrard’s office. Shift to Gerrard’s office.
Gerrard: Did you tell Tolvard that you wrote the memo?
Josh: The memo?
Gerrard (sternly): Josh!
Josh: I may have.
Gerrard: What moronic, irrational part of your savior-complex made you do that!?
Josh (beat): Was that rhetorical?
Gerrard: I don’t need you taking shots for me!
Josh: Then stop giving them bullets.
Gerrard (taken-back): Excuse me?
Josh: No, not this time.
Gerrard: What-
Josh: You’re giving them the bullets!
Gerrard (beat): What I do is none of your business.
Josh: Since when?
Gerrard: I don’t want you taking hits.
Josh: Yeah, I really don’t like it either, but you can’t take many more, and you’re still throwing out challenges!
Gerrard: I have to do something.
Josh: I know.
Gerrard: You have to let me.
Josh: I can’t. (beat) Lay low for awhile, that’s all I’m asking.
Gerrard sighs and shakes his head in frustration.
Josh: The Council loves you, Gerrard. So much that you’ll be thrown three different parades after they force you to resign.
Gerrard: I have more influence than that.
Josh (shakes his head): You did. You’re using it all up taking shots at your peers.
Gerrard: They might need to be shot, Josh.
Josh: I’m not arguing motive.
Gerrard (beat): Why not?
Josh just looks at him.
Gerrard (sighs): Okay.
Josh: You’ll lay off for a few months, at least?
Gerrard: Okay.
Josh: Okay. (stands up and goes to the door, turns, pauses, and then leaves without speaking)
Gerrard stares out his window sadly.
Scene shift - Josh walks into his office and Ess and Caelyn are there.
Josh: Ladies.
Ess: Can we talk?
Josh: In my office?
Ess: Yeah.
Josh: Why?
Ess: ‘Cause this is where you are.
Josh: Can we talk?
Ess: Yeah.
Josh: Oh. Yeah. (to Caelyn) Why are you here?
Caelyn: Ess is my friend.
Josh: Okay.
Ess: Caelyn says I should talk to you.
Josh: Yeah, well, Caelyn’s your friend.
Caelyn: Yes, I am.
Josh: What do we need to talk about?
Ess: Alec.
Josh: No.
Caelyn: Josh.
Josh: Come on! I don’t want to talk about Alec. You go talk about Alec.
Ess: We did.
Josh: How’d that work out for you?
Caelyn: Listen, okay?
Ess: Caelyn said that if Alec and I were to break up-
Josh: You’re getting together?
Caelyn: Yes.
Ess: No!
Josh: You’re not?
Caelyn: They are.
Ess: I don’t know.
Josh: You don’t?
Ess: Maybe.
Josh: And yet, here you are.
Caelyn: Ask him.
Ess (beat/to Josh): Whose side would you be on?
Josh: The North.
Caelyn: Josh.
Josh: They’re not even dating.
Caelyn: They will be!
Ess: Maybe.
Josh (sighs): Ess, I’m not going to stop being your friend. Ever. Okay? It’s not going to happen. When you’re married and have a family, and I’m an out-of-work, failed author, it’s going to be your couch that I’m gonna end up on. Got it?
Ess (giggles slightly/touched): Okay.
Josh: Ess?
Ess: Yeah, okay.
Josh: You shouldn’t need Caelyn to convince you of that.
Ess (quietly): I know.
Josh: (to Caelyn): Thanks, though.
Caelyn: Aren’t they a cute couple?
Josh: Oh, yeah.
Ess: Shut up.
Josh: You guys staying tonight?
Ess: For what?
Josh: Masterpiece Theatre. (beat) It’s poker night, Ess.
Ess: Oh, Yeah, right. Yeah, I’m in. Cae?
Caelyn: Yeah.
Josh: You sure?
Caelyn: Excuse me?
Josh: You lost a lot of money last time.
Caelyn: I lost three dollars.
Josh: Which you’ll never get back.
Caelyn: You gave them back after we were done.
Josh: This time, maybe I won’t.
Caelyn (laughs): Okay.
Josh: You guys don’t have any work to do?
Ess: I’m supposed to be consulting.
Josh: You could always blow it off and hang out in my office.
Ess: You think Amy broke up with you because you’re so sarcastic?
Caelyn looks at her in surprise.
Josh: Amy broke up with me because she knew I was secretly in love with you.
Ess: Well, who isn’t?
Josh: That’s what I said. She didn’t buy it.
Ess snickers and leaves. Caelyn starts to follow then turns back to Josh.
Caelyn: So your break-up is fair-game now?
Josh: Why, you have some burners saved up?
Caelyn: Maybe.
Josh (grins): Go to work.
Caelyn smiles, exits, comes back in and shuts the door.
Josh (without looking up): Nice try, but I know you’re there.
Caelyn: Josh, is everything all right with my uncle?
Josh: Which one?
Caelyn: Josh.
Josh: Yeah, he’s fine.
Caelyn: Okay. (beat) You’d never lie to me, right?
Josh: I might.
Caelyn: Oh.
Josh: But if I do, I’ll let you know.
Caelyn (smiles slightly): Okay.
Josh: Nice work on the Alec/Ess situation.
Caelyn: I’m going to pretend to do work.
Josh: Okay.
Caelyn: I’m really going to be reading Richard Marton’s Know When to Hold ‘Em.
Josh: Guide to online-dating?
Caelyn: Funny.
Josh: I have to admire your willingness to tell your boss of your plans to not only avoid work, but also study on how to best take his money.
Caelyn: I’m bold that way.
Josh: Yeah.
Caelyn: Daring.
Josh: Uh-huh.
Caelyn: You might call me a firebrand.
Josh: Yeah, if you had red hair, and, you know, were Irish.
Caelyn: Yeah. See you.
Caelyn exits and Josh smiles.
Scene shift - Gerrard’s office. Kevin enters.
Kevin: Hey.
Gerrard: You here to tell me I was wrong?
Kevin: Do I ever?
Gerrard: No.
Kevin: No. You have any scotch?
Gerrard: I got rid of that stuff. It was killing my liver.
Kevin: My liver is fine.
Gerrard: Then get your own scotch.
Kevin: What did you say to Josh?
Gerrard: I told him to get out of the way.
Kevin: Heh. What did he say?
Gerrard (sighs): ‘No.’
Kevin (chuckles): Well, what do you expect? He’s your man, always will be.
Gerrard: He’s an idiot.
Kevin: Sometimes, yeah. But he’s your man.
Gerrard: He died.
Kevin: I know.
Gerrard: He died and Tolvard is still in power. Angril is still in power.
Kevin: People die in war. Doesn’t mean you fire the generals.
Gerrard (angrily): Don’t simplify it like that! Don’t group him like he’s a number. He’s not just… he’s not a number, Kev!
Kevin: No, he’s not. (beat) None of them are.
There is a long pause and then Gerrard nods.
Fade out. End Scene 4.
Ess: You won’t meet anybody standing back here by yourself.
Caelyn: I’ve already met two people.
Ess: Whatever. Go out there and start talking.
Caelyn: I’m really not comfortable at these kinds of things.
Ess: No kidding.
Caelyn: Just, you know, out of curiosity,… how long before it’s no longer rude for me to leave?
Ess: Sweetie, you should be having fun.
Caelyn: I should be sleeping. Or, at least, watching TV alone.
Ess: Yeah, that’s what you need. Look, Cae-
Caelyn: Who is that talking to Josh?
Ess: What?
Caelyn: Who is she?
Ess (looks): Amanda… Amanda… something. She works in Bravo, I think.
Caelyn: Is she flirting with him?
Ess: Looks like it. He is rather eligible.
Caelyn: I better go over there. (Ess gives her a look, and she grins) We made a deal. I’ll be right back.
Caelyn heads over to Josh. Ess watches and is approached by Alec.
Alec: Hey.
Ess: Hey.
Alec: Have I mentioned how much I hate these?
Ess: Everyone hates these, Alec.
Alec: Luke is hitting on three girls at once.
Ess: Everyone who is more mature than the average fourteen year-old.
Alec: Who comes up with these themes, anyway?
Ess: I don’t know.
Alec: I mean seriously, could there be more pastel decorations in this room?
Ess: I think you should focus on the pastels.
Alec: It’s either that or this food.
Ess (nods in concession): This really bites, doesn’t it?
Alec: Yeah.
Josh and Caelyn approach, arm-in-arm.
Ess: You two want to tell us something?
Josh: We’re together, for the duration of this cotillion.
Caelyn (as doting girlfriend): Isn’t he adorable? (Josh snickers)
Ess: Saved him from that icky Bravo?
Josh: She did, and with style, I might add.
Caelyn: I can do style like nobody’s business.
Josh: What are you guys doing?
Ess: Talking.
Alec: About pastels.
Josh (beat): Okay.
Caelyn: There are a lot of pastels in here, aren’t there?
Alec: There certainly are.
Long pause as they all kind of look around blankly.
Josh: Well… you guys are depressing.
Ess: We should start having fun.
Alec: Twister?
Ess: Grow up.
Caelyn: We could start a fire.
Alec: And get then all go apply for new jobs at the local McDonald’s.
Caelyn: I’m not saying it has to be a big fire.
Josh: Is that Luke?
Alec (nods): Apparently, he’s popular among the brainless twit crowd.
Ess (hits him): That’s extremely rude.
Alec: The good-looking brainless twit crowd.
Ess snickers.
Caelyn: Like, a small plant or something.
Josh: Like that one? (points)
Caelyn: Yeah.
Josh: Can you keep them all distracted?
Caelyn: No.
Josh: Then how-
Caelyn: You distract them, and I’ll be the pyro.
Ess: Are you all drunk?
Alec: I wish.
Josh (looking at Luke): Seriously, there’s like three of them hovering around him.
Caelyn (as annoyed): Should I go tell Amanda we broke up?
Josh: Sweetheart, you always take the things I say out of context. You know you’re my world.
Caelyn: Well, sometimes I just feel like you take me for granted.
Alec (stares at them for a beat, then to Ess): I’ll be over there, starting myself on fire.
End Scene 1.
Scene 2- Party.
Luke: I knew it was wrong, according to the rules. But you know, when it’s your friends who are at stake, you realize career doesn’t matter. There was only one thing I really could do.
Girl 1: Wow.
Girl 2: That’s so heroic.
Girl 1: Like, for real.
Luke (shakes head somberly): Not heroic. I only did what anyone in my situation would have done.
Girl 1: Run into a ghoul’s nest to try and save your friends? I know a lot of guys who wouldn’t have even considered it. I mean, that’s… really great.
Luke (shrugs): I don’t know. Maybe it was a little heroic.
Scene shift - Ess and Alec.
Alec: Maybe we should start dancing.
Ess: Dancing?
Alec: Yeah.
Ess: You don’t dance.
Alec: I dance.
Ess: I don’t dance.
Alec: I’ve seen you dance.
Ess: You’ve seen me?
Alec: Yeah, one time. It was…funny.
Ess: Shut up.
Alec: I think you fell down.
Ess: Think of something else.
Alec: Now I’m thinking of when you tried to get back up.
Ess: A different idea, Alec.
Alec: We could play pranks.
Ess: Keep going.
Alec: We could play pranks and then we could… you know, I think the pranks are enough.
Ess: Okay. What kind of pranks are we talking about here?
Alec: Dye in the punch.
Ess: But then I won’t get any more punch.
Alec: Yes.
Ess: The punch is the only thing this has going for it.
Alec: Well, now it has pranks going for it.
Ess: Okay.
Alec: I’ll go get some dye.
Ess: I’m going to get some punch.
Scene shift - Josh and Caelyn.
Caelyn: Couldn’t the five of us have just gone to dinner?
Josh: No.
Caelyn: Why?
Josh: Because then we wouldn’t have suffered.
Caelyn: Alec said there might be dancing.
Josh: Right.
Caelyn: You don’t dance?
Josh: I can tango.
Caelyn: Really?
Josh: No.
Caelyn: Can you waltz?
Josh: No.
Caelyn: The Twist?
Josh (laughs): As if you’d dance in front of people anyway.
Caelyn: I’d watch you and make scathing comments.
Josh: That’s entertainment.
Caelyn: I think so. (beat) What do you usually do?
Josh: Play RPGs on my PC.
Caelyn: I mean at these events.
Josh: List the reasons I have for not taking my own life.
Caelyn: You’re kind of a downer.
Josh: I need to level my ranger’s bow skills a few more times before entering the Blackwood Forest.
Caelyn (laughs disbelieving): Okay.
Josh: I decided to share that with you.
Caelyn: Yeah.
Josh: I don’t just tell that stuff to anyone.
Caelyn: No, ‘cause then they’d think you’re mad.
Josh: Yes.
Caelyn (giggles): I appreciate your faith in me.
Josh: You should.
Scene shift - Luke and Alec at punch bowl. Alec is carefully and stealthily trying to pour some dye into the punch.
Luke: What are you doing?
Alec: Making my own fun.
Luke (beat): Why is Ess planting cups all over the room?
Alec: She likes the punch.
Luke: I guess. So tell me, are Josh and Caelyn-
Alec: Together?
Luke: Yeah.
Alec: Sure looks like it.
Luke: Huh.
Alec (hands him a cup): Punch?
Scene shift - Gerrard, Caelyn, and Josh.
Gerrard: You can’t compare the two. They’re nothing alike. Incomparable.
Caelyn (beat): So you’re saying I shouldn’t compare-
Gerrard: She has quite a lip, this one.
Josh: Yes, sir.
Caelyn: I do not.
Josh: Little bit, yeah.
Caelyn: And you don’t?
Josh: No, I do too.
Caelyn: You’re telling me.
Josh (beat): Okay.
Gerrard: Look at that.
Josh (looks): Huh.
Caelyn: What is that?
Gerrard (chuckles): Someone dyed the punch.
Caelyn: Wow.
Josh pauses and looks down at the cup in his hand.
Scene shift - Alec and Luke in the hall, outside the restrooms.
Alec: You up for this?
Luke: Yeah, man.
Alec: Okay. (beat) If something goes wrong, you should know… I’ll give you up in a heartbeat.
Luke stares at him blankly.
Alec: Ready?
Luke nods. Alec looks around to make sure they are alone.
Alec: Go!
They quickly begin applying gobs of honey to the restroom door handles.
Scene shift - Ess and Josh.
Ess: I have an idea.
Josh: Okay.
Ess: You listening?
Josh: Yeah.
Ess: You seem distracted.
Josh: I’m not.
Ess: It seems like you are.
Josh: What’s your idea?
Ess (beat): This is your fault.
Josh: You forgot.
Ess: Because you were distracted, and I had to bring you out of it.
Josh: And then you forgot.
Ess: Yes, I did. I forgot.
Josh: You brought me to the door, and then failed to open it.
Ess: You really don’t have to supply metaphors for it.
Josh: Okay.
Ess: It was good, too.
Josh: What was?
Ess: The idea! The idea was a good one.
Josh: How do you know? You can’t remember it.
Ess: I remember it was good.
Josh: What was?
Ess: Funny.
Josh (beat): How long has it been?
Ess: Why?
Josh: I want to go home. Can we leave yet?
Ess: Have we heard the speech?
Josh (quietly): No.
Ess: Then, no.
Josh (beat): You forgot?
Ess (sighs): It was a good idea.
Scene shift - The six members of Sierra (Gerrard, Josh, Alec, Luke, Ess, Caelyn) are sitting around a small table. Many other tables are set up in front of a small podium where a man is speaking.
Caelyn (whispers to Josh): This is boring.
Josh: Builds character.
Caelyn (laughs quietly/beat): I have a druid.
Josh (beat): Like, in your closet?
Caelyn: No, on a game. I just thought you should know, since I kind of gave you a hard time about-
Josh: Kiven.
Caelyn: Kiven?
Josh (nods): My ranger. Kiven il’Thri.
Caelyn: Yeah, that. I have one, too. A character, I mean.
Josh (patronizingly): Cae…
Caelyn: What?
Josh: You went over to a friend’s house and they made you a character that you’ve never seen again, didn’t you?
Caelyn (laughs a little loudly, then stops, embarrassed, and looks around): Look what you made me do.
Josh: It was a nice try, though.
Alec (to Ess): He looks like an owl.
Ess: I’ve never seen an owl.
Alec: You don’t know what an owl looks like?
Ess: Of course I know what-
Alec: You said-
Ess: A live owl!
Alec (beat/quietly): Now everyone is looking at us.
Ess: It’s your fault.
Fade out on their table. End Scene 2.
Scene 3: ADTEO hallway - Josh and Alec.
Josh: You did what!?
Alec: I… I told her-
Josh: What were you thinking?
Alec: Don’t yell at me.
Josh: Oh, I think I will.
Alec: The night was going so well. I was, I was making her laugh, and then she spilled water on me.
Josh: Ah, now I see. ‘Cause that’s usually when I profess my undying love, too.
Alec: I didn’t-
Josh: What were you thinking?
Alec: You’re saying this could be bad.
Josh: There’s a chance, yeah.
Alec: Well, I don’t think you’re giving her enough credit.
Josh: Well, I think I’ve been giving you way too much.
Alec: What does that have to do with-
Josh: It doesn’t.
Alec: Look, she didn’t overreact. I think it is going to be okay.
Josh: That’s completely beside the point.
Alec: What?
Josh She might not be okay!
Alec: Don’t be paranoid.
Josh: I’m not. I’ve moved past paranoia into extreme phobia. Less talking to myself, but I have a hard time breathing in the presence of other people.
Josh begins walking down the hall. After a beat, Alec follows.
Alec: She’s fine.
Josh: Maybe, but you’re still an idiot.
Alec: Yeah, like ‘buy her a dog’ was the route to go.
Josh: Now we’ll never know.
They come in to the main office area. Janie is on the phone.
Janie: Yes, sir. I don’t think- (pause) Sir, I have no- (pause) I wasn’t trying to be flippant. (pause/ she covers the receiver end and talks to Josh) Commander Tolvard is pretty angry.
Josh: What?
Janie: Apparently, Gerrard sent a memo to the Council suggesting Cormele be retracted.
Josh (looks at her for a moment blankly): Give me the phone.
Janie looks surprised but does what he says.
Josh (into phone): Commander Tolvard, this is Field Commander Moritz. (pause) Yeah, um, don’t yell at my secretary over policy she has no business implementing. You have a problem, take it up- (pause). That wasn’t Commander Sully’s memo. It was mine. (pause) I wrote the memo. (pause) Because- (pause) I understand that- (pause) Sir- (pause/ Josh looks annoyed and briefly holds the phone away from his ear) I understand that, sir, but I did what I felt was best in the interest of my team. (pause) I had no intention of betraying your trust in any- (pause) Sir- (pause/sighs, looks at phone and hangs up). He hung up.
Alec: What was that about?
Josh (beat): Nothing. I’ll take care of it.
Janie: Josh, you shouldn’t-
Josh: I’ll take care of it.
Janie: Josh.
Josh: Leave it alone.
Josh walks into his office and shuts the door. Alec and Janie exchange a look. Scene shift.
Ess and Luke are in a different hallway. Luke is reading a paper. Ess is preoccupied.
Luke: Rodgers scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. When asked to comment, he said, ‘I feel fortunate to be alive at a time where my particular talent is able to be properly respected and utilized.’ (beat) Well, first of all, there’s no way he said that. I mean, I’ve heard the man speak, and it’s a good day if only half of his words are actually guttural noises.
Ess: Yeah.
Luke: And then there’s the quote itself. Having already determined it was not Rodgers who said it, we have to conclude that some over-zealous reporter thinks you can win a Pulitzer by pontificating in the sports pages. ‘Fortunate to be alive at a time….’ Yes, because the last hundred years have been remarkably intolerant on those who play baseball, and even up until that time, there was no use for people who had strength and hand-eye coordination.
Ess: Yeah.
Luke: It’s not that it’s ridiculous so much as the fact as someone actually sat down and tried to sound smart by writing it. If the man had been capable of saying it, then, you know, I’d at least get it. But one Louis Antoine had to actually spend time fabricating it-
Ess: Uh-huh.
Luke: Ess.
Ess: What?
Luke: You okay?
Ess (beat): Yeah.
Luke: Normally you’d have contributed a little more, is all.
Ess: What?
Luke: To the conversation… that I was having with myself.
Ess (embarrassed laugh): Sorry.
Luke: What’s up?
Ess: Something… last night…(beat) I’m fine.
Luke (laughs): Yeah, you are.
Ess (smiles): Watch it, newbie.
They enter the main offices. Janie and Alec are there. Alec and Ess avoid eye-contact.
Luke: Alec, you seen today’s paper?
Alec: No.
Luke: If you get a chance, check out the Sports-
Ess: Alec, can I talk to you in private?
Alec: Sure.
They stand up and exit.
Luke: That’s okay. Not like I was talking or anything. Nope.
Janie: You talking to yourself?
Luke: Apparently.
Janie: Okay.
Scene shift - Alec and Ess in hallway. Both of them are nervous, Ess more than Alec.
Alec: Look, I-
Ess: Wait! Don’t-… let me start.
Alec: Okay.
Ess: Alec, I… you know I love you, right?
Alec: As a brother.
Ess: Yeah.
Alec: Yeah, I knew that.
Ess: Okay. Good. (beat) I- (suddenly horrified)… is that what you meant last night?
Alec: Um… yeah.
Ess: Really?
Alec: No.
Ess: Alec!
Alec (gets louder and more intense as he goes on): I meant that I like you a lot, and I’d love to take you out sometime, and that I think we have great chemistry, and that just because we work together doesn’t mean we can’t be mature about this, and that you shouldn’t write me off because of the times- okay, the many times I’ve been somewhat childish in your presence!
Ess (beat): You meant all that?
Alec: Ess-
Ess: I don’t know what to say, Alec. I never thought about you like that!
Alec: Never?
Ess: Well, unless you talk to Caelyn, who’s convinced I think you’re gorgeous.
Alec: You think I’m gorgeous?
Ess: No. Caelyn thinks I think your gorgeous.
Alec: Do you?
Ess: No!
Alec: Attractive?
Ess: Alec-
Alec: Down-right ugly?
Ess: Of course not.
Alec: So on the scales, I’m tipping toward the gorgeous end?
Ess: Alec, that is neither here nor there.
Alec: You brought it up.
Ess: I know, I know, and I shouldn’t have.
Alec: I’m glad you did.
Ess: Alec-
Alec: Does Caelyn think I’m gorgeous?
Ess: What!?
Alec: I’m just asking, because-
Ess (very excited): You can’t tell me you have feelings for me and then ask me about other women!
Alec: You said-
Ess: I said I had never considered it!
Alec: So you might?
Ess (beat): Maybe.
Alec (nods): Okay.
Ess: Okay?
Alec (smiles): Right now, I’m good with a ‘maybe.’
Ess (looks at him a long beat): Ask me out to dinner tomorrow.
Alec (smiles): Want to go out for dinner tomorrow?
Ess: I meant, ask me tomorrow.
Alec: Oh. (beat) Sorry.
Ess: Okay. I, uh… I have to get to work.
Alec: Yeah.
They both slowly head back to the office.
Scene shift: Lobby - Caelyn and Kevin are each having a bagel. Caelyn is laughing at Kevin’s story.
Kevin: Every sprinkler in the building came on. The speaker didn’t get more than four words of his speech out.
Caelyn: Wow. That is so much better than starting a fire.
Kevin: Well, a fire is the first step.
Caelyn: Did they find out it was you?
Kevin: Nope. In fact, you and my wife are the only two other people who know.
Caelyn (touched): Wow. I’m flattered.
Kevin: Well, it’s too late for them to do anything to me anyway. I wasn’t really taking a risk in sharing.
Caelyn: How’d you get around the security cameras?
Kevin: That’s a whole other story. Suffice to say, they weren’t working that evening.
Caelyn: You sabotaged the security system?
Kevin: That was someone who shall remain nameless.
Caelyn: Well, it was either you or your wife, and I’m leaning toward the person with ‘spy’ on their résumé.
Kevin (laughs): That’s ‘cause you haven’t met her. She’s sneaky.
Caelyn: I’m sure. (looks at watch) I better get to the office.
Kevin: Yeah, me too. Janie is probably filling my desk with sand right now.
They enter the elevator.
Caelyn: So how come you didn’t have to come last night?
Kevin: Years of practice and dumb luck.
Caelyn: it’s because you’re a secretary, isn’t it?
Kevin: Assistant to the Director.
Caelyn: Okay.
Kevin: Yeah, that’s why.
Scene shift - Offices
Luke: We’re going out tonight.
Alec: Which one was she?
Luke: The really blonde one.
Alec: I would have gone for the other one. (beat as Ess looks up at him questioningly) You know, if I were a cad.
Luke: Yeah, well, I’m seeing the other one tomorrow.
Long beat as the other three stare at him.
Luke (defensively): I wasn’t sure which one-
Ess: Shut up.
Luke: I’m not-
Janie: Shhh!
Luke: Alec, help me out.
Alec: Yeah right.
Elevator opens - Caelyn and Kevin exit.
Caelyn: Good morning.
Everyone returns the greeting.
Ess: I need to talk with you.
Caelyn: To me?
Ess: Yeah.
Alec: Why?
Ess: Excuse me?
Alec (quietly): Nothing.
Ess: That’s right. (To Caelyn) You have a minute?
Caelyn: Okay.
They exit to the hallway.
Luke: What is up with her today?
Alec: Hard to say.
Kevin: Esther?
Luke: Yeah.
Kevin: Something’s bothering her?
Luke (to Alec): What did she want to talk with you about?
Alec: Me?
Luke: Yeah.
Alec (beat): Floral… arrangements.
Luke: What?
Alec (beat): Yeah, I pretty much blew that one.
Kevin: I’ll say.
Alec looks at them both, then turns to his computer and begins typing without looking up.
End Scene 3.
Scene 4 -ADTEO hallway. Ess and Caelyn.
Caelyn: What’s up?
Ess: Alec… Okay, when I tell you this, I need you to be… (Stops talking)
Caelyn (beat): Ess?
Ess: I don’t want you to think… don’t act like it’s a good thing, okay?
Caelyn (puzzled): Okay?
Ess (beat): Alec told me that… he has… feelings.
Caelyn (excited): Oh, Ess! That’s great!
Ess: No! No, it’s not great. We, we don’t know what it is.
Caelyn: We don’t?
Ess: No.
Caelyn (beat): I’m so happy for you. (gives Ess a hug. Ess sighs and lightly pushes her back)
Ess: Would you cut it out?
Caelyn: Okay, sorry. Sorry. You’re just such a cute couple!
Ess: We’re not a-
Caelyn (hurriedly): In my mind.
Ess: I just… I don’t know what to do.
Caelyn: Marry him.
Ess: Caelyn!
Caelyn: I’m kidding. (beat, off Ess’ look) Really. Tell me what happened.
Ess: Last night at the party. We were having a good time, and then, out of no where, Alec looks at me and says he has strong feelings for me.
Caelyn: He said that?
Ess: Those were his exact words.
Caelyn: And then you told him you think he’s gorgeous.
Ess: What?
Caelyn: In my mind, again.
Ess: Caelyn!
Caelyn: This is a good thing, Ess.
Ess: How do you know?
Caelyn: Because you’re such a cute couple. (beat) Trust me.
Ess: You think I should go for it?
Caelyn: Yes, I do.
Ess: But what if it doesn’t work out?
Caelyn: What kind of attitude is that?
Ess: I don’t want to lose my friend.
Caelyn: You won’t.
Ess: I might. (begins to panic) What if I lose Alec, and then Josh chooses to be his friend instead of mine? I’ll lose both of my friends. Caelyn, why is this happening?
Caelyn: Ess, you’re overreacting.
Ess: I don’t think I am!
Caelyn: All right, you need to breathe. (beat) First of all, I’m your friend too, okay? And have some faith in those guys. I’ve hardly known them compared to you, but it’s already clear to me they deserve more credit than that.
Ess (quietly): Yeah, they do.
Caelyn: Okay?
Ess: Yeah. (beat) He’s going to ask me out tomorrow.
Caelyn: That will be nice.
Ess: I don’t know what to say.
Caelyn: Say you think he’s hot, and smart, and funny, and you find him remarkably charming, and that you would love to go out with him.
Ess (beat/giggles): You are so ridiculous.
Caelyn: I know.
Scene shift - Offices.
Gerrard (off-screen): Josh!
Josh looks at Janie, then walks into Gerrard’s office. Shift to Gerrard’s office.
Gerrard: Did you tell Tolvard that you wrote the memo?
Josh: The memo?
Gerrard (sternly): Josh!
Josh: I may have.
Gerrard: What moronic, irrational part of your savior-complex made you do that!?
Josh (beat): Was that rhetorical?
Gerrard: I don’t need you taking shots for me!
Josh: Then stop giving them bullets.
Gerrard (taken-back): Excuse me?
Josh: No, not this time.
Gerrard: What-
Josh: You’re giving them the bullets!
Gerrard (beat): What I do is none of your business.
Josh: Since when?
Gerrard: I don’t want you taking hits.
Josh: Yeah, I really don’t like it either, but you can’t take many more, and you’re still throwing out challenges!
Gerrard: I have to do something.
Josh: I know.
Gerrard: You have to let me.
Josh: I can’t. (beat) Lay low for awhile, that’s all I’m asking.
Gerrard sighs and shakes his head in frustration.
Josh: The Council loves you, Gerrard. So much that you’ll be thrown three different parades after they force you to resign.
Gerrard: I have more influence than that.
Josh (shakes his head): You did. You’re using it all up taking shots at your peers.
Gerrard: They might need to be shot, Josh.
Josh: I’m not arguing motive.
Gerrard (beat): Why not?
Josh just looks at him.
Gerrard (sighs): Okay.
Josh: You’ll lay off for a few months, at least?
Gerrard: Okay.
Josh: Okay. (stands up and goes to the door, turns, pauses, and then leaves without speaking)
Gerrard stares out his window sadly.
Scene shift - Josh walks into his office and Ess and Caelyn are there.
Josh: Ladies.
Ess: Can we talk?
Josh: In my office?
Ess: Yeah.
Josh: Why?
Ess: ‘Cause this is where you are.
Josh: Can we talk?
Ess: Yeah.
Josh: Oh. Yeah. (to Caelyn) Why are you here?
Caelyn: Ess is my friend.
Josh: Okay.
Ess: Caelyn says I should talk to you.
Josh: Yeah, well, Caelyn’s your friend.
Caelyn: Yes, I am.
Josh: What do we need to talk about?
Ess: Alec.
Josh: No.
Caelyn: Josh.
Josh: Come on! I don’t want to talk about Alec. You go talk about Alec.
Ess: We did.
Josh: How’d that work out for you?
Caelyn: Listen, okay?
Ess: Caelyn said that if Alec and I were to break up-
Josh: You’re getting together?
Caelyn: Yes.
Ess: No!
Josh: You’re not?
Caelyn: They are.
Ess: I don’t know.
Josh: You don’t?
Ess: Maybe.
Josh: And yet, here you are.
Caelyn: Ask him.
Ess (beat/to Josh): Whose side would you be on?
Josh: The North.
Caelyn: Josh.
Josh: They’re not even dating.
Caelyn: They will be!
Ess: Maybe.
Josh (sighs): Ess, I’m not going to stop being your friend. Ever. Okay? It’s not going to happen. When you’re married and have a family, and I’m an out-of-work, failed author, it’s going to be your couch that I’m gonna end up on. Got it?
Ess (giggles slightly/touched): Okay.
Josh: Ess?
Ess: Yeah, okay.
Josh: You shouldn’t need Caelyn to convince you of that.
Ess (quietly): I know.
Josh: (to Caelyn): Thanks, though.
Caelyn: Aren’t they a cute couple?
Josh: Oh, yeah.
Ess: Shut up.
Josh: You guys staying tonight?
Ess: For what?
Josh: Masterpiece Theatre. (beat) It’s poker night, Ess.
Ess: Oh, Yeah, right. Yeah, I’m in. Cae?
Caelyn: Yeah.
Josh: You sure?
Caelyn: Excuse me?
Josh: You lost a lot of money last time.
Caelyn: I lost three dollars.
Josh: Which you’ll never get back.
Caelyn: You gave them back after we were done.
Josh: This time, maybe I won’t.
Caelyn (laughs): Okay.
Josh: You guys don’t have any work to do?
Ess: I’m supposed to be consulting.
Josh: You could always blow it off and hang out in my office.
Ess: You think Amy broke up with you because you’re so sarcastic?
Caelyn looks at her in surprise.
Josh: Amy broke up with me because she knew I was secretly in love with you.
Ess: Well, who isn’t?
Josh: That’s what I said. She didn’t buy it.
Ess snickers and leaves. Caelyn starts to follow then turns back to Josh.
Caelyn: So your break-up is fair-game now?
Josh: Why, you have some burners saved up?
Caelyn: Maybe.
Josh (grins): Go to work.
Caelyn smiles, exits, comes back in and shuts the door.
Josh (without looking up): Nice try, but I know you’re there.
Caelyn: Josh, is everything all right with my uncle?
Josh: Which one?
Caelyn: Josh.
Josh: Yeah, he’s fine.
Caelyn: Okay. (beat) You’d never lie to me, right?
Josh: I might.
Caelyn: Oh.
Josh: But if I do, I’ll let you know.
Caelyn (smiles slightly): Okay.
Josh: Nice work on the Alec/Ess situation.
Caelyn: I’m going to pretend to do work.
Josh: Okay.
Caelyn: I’m really going to be reading Richard Marton’s Know When to Hold ‘Em.
Josh: Guide to online-dating?
Caelyn: Funny.
Josh: I have to admire your willingness to tell your boss of your plans to not only avoid work, but also study on how to best take his money.
Caelyn: I’m bold that way.
Josh: Yeah.
Caelyn: Daring.
Josh: Uh-huh.
Caelyn: You might call me a firebrand.
Josh: Yeah, if you had red hair, and, you know, were Irish.
Caelyn: Yeah. See you.
Caelyn exits and Josh smiles.
Scene shift - Gerrard’s office. Kevin enters.
Kevin: Hey.
Gerrard: You here to tell me I was wrong?
Kevin: Do I ever?
Gerrard: No.
Kevin: No. You have any scotch?
Gerrard: I got rid of that stuff. It was killing my liver.
Kevin: My liver is fine.
Gerrard: Then get your own scotch.
Kevin: What did you say to Josh?
Gerrard: I told him to get out of the way.
Kevin: Heh. What did he say?
Gerrard (sighs): ‘No.’
Kevin (chuckles): Well, what do you expect? He’s your man, always will be.
Gerrard: He’s an idiot.
Kevin: Sometimes, yeah. But he’s your man.
Gerrard: He died.
Kevin: I know.
Gerrard: He died and Tolvard is still in power. Angril is still in power.
Kevin: People die in war. Doesn’t mean you fire the generals.
Gerrard (angrily): Don’t simplify it like that! Don’t group him like he’s a number. He’s not just… he’s not a number, Kev!
Kevin: No, he’s not. (beat) None of them are.
There is a long pause and then Gerrard nods.
Fade out. End Scene 4.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Ep 6
Scene 1: Outside ceremony (sunny) - Hundreds of people seated around a platform. Ess and Josh are seated next to each other.
Ess: You have any gum?
Josh: No.
Ess: You should always have gum on you.
Josh: Do you have any gum?
Ess: No.
Josh: Then be quiet.
Ess: You’re a charmer, you know that?
Josh: It’s like one-hundred twenty degrees out here.
Ess: It’s a balmy eighty-four.
Josh: Balmy?
Ess: Yes.
Josh: That just means humid.
Ess: I thought it meant pleasant.
Josh: It doesn’t.
Ess: You sure?
Josh: Yeah.
Ess: ‘Cause the guys on TV always say it like it’s a good thing.
Josh: It’s not.
Ess: I think you could be wrong.
Josh: I’m not.
Ess: I think you could be.
Josh: It also means ‘insane,’ but I just assumed you didn’t.
Ess: And that was a wise assumption, though apparently I didn’t mean it in any of the ways in which it is supposed to be meant.
Josh: It’s like the sixth circle out here.
Ess (beat): I thought that was to be submerged in boiling blood.
Josh: That’s the seventh.
Ess: Six is being out in the sun?
Josh: In big crowds.
Ess: Ah.
Josh: Yes.
Ess: When it’s balmy?
Josh: Yes. Both definitions.
Ess: Really.
Josh: Yeah.
Ess: One wonders how we avoided the three lower levels.
Josh: I think they averaged my three and your nine, and we ended here.
Ess: Are you saying you’re more moral than I am?
Josh: Yes.
Ess: That I am somehow below you on the karmic scale?
Josh: Yes.
Ess: Well, that’s just ridiculous.
Josh: Your face is ridiculous.
Ess: You know, I’m this close to dropping us both into… what’s eight?
Josh: A Barry Manilow concert.
Ess (giggles): Right. (beat) Watch yourself, or we’ll spend eternity listening to Could It Be Magic.
Josh (beat): I really should have brought some gum.
Ess: That’s all I’m saying. (beat) There’s Gerrard.
Josh: Who? (Ess hits him)
Ess: He looks nervous.
Josh: What are you talking about?
Ess: Look at him.
Josh: He looks fine.
Ess: Fine, yes, and a little nervous.
Josh: Okay.
Ess: Women recognize these things better than you men.
Josh: What does that have to do with you?
Ess: See, I’m thinking it has to be you who’s pulling us down.
Josh: Yeah, you’re probably right.
Ess: Bet your booty I am.
Josh: What?
Ess: I said, ‘Bet your booty.’
Josh: Why?
Ess: I dance to a different beat.
Josh: What’s wrong with you?
Ess: I’m trying to be more-
Josh: Aberrant?
Ess: Delightful.
Josh: You know, you’re a very odd person.
Ess: Oddly delightful.
Josh: Just odd.
Ess: In a delightful way.
Josh (laughs): Okay.
Ess: Oh! Here they come.
Music begins to play, and everyone stands up. A long line of graduates, dressed in officer garb, comes down the isle. Caelyn smiles as she passes them, and just barely turns to look at them. Josh is making a face at her, and she struggles not to giggle. Ess elbows him.
Ess: She looks so pretty, doesn’t she?
Josh: You’re like a mother.
Ess: Doesn’t she?
Josh doesn’t answer, but keeps watching Caelyn with a small smile. The graduates file into the many front-row seats. Gerrard comes to the platform.
Gerrard: Please be seated. (everyone sits) Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to announce to you the next group of elites, chosen to serve our cause and the cause of humanity. (applause/cheering) Commander Addil has asked me to say a few words to the graduates before the ceremony commences.
Begin fadeout.
Gerrard: Days like these always give me a great sense of pride, as I look out at the numerous heroes who are giving of themselves to…
Fade out.
Scene shift- fade in to the ceremony resolution. People are gathered, talking, etc. Josh, Ess, Caelyn, and Gerrard are together.
Gerrard: Josh, I have something that we should probably talk about.
Josh: Is it about women on the PGA? Because I’ve been meaning to have words on that, too.
Gerrard: Get over yourself.
Josh: Okay.
Gerrard: We’ll be right back, ladies.
Ess: Are you going to talk about Caelyn?
Gerrard: Mind your own business.
Caelyn: Are you going to talk about me?
Gerrard: Yes.
Caelyn: Really?
Gerrard: No. (to Josh) Josh.
They move off to a less crowded area.
Gerrard: Listen-
Josh: You did well up there.
Gerrard: What?
Josh: The speech. You did well.
Gerrard: Why are you telling me that?
Josh: Ess said you were nervous, and I wanted you to know that it wasn’t very obvious.
Gerrard: I wasn’t nervous.
Josh: Ess said you were.
Gerrard: I wasn’t.
Josh: Okay.
Gerrard: Ess was wrong.
Josh: She usually is.
Gerrard: I don’t get nervous.
Josh: Okay.
Gerrard: I speak in front of crowds many times a year. It’s not like I’m-
Josh: You wanted to tell me something?
Gerrard (beat): Price offered ADF to me.
Josh (beat): Marshal?
Gerrard: Yeah.
Josh: To you?
Gerrard: Yeah.
Josh (beat/grins): Congratulations.
Gerrard: I didn’t take it.
Josh: What?
Gerrard: I didn’t take the job.
Josh: You didn’t take the job?
Gerrard: No.
Josh: I don’t.. were you drunk that day?
Gerrard: No.
Josh: It’s okay if you were; it’s not like I’m going to judge you.
Gerrard: Josh-
Josh: You said no?
Gerrard: I wasn’t willing to leave Sierra in the hands of some incompetent fool.
Josh: The incompetent fool being-?
Gerrard: No, not you. I wanted them to give it to you, but they said you were too young, and your talent was needed in the field. And, you know, I think they were right. Right now, you’re better where you’re at.
Josh: So you stayed.
Gerrard: Yeah.
Josh (beat): I’m not sure what to say.
Gerrard: Whatever you want.
Josh: Okay. It was a stupid choice.
Gerrard: Really?
Josh: Yeah.
Gerrard: That’s it?
Josh: ‘course not. It was stupid, and we’re all very glad you made it.
Gerrard (smiles slightly): Okay. Don’t tell any of them, all right?
Josh: Yeah. Why’d you tell me?
Gerrard: You might hear some things. Just wanted you to hear it from me first.
Josh (nods): Thanks.
Gerrard: Yeah. Let’s get back to the girls.
They walk back over to the women.
Ess: So what were you talking about?
Josh: Your hair.
Ess: My hair?
Josh: Gerrard said it looked like you just got out of bed.
Ess (horrified): What’s wrong with it?
Gerrard: We weren’t talking about your hair. Your hair is fine.
Ess: My hair is great.
Gerrard (beat): Okay.
Ess (to Josh): Mandy.
Josh (laughs): Sorry.
Gerrard (to Caelyn): So how do you feel now?
Caelyn: Relieved.
Gerrard: I bet.
Caelyn: Thank you, guys, for coming.
Josh: Don’t mention it.
Caelyn: Well, I know it was a long way to come for just a short ceremony-
Josh: You want to get out of here, don’t you?
Caelyn (desperately): I really, really do.
Josh (nods): Let’s go, then. We’ll grab some food or something. (to Gerrard) You in?
Gerrard: I have to stay a bit, talk to some people. You kids get out of here.
Ess: You sure?
Gerrard: Yeah. (hugs/kisses Caelyn) I’m so proud of you. (she smiles at him gratefully)
Josh: Alright. Now about that food: Caelyn?
Caelyn: Whatever you two want is fine.
Josh: No, no, no. Your day, you have to decide.
Caelyn (laughs a little): Okay. What about Chinese? Is that okay?
Ess: Love Chinese.
Josh: Their food's not bad either. (to Gerrard) We’ll just head home afterward.
Gerrard: Okay. I’ll see you all tomorrow.
Caelyn (kisses his cheek/quietly): Thank you.
Gerrard: Go have fun.
They separate. Fade out.
End Scene 1.
Scene 2 - ADTEO hallway: Alec and Luke are walking side by side.
Alec: I don’t understand.
Luke: You don’t?
Alec: No.
Luke: I’ll explain again.
Alec: Okay.
Luke: Josh leaving for two days does not make you my boss.
Alec: Hmm, it kind of does.
Luke: Not really.
Alec: I’m not following your logic.
Luke: It’s not logic, it’s common sense.
Alec: Your parlance leaves me confused.
Luke: I’m not getting you a hamburger.
Alec: With cheese.
Luke (beat): A cheeseburger?
Alec: One might conclude that, yes.
Luke: Get your own lunch.
They enter the main office area. Janie is there.
Alec: Janie, am I Luke’s boss while Josh is gone?
Janie: No.
Alec: Janie!
Luke: Thank you.
Alec: You totally messed that up.
Janie: Did I?
Alec: Yes, you did. You fumbled the ball.
Janie: I’m sorry.
Alec: I threw a lateral and you dropped it.
Janie: I’ll do better next time.
Alec: I don’t want to talk about it.
Luke: You know, I am so looking forward to not being the newbie around here anymore.
Alec: Passing of the mantle.
Luke: Yeah. The mantle of hazing.
Janie laughs.
Luke: What?
Janie: You think Josh is going to let you haze her?
Luke: Why not?
Janie: He’s smitten.
Alec: No, he’s not.
Janie: I think he is.
Luke: He’s smitten?
Alec: No.
Janie: Yes.
Alec: He’s not smitten.
Janie: Pretty smitten, yeah.
Luke: What does that mean, exactly?
Janie: Means you’re still the newbie.
Luke: What!?
Alec: He’s not smitten.
Luke: I’ve paid my dues, Alec!
Janie: And now you get to pay hers.
Alec: Oh, would you please!
Luke: Alec-
Alec: Don’t listen to her.
Luke: Alec, promise me Josh isn’t smitten.
Alec (looks at him blankly): Okay, don’t ever say anything like that to me again.
Luke: Yeah, okay.
Alec: He’s not smitten, he doesn’t have a crush, and he’s not twelve-years old. Josh is nothing if not professional when it comes to office politics.
Elevator opens: Josh, Caelyn, and Ess walk out. Caelyn is timid throughout this scene.
Josh: Pick any desk but mine.
Caelyn (laughs): Cool.
Luke gives Alec a look.
Josh: You guys remember Caelyn? (He walks to his office)
Alec: Yeah. Congratulations.
Caelyn: Thanks.
Janie: Was it a nice ceremony?
Caelyn: I didn’t really notice. I was trying not to faint. (beat) I get nervous.
Ess: It was very nice. Caelyn got an award.
Alec: You got an award?
Caelyn (embarrassed): Just a little one.
Alec: For what?
Ess: Top marksman of the class.
Caelyn: It’s more like a trinket, really.
Alec: That’s impressive.
Caelyn: Thanks. (beat) He was joking about the desk thing, right?
Janie: It’s being delivered today. We thought it’d be here by now.
Caelyn: Oh, no; that’s fine. I don’t really need one right now anyway. (notice Luke is staring at her blankly) Hey there, Ben.
Luke: Luke.
Caelyn: Luke, sorry.
Josh enters via Josh’s office.
Josh: You decided?
Caelyn: What?
Josh: Which desk you want.
Caelyn: They said it’s being delivered.
Josh: Ah. Nielen call?
Janie: Twice.
Josh: Anything I care about?
Janie: Maybe. Something is roaming around a mall in Denver.
Alec (laughs): Seriously?
Janie: Yeah.
Josh: Anything for the team? Caelyn needs some field experience.
Luke: Josh, you got a minute?
Josh: Uh, yeah, okay. My office.
The two of them exit to Josh’s office.
Caelyn: I called him Ben.
Ess (giggles): It’s okay.
Caelyn: Is there something I should be doing?
Ess: Kevin’s off today, so go ahead and sit at his station for now. Until Josh gives you orders, just be available.
Caelyn: Okay. (she sits down and looks uncomfortable. She picks up a pencil and begins to doodle)
Scene shift - inside Josh’s office.
Josh: What’s up?
Luke: Look, I know I’ve made some mistakes. I mean, I admit that. I’ve done some stupid things, but I don’t think that should take away from all the good things I’ve done here, too.
Josh: Luke.
Luke: Yeah?
Josh: Is this what you’re practicing to use on your girlfriend? Because you really need to give that up, man. I mean, does she even live around here anymore?
Luke: This has nothing to do with her. I’m over her. This- why would you think this about her?
Josh: I… honestly don’t know.
Luke: Janie thinks you’re smitten.
Josh: Janie thinks I’m smitten?
Luke: Yes, and I want to know-
Josh: What - what does that mean - ‘Janie thinks you’re smitten?’
Luke: I wasn’t sure at first, either.
Josh: Luke-
Luke: Caelyn is supposed to be the newbie! I’ve paid my dues!
Josh: Ah.
Luke: Yes.
Josh: And Janie said Caelyn would get special treatment because I’m smitten?
Luke: Yes.
Josh: Well, she’s wrong.
Luke: She is?
Josh: Of course. Caelyn will be getting special treatment ‘cause she’s hot.
Luke: Josh!
Josh: You are such an idiot. Janie is playing you.
Luke (beat): You sure?
Josh: Yeah.
Luke: Okay. (beat) Okay. I was just… you know.
Josh (beat): Come on.
They exit into the main offices.
Josh: All right guys, listen up. We have a few announcements. First of all, congratulations to Caelyn as the newest member of our team. (they applaud, and Caelyn smiles/blushes) Also, kudos to Luke, who survived the unjustifiably-long months of hazing as our latest newbie. He now passes that mantle onto Caelyn, who is suddenly not as lucky as she thought. (they laugh) Janie, call Nielen and tell him we’ll take the job. (Janie immediately picks up the phone and begins dialing) You three, take Caelyn down to the armory and show her around. Pick up whatever you need. (he throws Alec some keys) That’s for the sniper-rifle cabinet. (to Caelyn) You know your weapons, right?
Caelyn: Yeah.
Josh: Okay, take whichever you want, but remember that we’ll be indoors, so operate from that. Chances are you won’t be using it anyway.
Caelyn: Okay.
Josh: Luke, grab me the H-Ks. (Luke nods) Meet back up here in half an hour, and we’ll do briefing.
He walks back into Gerrard’s office, and the others enter the elevator.
Scene shift, elevator.
Alec: This is going to be cool.
Ess: What is?
Alec: Hunting something in a mall? It’s like a holiday.
Ess (to Caelyn): Alec hit his head when he was young, and now he’s stupid.
Caelyn nods nervously.
Ess: You scared?
Caelyn: Little bit, yeah.
Ess: Don’t worry. This is a light mission, generally be a solo. We’ll take care of you.
Caelyn: Okay.
Luke: You’ll mostly just have to watch how we operate and stuff like that. You’ll be fine.
Caelyn: Thanks. (beat) Sorry about calling you Ben.
Luke (smiles): It’s cool.
Alec (beat): Obi-Wan?
Caelyn (embarrassed): I think so.
Alec laughs.
Ess: You’ll be fine.
Caelyn nods nervously.
Elevator opens to armory. Gun racks, demolitions, combat knives, etc.
Alec (mutters): He threw me a ring with twenty-three keys on it. (Ess laughs)
Ess (to Caelyn): Over here is where we keep side-arms. The guys usually take knives, ‘cause it makes them feel dangerous.
Luke (holds up a knife): Like Rambo.
Caelyn: What should I take?
Ess: Here. I usually go with a Glock. Luke likes Berettas, and Alec has this system that no one else understands. Josh either takes duo Heckler Koch, or these customized things he saw on some movie.
Alec (off-screen): She doesn’t know what she’s talking about!
Ess (yelling back): Shut up! (normal voice) Here, take a Glock.
Caelyn: Okay.
Alec (off screen): Got it.
Caelyn and Ess walk over to him at the large cabinet.
Alec: I’ve never seen the inside before. (They all stare at the weapons) Wow.
Ess: You can shoot all those things?
Caelyn: Yeah.
Ess: Without falling down?
Caelyn (smiling slightly): They’re made pretty well.
Ess (points): I’d be afraid to touch that one.
Caelyn (reaches in and grabs a smaller rifle): I’m still afraid. (she shrugs) They said that’s the way it goes.
Alec: You all set then?
Caelyn: Where are the rounds?
Alec: After we’re done here.
Caelyn: Okay. Yeah, I’m all set.
Luke comes over. He is wearing two guns in shoulder holsters, and has a shotgun on his back. He’s carrying a knife. Ess and Caelyn look at him oddly.
Alec: Nice! (he and Luke bump fists) I gotta get geared up.
Ess looks at Caelyn and shrugs.
Fade out. End Scene 2.
Scene 3 - The mall (empty, but lights are on): Night outside. Alec and Ess are patrolling together.
Ess: This is kind of pleasant.
Alec: What is?
Ess: The quiet. (beat) The fountain. (Alec laughs) Stuff.
Alec: I’ve been thinking-
Ess: Good for you.
Alec: Yeah.
Ess: Okay, okay, go ahead.
Alec: I’ve been thinking about my career.
Ess: What about it?
Alec: I think I could have my own team.
Ess (stops and looks at him): You’re leaving?
Alec: No.
Ess: You’re thinking of leaving!
Alec: No, I’m not.
Ess: Yes, you are!
Alec: Yes, I am, but it’s not serious.
Ess: Alec!
Alec: More like a passing fancy.
Ess: You’re leaving!?
Alec: I’m thinking of my career.
Ess: Is it my fault?
Alec: What?
Ess: Is it something I’m doing that’s driving you away?
Alec: No, of course not. What does that even mean?
Ess: Is it Josh’s fault?
Alec: Is it Josh’s fault?
Ess: Yes.
Alec: No.
Ess: Are you mad he got the unit?
Alec: No!
Ess: You’re not?
Alec: I’m not mad. It’s not… it’s not about someone’s fault. I’m just thinking ahead.
Ess: Thinking of leaving.
Alec: Thinking of possibly leaving.
Ess: Because Josh got the unit?
Alec: No! It has nothing to do with Josh, or you. I’m glad Josh got the unit. I like working here. I like you and Josh, and Gerrard, and… those other people.
Ess: Then why are you leaving?
Alec: I’m not.
Ess: You are.
Alec: Stop it.
Ess: Alec-
Alec: I just… I’m thinking, that’s all I’m doing. (beat) I shouldn’t have said anything.
Ess: Don’t leave.
Alec: I’m not leaving.
Ess: You will be.
Alec: Maybe.
Ess: Alec!
Alec: Listen, don’t say anything to Josh.
Ess: About how you’re abandoning us?
Alec: I’m not abandoning you.
Ess: You are.
Alec: I’m not. Don’t say anything.
Ess: I promise not to say anything if you promise never to leave.
Alec: Esther.
Ess: Alec.
Alec: I’m serious.
Ess: Me too.
Alec gives her a look but says nothing.
Scene shift. Josh and Caelyn (guns drawn, but not at ready) are walking in the mall.
Josh: Relax.
Caelyn: What?
Josh: Relax. Your knuckles are white.
Caelyn: Oh. (beat) This is-
Josh: Disquieting?
Caelyn: Yeah. Disquieting.
Josh: You’ll get used to it.
Caelyn: Being disquieted?
Josh: The overall atmosphere of these missions.
Caelyn: Okay.
Josh (beat): Your mom okay?
Caelyn: I’m sorry?
Josh: Your mom. She wasn’t at the graduation. She feeling all right?
Caelyn: Oh, yeah. She, um… she doesn’t really like the fact that I stayed in ADTE.
Josh: Ah.
Caelyn: We’re not on the outs with one another or anything. She just doesn’t want to feel like she’s encouraging me on this particular path.
Josh: I see.
Caelyn: She is rather upset with my dear uncle, though.
Josh (laughs): Yeah. Take your safety off.
Caelyn (removes safety/whispers): You see something?
Josh (ignores her): You glad you did?
Caelyn: Took the safety off?
Josh: Joined Sierra.
Caelyn (beat): Yeah.
Josh: It’s okay to be uncertain right now. My first mission, I convinced myself I was an idiot for ever signing up and that I would resign the moment we got back.
Caelyn (surprised): Really?
Josh: Oh yeah.
Caelyn: What was it?
Josh: Look around. (Caelyn obeys) Up north, we had to track a mob of four hostiles through the snow. It was dark, it was silent… it was disquieting. (stops walking/ beat) You see it?
There is a single ghoul at the top of the escalators.
Caelyn: Should I… do I shoot it?
Josh: It doesn’t know we’re here. (beat/grabs Caelyn’s handgun from her) Snipe it.
Caelyn nods and un-slings the rifle, quickly brings it up and immediately fires; the ghoul drops dead. Josh looks surprised.
Josh (staring at the corpse): Uh… wow.
Caelyn (worried): Did I mess up?
Josh: No. (turns to her and grins) Nice shot.
Caelyn (smiles): Thanks.
Josh: Let’s go look at it. (walks off towards the ghoul)
Caelyn: Look at it? (reluctantly follows)
Scene shift. Luke meets up with Alec and Ess as they are walking back toward the mall entrance.
Luke: You guys see anything?
Alec: There was this fountain.
Luke: Take any pennies?
Alec: Ess did.
Ess: No, I didn’t.
Alec: She wanted to, but I stopped her.
Ess: No, he didn’t.
Luke: I rode the escalators for awhile.
Alec: The escalators were on?
Luke: I did some toggling.
Alec: Nice.
Luke: What’s with her?
Alec: Nothing.
Luke: You okay, Ess?
Ess: No.
Alec: She’s fine.
Luke: What’s wrong?
Alec: Nothing is wrong.
Ess: Alec is stupid and it makes me angry.
Luke: Alec.
Alec: I didn’t-
Luke: Stop making Ess angry.
Alec: I didn’t do anything.
Luke: Apparently you did.
Ess: He did.
Alec rolls his eyes. The three of them come up to Josh and Caelyn, standing near the exit/entrance.
Ess: Good job, Cae!
Caelyn: Thanks.
Alec: Just the one?
Josh: Looks like it. You guys didn’t see anything?
Alec: A fountain.
Josh: Take any money?
Alec: Ess did.
Josh (to Ess, who is glaring at Alec): Good on you, mate.
Ess turns her glare to Josh.
Josh: What’s with her?
Luke: Alec made her angry.
Josh (annoyed): Alec.
Alec: Shut up.
Josh: Ess, want me to fire him?
Ess: Yes.
Josh: Okay.
They all walk outside.
Caelyn (to Ess): What did he do?
Ess: He acted deplorable.
Caelyn: Men.
Ess (nods): Men.
Fade out.
Scene shift - next day, ADTEO, Josh’s office. Josh is working on his computer. Alec comes in and shuts the door.
Alec: Hey.
Josh: What’s up?
Alec: I don’t think it worked.
Josh: You don’t?
Alec: No.
Josh: A pity.
Alec: Yeah, man.
Josh (beat): What was it, again?
Alec (sighs): Telling Ess that I-
Josh: Oh yeah. That. She was actually in here a little while ago, scared to death you were going to leave us.
Alec: I made her pretty mad.
Josh: Yeah, but that’s good.
Alec: It’s good she’s mad?
Josh: It’s good that she cares.
Alec: I’m starting to think that maybe it wasn’t the best idea.
Josh: I told you that.
Alec: I know.
Josh: I distinctly remember telling you that it wasn’t the best idea.
Alec: Yes.
Josh: ‘Bad’ was the word I used.
Alec: I was there.
Josh: But you did it anyway.
Alec: Yes.
Josh: Well… now we have to look on the bright side.
Alec: There’s a bright side?
Josh: There is, and I’m on it. Join me on the bright side, Alec.
Alec: Shut up.
Josh: Tell her that you’re staying with Sierra because now you realize how much it means to her, and you could never do anything to cause her grief. (beat) Or not, since lying is never a good way to start a pretend relationship.
Alec: It’s not actually…a lie, lie. I mean, if it weren’t for her, and, you know…
Josh: Me.
Alec: Yeah, whatever. If it weren’t for you guys, I probably would leave.
Josh: Tell her that.
Alec: Tell her that?
Josh: Stress the ‘her’ part.
Alec: Yeah. Okay.
Josh (beat): It really wasn’t the best idea.
Alec: It might work.
Josh (shrugs): Still.
Alec: Yeah. (beat) Okay, thanks.
Alec exits, Josh does some more typing, and then Gerrard comes in.
Gerrard: You busy?
Josh: Words can’t express how much I’m not.
Gerrard (shuts door): So.
Josh (long beat): Sir?
Gerrard: How did she do?
Josh: She did very well.
Gerrard: Good.
Josh: Remarkable marksmanship. Base of the skull, dead center.
Gerrard: Good. (beat) Her mother doesn’t like me much.
Josh: Yes, sir.
Gerrard: I think she’ll get over it, eventually.
Josh: Yes, sir.
Gerrard: Listen, I don’t want you to show her any special treatment, okay?
Josh: The mother?
Gerrard: Josh.
Josh: Of course not.
Gerrard: Good. (beat) If something happens to her, it will be my fault.
Josh (beat): Nothing will happen to her.
Gerrard looks at him, stoic, for a moment.
Gerrard: Thank you, Josh.
Josh: Yes, sir.
Josh watches him with leave, then leans back in his chair and sighs. Fade Out.
End Scene 3.
Ess: You have any gum?
Josh: No.
Ess: You should always have gum on you.
Josh: Do you have any gum?
Ess: No.
Josh: Then be quiet.
Ess: You’re a charmer, you know that?
Josh: It’s like one-hundred twenty degrees out here.
Ess: It’s a balmy eighty-four.
Josh: Balmy?
Ess: Yes.
Josh: That just means humid.
Ess: I thought it meant pleasant.
Josh: It doesn’t.
Ess: You sure?
Josh: Yeah.
Ess: ‘Cause the guys on TV always say it like it’s a good thing.
Josh: It’s not.
Ess: I think you could be wrong.
Josh: I’m not.
Ess: I think you could be.
Josh: It also means ‘insane,’ but I just assumed you didn’t.
Ess: And that was a wise assumption, though apparently I didn’t mean it in any of the ways in which it is supposed to be meant.
Josh: It’s like the sixth circle out here.
Ess (beat): I thought that was to be submerged in boiling blood.
Josh: That’s the seventh.
Ess: Six is being out in the sun?
Josh: In big crowds.
Ess: Ah.
Josh: Yes.
Ess: When it’s balmy?
Josh: Yes. Both definitions.
Ess: Really.
Josh: Yeah.
Ess: One wonders how we avoided the three lower levels.
Josh: I think they averaged my three and your nine, and we ended here.
Ess: Are you saying you’re more moral than I am?
Josh: Yes.
Ess: That I am somehow below you on the karmic scale?
Josh: Yes.
Ess: Well, that’s just ridiculous.
Josh: Your face is ridiculous.
Ess: You know, I’m this close to dropping us both into… what’s eight?
Josh: A Barry Manilow concert.
Ess (giggles): Right. (beat) Watch yourself, or we’ll spend eternity listening to Could It Be Magic.
Josh (beat): I really should have brought some gum.
Ess: That’s all I’m saying. (beat) There’s Gerrard.
Josh: Who? (Ess hits him)
Ess: He looks nervous.
Josh: What are you talking about?
Ess: Look at him.
Josh: He looks fine.
Ess: Fine, yes, and a little nervous.
Josh: Okay.
Ess: Women recognize these things better than you men.
Josh: What does that have to do with you?
Ess: See, I’m thinking it has to be you who’s pulling us down.
Josh: Yeah, you’re probably right.
Ess: Bet your booty I am.
Josh: What?
Ess: I said, ‘Bet your booty.’
Josh: Why?
Ess: I dance to a different beat.
Josh: What’s wrong with you?
Ess: I’m trying to be more-
Josh: Aberrant?
Ess: Delightful.
Josh: You know, you’re a very odd person.
Ess: Oddly delightful.
Josh: Just odd.
Ess: In a delightful way.
Josh (laughs): Okay.
Ess: Oh! Here they come.
Music begins to play, and everyone stands up. A long line of graduates, dressed in officer garb, comes down the isle. Caelyn smiles as she passes them, and just barely turns to look at them. Josh is making a face at her, and she struggles not to giggle. Ess elbows him.
Ess: She looks so pretty, doesn’t she?
Josh: You’re like a mother.
Ess: Doesn’t she?
Josh doesn’t answer, but keeps watching Caelyn with a small smile. The graduates file into the many front-row seats. Gerrard comes to the platform.
Gerrard: Please be seated. (everyone sits) Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to announce to you the next group of elites, chosen to serve our cause and the cause of humanity. (applause/cheering) Commander Addil has asked me to say a few words to the graduates before the ceremony commences.
Begin fadeout.
Gerrard: Days like these always give me a great sense of pride, as I look out at the numerous heroes who are giving of themselves to…
Fade out.
Scene shift- fade in to the ceremony resolution. People are gathered, talking, etc. Josh, Ess, Caelyn, and Gerrard are together.
Gerrard: Josh, I have something that we should probably talk about.
Josh: Is it about women on the PGA? Because I’ve been meaning to have words on that, too.
Gerrard: Get over yourself.
Josh: Okay.
Gerrard: We’ll be right back, ladies.
Ess: Are you going to talk about Caelyn?
Gerrard: Mind your own business.
Caelyn: Are you going to talk about me?
Gerrard: Yes.
Caelyn: Really?
Gerrard: No. (to Josh) Josh.
They move off to a less crowded area.
Gerrard: Listen-
Josh: You did well up there.
Gerrard: What?
Josh: The speech. You did well.
Gerrard: Why are you telling me that?
Josh: Ess said you were nervous, and I wanted you to know that it wasn’t very obvious.
Gerrard: I wasn’t nervous.
Josh: Ess said you were.
Gerrard: I wasn’t.
Josh: Okay.
Gerrard: Ess was wrong.
Josh: She usually is.
Gerrard: I don’t get nervous.
Josh: Okay.
Gerrard: I speak in front of crowds many times a year. It’s not like I’m-
Josh: You wanted to tell me something?
Gerrard (beat): Price offered ADF to me.
Josh (beat): Marshal?
Gerrard: Yeah.
Josh: To you?
Gerrard: Yeah.
Josh (beat/grins): Congratulations.
Gerrard: I didn’t take it.
Josh: What?
Gerrard: I didn’t take the job.
Josh: You didn’t take the job?
Gerrard: No.
Josh: I don’t.. were you drunk that day?
Gerrard: No.
Josh: It’s okay if you were; it’s not like I’m going to judge you.
Gerrard: Josh-
Josh: You said no?
Gerrard: I wasn’t willing to leave Sierra in the hands of some incompetent fool.
Josh: The incompetent fool being-?
Gerrard: No, not you. I wanted them to give it to you, but they said you were too young, and your talent was needed in the field. And, you know, I think they were right. Right now, you’re better where you’re at.
Josh: So you stayed.
Gerrard: Yeah.
Josh (beat): I’m not sure what to say.
Gerrard: Whatever you want.
Josh: Okay. It was a stupid choice.
Gerrard: Really?
Josh: Yeah.
Gerrard: That’s it?
Josh: ‘course not. It was stupid, and we’re all very glad you made it.
Gerrard (smiles slightly): Okay. Don’t tell any of them, all right?
Josh: Yeah. Why’d you tell me?
Gerrard: You might hear some things. Just wanted you to hear it from me first.
Josh (nods): Thanks.
Gerrard: Yeah. Let’s get back to the girls.
They walk back over to the women.
Ess: So what were you talking about?
Josh: Your hair.
Ess: My hair?
Josh: Gerrard said it looked like you just got out of bed.
Ess (horrified): What’s wrong with it?
Gerrard: We weren’t talking about your hair. Your hair is fine.
Ess: My hair is great.
Gerrard (beat): Okay.
Ess (to Josh): Mandy.
Josh (laughs): Sorry.
Gerrard (to Caelyn): So how do you feel now?
Caelyn: Relieved.
Gerrard: I bet.
Caelyn: Thank you, guys, for coming.
Josh: Don’t mention it.
Caelyn: Well, I know it was a long way to come for just a short ceremony-
Josh: You want to get out of here, don’t you?
Caelyn (desperately): I really, really do.
Josh (nods): Let’s go, then. We’ll grab some food or something. (to Gerrard) You in?
Gerrard: I have to stay a bit, talk to some people. You kids get out of here.
Ess: You sure?
Gerrard: Yeah. (hugs/kisses Caelyn) I’m so proud of you. (she smiles at him gratefully)
Josh: Alright. Now about that food: Caelyn?
Caelyn: Whatever you two want is fine.
Josh: No, no, no. Your day, you have to decide.
Caelyn (laughs a little): Okay. What about Chinese? Is that okay?
Ess: Love Chinese.
Josh: Their food's not bad either. (to Gerrard) We’ll just head home afterward.
Gerrard: Okay. I’ll see you all tomorrow.
Caelyn (kisses his cheek/quietly): Thank you.
Gerrard: Go have fun.
They separate. Fade out.
End Scene 1.
Scene 2 - ADTEO hallway: Alec and Luke are walking side by side.
Alec: I don’t understand.
Luke: You don’t?
Alec: No.
Luke: I’ll explain again.
Alec: Okay.
Luke: Josh leaving for two days does not make you my boss.
Alec: Hmm, it kind of does.
Luke: Not really.
Alec: I’m not following your logic.
Luke: It’s not logic, it’s common sense.
Alec: Your parlance leaves me confused.
Luke: I’m not getting you a hamburger.
Alec: With cheese.
Luke (beat): A cheeseburger?
Alec: One might conclude that, yes.
Luke: Get your own lunch.
They enter the main office area. Janie is there.
Alec: Janie, am I Luke’s boss while Josh is gone?
Janie: No.
Alec: Janie!
Luke: Thank you.
Alec: You totally messed that up.
Janie: Did I?
Alec: Yes, you did. You fumbled the ball.
Janie: I’m sorry.
Alec: I threw a lateral and you dropped it.
Janie: I’ll do better next time.
Alec: I don’t want to talk about it.
Luke: You know, I am so looking forward to not being the newbie around here anymore.
Alec: Passing of the mantle.
Luke: Yeah. The mantle of hazing.
Janie laughs.
Luke: What?
Janie: You think Josh is going to let you haze her?
Luke: Why not?
Janie: He’s smitten.
Alec: No, he’s not.
Janie: I think he is.
Luke: He’s smitten?
Alec: No.
Janie: Yes.
Alec: He’s not smitten.
Janie: Pretty smitten, yeah.
Luke: What does that mean, exactly?
Janie: Means you’re still the newbie.
Luke: What!?
Alec: He’s not smitten.
Luke: I’ve paid my dues, Alec!
Janie: And now you get to pay hers.
Alec: Oh, would you please!
Luke: Alec-
Alec: Don’t listen to her.
Luke: Alec, promise me Josh isn’t smitten.
Alec (looks at him blankly): Okay, don’t ever say anything like that to me again.
Luke: Yeah, okay.
Alec: He’s not smitten, he doesn’t have a crush, and he’s not twelve-years old. Josh is nothing if not professional when it comes to office politics.
Elevator opens: Josh, Caelyn, and Ess walk out. Caelyn is timid throughout this scene.
Josh: Pick any desk but mine.
Caelyn (laughs): Cool.
Luke gives Alec a look.
Josh: You guys remember Caelyn? (He walks to his office)
Alec: Yeah. Congratulations.
Caelyn: Thanks.
Janie: Was it a nice ceremony?
Caelyn: I didn’t really notice. I was trying not to faint. (beat) I get nervous.
Ess: It was very nice. Caelyn got an award.
Alec: You got an award?
Caelyn (embarrassed): Just a little one.
Alec: For what?
Ess: Top marksman of the class.
Caelyn: It’s more like a trinket, really.
Alec: That’s impressive.
Caelyn: Thanks. (beat) He was joking about the desk thing, right?
Janie: It’s being delivered today. We thought it’d be here by now.
Caelyn: Oh, no; that’s fine. I don’t really need one right now anyway. (notice Luke is staring at her blankly) Hey there, Ben.
Luke: Luke.
Caelyn: Luke, sorry.
Josh enters via Josh’s office.
Josh: You decided?
Caelyn: What?
Josh: Which desk you want.
Caelyn: They said it’s being delivered.
Josh: Ah. Nielen call?
Janie: Twice.
Josh: Anything I care about?
Janie: Maybe. Something is roaming around a mall in Denver.
Alec (laughs): Seriously?
Janie: Yeah.
Josh: Anything for the team? Caelyn needs some field experience.
Luke: Josh, you got a minute?
Josh: Uh, yeah, okay. My office.
The two of them exit to Josh’s office.
Caelyn: I called him Ben.
Ess (giggles): It’s okay.
Caelyn: Is there something I should be doing?
Ess: Kevin’s off today, so go ahead and sit at his station for now. Until Josh gives you orders, just be available.
Caelyn: Okay. (she sits down and looks uncomfortable. She picks up a pencil and begins to doodle)
Scene shift - inside Josh’s office.
Josh: What’s up?
Luke: Look, I know I’ve made some mistakes. I mean, I admit that. I’ve done some stupid things, but I don’t think that should take away from all the good things I’ve done here, too.
Josh: Luke.
Luke: Yeah?
Josh: Is this what you’re practicing to use on your girlfriend? Because you really need to give that up, man. I mean, does she even live around here anymore?
Luke: This has nothing to do with her. I’m over her. This- why would you think this about her?
Josh: I… honestly don’t know.
Luke: Janie thinks you’re smitten.
Josh: Janie thinks I’m smitten?
Luke: Yes, and I want to know-
Josh: What - what does that mean - ‘Janie thinks you’re smitten?’
Luke: I wasn’t sure at first, either.
Josh: Luke-
Luke: Caelyn is supposed to be the newbie! I’ve paid my dues!
Josh: Ah.
Luke: Yes.
Josh: And Janie said Caelyn would get special treatment because I’m smitten?
Luke: Yes.
Josh: Well, she’s wrong.
Luke: She is?
Josh: Of course. Caelyn will be getting special treatment ‘cause she’s hot.
Luke: Josh!
Josh: You are such an idiot. Janie is playing you.
Luke (beat): You sure?
Josh: Yeah.
Luke: Okay. (beat) Okay. I was just… you know.
Josh (beat): Come on.
They exit into the main offices.
Josh: All right guys, listen up. We have a few announcements. First of all, congratulations to Caelyn as the newest member of our team. (they applaud, and Caelyn smiles/blushes) Also, kudos to Luke, who survived the unjustifiably-long months of hazing as our latest newbie. He now passes that mantle onto Caelyn, who is suddenly not as lucky as she thought. (they laugh) Janie, call Nielen and tell him we’ll take the job. (Janie immediately picks up the phone and begins dialing) You three, take Caelyn down to the armory and show her around. Pick up whatever you need. (he throws Alec some keys) That’s for the sniper-rifle cabinet. (to Caelyn) You know your weapons, right?
Caelyn: Yeah.
Josh: Okay, take whichever you want, but remember that we’ll be indoors, so operate from that. Chances are you won’t be using it anyway.
Caelyn: Okay.
Josh: Luke, grab me the H-Ks. (Luke nods) Meet back up here in half an hour, and we’ll do briefing.
He walks back into Gerrard’s office, and the others enter the elevator.
Scene shift, elevator.
Alec: This is going to be cool.
Ess: What is?
Alec: Hunting something in a mall? It’s like a holiday.
Ess (to Caelyn): Alec hit his head when he was young, and now he’s stupid.
Caelyn nods nervously.
Ess: You scared?
Caelyn: Little bit, yeah.
Ess: Don’t worry. This is a light mission, generally be a solo. We’ll take care of you.
Caelyn: Okay.
Luke: You’ll mostly just have to watch how we operate and stuff like that. You’ll be fine.
Caelyn: Thanks. (beat) Sorry about calling you Ben.
Luke (smiles): It’s cool.
Alec (beat): Obi-Wan?
Caelyn (embarrassed): I think so.
Alec laughs.
Ess: You’ll be fine.
Caelyn nods nervously.
Elevator opens to armory. Gun racks, demolitions, combat knives, etc.
Alec (mutters): He threw me a ring with twenty-three keys on it. (Ess laughs)
Ess (to Caelyn): Over here is where we keep side-arms. The guys usually take knives, ‘cause it makes them feel dangerous.
Luke (holds up a knife): Like Rambo.
Caelyn: What should I take?
Ess: Here. I usually go with a Glock. Luke likes Berettas, and Alec has this system that no one else understands. Josh either takes duo Heckler Koch, or these customized things he saw on some movie.
Alec (off-screen): She doesn’t know what she’s talking about!
Ess (yelling back): Shut up! (normal voice) Here, take a Glock.
Caelyn: Okay.
Alec (off screen): Got it.
Caelyn and Ess walk over to him at the large cabinet.
Alec: I’ve never seen the inside before. (They all stare at the weapons) Wow.
Ess: You can shoot all those things?
Caelyn: Yeah.
Ess: Without falling down?
Caelyn (smiling slightly): They’re made pretty well.
Ess (points): I’d be afraid to touch that one.
Caelyn (reaches in and grabs a smaller rifle): I’m still afraid. (she shrugs) They said that’s the way it goes.
Alec: You all set then?
Caelyn: Where are the rounds?
Alec: After we’re done here.
Caelyn: Okay. Yeah, I’m all set.
Luke comes over. He is wearing two guns in shoulder holsters, and has a shotgun on his back. He’s carrying a knife. Ess and Caelyn look at him oddly.
Alec: Nice! (he and Luke bump fists) I gotta get geared up.
Ess looks at Caelyn and shrugs.
Fade out. End Scene 2.
Scene 3 - The mall (empty, but lights are on): Night outside. Alec and Ess are patrolling together.
Ess: This is kind of pleasant.
Alec: What is?
Ess: The quiet. (beat) The fountain. (Alec laughs) Stuff.
Alec: I’ve been thinking-
Ess: Good for you.
Alec: Yeah.
Ess: Okay, okay, go ahead.
Alec: I’ve been thinking about my career.
Ess: What about it?
Alec: I think I could have my own team.
Ess (stops and looks at him): You’re leaving?
Alec: No.
Ess: You’re thinking of leaving!
Alec: No, I’m not.
Ess: Yes, you are!
Alec: Yes, I am, but it’s not serious.
Ess: Alec!
Alec: More like a passing fancy.
Ess: You’re leaving!?
Alec: I’m thinking of my career.
Ess: Is it my fault?
Alec: What?
Ess: Is it something I’m doing that’s driving you away?
Alec: No, of course not. What does that even mean?
Ess: Is it Josh’s fault?
Alec: Is it Josh’s fault?
Ess: Yes.
Alec: No.
Ess: Are you mad he got the unit?
Alec: No!
Ess: You’re not?
Alec: I’m not mad. It’s not… it’s not about someone’s fault. I’m just thinking ahead.
Ess: Thinking of leaving.
Alec: Thinking of possibly leaving.
Ess: Because Josh got the unit?
Alec: No! It has nothing to do with Josh, or you. I’m glad Josh got the unit. I like working here. I like you and Josh, and Gerrard, and… those other people.
Ess: Then why are you leaving?
Alec: I’m not.
Ess: You are.
Alec: Stop it.
Ess: Alec-
Alec: I just… I’m thinking, that’s all I’m doing. (beat) I shouldn’t have said anything.
Ess: Don’t leave.
Alec: I’m not leaving.
Ess: You will be.
Alec: Maybe.
Ess: Alec!
Alec: Listen, don’t say anything to Josh.
Ess: About how you’re abandoning us?
Alec: I’m not abandoning you.
Ess: You are.
Alec: I’m not. Don’t say anything.
Ess: I promise not to say anything if you promise never to leave.
Alec: Esther.
Ess: Alec.
Alec: I’m serious.
Ess: Me too.
Alec gives her a look but says nothing.
Scene shift. Josh and Caelyn (guns drawn, but not at ready) are walking in the mall.
Josh: Relax.
Caelyn: What?
Josh: Relax. Your knuckles are white.
Caelyn: Oh. (beat) This is-
Josh: Disquieting?
Caelyn: Yeah. Disquieting.
Josh: You’ll get used to it.
Caelyn: Being disquieted?
Josh: The overall atmosphere of these missions.
Caelyn: Okay.
Josh (beat): Your mom okay?
Caelyn: I’m sorry?
Josh: Your mom. She wasn’t at the graduation. She feeling all right?
Caelyn: Oh, yeah. She, um… she doesn’t really like the fact that I stayed in ADTE.
Josh: Ah.
Caelyn: We’re not on the outs with one another or anything. She just doesn’t want to feel like she’s encouraging me on this particular path.
Josh: I see.
Caelyn: She is rather upset with my dear uncle, though.
Josh (laughs): Yeah. Take your safety off.
Caelyn (removes safety/whispers): You see something?
Josh (ignores her): You glad you did?
Caelyn: Took the safety off?
Josh: Joined Sierra.
Caelyn (beat): Yeah.
Josh: It’s okay to be uncertain right now. My first mission, I convinced myself I was an idiot for ever signing up and that I would resign the moment we got back.
Caelyn (surprised): Really?
Josh: Oh yeah.
Caelyn: What was it?
Josh: Look around. (Caelyn obeys) Up north, we had to track a mob of four hostiles through the snow. It was dark, it was silent… it was disquieting. (stops walking/ beat) You see it?
There is a single ghoul at the top of the escalators.
Caelyn: Should I… do I shoot it?
Josh: It doesn’t know we’re here. (beat/grabs Caelyn’s handgun from her) Snipe it.
Caelyn nods and un-slings the rifle, quickly brings it up and immediately fires; the ghoul drops dead. Josh looks surprised.
Josh (staring at the corpse): Uh… wow.
Caelyn (worried): Did I mess up?
Josh: No. (turns to her and grins) Nice shot.
Caelyn (smiles): Thanks.
Josh: Let’s go look at it. (walks off towards the ghoul)
Caelyn: Look at it? (reluctantly follows)
Scene shift. Luke meets up with Alec and Ess as they are walking back toward the mall entrance.
Luke: You guys see anything?
Alec: There was this fountain.
Luke: Take any pennies?
Alec: Ess did.
Ess: No, I didn’t.
Alec: She wanted to, but I stopped her.
Ess: No, he didn’t.
Luke: I rode the escalators for awhile.
Alec: The escalators were on?
Luke: I did some toggling.
Alec: Nice.
Luke: What’s with her?
Alec: Nothing.
Luke: You okay, Ess?
Ess: No.
Alec: She’s fine.
Luke: What’s wrong?
Alec: Nothing is wrong.
Ess: Alec is stupid and it makes me angry.
Luke: Alec.
Alec: I didn’t-
Luke: Stop making Ess angry.
Alec: I didn’t do anything.
Luke: Apparently you did.
Ess: He did.
Alec rolls his eyes. The three of them come up to Josh and Caelyn, standing near the exit/entrance.
Ess: Good job, Cae!
Caelyn: Thanks.
Alec: Just the one?
Josh: Looks like it. You guys didn’t see anything?
Alec: A fountain.
Josh: Take any money?
Alec: Ess did.
Josh (to Ess, who is glaring at Alec): Good on you, mate.
Ess turns her glare to Josh.
Josh: What’s with her?
Luke: Alec made her angry.
Josh (annoyed): Alec.
Alec: Shut up.
Josh: Ess, want me to fire him?
Ess: Yes.
Josh: Okay.
They all walk outside.
Caelyn (to Ess): What did he do?
Ess: He acted deplorable.
Caelyn: Men.
Ess (nods): Men.
Fade out.
Scene shift - next day, ADTEO, Josh’s office. Josh is working on his computer. Alec comes in and shuts the door.
Alec: Hey.
Josh: What’s up?
Alec: I don’t think it worked.
Josh: You don’t?
Alec: No.
Josh: A pity.
Alec: Yeah, man.
Josh (beat): What was it, again?
Alec (sighs): Telling Ess that I-
Josh: Oh yeah. That. She was actually in here a little while ago, scared to death you were going to leave us.
Alec: I made her pretty mad.
Josh: Yeah, but that’s good.
Alec: It’s good she’s mad?
Josh: It’s good that she cares.
Alec: I’m starting to think that maybe it wasn’t the best idea.
Josh: I told you that.
Alec: I know.
Josh: I distinctly remember telling you that it wasn’t the best idea.
Alec: Yes.
Josh: ‘Bad’ was the word I used.
Alec: I was there.
Josh: But you did it anyway.
Alec: Yes.
Josh: Well… now we have to look on the bright side.
Alec: There’s a bright side?
Josh: There is, and I’m on it. Join me on the bright side, Alec.
Alec: Shut up.
Josh: Tell her that you’re staying with Sierra because now you realize how much it means to her, and you could never do anything to cause her grief. (beat) Or not, since lying is never a good way to start a pretend relationship.
Alec: It’s not actually…a lie, lie. I mean, if it weren’t for her, and, you know…
Josh: Me.
Alec: Yeah, whatever. If it weren’t for you guys, I probably would leave.
Josh: Tell her that.
Alec: Tell her that?
Josh: Stress the ‘her’ part.
Alec: Yeah. Okay.
Josh (beat): It really wasn’t the best idea.
Alec: It might work.
Josh (shrugs): Still.
Alec: Yeah. (beat) Okay, thanks.
Alec exits, Josh does some more typing, and then Gerrard comes in.
Gerrard: You busy?
Josh: Words can’t express how much I’m not.
Gerrard (shuts door): So.
Josh (long beat): Sir?
Gerrard: How did she do?
Josh: She did very well.
Gerrard: Good.
Josh: Remarkable marksmanship. Base of the skull, dead center.
Gerrard: Good. (beat) Her mother doesn’t like me much.
Josh: Yes, sir.
Gerrard: I think she’ll get over it, eventually.
Josh: Yes, sir.
Gerrard: Listen, I don’t want you to show her any special treatment, okay?
Josh: The mother?
Gerrard: Josh.
Josh: Of course not.
Gerrard: Good. (beat) If something happens to her, it will be my fault.
Josh (beat): Nothing will happen to her.
Gerrard looks at him, stoic, for a moment.
Gerrard: Thank you, Josh.
Josh: Yes, sir.
Josh watches him with leave, then leans back in his chair and sighs. Fade Out.
End Scene 3.
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