Unwell Season 5/Episode 10 - Elevation
by Jessica Wright Buha
What do you remember?
Practicalities.
Love remains.
Content Advisories for this episode can be found here.
Support Unwell and HartLife NFP on Patreon at www.patreon.com/hartlifenfp
This episode features: Clarisa Cherie Rios as Lily, Kat Hoil as Abbie, Patrick King as Chester, Corrbette Pasko as Maureen, Kim Fukawa as Joanne, Amelia Bethel as Marisol, Marsha Harman as Dot, Kristen DeMercurio as Lulu, Miles Buha as Jamie, Clint Worthington as Russell, Emma Sherr-Ziarko as Mrs. Lonnegran, Tara Schile as Sophia, José Angel Donado as Mayor Lopez, Ben Aldred as Mr. Flannery, and Bob Raymonda, Shayne Steliga, Damian Szydlo, Aquta, Ryan Bond, Adam Qutaishat, and Jackey Boelkow as the townsfol of Mt. Absalom.
Written by Jessica Wright Buha, sound design by Alexander Danner, directed by Jeffrey Nils Gardner, assistant director Lauren Grace Thompson, 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 DINING ROOM - DAY
SFX: RAIN OUTSIDE.
LILY
Okay. So wait, Abbie, what's underwater?
ABBIE
Everything pale orange and lighter.
LILY
Got it.
CHESTER
As of this morning. Volatile situation.
I think we should consider Frontage road.
LILY
Sorry, where is that?
SFX: CHESTER'S MARKER SQUEAKS AS HE CIRCLES A ROAD WITH HIS
MARKER.
CHESTER
Here. Route nine is a good candidate as well.
ABBIE
Chester, what do you think about Route Thirty?
CHESTER
Old Route Thirty, or New?
ABBIE
New.
CHESTER
Hmm.
SFX: MAUREEN COMES DOWN THE STAIRS.
MAUREEN
Hey Lily, do you know who Mrs. Berghdof is.
LILY
Yeah, I think that was our neighbor when I was a
kid.
MAUREEN
Okay, Dottie wants me to call her, and I just
need one detail from her life.
LILY
Oh, uh... She had...
MAUREEN
Yeah?
LILY
Hold on, Maureen. There was...
MAUREEN
What's with the map?
CHESTER
Potential evacuation routes. New Thirty could
work, but Miller's already flooded, as is Rush...
MAUREEN
Lily, anything?
LILY
It was so long ago.
ABBIE (O.S.)
We'll block it off.
SFX: ABBIE'S MARKER SQUEAKS AS THEY DRAW.
ABBIE
We'd block all these off--anything leading to the
valley.
CHESTER
I'd have to get approval.
SFX: SOFT TAPS ON A SMARTPHONE AS CHESTER DIALS A NUMBER.
ABBIE
Think he'll pick up.
CHESTER
Doubtful.
LILY
I remember she had bushes in her front yard.
LOPEZ (D)
Chet!
CHESTER
(into the phone)
Mayor Lopez!
LOPEZ
Chet, I've been meaning to call you--
SFX: CHESTER WALKS INTO THE KITCHEN.
CHESTER (O.S.)
(into the phone)
I'd prefer you call me Chester.
MAUREEN
Bushes?
LILY
I don't know, I was nine.
MAUREEN
Okay, can you please run to Julian and refill her
prescription?
LILY
I haven't had time.
MAUREEN
I need you to make some time.
LILY
Maureen, I get that this is important.
MAUREEN
No you don't, cause if you
did, I'd have her pills,
okay?
LILY
I've been trying to keep the
town from falling apart,
Maureen.
And we just ran out of sandbags.
ABBIE
I've solved that, ps.
LILY
Oh! Good.
MAUREEN
You need to prioritize Dottie's meds. Okay?
LILY
Dottie is fine and safe and I will keep her that
way until things mellow out.
MAUREEN
She's not fine.
LILY
She's safe. Also Mrs. Berghdof's younger daughter
got pregnant in high school and it was a Whole
Thing--just remembered.
MAUREEN
Okay. I'm getting some tea. Or a beer.
SFX: MAUREEN'S FOOTSTEPS OUT.
LILY
How'd you solve the sandbag thing?
ABBIE
Google. Just put dirt in a doubled-up plastic
grocery bag. Not ideal, but.
CHESTER (O.S.)
(on the phone)
Again, it's "Chester," not "Chet."
SFX: FOOTSTEPS AS CHESTER EXITS THE KITCHEN AND WALKS BACK
INTO THE LIVING ROOM.
ABBIE
Marisol's buying water at Russell's, right? She
could get a bunch there.
LILY
Oh, we've got plastic grocery bags.
CHESTER
(on the phone)
I'd very much disagree, Mr. Mayor.
LILY
So funny--we're sitting on top of a well, and
we're buying gallons of water.
CHESTER
(on the phone)
I know we've lost Town Hall and the Observatory,
but there are still plenty of other historic
buildings that need fortifying.
SFX: LILY BREATHES IN SHARPLY.
LILY
Blooms is taking out the wells.
ABBIE
Yeah, I've been thinking Fenwood might be next.
LILY
What!
ABBIE
Lily. It's--[painfully obvious]
LILY
Why didn't you say something?
ABBIE
Because I didn't want to insult your
intelligence?
SFX: LILY TRIES TO FORMULATE A PLAN, WHILE ALSO KEEPING THE
PANIC AT BAY.
CHESTER
(on the phone)
Sir, I'm not sure that's wise.
LILY
Okay. So we should, um...
ABBIE
The priority should be the roads. Wes won't let
anything happen to Fenwood.
Right?
CHESTER
(on the phone)
Me?
ABBIE
Lily.
LILY
We might need a plan B.
CHESTER
(on the phone)
I assume you're forfeiting the official email
address, so where should I send the forms for
your signature?
ABBIE
Chester?
LILY
(to Abbie)
What?
ABBIE
(to Chester)
Is he resigning?
SFX: CHESTER'S MARKER SQUEAKS ON THE ACETATE AS HE WRITES DOWN
THE EMAIL ADDRESS.
CHESTER
(on the phone)
Very good.
LILY
Who? Lopez?
ABBIE
Chester, speakerphone!
SFX: CLICK AS CHESTER TURNS ON SPEAKERPHONE.
LOPEZ
(over speakerphone)
And what about you? Need to fill out some of your
own?
CHESTER
No sir, The deputy mayor ascends automatically.
LOPEZ
(over speakerphone)
Well, I'd say come up to Columbus for a
celebratory drink, Mr. Mayor, but the captain
must go down with the ship!
CHESTER
Yes, sir.
LOPEZ
All kidding aside, Chet, I've always liked you.
And I hope--
SFX: TAP AS CHESTER HANGS UP THE PHONE. THE RAIN FALLS
OUTSIDE.
CHESTER
Good.
SFX: CHESTER'S VOICE IS CALM BUT THE ADRENALINE IS MAKING HIM
SHAKE.
CHESTER (cont'd)
That's fine.
LILY
You're mayor?
CHESTER
Yes. First--
LILY
Congrats!
ABBIE
Finally.
CHESTER
First, town meeting, here, today, 7 pm. That all
right?
LILY
Sure.
CHESTER
We'll finalize the evacuation routes, discuss
fortification techniques--ah. No sandbags.
ABBIE
I've got a sandbag plan.
CHESTER
Implement that. I'm going to inspect the bridges.
So much to do.
SFX: THE FRONT DOOR OPENS, LETTING IN THE SOUND OF THE STORM.
CHESTER (cont'd)
See you all tonight.
LILY
Wait, Chester. I don't know if Fenwood is a good
meeting place.
CHESTER
Why? There's plenty of space, an abundance of
folding chairs...
LILY
Right, but I think Blooms is...
ABBIE
...Systematically destroying the sites of the
wells?
LILY
Yeah.
CHESTER
This place, what we now call Fenwood, what was
called Lyle, is traditionally a place of shelter,
of welcoming, of refuge.
ABBIE
Yeah, but...
CHESTER
And we are on a hill.
ABBIE
More of a knoll.
CHESTER
Even so. Until tonight?
LILY
Til tonight.
ABBIE
Start with New Route Thirty!
SFX: THE DOOR CLOSES BEHIND CHESTER.
ABBIE (cont'd)
So, sandbags? Yes?
LILY
Yeah--can't believe there's actually a use for
all those plastic grocery bags Mom's been
hoarding. I gotta go tell her.
ABBIE
Or not.
SFX: THE RAIN FALLS OUTSIDE.
LILY
Or not. I'll let her rest.
ABBIE
Where are the bags?
LILY
Where AREN'T the bags. Let's start in the
kitchen.
SFX: TRANSITION. RAIN FALLS.
INT. FOYER: FENWOOD HOUSE - DAY
SFX: GENERAL CHAOS OF LIKE TWENTY PEOPLE ALL COMING IN AT
ONCE.
LILY
Hello! Come in, just leave your umbrella on the
porch.
SOPHIA
How's Dottie.
LILY
We're taking things one day at a time, and today
she's okay.
MRS. LONERGAN
I haven't been in Fenwood in ages!
LILY
Come over whenever--Wes would love to give you a-- I mean. Wes is, um--
MRS. LONERGAN
Yes, where is--
LILY
Mrs. Lonergan, could you help set up chairs in
the living room?
MRS. LONERGAN
Certainly!
LILY
Folding chairs are in the closet.
RUSSELL
Where are we putting the casseroles?
LILY
Oh, Russell, you didn't have to--
RUSSELL
People have to eat, don't they?
MR. FLANNERY
Where are we putting umbrellas?
LILY
On the porch.
SFX: CREAK OF THE BATHROOM DOOR OPENING. INSIDE, SOPHIA SCREAMS.
SOPHIA
Someone's in here!
MRS. LONERGAN
Shut the door next time!
LILY
NO DON'T SHUT THE DOOR.
MRS. LONERGAN
Lily, where is the closet?
SFX: DOOR SQUEAKS SHUT. THE LOCK CLICKS.
LILY
Mrs. Lonergan...
MR. FLANNERY
Excuse me, I have to use the...
SFX: DOOR CREAKS OPEN.
MR. FLANNERY (cont'd)
Where's the bathroom.
MRS. LONERGAN
It IS a closet.
LILY
Dammit. Sophia? SOPHIA!
SOPHIA (O.S.)
I'm here!
LILY
Nobody shut any more doors, okay?
MR. FLANNERY
Excuse me, Ms. Harper, where's the bathroom?
LILY
I don't know.
JOANNE
Hi Lily! Umbrellas are going...?
LILY
(sharply)
On the porch!
Sorry.
JOANNE
Porch it is! Hang in there, sweetheart.
LILY
Thanks, Joanne.
CHESTER
(off)
Everyone! Everyone, to the living room, please!
The town meeting will begin in three minutes!
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
SFX: HUBBUB AS TWENTY PEOPLE GET SETTLED.
CHESTER
Everyone, everyone, please. I have some news.
SFX: EVERYONE QUIETS. CHESTER SHUFFLES HIS PAPERS.
CHESTER (cont'd)
Mr. Lopez has, as of this afternoon, abdicated
his position as Mayor. So, pending the special
election, I am acting mayor.
SFX: THE CROWD BURSTS INTO APPLAUSE.
CHESTER
Now, to discuss the matter at
hand--the matter at hand,
which is--
LILY / MARISOL / MAUREEN
WOOO! / Chester! / Mayor
Warren in the house! [air
horn imitation]
CHESTER
MOUNT ABSALOM IS IN CRISIS.
SFX: THE CROWD IS SILENT. SOFT THUMPING OF THE RAIN ON THE
PORCH ROOF.
CHESTER (cont'd)
Tonight, I will outline a three-pronged plan to
move us through this time of peril and into a
time of peace and prosperity. First:
Fortification of existing structures. Through a
strategic use of sandbags--
CROWD
What sandbags? / Do you have
any? / We're out. / Who's got
sandbags?
CHESTER
--we will ensure that the
structures most at risk will
be--
CHESTER (cont'd)
I know there's a shortage, but we will have a
demonstration, led by Abbie Douglas after this
meeting, of how to make sandbags using common
household objects.
SFX: INTERESTED MUTTERING.
CHESTER (cont'd)
Second--
SFX: RUSTLE AS CHESTER TURNS A PAGE OF HIS NOTES.
CHESTER (cont'd)
--should fortification fail, there are some who
may choose to evacuate.
SFX: WORRIED MUTTERINGS.
CROWD
Are you leaving? / Where will
I go? / My house! / I can't
leave.
CHESTER
The Evacuation routes have
been set--I will walk you
through those those in a
moment.
MRS. LONERGAN
(to Joanne)
You can't stay! You'll drown!
JOANNE
I'm staying!
LILY / MARISOL / MAUREEN
Me, too. / Yep. / I'm be
here!
CHESTER
And some may choose to stay.
MRS. LONERGAN
No, no, no.
MRS. LONERGAN
Chester, you cannot let
people stay.
CHESTER
For the moment the storm
passes--
CHESTER (cont'd)
THE MOMENT THE FLOODWATERS START TO RECEDE,
we will start to rebuild.
This town has given us too much for us to abandon
it in its time of need. We will not stand by and
watch it crumble. It may have forgotten how to
treat the ones it loves, but we have not. We are
vigilant.
MARISOL
Today will be our
Independence Day
LILY
(hiding her laughter)
Mari.
CHESTER
We are steadfast.
We are patient.
We are true.
CHESTER (cont'd)
And the future of Mount Absalom will--
SFX: KNOCK ON THE DOOR.
CHESTER (cont'd)
Will be, ah...the future will--
SFX: HARDER KNOCK.
MAUREEN
I'll get it. Keep going, MAYOR Warren!
CROWD
Who is that / Who are we
missing? / It is Williams? /
No, he left/
CHESTER
And the future we build will
be bright, for these trials
will only serve to strengthen
us--
SFX: DISTANT CREAK OF THE FRONT DOOR OPENING.
MAUREEN (O.S.)
Lulu!
LULU (O.S.)
Where's Chester.
CHESTER
Lu?
JAMIE (O.S.)
Dad?
CHESTER
Excuse me.
SFX: SHUFFLE AS EVERYONE MOVES.
JAMIE (O.S.)
Where's Dad?
CHESTER
Abbie, start the sandbag demonstration.
ABBIE
Yep. Fellow citizens!
JAMIE (O.S.)
DAD!
CHESTER
Jam'!
LILY
Shit.
SFX: LILY SQUEEZES THROUGH THE IRRITATED CROWD
LILY (cont'd)
'Scuse me. Sorry.
SFX: LILY FOLLOWS CHESTER THROUGH THE MUTTERING CROWD.
CROWD
Who's that? / Is that Lulu? / What's going on? /
Thought they were in Julian...
ABBIE
Citizens! Abbie Douglas, they/them pronouns. For
a typical house...
SFX: ABBIE CONTINUES THEIR SPEECH.
SFX: LILY HAS FOLLOWED CHESTER INTO THE FOYER.
CHESTER
Lulu!
JAMIE
Dad!
CHESTER
Hey, Jam'.
JAMIE
Mom says I can't see my maze.
LILY
Good to see you, Jamie! You okay, Lulu?
LULU
The roads aren't good.
JAMIE
Can we go home now?
LULU
Chet, we have to leave immediately.
CHESTER
I have to explain the evacuation routes.
LULU
Someone else's problem. We're leaving.
JAMIE
First, we have to visit my maze.
CHESTER
Lulu, did you get my texts?
LULU
I did.
CHESTER
Lopez resigned. I'm mayor.
LULU
Yes.
CHESTER
I have to stay. There's no one else.
LULU
You do not have to stay.
CHESTER
We cannot abandon the town.
LULU
And your family? You'll just, do what.
CHESTER
The storm will pass.
LULU
You don't know that.
CHESTER
Don't you want to come home?
SFX: LULU DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
LULU
Chet, let's go.
JAMIE
We need to go home first.
LULU
We can't go to the house.
JAMIE
Mom, you said we would!
LULU
I said we're going to Mount Absalom to get Dad. I
said as long as we're together we're safe, but I
said nothing about your maze!
JAMIE
I need to see my maze.
LULU
No.
JAMIE
Just for a second!
LULU
Jamie, I need you to understand that your maze is
gone.
JAMIE
It's not gone.
LULU
It's washed away and we can't get it back
JAMIE
We can.
LILY
You can make a new one, Jamie!
JAMIE
I CAN'T!!!!
LILY
Okay.
LULU
Back porch?
CHESTER
Yes.
Jamie, it's true.
LULU (O.S.)
Can I borrow that throw pillow?
JAMIE
No.
CHESTER
Your maze is gone.
JAMIE
My maze isn't gone! You're lying!
CHESTER
James Lleywn Warren. You seem upset. I will
assist you.
JAMIE
I'm not upset! I'm calm!
CHESTER
You're yelling.
JAMIE
I'm NOT YELLING. EHH.
SFX: JAMIE HITS CHESTER.
LILY
Jamie!
CHESTER
Your big feelings can't scare me away.
JAMIE
If you don't take me to my maze right now, then
I'll hit you again.
CHESTER
They cannot scare me away.
Tell those big feelings that I am here, and I'm
not leaving.
JAMIE
I WILL! I'll HIT YOU!
CHESTER
Let's move to a better location.
JAMIE
NO!
CHESTER
Would you like to walk or shall I carry you?
JAMIE
NOOOOOO!
CHESTER
I will carry you.
JAMIE
NOOOOOOO!!!!! SET ME DOWN!!!
SFX: CHESTER HAULS THE SCREAMING, FLAILING JAMIE FROM THE
FOYER, AND THROUGH THE CROWDED LIVING ROOM, A DIFFICULT TASK.
MR. FLANAGAN
You're not making any sense
CHESTER
Excuse me.
JAMIE
PUT ME DOWN RIGHT NOW!!!
RIGHT NOW!
DAD!!!!
SET ME DOWN!
ABBIE
Because you're not listening.
You only need sandbags in two
basic places: around exterior
doorways and over any floor
drains--
CROWD
Poor thing. / It's okay, Jamie! / Watch the
kicks!
MR. FLANAGAN
And I'm saying, I can't block up my kitchen sink.
SFX: JAMIE, IN NEAR HYSTERICS, TRIES TO CATCH HIS BREATH.
ABBIE
Is your sink on the floor? Do you have a floor
sink?
CHESTER
Lily, could you get us a cup of water with a
straw?
LILY
Sure.
MR. FLANAGAN
You said drains.
JAMIE
SET ME DOWN!
CHESTER
I will in a moment.
ABBIE
I said floor drainage holes. As in, a shower
drain.
SFX: STRONG CROWD REACTION TO THIS. CHESTER HAULS JAMIE OUT OF
THE LIVING ROOM AND INTO THE KITCHEN. LILY FOLLOWS HIM.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
SFX: IN THE KITCHEN, THE HUBBUB FROM THE LIVING ROOM IS
MUFFLED. SOPHIA IS BUSTLING AROUND THE TEA THINGS. CHESTER
HAULS THE SCREAMING, FLAILING JAMIE INTO THE KITCHEN.
CHESTER
Excuse me, Sophia.
JAMIE
Let me down! I want to walk!
SOPHIA
Got some pipes on you, Jamie!
CHESTER
You want to walk?
JAMIE
Yes!
CHESTER
Can you walk to the back porch.
JAMIE
Let go of me.
LULU (O.S.)
Cushions are over there.
JAMIE
I don't need those!
SFX: CHESTER AND JAMIE'S FOOTSTEPS WALK TO THE BACK PORCH.
LILY
Lulu, leave the back door open a crack--the doors
are being weird.
LULU
Got it.
SFX: SQUEAK AS THE BACK DOOR IS MOSTLY CLOSED.
SOPHIA
This tea is marvelous.
SFX: LILY RUMMAGES THROUGH THE JUNK DRAWER.
LILY
Yeah, is that that ginger lavender?
SOPHIA
Mmmhmm.
LILY
Good stuff. You don't have a straw on you, do
you, Sophia?
SOPHIA
Sorry, I don't.
SFX: LILY SHUTS THE DRAWER.
LILY
Okay, well, kid's just gonna have to deal.
SOPHIA
You know, Lily, you mustn't water the weeds.
LILY
What?
SOPHIA
You shouldn't give children attention when they
behave badly.
LILY
... sure?
SOPHIA
Then you're watering the weeds.
LILY
Right. You know there might be a straw with the
paper plates...
SFX: LILY'S FOOTSTEPS TO A CABINET
EXT. PORCH - DAY
SFX: THE WINDCHIMES WHIRL IN THE WIND. RAIN POUNDS DOWN ON THE
PORCH ROOF.
CHESTER
Jamie, I am here to assist you.
JAMIE
No you're NOT!
CHESTER
You've gotten yourself into a hole. Would you
like help getting out?
SFX: RAIN FALLS.
JAMIE
Yes.
CHESTER
Then hit some pillows, and let's talk when you're
calm.
JAMIE
Eeh. Ehhh.
SFX: JAMIE HITS THE PILLOWS. THE STORM RAGES.
LULU
You've got to drive back.
CHESTER
Not yet.
LULU
I'm not leaving without you.
CHESTER
Lulu, there's no one else.
LULU
It's not safe.
CHESTER
I know.
JAMIE
(hitting the pillows)
EGH! Egh.
CHESTER
Why did you bring him?
LULU
He wanted to see you. And I thought he was safer
with me.
CHESTER
The sooner I get things sorted here, the sooner
we can all go home.
LULU
Chet.
CHESTER
Julian's not home. This is home.
SFX: SCREEN DOOR OPENS, AND LILY WALKS OUT.
CHESTER (cont'd)
I want to go home, and we will.
LILY
Don't worry. Lulu. Chester'll be okay.
SFX: SCREEN DOOR CLOSES.
LILY (cont'd)
I'm staying, too.
LULU
Lily, it's a little complicated.
SFX: JAMIE GIVES THE PILLOWS A FEW MORE PUNCHES. HE SNIFFLES.
JAMIE
Hey, Dad? Can I have a drink?
CHESTER
Sure you can.
(looking around for a cup)
Uh...
LILY
Here--
SFX: LILY WALKS TO JAMIE AND HANDS HIM THE SLOSHING CUP OF
WATER.
JAMIE
Thanks.
LILY
Oh, I couldn't find a straw.
JAMIE
I can drink it like a grownup.
SFX: JAMIE SLURPS THE WATER.
LULU
I'll go get you a snack.
SFX: FOOTSTEPS AS LULU GOES INTO THE KITCHEN. THE WINDCHIMES
WHIRL.
JAMIE
Dad, I'm really sorry.
CHESTER
It's all right, Jam'.
JAMIE
I just really need to go home.
CHESTER
We will, soon.
JAMIE
But you said it's all flooded.
CHESTER
Jam'?
There are things that change, and there are
things that do not change.
Sometimes the rain comes and the flowers grow. So
that's a change.
And sometimes there's too much rain, and things
wash away. That's also a change. Some things
change.
But my love for you, and Mom's love for you, will
never change.
There are things that change, but never that
Love remains. And where there's love, there's
home.
Okay?
JAMIE
Okay.
CHESTER
You are loved, and you are safe.
JAMIE
Thanks.
SFX: SCREEN DOOR OPENS.
LULU
Jam', you want some cheese and crackers?
JAMIE
Yes! That's almost my favorite food!
LULU
Come on.
JAMIE
Love you, Dad.
CHESTER
Love you too.
SFX: JAMIE'S FOOTSTEP RUN INTO THE HOUSE. THE SCREEN DOOR
CREAKS ALMOST SHUT BEHIND HIM. RAIN POUNDS DOWN. THE
WINDCHIMES TOLL.
LILY
You're a good dad. I'm sorry Jamie's giving you a
hard time.
CHESTER
He's not giving me a hard time, he's going
through a hard time.
LILY
Sure, but hitting--[he can't treat you that way.]
CHESTER
The term is "Unconditional Positive Regard."
LILY
Okay...
CHESTER
It means one is always worthy of love. Despite,
at times, one's problematic actions.
LILY
So, what, there's no accountability?
CHESTER
Certainly, but never in regard to--
CHESTER
--The inherent self worth.
LILY
That's like, the definition
of a toxic relationship.
That's not healthy.
CHESTER
He's a child.
LILY
(considering this point)
Mmm.
SFX: RAIN FALLS. THE WINDCHIMES RING SOFTLY OUT.
CHESTER
I best get back. Plan a route for them back to
Julian.
LILY
Yeah.
SFX: CHESTER'S FOOTSTEPS TO THE DOOR. THE SCREEN DOOR CREAKS
OPEN, THEN SLAMS SHUT. RAIN FALLS.
LILY (cont'd)
Blooms? Blooms, how are you doing? Do you need
help?
I am here to assist you.
SFX: THE STORM SOUNDS MORE MOURNFUL, SOMEHOW
LILY (cont'd)
Okay, so that did nothing.
SFX: SCREENDOOR CREAKS OPEN.
MARISOL
Lily! Maureen wants to know if we're sending
everyone home or are we feeding them, or...
LILY
I don't know--let me--[think]
I'll be in in a second.
SFX: MARISOL'S FOOTSTEPS COME ONTO THE PORCH. THE SCREEN DOOR
CREAKS ALMOST SHUT BEHIND HER.
MARISOL
What're you doing?
LILY
Trying to talk to Blooms. I think I'm just
watering the weeds.
SFX: A THUNDERCLAP HAS PARTIALLY COVERED LILY'S LINE "WEEDS"
MARISOL
Watering the stones?
LILY
No, watering the weeds. It's some child
psychology thing.
MARISOL
I was gonna say, I think the stones have enough
water. What about child psychology?
LILY
Sophia was talking about it--it's when you give
kids attention for bad behavior. Water the weeds.
MARISOL
Right. But I feel like if you totally ignore
them, then they'll get lonely.
LILY
Well, you don't totally...
SFX: THE WIND CHIMES RING.
MARISOL
Totally...?
LILY
Water the stones.
MARISOL
Totally water the stones?
SFX: THE WIND CHIMES RING.
LILY
Does "water the stones" mean giving attention to
someone who doesn't need it?
MARISOL
Oh. Maybe.
LILY
Or, no--giving attention to someone who you don't
*think* needs it, but actually they need it more
than anything?
MARISOL
Everyone needs attention. Not *attention.* Like,
love. A sense of belonging.
LILY
Maybe water the stones mean take care of the
thing that you don't think needs to be taken care
of. Like Blooms.
MARISOL
Or deserves to be taken care of. Because it's
being pretty fucking shitty, like trying to drown
everyone. For example.
SFX: LILY'S FOOTSTEPS STEP QUICKLY TO THE BACK DOOR.
LILY
Yeah.
Okay, I gotta find Abbie. Know where they are?
MARISOL
No? Why?
LILY
I gotta get them an axe.
INT. ABBIE'S ROOM
SFX: ABBIE'S ROOM SOUNDS. VAGUE SCIENCY SOUNDS.
ABBIE
Seems pretty sharp.
LILY
Sharp enough to break through the roof?
ABBIE
That's more about heft. Let's see.
SFX: WHACK AS ABBIE HITS HER WOODEN BEDFRAME WITH.
ABBIE (cont'd)
Apologies, bedframe.
LILY
Not bad!
ABBIE
Seems sufficient.
MARISOL
So the axe is not to, like, break through the
door in the basement.
LILY
No.
MARISOL
I was gonna say. Cause the door's gone.
LILY
For the moment.
MARISOL
Because Blooms doesn't want to talk.
LILY
We're kinda past "wants."
MARISOL
Hey Lily, if Blooms gets mad? Or feels
threatened? He'll kill you. Then he'll probably
flood the house--
ABBIE
And then I'll hack a hole in the attic ceiling
and we'll wait on the roof until we're rescued.
MARISOL
Or he'll knock it down like he did to Town Hall.
ABBIE
Then I'll use it to hack through the ruins to
search for survivors.
LILY
What can't the axe do?
MARISOL
I feel like you're not taking this super-
seriously.
SFX: LILY'S LIGHTLY JOKING MANNER FALLS AWAY.
LILY
What.
SFX: DOT'S SLIPPERED FOOTSTEPS ENTER.
DOT
Excuse me?
LILY
Hey, Mom. I thought you were resting. Were we too
loud?
DOT
I'm wondering where he is?
LILY
Where who is?
DOT
My friend.
My friend who's with me when I'm sad.
LILY
I'm gonna find him and talk to him. Okay? You can
go back to bed. I'll come check on you in a
little bit. Okay?
DOT
Okay.
LILY
Love you, Mom.
SFX: DOOR CLOSES.
LILY (cont'd)
Things have to change now. Okay? So I'm gonna go
down and explain that to him.
ABBIE
Yep. I'm gonna run the axe up to the attic.
LILY
Cool.
SFX: ABBIE'S FOOTSTEPS HEAD UPSTAIRS.
MARISOL
We gotta get everyone out before you try this.
Just in case.
LILY
Depends on the roads.
ABBIE
(shouting down the stairs)
Roads seem fairly stable. Lulu said she's gonna
try to drive Jamie back to Julian.
LILY
(shouting up the stairs)
Great!
(to Marisol)
Let's get everyone out of here.
SFX: LILY AND MARI WALK DOWN THE STAIRS.
LILY (cont'd)
(shouting down the stairs)
Okay! I think that'll do it for the meeting!
INT. FOYER - NIGHT
SFX: LILY, ABBIE, AND MARISOL COME DOWN THE STAIRS. LOTS OF
CHATTER FROM THE, LIKE, TWENTY PEOPLE WHO ARE MILLING ABOUT
AND SAYING GOODBYES.
LILY
Hey Jam'! Have a safe drive back to Julian.
JAMIE
Yeah, I guess I should go back.
CHESTER
Lulu, stick to New Route Thirty. Route Nine won't
have the elevation where you need it.
LULU
Chet.
SFX: CHESTER AND LULU KISS.
CHESTER
This is just until everyone is evacuated. Then
I'll join you, whenever you are, wherever it's
safe.
LULU
Julian.
CHESTER
All right.
SFX: TIME IS SUSPENDED AS CHESTER'S WORDS VIBRATE THROUGH THE
AIR, THROUGH THE PIPES, THROUGH THE WATER.
CHESTER (D)
Just until everyone is evacuated.
Then I'll join you.
Where it's safe.
SFX: HUGE THUNDERCRASH. THE RAIN DOUBLES IN INTENSITY.
CHESTER
Go, now.
LULU
Jamie, come on.
JAMIE
Wait, Lily--
JAMIE
Lily, knock-knock.
LULU
Jamie, let's go!
LILY
You gotta go, hon.
SFX: LULU OPENS THE DOOR. A FOOT OF WATER FLOWS IN.
LULU
oh FUCK.
LILY
Shut it!
JAMIE
Dad!
CHESTER
Jamie, get on the stairs!
31.
LILY
Push! Push it shut!
LULU
I'm pushing!
SFX: LULU, LILY, AND CHESTER MANAGE TO SHUT THE DOOR AGAINST
THE FLOOD OF WATER.
LILY
Oh man.
LULU
It's seeping under the door.
SFX: PANICKY MUTTERS FROM THE PEOPLE IN THE LIVING ROOM.
FOOTSTEPS AS RUSSELL COMES IN.
RUSSELL
Chester, water's coming through the back door.
JOSHI
Get away from the windows!
RUSSELL
What should we do?
JAMIE
DAD!
LULU
Get me some towels!!
CHESTER
Everyone upstairs!
SFX: FRANTIC MUTTERING/SOUND OF SHOES ON CREAKING STAIRS AS
EVERYONE GOES UPSTAIRS.
SFX: THE HUSTLE OF PEOPLE FADE AS LILY WALKS TO THE KITCHEN.
MRS. LONERGAN'S FOOTSTEPS HURRY TOWARDS LILY.
MRS. LONERGAN
What's--
LILY
Mrs. Lonergan, we gotta get upstairs.
MRS. LONERGAN
Is everything all right?
LILY
Not yet.
MARI (O.S.)
Lily?
SFX: MRS. LONERGAN'S FOOTSTEPS HEAD AWAY DOWN THE HALLWAY AS
MARI'S FOOTSTEPS RACE TOWARDS LILY.
MRS. LONERGAN (O.S.)
Chester, what's happening?
MARI (O.S.)
Lily!
LILY
I'll be right back!
MARISOL
(from down the hall)
Wait. Lily!
SFX: MARI'S QUICK FOOTSTEPS CATCH UP WITH LILY INTO THE
KITCHEN.
MARISOL (cont'd)
You're going down now?
LILY
Yeah.
MARISOL
Everyone's still here.
LILY
Yeah, and the water's halfway up the windows.
You'd better get upstairs before they break.
MARISOL
The basement'll flood.
LILY
I've probably got a good half hour before that
happens--it's sealed up pretty tight down there.
MARISOL
Do you want me to stop you?
LILY
No--
MARISOL
Then why the fuck are you telling me this?
LILY
I'm explaining why I have to go now!
33.
SFX: THE TERRIFIED MUTTERING OF EVERYONE GOING UPSTAIRS
FILTERS DOWN THE HALLWAY.
CHESTER (OFF)
All the way up, please!
MARISOL
Make Chester do it.
LILY
No.
MARISOL
He should be the one going down there.
LILY
I'm not sending any more people in to do what I
should have done.
MARISOL
But he knows all the lore--
all the little rituals, all
that stuff.
LILY
I shouldn't have sent in
Rudy, and I'm not gonna send
in Chester---
MARISOL
Lily, he knows the lore!
LILY
Lore's not gonna get us out of this.
I'm just gonna try one more time to talk to
Blooms.
MARISOL
It'll have to be one time, cause if this doesn't
work, you're gonna die.
LILY
Not gonna die.
MARISOL
What do you need.
SFX: SMOOCH!
MARISOL (cont'd)
Anything besides that?
LILY
Take care of Mom.
MARISOL
Yeah.
34.
LILY
Thanks.
Okay! See you soon.
MARISOL
Yep.
SFX: LILY'S FOOTSTEPS WALK THROUGH THE DOOR.
INT. FENWOOD BASEMENT STEPS - NIGHT
SFX: LILY CLOSES THE BASEMENT DOOR BEHIND HER AND LOCKS IT.
WATER TRICKLES UNDER THE DOOR AND DOWN THE STEPS.
LILY
Here we go.
END.
POST- CREDIT SCENE
SFX: MARI'S STANDING IN THE KITCHEN.
MARISOL
Lily?
SFX: MARI KNOCKS ON THE DOOR.
MARI
Hey, Lily. I don't know about this. Lily!
SFX: SQUEAK AS MARISOL OPENS THE BASEMENT DOOR. IT'S TURNED
INTO THE FRONT DOOR: THE WHIRLING STORM.
MARISOL
AHHHH!
SFX: MARI FINALLY MANAGES TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE LATCH CLICKS
INTO PLACE.
MARISOL (cont'd)
Shit.
FOR REAL END.