Unwell Season 4/Episode 7- Fallout
by Jessica Wright Buha
A quest for snacks
Who do you reach out to?
I are/We am/I was/We will always be
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Content Advisories for this episode can be found here.
Support Unwell and HartLife NFP on Patreon at www.patreon.com/hartlifenfp
This episode features: Clarissa Cherie Rios as Lily, Amelia Bethel as Marisol, Marsha Harman as Dot, Joshua K. Harris as Rudy, Michael Turrentine as Wes, Pat King as Chester, Isa Ramos as Spikes, Krista D'Agostino as Hazel, Katelyn Tinius as the lady on the intercom.
Written by Jessica Wright Buha, sound design by Laurence Owen, directed by Jeffrey Nils Gardner, theme music composed by Stephen Poon, recording engineer Mel Ruder, associate producer Ani Enghdahl, Theme performed by Stephen Poon, Lauren Kelly, Gunnar Jebsen, Travis Elfers, Mel Ruder, and Betsey Palmer, produced by haydée r. souffrant, Unwell lead sound designer Eli Hamada McIlveen, Executive Producers Eleanor Hyde and Jeffrey Nils Gardner, by HartLife NFP.
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INT. FENWOOD HOUSE, STAIRS - NIGHT
SFX: FOOTSTEPS DOWN THE STAIRS.
LILY
Okay, so the kettle corn is gone, but we've still got the Fritos.
MARISOL
I feel like we ate all the Fritos.
LILY
No.
MARISOL
You opened the bag, Lily! When we were all
playing Risk.
LILY
But we didn't kill it.
MARISOL
I think we killed it.
LILY
There's gotta be something downstairs.
SFX: SOFT KNOCK.
LILY (cont'd)
Wes? We're going to get snacks. You in?
SFX: DOOR CREAKS OPEN.
LILY (cont'd)
Wes? Where is he?
MARISOL
He went to Main Street. Didn't he?
LILY
Oh yeah, he said at dinner he was--
SFX: DISTANT SOUND OF THE BOTTLING WORKS EXPLODING.
LILY (cont'd)
Dang, he's gonna get rained on. Poor guy.
MARISOL
But he doesn't get wet, does he?
LILY
I think so. His clothes get wet. Right?
MARISOL
You know what--they totally got muddy when he was
running around with Spikes filming the hayride.
God, that feels like a million years ago.
LILY
Mari, have you told Spikes that Wes is back yet?
MARISOL
No.
LILY
Oh, wow. Cause lying worked so well last time.
MARISOL
You know, I've been thinking about that. I think
I was right not to tell Spikes that Wes is a
ghost.
LILY
Really.
MARISOL
And I definitely shouldn't have told her the
moment we found out.
LILY
But it's her friend--
MARISOL
He didn't even know he was a ghost! You think I
should've told her before we told him?
LILY
Okay, yeah, no.
MARISOL
Yeah. No.
LILY
But you should've just said he was working
through some stuff, and he'd be back when he was
ready. Not that he was in St. Louis.
MARISOL
I didn't want her to worry.
LILY
It was a worrisome situation. We could've worried
together
MARISOL
Yeah.
LILY
Mari, you gotta tell her he's back.
MARISOL
I will, for sure--the second the wolves are gone.
The last thing we need is a kid running around--
SFX: FROM THE KITCHEN, DOT AND SPIKE LAUGH.
MARISOL (cont'd)
Wait.
LILY
What?
MARISOL
Thought I heard--Hey, Dottie?
DOT (O.S.)
Quick! Hide!
LILY
What's going on down there?
SFX: FOOTSTEPS AS LILY AND MARI ENTER THE KITCHEN. KITCHEN SOUNDS: CAT
CLOCK TICKS. DOT IS LAUGHING TO HERSELF.
LILY (cont'd)
You just sitting here cackling to yourself, Mom?
DOT
Life's a gas--what can I say.
MARISOL
Hey Dottie, why’d you say "hide" just now?
DOT
Just talking to myself. Hide the evidence! It's
Lily and Mari, and I ate the rest of the Fritos.
LILY
There were some left?
DOT
There WERE some left.
SFX: RUSTLE OF AN EMPTY CHIP BAG.
LILY
Dangit.
DOT
Sorry.
LILY
Well, there's always the
peanut butter crackers.
DOT
Hey, anybody seen Wes?
MARISOL
The orange ones?
LILY
Yeah.
MARISOL
Those are so gross.
DOT
Lily!
LILY
What!
DOT
Where's Wes?
LILY
He went into town.
DOT
Fuck a duck. Really?
LILY
Yeah.
MARISOL
I think he was headed to Main street?
DOT
Maybe I'll join him.
LILY
Now?
DOT
Always love a midnight cruise round town.
MARISOL
Dottie, I don't know if you should drive when
you're tired.
DOT
That's more a guideline than a rule.
LILY
Mom, just, no. You want to get a game out? We
could do Monopoly.
DOT
Monopoly?!?
LILY
And it's gonna rain anyway. That thunder was crazy.
DOT
So we're just gonna let Wes walk home in the rain. For two miles?
LILY
Mom--
DOT
Let's go pick him up! Come on. I'll let you
drive.
LILY
I don't know.
MARISOL
We could stop by 7-11 for more snacks on the way.
LILY
True.
DOT
Would it kill us to do one nice thing for Wes?
One nice thing. Once.
LILY
Alright, sure. Lemme just get a bra on.
MARISOL
Why.
LILY
Cause I... you know. I just do.
MARISOL
Have you never gone out in public without a bra?
LILY
Not really.
DOT
What!
MARISOL
Oh, it's fun.
DOT
Go for it, Lily! Let your ta-tas do the cha-cha.
LILY
Oh, Mom! No! Ugh. Fine. Lemme just grab my shoes,
which are... um...
MARISOL
Think they're upstairs with mine.
LILY
Oh, right. Thanks.
SFX: MARI AND LILY HEAD BACK UP THE STAIRS.
DOT
Meet you at the car!
(low, to Spikes)
Come on, you can sneak in through the hatchback.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
SFX: RADIO PLAYS A RANDOM SONG. CAR ENGINE WHIRRS.
DOT
What's Wes even doing downtown?
LILY
I don't know, Wes stuff, saving people, looking
for bottlecaps. Doesn't he have a collection now?
MARISOL
If he's into bottle caps, he might be at the
bottling works.
LILY
I don't think he's that into bottle caps.
DOT
Be a lot easier if we could call him.
LILY
I thought he had a cell phone.
MARISOL
Pretty sure that was a ghost phone.
SFX: TEXT MESSAGE NOISE
LILY
Maybe he bought a new one. That isn't Wes, is it,
Mom?
DOT
No, it's Russell. "Are you okay?" That's sweet.
(typing)
Still farting along.
SFX: WHOOSH OF THE TEXT SEND SOUND. MORE TEXT MESSAGES COME
IN.
MARISOL
Someone's devoted.
DOT
He says--
SFX: DOTTIE BREATHES IN SHARPLY.
LILY
Mom?
MOM
Stop the car.
LILY
What?
MOM
No, go faster.
LILY
Why?
SFX: MARI'S PHONE GETS A TEXT. LILY'S PHONE GETS A TEXT.
SUDDENLY A TON OF TEXT MESSAGES COMING IN.
LILY (cont'd)
Someone tell me what's happening.
MARISOL
It's gone.
SFX: THREE SHARP TONES COME FROM THE RADIO.
ANNOUNCER
(d) We interrupt this program. The Mount Absalom
Emergency Management Agency has issued the
following message. There has been an explosion at
800 North Main Street.
LILY
What is that?
MARISOL
Bottling Works.
ANNOUNCER
(d) Keep tuned to this station for further
emergency information. All normal broadcasting
has been discontinued during this emergency. This
message will now repeat.
SFX: THREE BEEPS.
ANNOUNCER (cont'd)
(d) We interrupt this program. The Mount Absalom
Emergency--
SFX: SNAP AS THE RADIO IS TURNED OFF.
DOT
The fuck is going on.
LILY
It's okay--it's the middle of the night. No one's
in there.
MARISOL
Those walls are, like, a foot thick. What
happened to it.
SFX: TEXT MESSAGES ARE STILL COMING IN.
DOT
Marcus says the whole north half is gone.
LILY
It's gone?
MARISOL
Was it the boiler?
LILY
Must've been a gas leak. Shit. We gotta go doorto-
door, shut off the service lines.
DOT
HURRY.
SFX: THE ENGINE ACCELERATES.
INT. CAR - TWO MINUTES LATER
SFX: ENGINE ROARS AS LILY SPEEDS DOWN THE ROAD. POLICE SIREN
WAILS, THEN GETS CLOSER. BRAKES SLAM. THE SIREN IS QUITE
LOUD. [SCENIC NOTE: A POLICE CAR IS BLOCKING THE ROAD]
LILY
Shit, what do I do here.
MARISOL
Ditch the car. Go on foot.
LILY
Yeah.
DOT
No, Lily, drive! We're still half a mile away!
LILY
The street's blocked.
DOT
Drive on the sidewalk!
LILY
Mom, I can't--
DOT
Then ram it!
LILY
I'm not ramming a cop car!
CHESTER (O.S.)
Excuse me! Excuse me.
SFX: FOOTSTEPS APPROACH.
DOT
Chester. Fuck.
SFX: SHARP RAP OF KNUCKLES ON THE GLASS OF THE CAR WINDOW.
CHESTER (O.S.)
Excuse me!--
SFX: ZIP OF WINDOW GOING DOWN.
CHESTER
No vehicular traffic--
LILY
Yeah, we got that.
CHESTER
Oh, Lily! Thank goodness--I need your assistance.
LILY
Okay. What's the latest?
SFX: LILY OPENS THE CAR DOOR. LILY AND MARI GET OUT.
CHESTER
It's all a touch overwhelming.
LILY
You turned off the gas yet?
CHESTER
The... what?
LILY
You gotta turn off the gas.
MARISOL
Chester, was anyone hurt?
CHESTER
No. Well, just a few scrapes--superficial. Sophia
Freundlich said she and Wes were the only--
DOT
Wes? Wes, you mean Fenwood Wes?
LILY
Chester, the gas.
CHESTER
Wes is fine, Dottie.
MARISOL
Can you turn that siren off, please?
CHESTER
Yes, sorry.
SFX: FOOTSTEPS TO THE COP CAR.
LILY
Chester, we need to shut off the gas NOW.
SFX: SIREN IS TURNED OFF.
LILY (cont'd)
Chester!
CHESTER
The gas? To the bottling works?
LILY
No, to the whole town!
SFX: DOT OPENS HER CAR DOOR.
CHESTER
The whole town?
LILY
Mom, stay in the car!
SFX: CARDOOR SLAMS. DOT'S FOOTSTEPS AS HEADS DOWN THE STREET.
DOT
I'm going to the bottling works.
LILY
It's too dangerous!
DOT
Stop me.
LILY
I don't want to physically restrain you, but--
DOT
You don't understand, I have
to! I have to go. Someone
could be hurt! I have to help
them!
LILY
--I have twenty hours of
paramedic training and I
worked the night shift at a
Starbucks so don't test me.
DOT
Lily, I've got texts from twenty different
people. "Dottie, I'm freaking out." "Dottie, what
should we do." I gotta do something.
MARISOL
Hey Dot, why don't you let Lily and I go to the
bottling works, and you can stay here and--
DOT
Fuck that.
MARISOL
--and if we find anyone who's distressed or needs
someone to talk to, we'll send em right to you.
Okay? Okay?
DOT
Yeah. Okay.
MARISOL
Good. Let's go.
SFX: LILY, MARI, AND CHESTER WALK AWAY DOWN MAIN STREET.
LILY
I'm serious about shutting off the gas, Chester.
CHESTER
Yes, but there's been no
evidence--
LILY
Even a hairline crack in one
of the service lines--
DOT
(chant/singing)
Hey! Who's sad! Come talk to Dottie, cause it's
all going to be fine! And I should have packed
some purse wine like Maureen always does. But
maybe I have something else!
SFX: LILY, CHESTER, AND MARISOL'S FOOTSTEPS FADE DOWN MAIN
STREET AS DOT RUSTLES THROUGH HER PURSE
LILY (O.S.)
We had an earthquake when I lived in Tacoma, and
we had to go door-to-door shutting off the
valves...
SFX: TRIUMPHANT RATTLE OF ALTOIDS.
DOT
I got mints!
SFX: FROM INSIDE THE CAR, SPIKES KNOCKS HER KNUCKLES ON THE
CAR WINDOW.
DOT (cont'd)
Oh shit, right. Sorry. Gotta pop the hatchback.
SFX: HATCHBACK OF AN SUV OPENS.
DOT (cont'd)
Lemme help you out, Scissors.
SPIKES
It's Spikes, Mrs. Harper.
DOT
Spikes, Spikes, sorry.
SFX: THUMP AS SPIKES HOPS DOWN FROM THE OPEN HATCHBACK.
SPIKES
Found Wes yet?
EXT. MAIN STREET - NIGHT.
SFX: NIGHT SOUNDS. LILY, MARISOL, AND CHESTER WALK.
LILY
We heard the explosion all the way at Fenwood.
There's probably cracks in all these foundations,
maybe damaged service lines. You want more
buildings to blow up?
CHESTER
No, heavens no, but you must understand--[than
there's no heat.]
LILY
We have to turn off the gas. For the whole town.
Shut it down at the utility station.
MARISOL
You really think--?
CHESTER
We can't--!
LILY
If there's structural damage--
CHESTER
If we ask the gas company to shut off the service
to Mount Absalom, then each home will have to be
professionally inspected, one-by-one, before they
will restore service. Which will take weeks.
LILY
I don't know WEEKS.
CHESTER
Leaving six hundred people without the means to
cook their meals--
LILY
We have to do something.
CHESTER
Yes, but it must be the right thing.
SFX: NIGHT SOUNDS. NO ONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO.
LILY
Isn't Mayor Lopez supposed to be making these
decisions?
CHESTER
This can be resolved. The interruption will not
thrill her, but...
SFX: RUSTLE AS CHESTER GETS OUT HIS WALKIE-TALKIE. A CLICK AS
HE PUSHES THE BUTTON.
CHESTER (cont'd)
Hazel, come in.
LILY
Where's Hazel?
CHESTER
She's at the bottling works.
MARISOL
At the bottling works?
LILY
What's she doing there?
SFX: CHHH OF STATIC AS HAZEL ANSWERS
HAZEL
(over the walkie-talkie)
This is Hazel.
LILY
Where's Sheriff Joshi?
HAZEL
(over the walkie-talkie)
He's walking Ms. Freundlich home. Is that Ms.
Harper?
CHESTER
Hazel, do you smell natural gas?
HAZEL
(over the walkie-talkie)
Oh, Chester. How ridiculous.
LILY
Don't give me "ridiculous"--how else did it
explode?
HAZEL
(over the walkie-talkie)
And I hope, Chester, that you haven't been
listening to Ms. Harper's "expertise" on this
matter.
LILY
You're saying a building just blew up on its own.
HAZEL
(over the walkie-talkie)
Certainly not. It was the boiler. The pressure
gauge must have been faulty.
CHESTER
You're sure it was the boiler.
HAZEL
(over the walkie-talkie)
I examined it personally. Now, if there's nothing
else--
LILY
You really don't smell any gas leaks?
HAZEL
(over the walkie-talkie)
Ms. Harper.
LILY
(to herself)
Jesus.
HAZEL
(over the walkie-talkie)
The situation is under control. Your presence,
while appreciated, is unnecessary.
LILY
Oh gosh, well, if you say so.
HAZEL
(over the walkie-talkie)
Enough. Chester? Chester!
CHESTER
Yes, Hazel.
HAZEL
(over the walkie-talkie)
I found some minerals that look promising. The
infusion starts tonight.
SFX: HISS OF STATIC AS HAZEL SHUTS OFF HER WALKIE-TALKIE.
LILY
The infusion?
MARISOL
So she's not looking for survivors--
CHESTER
Sophia Freundlich and Wes were the only--
MARISOL
--she's just, what, pillaging the bottling works?
CHESTER
Hazel has devised a plan, and that plan requires
certain materials.
MARISOL
Certain minerals.
LILY
What's the plan.
CHESTER
A way to regain control.
LILY
Oh, really? How, exactly?
What's the plan, Chester?
CHESTER
It's unsafe for anyone to
wander around the works at
present.
CHESTER (cont'd)
May we focus on securing the bottling works!?
MARISOL
Yeah, securing it from Hazel.
LILY
You're really not going to tell us what her
secret plan is?
CHESTER
Certainly: sheer folly. The less said on it, the
better.
SFX: NIGHT SOUNDS. SILENCE.
MARISOL
Okay, so we're securing the bottling works.
Chester, are you talking, like, nailing the
windows shut--or, are there even windows? What's
the situation.
CHESTER
The damage was extensive. We may have to be
satisfied with caution tape around the perimeter.
Which is, ah--in the patrol car. Drat.
MARISOL
We'll go back and get it.
LILY
Guys, I'm going door-to-door. Even if it wasn't
the gas that caused it, an explosion that big
could have cracked some of the service lines. I
gotta check it out.
CHESTER
That may not be a waste of time.
LILY
Thanks. Okay, so you all're gonna grab the tape,
I'm gonna check for leaks, and let's meet back
here, ah... whenever we're done.
SFX: MARISOL LAUGHS AT THE ABSURDITY OF THAT SITUATION.
MARISOL
Okay. Call if you need anything.
LILY
You, too. And be safe, yeah?
MARISOL
Same.
EXT. RUSSEL'S STORE - NIGHT
SFX: NIGHT SOUNDS.
SPIKES
Wes? Wes!
DOT
He'll find us. There's one road to Fenwood, and
we're blocking it.
SPIKES
Wes!
DOT
Look at those stars. You even seen stars like
that?
SPIKES
They're amazing.
DOT
Fucking amazing. Go on--say it: Fucki--
SPIKES
I'm sorry, Mrs. Harper, I really need to find
Wes, like, now. The second Aunt Mari sees I'm
here, she's making me go back to Indianapolis.
DOT
How's she gonna find out? I'm not telling her.
We'll get you a wig--Jody’s got a couple wigs,
we'll get one from her-- put you up in 3C, and
you can stay at Fenwood forever. We'll call you—-
not your name, something else. You pick. What do
you want to be called?
SPIKES
I don't know.
SFX: WHOOSH AS WES APPEARS.
WES
Spikes?
SPIKES
Wes!
DOT
There you are.
SPIKES
Wes! Wes! Ahhh! Can I hug you?
WES
Yes!
SFX: RUSTLE OF CLOTHING AS THEY HUG.
SPIKES
You still feel the same. Sorry, is that a weird
thing to say?
WES
No.
SPIKES
Thanks for your letter. It was the coolest.
WES
I wanted to go to you—
SPIKES
You should’ve!
WES
--but I wasn't sure I could. I've been thinking
about you a lot. I--[hoped I'd see you again.]
It's really good to see you.
SPIKES
Same-zies. Did I just say "same-zies"? Why?
WES
Marisol should've told me you were coming in
town!
SPIKES
Oh, she doesn't know--no one does. It's kinda a
secret trip.
DOT
Shhh. Don't tell.
WES
Oh-- but-- your parents didn't drive you?
SPIKES
No, I took a bus. And then a cab from Julian--oh
my God, it cost so much--it was--[crazy]
WES
Your parents let you take a bus?
SPIKES
Oh no, my parents think I'm sleeping at
Marinetti's house.
DOT
Parents don't need to know everything.
WES
Oh. I just know my parents would've been really
worried.
SPIKES
No, no--they're totally not, cause they think I'm
at Netti's
WES
But we should definitely tell Marisol. Right,
Dot?
DOT
Tell Marisol what? This is just our brand-new
boarder named... Svetlana.
SPIKES
I thought I got to pick my new name.
WES
I really don't think--[this is a good idea]
SFX: RUDY'S SAD FOOTSTEPS APPROACH.
DOT
Hey, who's there? Dammit, why do we only have a
half moon. That's not you, Mari, is it?
RUDY
No.
DOT
Oh, it's you.
SPIKES
Hey, Rudy!
RUDY
Hi.
Dottie, why are there no bars in Mount Absalom.
DOT
I don't know. Someone should open one--hey, Rudy,
why don't you? Now that you're done betraying all
your friends, you've got time, right?
RUDY
I'm sorry.
DOT
Assface. With a... vomit brain?
(to herself)
That's not it.
WES
It's good to see you, Rudy.
RUDY
Hey, Wes. Spikes.
SPIKES
Stars look good tonight.
RUDY
Yep. The neverchanging everchanging cosmos. Not
us, though. For us, in the end, it's just the
dark.
WES
Rudy...
DOT
Got it. You're a slimy shitperson with an
asscheek face and armpits for brains. Yes!
RUDY
A fool. I am a fool.
DOT
All right, Jesus, lighten up. Mint?
SFX: CLANG/CLICK AS AN ALTOIDS TIN IS OPENED.
DOT (cont'd)
They're cinnamon.
RUDY
Thanks.
SFX: ALTOIDS CLATTER AS RUDY TAKES ONE OUT.
DOT
You're welcome.
RUDY
Why do you stay, Dot?
DOT
In Mount Abs?
SFX: RUDY CHEWS THE ALTOID.
RUDY
A madman in the woods, buildings exploding--
DOT
Town's got its quirks, sure. But you can't beat
the people.
That's why I stay--I mean, also cause I said I
would, but--I dunno. I got friends here. And they
care about me, and show up, and make me tea, and
listen--
RUDY
You can get that anywhere.
DOT
No, dipshit, you can't.
This is why he doesn't have any friends.
SFX: RUDY CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING TO SAY.
RUDY
Yeah.
WES
Rudy, everything's going to be okay.
DOT
Shitballs, I can't believe Wes is trying to make
you feel better. WES, the guy who just had a
building fall on him.
RUDY
You were in the bottling works?
WES
Yeah. I was fine. I guess, obviously.
RUDY
What happened?
WES
So I'm in the bottling works with Sophia, and I
suddenly start to hear this echo in the pipes.
RUDY
What do you mean an echo.
WES
Well, first I hear this sound--kind of like a
clatter. No, not a clatter--
RUDY
(remembering)
Was it a thunk?
WES
Yes! Like a metallic thunk, and then the sound
kinda started to grow.
SPIKES
Get louder?
WES
No--it's hard to explain. Instead of fading,
like,
(saying each "echo" softer)
echo, echo, echo
it just kept getting stronger, and then it spread
to all the pipes, and then it spread to the
walls, and then it was too much. The works
couldn't handle it.
DOT
You think a sound blew up the bottling works.
WES
I know it seems impossible. But the sound was so
strange, like--
RUDY
A crowbar hitting stones as it sank down a well.
WES
Yeah!
RUDY
Thunk, clatter, scrape.
WES
Rudy! Were you there?
RUDY
No. I was twenty feet under Town Hall.
DOT
Twenty feet!
WES
How do you--
RUDY
But I made that sound. I threw my crowbar down
the well under town hall--oh, there's a well
under town hall (not dried up--quite active). The
point being--
SPIKES
Rudy, I really don't think that sound was from
your crowbar--
RUDY
Yes, an impossible thing, unless--wait, unless it
was no ordinary echo, unless the physical object
itself underwent a transformation--transforming
from a physical, tactile object to something
else. A sound wave
DOT
What.
RUDY
Which underwent--hold on.
Which underwent a fracturing. It grew, yes, but
only to a point. And a fractured sound wave is an
a object in a state of weakness. Said another
way, by transitioning from solid to sound wave,
the opportunity for a fracturing, a fading, a
dissipation presents itself.
WES
You're saying that if you throw an object into
that well, you can transform it into sound waves?
RUDY
I'm saying I can fix this.
WES
Fix what?
RUDY
All of it. Reconcile with the Fenwood folk,
DOT
Ha!
RUDY
Solve the mystery of the telescope, banish the
wolves,
SPIKES
The wolves?
RUDY
Stop the wanton destruction--all of it.
WES
I wouldn't call it wanton destruction.
DOT
Yeah, and how're you gonna do it?
RUDY
The same way you fix any problem. Precise
assertiveness. Thanks for the mint.
SFX: FOOTSTEPS FADE.
WES
Night, Rudy.
DOT
Precise assertiveness, where does he come up with
this shit? Aww, I miss that fucker.
SPIKES
What did Rudy mean by wolves?
WES
That's just a temporary problem.
DOT
Oh, the Mount Abs wolves? Yeah, they're
everywhere.
SPIKES
They are?!?!
DOT
You saw them outside Fenwood when you walked in,
didn't you.
SPIKES
No. I mean, I saw your new dog sleeping on the
porch--
DOT
Wasn't a dog. It was asleep? That's weird.
WES
The wolves aren't bad. They're just very
sensitive.
DOT
You want to see them?
SPIKES
YES.
WES
Spikes--
DOT
There's usually some by town
hall. Come on.
WES
Hey! Why don't we just wait here for Marisol? The
stars are incredible, aren't they?
SPIKES
Wes, I gotta see the wolves. You just said they
weren't bad.
WES
They're not, but they're just really really
really sensitive.
DOT
If you're too much of a scaredy-cat, then stay
here. Come on, Spikes.
SPIKES
We'll be back in like, one second.
WES
Spikes.
SFX: DOT AND SPIKES' FOOTSTEPS WALK OFF.
DOT
First rule of the wolves: you don't want to get
too close.
WES
Spikes!
DOT
They will growl, they will snap--don't think
they've actually bitten anyone yet.
SPIKES
Come on, Wes!
WES
Okay, I'm coming.
DOT (O.S.)
Oh hm, maybe they have--I'm trying to think.
SFX: WES' WALKING FOOTSTEPS TURN INTO A RUN
WES
Hey, wait up!
EXT. THREE-FLAT NEAR TOWN HALL - NIGHT.
SFX: BUZZ OF APARTMENT BUZZER.
APARTMENT LADY
Hello?
LILY
Hello, this the Mount Absalom Volunteer fire
department! Do you smell gas in your home?
APARTMENT LADY
No. It's so late.
LILY
Yes, sorry. Could you let me into the basement so
I can check there?
APARTMENT LADY
All right, goodnight, dearie.
LILY
Wait, excuse me! Hello? Hello!
SFX: LILY SIGHS SHARPLY, AND BUZZES AGAIN.
DOT (O.S.)
Watch out! He'll get you!
SPIKES (O.S.)
They're beautiful.
LILY
Oh my God--MOM!
EXT. TOWN HALL - NIGHT
SFX: FOUNTAIN BURBLES. NIGHT SOUNDS. WOLVES BREATHE AND
SOMETIMES GROWL? SOMEWHAT NEUTRAL WOLF NOISES.
DOT
That one's usually by Fenwood. Hey, Mr. Snaps!
Having a night on the town?
SPIKES
That's the one I thought was your dog.
DOT
Really? The gray one?
SPIKES
Yeah.
LILY (O.S.)
MOM!
DOT
Dammit.
LILY
Hey, Mom!
WES
Lily, no yelling.
LILY
I said stay by the car! Oh my God, Spikes.
SPIKES
Hi, Lily.
LILY
Is it really her?
WES
It's really her.
LILY
Spikes, tell me your mom drove you.
SPIKES
No. I took a bus.
LILY
Oh my God.
DOT
Surprise!
LILY
You knew about this?
DOT
Jesus, Lily, she's not a child.
LILY
SHE IS A CHILD. She's thirteen years old.
DOT
What?
SPIKES
I'll be fourteen in May.
DOT
Oh God.
LILY
I'm calling Mari.
SPIKES
Don't!
DOT
Honey, do your parents know you're here?
SPIKES
No.
SFX: LILY TAPS ON A PHONE SCREEN. SOFT RINGING IS HEARD.
DOT
Oh, no.
I'm so sorry, I thought you were older.
LILY
Did you look at her, Mom?
MARI
(on the phone, very faint)
Hello?
LILY
(into her phone)
Hey Mari, get to town hall. Spikes is here--yes,
really here.
MARI
(on the phone, very faint)
Spikes??? What the fuck?
LILY
(into her phone)
I'm with her. She's safe.
MARISOL
(on the phone, faintly)
Stay there. I'm coming.
WES
Spikes was always safe.
LILY
(into her phone)
Okay. Bye.
SFX: TAP AS LILY HANGS UP THE PHONE.
LILY (cont'd)
Well, this is not great.
WES
Spikes been safe this whole time.
LILY
Wes, you are sleeping on the job, and it's
bullshit.
WES
Excuse me?
DOT
Hey, no! Inappropriate.
SPIKES
Lily, it's not his fault.
LILY
I just need a little bit of help keeping everyone
safe, okay?
WES
Lily--
LILY
Can you do that?
WES
I am doing my best with a difficult situation.
SFX: THE WOLVES START TO GET INCREASINGLY AGITATED.
LILY
They're by the wolves, Wes!
WES
Spikes wanted to see a wolf, so--[I let her.]
LILY
Of course she did! And you say, "no!"
WES
Lily--
LILY
All you have to do is keep them safe.
WES
I AM DOING MY BEST! My absolute cardinal best.
And if my best isn't good enough--
LILY
It's not good enough. Do better.
WES
--THEN GET THE HELL OUT!
SFX: THE WOLVES ARE INCREDIBLY AGITATED AT THIS POINT. AND IS
THAT A RUMBLE OF LEGIT THUNDER IN THE DISTANCE???
LILY
You get the hell out, man, if you're just going
to be dead weight.
SFX: THAT CROSSED A LINE.
LILY (cont'd)
Sorry.
WES
I can't leave.
SFX: THE WOLVES ARE DEVASTATED (SOFT SAD HOWLS??). THE WIND IS
DEVASTATED. LILY DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
SPIKES
Everyone's okay, Wes! I'm safe!
SFX: THE WOLVES STOP GROWLING. THEY PANT, AND MAKE HAPPY/
SOOTHED DOG NOISES.
SPIKES (cont'd)
You did great.
WES
They're just really sensitive.
SFX: FOOTSTEPS AS MARISOL RUNS IN.
MARISOL
Hey, Spikes!
SPIKES
Quiet, Aunt Mari!
MARISOL
Come here.
SFX: HUG!
DOT
I want a hug.
MARISOL
Don't do this to us, man.
SPIKES
I'm sorry.
WES
You don't need to worry, Marisol. Everything is
safe and under control.
LILY
Obviously.
SFX: THE WOLVES START TO GROWL AGAIN.
DOT
I have cake! At the house. The emergency cake.
Let's go back and have some, yeah?
SFX: THINGS START TO CALM DOWN.
SPIKES
What kind is it?
DOT
It's sponge cake with a hidden center of
delicious creme.
LILY
Mom, don't open the emergency twinkies.
DOT
Is it not "emergency" enough?
LILY
They're not good anymore.
SFX: DOT, WES, AND SPIKES'S VOICES FADE AS THEY GET AHEAD.
DOT (O.S.)
Lily keeps trying to throw out the Twinkies, but
they are fresh as lil' daisies cause they never
go bad.
MARISOL
Spikes, I'm driving you back tomorrow!
SPIKES (O.S.)
Okay.
WES (O.S.)
They must go bad sometime.
SPIKES (O.S.)
Are they ghost twinkies?
SFX: DOT, WES, AND SPIKES LAUGH IN THE DISTANCE.
LILY
Ohh, now I wish I had worn a bra, cause I'm a
little turned on--
MARISOL
Yeah, that's a side effect.
LILY
--but I kinda need every part of my brain to
focus on this shitshow.
MARISOL
I don't know about shitshow, Spikes seems to be
okay--
LILY
I mean with Wes.
MARISOL
What you do you mean with Wes.
LILY
When Wes got mad, the wolves got mad.
MARISOL
That's not that weird. Aren't animals really
sensitive to emotions?
LILY
And then Spikes calmed him down, then everything
was calm.
MARISOL
Right, cause animals pick up on emotions.
LILY
This was different. There was some sort of
connection between Wes and the wolves.
SFX: MARISOL LAUGHS.
MARISOL
So you think Wes is secretly part of a wolf pack?
LILY
No.
MARISOL
Because that's bonkers.
LILY
I think the wolves are part of Wes.
SFX: MARISOL STOPS WALKING. SILENCE. NIGHT SOUNDS.
MARISOL
What.