EPISODE 9: DID YOU COME INTO CONTACT WITH UNKNOWN FORCES (2)
Dani: Go for it.
X: Um. [[Attempts to be tactful.]] It might mean that you'll have a difficult time getting back aboard the Enforcer One, if that's what, you know… you want?…
Dani: [[Darkly.]] Yeah... I'm not going back there any time soon.
X: [[Nods.]] Oookay. [[To Charlotte:]] Charlotte, could you please start welding there? [[Points.]]
Charlotte: Commence welding.
[[SFX: Welding sounds.]]
X: [[To Dani, gently:]] So… what happened?
Dani: I don't even know! Well, I mean, I know what happened from my point of view. I just didn't think things would change so fast.
X: [[Frowns.]] What do you mean, change?
Dani: [[Upset, frustrated; not sure how to handle it.]] Everything is just different now! I mean, I know it's all outlined in the Caldwell Enterprises Handbook of Branding and Conduct, but I didn't think it would ever… I don't know. Happen?
X: [[Gently.]] Dani, what happened? Why did you leave?
Dani: [[Deep breath.]] Well, I got back to my lab after checking on Dr. Keane and Dr. Nakamura -- all that carbon monoxide didn't do them any good, by the way -- and I found that… Fixer waiting for me.
Charlotte: [While Dani is talking:]] Welding complete.
X: [[Raises her eyebrows.]] Oh. She's okay?
Dani: Um, kind of. She was sitting in a wheelchair and was wearing one of those prototype prosthetic legs, but… yeah, for the most part she just looked kind of cranky.
X: Ah. Sorry for interrupting. Go on.
Dani: Um… so… she told me I was getting tested for corporate loyalty, and the councillor's assistant strapped me into this chair thing with all of these needles that pumped some kind of clear liquid into my veins, which was just super not okay. [[Increasingly upset.]] I tried to fight them as they were putting me in the chair, but the assistant was too strong and the restraints were made of metal, and then whatever that liquid was zapped my energy fast.
Charlotte: [[While Dani is talking:]] Welding complete.
X: [[Sympathetically.]] Oh, Dani.
Dani: [[Deep breath.]] So yeah… they asked me a bunch of questions, and I don't even really remember most of them… just that apparently I screwed up by caring too much about Dr. Keane and Dr. Nakamura's lives? !
Charlotte: [While Dani is talking:]] Welding complete.
X: [[Frowns.]] What do you mean?
Dani: [[Distraught.]] I didn't pass! I've never not passed a test in my entire life! But I didn't pass this one! And I'm loyal! I've been loyal for, like, ever! That's what gets me!
Charlotte: Welding has been complete for quite some time.
X: [[Wearily]] Thank you, Charlotte.
Charlotte: [[Primly]] You are welcome.
[[SFX: They resume walking.]]
X: What then, Dani?
Dani: Well, the Fixer said they were going to have to “terminate” my internship, and I was like “OH HECK NO”, but I was still strapped to the chair and I couldn't move and she wasn't listening to me… And… I couldn't do anything, and I was so angry… I've never felt helpless like that before. So I started telling her what I thought of the whole torture-the-intern routine, and said that when my father found out he would shut them down, and then… [[Laughs, almost disbelievingly.]]
X: [[Confused.]] What?
Dani: I don't know! I wasn't exactly my best self in that moment, you know? And it got to a point where I was pretty much screaming incoherently. Then all of a sudden, there's this huge crash, and the Fixer and the assistant go all limp, and there's Officer Thorsson, holding this giant gun and just… laughing…
X: Nice.
Dani: Yeah, she got me out of the chair and told me to “have fun” -- whatever that means. [[Finishes, somewhat lamely:]] So… now I'm here.
X: I'm glad. And speaking of “here”…
[[SFX: Tarp crinkling as they enter the parents' pod.]]
Charlotte: I shall remain here. Do not judge us too harshly.
[[Dani and X both look at Charlotte for a moment, exchange a glance.]]
X: [[To Charlotte:]] Whenever you say that, it means something really unsettling is about to happen.
Dani: [[Nods toward the pod.]] This way. Here -- I have a light.
[[SFX: Flashlight clicks.]]
[[SFX: Environment shifts to parents' pod soundscape. They enter the sitting-room.]]
X: Okay, uh… we're making our way through my parents' pod… everything's pretty much the same as before, just… minus the fungus. [[Vague smile.]] Though there's still the Pueraria montana -- uh, kudzu -- growing out of my dad's chair.
Dani: Which is actually incredibly weird. What's it living off of?
X: I haven't thought to check. [[Pause.]] Well gosh. Now I can't help myself. [[SFX: Snipping cloth.]] Dani, could you please shine that light over… thank you. Well, that's odd.
Dani: More crystals.
X: Not even that -- though admittedly, that's odd, too -- look.
Dani: Oh. Is that a…
X: A nest? [[Nods slowly.]] Yeah. Watch out -- the whole thing could --
[[SFX: Sandy collapse, low rumble.]]
X: [[Grimaces, squints.]] Mmf. Do that.
Dani: [[Grimaces, coughing.]] Gross! It's in my mouth!
X: Blaaaah. [[Spits dust from mouth.]] Well, looks like it's been abandoned for quite some time. [[Shakes head.]] Heh. At least they moved on to greener pastures… a.k.a., my potato plants.
Dani: So what was living here? Some kind of bug?
X: Insects, yep. And see the way the crystal formation feeds out of the base of the nest there and there?… That shows us they're related. [[Pauses, stands up, wipes hands on pants. Murmurs:]] What were you working on, Dad?
Dani: Um. Not to put a damper on the whole discovery thing, but we should really unseal your mom's body from that coffin.
X: [[Nods.]] Right. Sorry. Lead the way.
[[SFX: Walk into parents' bedroom.]]
Dani: [[Gestures, inviting X to step forward.]] There she is.
[[SFX: Button press, hydraulics, hiss of atmo as coffin opens.]]
X: [[Stares, echoes:]] There she is.
[[Pause.]]
Dani: [[Awkwardly.]] Do you, like, want some… time alone with her?
X: [[Quickly.]] No. [[Blinks.]] No, thank you. I… I don't really have a plan. I just… didn't want Caldwell Enterprises to end up with her. [[Glances at Dani for social cue.]] Is that petty?
Dani: [[Shrugs.]] If it is, maybe petty is okay.
X: Thanks, Dani. This… it means a lot.
[[Brief pause as they both regard the fungus-covered body.]]
Dani: [[Frowns, confused; peers closer.]] Were… were her eyes open before?
X: [[Half-amused; drily.]] No. But it doesn't really surprise me that they are now. Hi, Mom.
Charlotte: [[Distant, from outside the pod.]] Do not judge us too harshly.
X: [[Softly.]] I won't. I never do. Don't worry. [[Pause, works through some emotions.]] I'm… glad you're back. [[To Dani:]] That machine against the wall… Kai told me those hookups have something to do with “thoughtware”?… That maybe my mother had been experimenting with something before she… got stuck like this? Do you know…?
Dani: [[Glances over the equipment.]] Hmm. I've seen equipment like this before, but I don't know how it works. Should we… try to hook her body up to it?
X: Maybe not. I don't want to make anything worse. We can ask Kai. You know, after we figure out how to wake Kai up. Or heck, Charlotte might know. [[Pause.]] Thank you.
Dani: Oh, no problem!
X: I mean it. You've done so much. [[Pause.]] Hey, want to head back to the glasshouse with me? I was going to make some breakfast and coffee for me and Chen. There'll be plenty to go around.
Dani: Coffee?
X: Coffee. [[Beat.]] You've... never had coffee?
Dani: No. What is it?
X: Oh my GOSH. Dani. It is life. It is breath. It is hot, delicious rainbow alchemy. You are about to ascend to a whole new level of Science-ing.
Dani: [[Warily.]] None of what you just said makes sense. Also, it sounds kind of like you have a chemical dependency.
X: Oh, definitely! But, like, not in a bad way. You'll see…
[[SFX: Transition.]]
SCENE 3
[[SFX: Cavatica, Glasshouse]]
X: I like to think that I'm mature enough to admit when I've made a mistake.
[[SFX: Crash, shattering glass.]]
Dani: [[From a distance; shouting grandly.]] I LOVE COFFEE! AND DISCOVERY! O SCIENCE! TRUE DAUGHTER OF OLD TIME THOU ART!
Chen: Well, good. [[Wearily.]] I told you not to let her have that much.
X: [[Concedes.]] You did. [[Sighs.]] And now I'm probably not going to be able to convince you to try it, huh?
Chen: Nope.
[[SFX: Crash, shattering glass.]]
Dani: IT'S LIKE I CAN SEE TIME!
X: [[Sighs.]] Maybe it's for the best. The tree probably can't produce enough beans to support a raging caffeine addiction in all three of us.
Chen: [[Amused, glances at Dani.]] I don't think you could handle me with that much energy.
X: I don't know… I hear those Caldwell Enterprises guns have a “stun” setting.
Chen: [[Rolls his eyes.]] I don't think you could use a gun on another human being, even if you got your hands on one.
X: What?! I'm totally ruthless!
Chen: [[Snorts, amused.]] Okay, X.
X: [[Glances at Kai.]] Hm. Speaking of guns…
Chen: [[Nods.]] Yeah. Want to figure out how to get Kai working again?
X: Yeah. I've been putting it off because I'm scared I'm just going to screw things up further. [[Regards the situation.]] So… [[Stands up, walks to lab table.]] I don't know if you can see from your gurney, but earlier I started taking apart this panel on the back of Kai's neck… but I didn't know if it was the right place to start. Also I was super overwhelmed and depressed.
Chen: It's all right. [[Considers.]] I think that's the cerebrospinal fluid input? Try that space over the -- no, other side. Over where the ear would be.
X: Here?
Chen: Yeah. You can barely see it, but there should be a little panel… and if you press on it…
[[SFX: Tiny hydraulic hiss and catch.]]
X: Aahhhh. Thanks. [[Inspects the processors. Quietly:]] Jeez. That stun really did a number on you. [[Calls out to the right.]] Hey, Charlotte? If your aural receptors aren't currently malfunctioning, could you give me a hand?
[[SFX: Approach of Charlotte's hydraulics from the right.]]
Charlotte: It appears you are attempting to… [[Brief pause, as if selecting from a menu of responses.]] … repair sensitive technical equipment. Would you like my assistance with that?
X: Yes. For once, I would.
Charlotte: [[Processes.]] Thank you. I am glad you have opted into letting me help you… [[Brief pause, as if selecting from a menu of responses.]] … repair sensitive technical equipment.
[[SFX: Slight sparking, buzzing. Clicks.]]
Dani: [[Distant.]] Why is this goat so tiny?
Charlotte: Partial repairs complete. Booting sequences and cranial sectors are currently offline. [[Pause.]] If you'd like, I can run a complete diagnostic scan of this unit. However, in the event of compromised hardware, troubleshooting may be restricted.
X: [[Nods; speaks absently.]] Thank you, Charlotte. That would be great. How long do you think this will take? I mean, for the scan and necessary repairs.
Charlotte: Task list estimated at approximately… two hours, twenty-nine minutes, and… eight seconds.
X: Good. Okay. Thank you.
[[SFX: Hydraulics, electronic hum. Slight sparking, buzzing. Clicks.]]
X: [[Abruptly, as she watches Charlotte work.]] Hey Chen, in times of corporate warfare, what are all felonies punishable by?
Chen: [[Answers automatically -- it's been drilled into his head by training.]] Dissociation. [[Blinks curiously, considers her question.]] Why do you ask?
X: Back when we were in the infirmary, the councillor was making a threat. Kai shot out the speaker before we could hear the whole thing.
Chen: ...Ah.
[[SFX: Slight sparking, buzzing. Clicks.]]
X: “Dissociation”… I'm assuming that has something to do with, like, separating your mind from your body?
Chen: [[Guarded.]] X, I don't think…
X: [[Interrupts, pressing.]] Is that what really happened to Kai?
Chen: [[Sighs, somewhat ruefully.]] Kai is… complicated.
X: That sounds like a yes. Which means… Kai is a felon?
Chen: Woah. [[Holds up his hands.]] What happened to not making assumptions?
