Directive Part 2©
By
David Magadan
Episode 1
The sound of a phone alarm fades in, complete with vibration. As it reaches its peak, we hear the rustling of covers and scrambling for the phone, random jabbing pokes on the nightstand hunting for the screen. The phone falls to the floor and continues. A knocking is heard.
Kara
[Knocks] Di. [Knocks harder] Di!
Slowly forces the door open, but it gets caught on the mountain of laundry that guards the door
Di holy fuck, I know I said we should cut down on water but making monuments out of your dirty laundry isn’t what I meant.
Di
Wha?
Kara
Come on, you gotta get up for work. Here [Throws her an Energy Drink and a Protein bar] Brought you breakfast in bed. It's your favorite
Di
[Picks up the offering and opens the can] Thanks Kara.
Kara
And seriously, we need to do something about this room. It’s a moths fucking paradise in here.
Di
[yawns] It’s my aesthetic.
Kara
Yes we know dear. [sips coffee] Take a shower and come sit at the table with me like an adult when you’re done.
Di
[Mockingly] But my haaaaair takes like, so long.
Kara
Please, you’re a goddess already. Imagine what you’d look like if you actually gave effort. [Walks off] Love you.
We hear Di take a large gulp of her energy drink and sigh. Then after a slight pause she gets up off the bed. As this goes on we can hear the sounds of Di getting out of bed and going into the shower. We can hear her get out and brush her teeth, wash her face, and prepare herself for her day.
Di
Sometimes I wake up and I don’t know where I am. As a kid I used to wish that I would feel that, waking up in a new and exciting place. Like Disneyland, a cabin, or a bedroom full of toys. You feel so powerless, waking up in a discombobulated daze. When every sense feels alien to you. When you realize where you are, everything comes back, all at once. Then you have a split second to make a major decision: sink back into bed and mourn all over again or stand up and reach for the nearest thing to distract you from the pain. Caffeine drives you forward through your day, and if you make it back home again then sleep aid can numb you through the night. The cycle repeats, with the help of these manufactured gods of sun and moon.
After finishing up she walks into the kitchen.
Kara
Oooh nice shirt, that’s going to match so well with your lab coat.
Di
Thanks, it’s such a chore to coordinate with white every day.
Kara
Your cross to bear [types out an email on her phone].
Di
Business this early?
Kara
Potentially. Some office wants to boost morale by offering their staff something other than hot dirt on a summer morning. They want a trial to see how their employees react to my cold brew.
Di
Exciting.
Kara
We’ll see. And you? What tantalizing science are you getting up to today?
Di
The kind I can’t tell you about, like always.
Kara
I know, I just always hope you’ll slip up.
Di
That’s comforting.
Kara
[Finishes email] Perfect! You still good to come with me to my parents' cabin this weekend? I can’t wait to get out of this heat.
Di
I don’t know. Work has really been killing me lately, I might just take some time to relax…
Kara
In a posh cabin, which really is more of a summer home actually.
Di
Kara seriously, I…
Kara
Look, I know you. You’ll spend all day in the house scrolling through movies without actually watching anything, look to order food but give up when you see the delivery price, and fall asleep in a weird place.
Di
That’s...incredibly accurate...did you install cameras in here or something?
Kara
I know you. This is what you do when you’re depressed but refuse to talk about it. I’m not going to “Good Will Hunting” you, but I am going to get you out of the house. Besides, my parents are convinced that you’re my lover and I need to keep up the ruse.
Di
Keeps your bigotted grandparents away from you at gatherings.
Kara
And that’s worth its weight in gold.
The two share a small laugh, Di sighs at the end of hers.
You’re my best friend. If my mother died you’d be doing the exact same thing for me.
Di gets up and grabs her keys, sniffing back tears.
Di
I’ll see you later tonight. Hope your meetings go well.
Kara
Have fun curing robot cancer, or whatever it is
you do.
Di
It’s herpes, and 2 out of 3 robots under 50 have it.
Kara
Such a saint.
Di walks out the front door and locks it as her monologue starts. She walks to her car and we follow her drive to work.
Morning has a certain smell to it. Not a bacon and eggs type thing but something else. The air is cool, cooler than it will be all day. It carries the scent of possibility, of wonder. There’s a magic in this, something you remember feeling when you were young and mornings were special. As time goes on you get desensitized to it, but every now and then it rushes over you. The fresh sense of possibility, of opportunity, of change. This was the feeling my mother breathed in every day, even before the overture of the coffee pot brewing her first cup of the day. It’s the first thing that comes to mind when I breathe the morning air, something my mother can no longer share with me. Something my mother can no longer show me.
She turns off her car by the end and makes her way into the building, arriving at her desk next to LYLE who is tapping nervously.
Di
Too much coffee already?
Lyle
[Jumps]Fuck! Sorry Di. No, I screwed up the calibrations I did last night before I left. Now the performance tests are all messed up and I’m trying to fix it before Evans gets in.
Di
But if he calls you an “Incompetent Cunt” one more time I’ll finally have blackout on this weeks “Dr. Evans Insult Bingo”.
Lyle
I’m serious Di, I can’t handle him hollering at me again. It’s only Tuesday and my self-esteem is at freshman gym class levels.
Di
Let me take a look. [Gets up and moves monitor towards her]I see what you did wrong, you forgot to enter the new formula. I thought I sent it to you on Friday?
Lyle
Ya probably did. [puts head in hands and groans] Uhggg, I can’t keep this up. This workload is insane for one person.
Di
[still typing]Strange, Mandragora International is usually so good to their employees.
Lyle
If it weren’t for your resting nice face, more people would think you’re an asshole. You know that?
Di
I wish they did, I won’t get stopped in the street as often. Almost done, how much time do we have?
Dr. Evans Door opens across the room
Evans
Mr. LaDeaux! Let’s see the fruits of your labor, shall we?
Lyle
[Whispers] Fuck. [Takes back monitor and keyboard] Did you fix it?
Di
[Whispers] I don’t know, I didn’t get a chance to test it.
Lyle
[Starting to panic] Fuck fuck fuck fuck!
Di
Just calm down, it’ll be fine.
Evans
Good morning Ms. Ng, are you alright?
Di
[Putting on her nice girl routine]I’m fantastic Dr. Evans, how are you?
Evans
We’ll find out in a minute. LaDeaux?
Lyle
Yes Dr. Evans?
Evans
Sometime before the heat death of the universe, please.
Lyle
Of course sir.
Lyle makes a few keystrokes before the systems test starts. The computer starts the test with the sounds of rapid code being generated with the occasional beep indicating everything is working.
Lyle
So far so good…
The computer starts to beep more and more indicating that the test is failing, ending in one fail beep.
[sighs] God Damnit
Evans
[Pauses]LaDeaux?
Lyle
Yes...sir?
Evans
If you were a horse, I would have you shot. Fix this by the end of the day or you’ll be testing mining equipment in the middle of Indonesia by the weekend. Have I made myself clear?
Lyle
Yes sir.
Evans
Evidently not, because you’re talking instead of working you incompetent cunt!
Evans storms off and we can hear him knock over things in anger before slamming the door to his office. Lyle reaches across the desk and grabs a piece of paper and uncaps a pen.
Lyle
Blackout.
He hands the paper back to her and gets back to work. The sound of his typing fades out.
Di
Poor guy. He’s brilliant when you just leave him alone, but the second you micromanage him he cracks. He’s a free spirit, you just gotta let him be. I guess that’s why I like him because he reminds me of mom in that way.
Musical Transition
Di is just getting home, you can hear the buzz of crickets as she opens and shuts the door.
Kara
Please tell me you didn’t just get off work.
Di
No, I’ve been going to this great new yoga class.
Kara
You know if you had picked anything else I might have believed you. In the vaguest of terms, how was your day?
Di
My boss flogged my coworker, again.
Kara
Kinky.
Di
No really, the way this man can dismantle a person is just astounding. It’s a great motivator whenever I’m feeling lazy.
Kara
Again, you can always quit and work with me.
Di
Tempting, goodnight.
Di walks into her room and throws clothes around. She walks over to her dresser and opens the bottle of sleep aid and takes a swig. She makes a sound in repulsion before replacing the bottle. She walks to her bed and flicks off the light and music starts. This underscores her monologue.
Di
They say this stuff is non-habit forming. Biggest lie in advertising, anything can be habit-forming. I once saw an old video about how this woman ate nothing but cheesy potatoes every day. Refused to eat anything else! Anything is addictive if you treat it like a crutch; and you are more than welcome to do so in my opinion, as long as you shut the fuck up about it. Like those people that say “oh, I’m useless before I’ve had my coffee hahaha”, don’t even get me started. I love caffeine as much as the next guy but I don’t need to rob the world of oxygen to tell people about it. Proclaiming your dependency to a substance doesn’t make you cool. It makes you a cunt... I think I’m just very judgemental of vices. Random casual sex sounds exhausting, I’m too much of a wimp to cut or burn myself, and where on earth do people even buy drugs from? I tried to be an alcoholic, but I’m tiny so one drink and I’m finished. Plus it physically numbs you but mentally forces you to confront your problems. This, however, doesn’t. It’s available in most stores, it’s legal, and it costs me maybe 10 dollars a month. I don’t have to run from my problems when I can just oversleep them. Because if I don’t then I’m up all night thinking about her, and the little sleep I get is filled with dreams about her. I used to always be so excited to see my mom, I’d sleep by the front door as a kid when she was working late. Even after I stopped she’d always take a big step if she was walking into a dark house. I’d ask her why and she’d say “just in case, you never want to kick someone excited to see you”.
Sometimes she is excited to see me, in my dreams, and sometimes she's in that bed. That plastic and feathered tomb she had to suffer in for so long. And I just stand there, and I watch. I can’t move, I can’t breathe, I can’t scream. I just stand there and do nothing. It’s not far off from real life when all I could do was sit and keep her company while she was in constant pain. So to keep from reliving that, I pump myself full of some artificial grape sludge and I’m off to a weird chemical-induced dreamland. One that I never remember in the morning, but I do know that she’s not there. So when I wake up, nothing has really changed.
The sound of a phone alarm fades in, complete with vibration. As it reaches its peak, we hear the rustling of covers and scrabbling for the phone, random jabbing pokes on the nightstand hunting for the screen. The phone falls to the floor and conines the song of its people. A knocking is heard from R.
Kara
[Knocks] Di. [Knocks harder] Di! [Slowly forces the door open] You save me a lot of money on a gym membership, you know that?
Di
[groans]
Kara
Here [Throws her an Energy Drink and a Protein bar].
Kara walks off down the hall. Di sits up with her breakfast. She sighs before opening the can.
End of Episode
Episode 2
Di is walking in the building to her office, it’s the morning.
Receptionist
Good morning Diana! How are you today?
Di
[Making effort to be friendly]Uh, I’m great! Thanks for asking, yourself?
Receptionist
Oh I’m better now that I have my coffee, you know what I mean? It’s so good here it’s ridiculous! Just give me an IV am I right? [Annoying Laughter]
Di
Ya haha, I sure do. Have a good day!
As she continues on her way she monologues.
Ok, I might be hopelessly addicted to caffeine but I cannot stand that. Yes, life is hard, yes, I totally use caffeine to fight off my mountain of depression, but it’s not fucking heroin! Shut up about your damn coffee! Most mornings I do my best to get past her as fast as possible, she’s nice but christ is she dumb. And here’s the thing, I have to walk in here with a smile on my face and a twinkle in my eye otherwise I’m the “moody chick”. Once you get that label slapped on you, you’re judged for life. If you don’t tell people what to see they’ll invent their own narrative, which usually means you are the screen they project their insecurities on. I’ve seen it all my life; I had this friend in high school with a really monotone voice. Every time we had a sub they’d think she was being sarcastic and stuck up, when in reality she was the sweetest person in the world. Literally, she spent her weekends feeding the homeless and volunteering at old folks homes. But because she was lacking in cheer, and overall facial movement, people shit on her pretty regularly. Fake a smile and look approachable and people won’t think twice about you.
She makes it into the lab and walks into Evans office.
Di
Sorry I…
Evans
How nice of you to join us, Ms. Ng. Thank you for wasting five minutes of my life. Twice that really since I’ve had to be alone with Mr. LaDeaux.
Di
I’m sorry Dr. Evans, I was just…
Evans
Your excuses are as useful as a chocolate teapot. Sit.
She does as she’s told, taking a seat next to Lyle.
We have one month before we absolutely have to start human trials. How are things looking?
Lyle
Currently, we have two problems. The power source overheats after prolonged use...
Evans
Not in the mood for vague terms, how long is prolonged use?
Lyle
8 hours. After that, the Morpheous cradle begins to have trouble regulating the temperature. We haven’t let it go longer than 8 hours, but tests have shown anything above 10 could pose a huge threat to the patient and anyone around the device.
Evans
Again, what does…
Lyle
It’ll blow up...sir.
Evans
Wonderful. And the second?
Di
We aren’t able to maintain stasis for longer than 8 hours. Since the neuro link is noninvasive, tests indicate the patient will disintegrate from the simulation, regardless if the brain is fully accepting of the base reality.
Lyle
Which is still a huge accomplishment! No one has been able to maintain a fully immersive simulation for even half that time. Especially without medication.
Evans
It’s a good thing there are so many people in the world with chronic conditions that only last 8 hours. If we aren’t able to maintain stasis, indefinitely, then Project Morpheous will be considered a failure. Mandragora International doesn’t tolerate failure, I don’t think I need to spoon-feed either of you what will happen if we don’t have a machine ready to throw a body in by next month.
There’s a brief pause. Evans scans the two of them as they process what he’s saying. He sighs and continues.
If we aren’t any further by next week I’ll have to relocate you both to onsite housing. You’ll be working around the clock from then on.
Lyle and Di argue back at the same time
Di
Are you kidding me? That’s fucking slave labor! You can’t do that!
Lyle
Do you want us to get even less work done? We are killing ourselves as it is!
Evans
Quiet! You have lives outside of here because the company currently allows it. You signed contracts, so don’t act like I’m holding you at gunpoint. If you could have gone anywhere else, you should have done so. But you’re here and you’re useful, for the time being. [Sighs] I don’t want this either. Contrary to what you might believe, I get no pleasure out of threatening you. If it were up to me we’d have twice the time and twice the manpower. But until we can prove to the higher-ups that we can deliver, this is how it has to be.
Evans gets up from his chair, the others do the same.
One week. I don’t care how you do it, it just needs to be done. And shut the door.
The two exit and make their way back to their workspace. Lyle picks up a screwdriver and throws it across the room.
Di
Hey hey hey, let’s take a second before we start throwing my favorite screwdriver.
Lyle
I can’t not see my family everyday Di, I’ll fucking kill myself. Do you know how long it took to get them back? The amount of time it took to convince them I’m not a walking garbage fire? Carry can’t stand the amount of time I spend at work as it is.
Di
Look, I get it…
Lyle
How could you possibly understand? You’re what, 23? 22?
Di
I’m 30. I understand because I also have someone I want to go home to. I understand because I possess this great new thing called empathy.
Lyle
I’m...I’m sorry. The past few months have been rough at home, I can’t imagine it getting worse.
Di
I know we’re not a team under the best of circumstances, but we’re still a team. We can do this.
Lyle
You’re right. You’re right, I just...Thanks Di... Should we hug or something?
Di
We could, or you could get me an energy drink and pick up my fucking screwdriver.
Lyle
[Laughs]I thought you were kidding about that?
Di
What? No! It’s labeled for a reason Lyle.
Lyle goes to pick up the screwdriver at the other end of the room.
Lyle
The zero sugar kind?
Di
Please.
Lyle
You got it.
He leaves. Di sits in her chair, trying not to cry. Her inner monologue.
Di
Not here. Keep it together. What would mom do? Mom? Not sign her life away to a faceless corporation, for starters... I’d like to think she’d be proud of me. She was a social worker, her whole life was devoted to running around and helping people. People that weren’t entirely sure they could be helped. She had a charisma that was infectious, she made you think you could move a mountain if you got a big enough rope. And for a while I believed her. Until she got sick.
Lyle comes back and hands her a can.
Lyle
One liquid defibrillator. Listen I was thinking, why don’t we switch workloads this week. You work on the power source and I’ll tackle the neuro-link. Maybe a change of pace will be good for us? Help us get further along.
Di
[Cracks open can] Couldn’t hurt. [Drinks] Ya, let's do it.
Lyle
You know what else wouldn’t hurt? Water.
Di
Meh. Somethings going to kill me, and I hate surprises.
Musical Transition.
Furious typing along with the sound of music playing over a speaker at the kind of volume that says you’re alone. Di cracks open an energy drink and takes a huge swig as she sits back in her chair. She exhales heavily as the phone rings, interrupting the music.
Kara
Diana! It’s 1 in the morning! Please tell me you are in the trunk of some serial killers car.
Di
[without stopping typing]
There’s an alarming amount of water bottles back here, this guy should really recycle.
Kara
Goddamnit Di! Come home already. You’re working yourself to death lately. The summer’s almost over and you haven’t done anything but work.
Di
Are you still mad about your parents' cabin thing? That was months ago.
Kara
I don’t give a shit about the fucking cabin Di, I care about you! You’re killing yourself, and for what? Some prick boss?
Di
[Stopping working and getting up]You know it’s not that simple Kara. Besides, I’m really close to a breakthrough.
Kara
You keep saying that but what does it even mean? I get your motivation but this isn’t going to bring your mom back. [Pauses to realize the severity of what she said]Look I’m just worried about you…
Di
It’s late. Why don’t you go to bed? I’ll see you tomorrow.
Kara
…[sighs] Ok. Love you.
Di
Love you too.
She ends the call as she gets her last word out. The music resumes immediately. Di sits back down and puts her head in her hands and groans. She sits back up, takes another long drink, and gets back to work. The scene shifts from the lab to a hospital room.
Doctor
Good morning Diana, just getting in?
Di
No[Stretches]. I’ve been here a while.
Doctor
It looks like it. I know visiting hours isn’t something that applies to you, but for your own wellbeing, you should get some rest.
Di
What are you talking about? These chairs are so comfy they could kick the shit out of a sleep number.
Doctor
Suit yourself. [Walks in and picks up charts] Mmm.
Di
That sounds reassuring.
Doctor
I’ll be by to check on her later. Has she said anything?
Di
Sometimes I think I hear her laugh at my jokes, but it might be her farting. Not sure.
Doctor
[Chuckles] You’re a scientist, conduct a few more experiments. The nurse will be by in a little bit.
Di
Thanks.
Doctor leaves.
When you get out of here we’re going to take a trip. Somewhere sunny and without too many white people. [Chuckles] Conscious you would have thought that was hilarious. [Pause] I need you to get better mom.
The sound of walking. Di straightens up, it’s Kara with a bouquet of flowers.
Kara
Good Morning Mrs. Ng! I brought these for you, and yes I did get my hair done. Thank you for noticing!
Di
It’s all she ever talks about. [gets up and takes flowers] You’ve got all kinds of visitors this morning, Ma.
Kara
How long have you been here?
Di
I should just start putting my timesheet on the wall.
Kara
All night, got it. You need anything?
Di
No Kara, thank you. You heading into work?
Kara
Sadly. I need to find another job or quit, offices are just bug catchers for souls.
Di
Just start selling your dumb coffee already.
Kara
Should do honestly...Listen, I haven’t seen you at the house in days so...can we go outside?
Di
Oh shit, rent. I’m so sorry, I’ll…
Kara
That’s not what this is. I got it, I just wanted you to know so you didn’t stress.
Di
No, Kara, you got last month. I should at least…
Kara
Your last paycheck from Skylabs came in the mail on Tuesday. Your money seems pretty tied up, and I’d be doing the same thing if I were you. I got it...oof!
Di hugs her tightly, the kind of hug you give when you really need one.
Di
[Whispers] Thank you.
Kara
Bet you’re really glad you shared that snowcone with me back in Kindergarten now huh?
Di laughs, not crying but wanting to. After one last squeeze the hug concludes.
I’ll come by at lunch with some food, you need to eat.
Di
Thanks. Have a less shitty day at work.
Kara
That’s the dream!
Kara leaves and Di walks over to her mom.
Di
I know you only wanted to have one kid, but thanks for always treating her like my sister.
She kisses her on the forehead.
I’m just gonna grab some coffee and I’ll be right back. [kisses again] I love you mom.
Musical Transition
Di is standing alone outside, she places flowers at her mothers’ grave.
Di
Kara drove me. I don’t think I could have gotten out of bed otherwise. She’s been a huge help. [places flowers] I thought you could use some sprucing up. [Pause] I miss you mom. I wish I could show you, but you know I hated crying in front of you. You were always strong for me, I felt I needed to be strong for you but…[takes a few breaths to regain composure]. I’ve been looking for jobs again, it’s been tough. Turns out my old boss was pretty well connected. It doesn’t help that I look like a bus hit me half the time... I’ll find something.
The sound of footsteps and Di shifts.
Evans
It’s hard, losing someone you love. The blood dries but the wound never heals [Places flowers] I’m sorry for your loss.
Di
Uh, thanks? I’m kind of having a moment here so if you could…
Evans
She was in pain for a very long time, wasn’t she? It’s a shame she had to suffer like that.
Di
Excuse me?
Evans
If you could have alleviated that pain, would you Ms. Ng?
Di
How the fuck...
Evans
Question for question. [No response] I promise.
Di
Yes.
Evans
Yes?
Di
Yes, if I could go back and do anything for her I would. At any cost.
Evans
Interesting. My name is Dr. Mason Evans, and I’m working on a project that would revolutionize care for patients like your mother. Make it so they really are comfortable while being treated rather than on a debilitating amount of medications. I understand you are in need of work.
Di
Revolutionize care?
Evans
Full immersion virtual reality, specifically to help patients that suffer from chronic pain.
Di
I don’t really seem like a first choice.
Evans
You have something rare, something powerful. It’s not that you have something to lose, it’s that you’ve lost everything. I know exactly what that feels like. Work with me and you could keep others from sitting and watching the most important person in their life suffer.
Di
For how long?
Evans
On the project? Not sure. But if you choose to do this, you’ll never have to look for a job again. You’ll have a position for life with one of the largest tech conglomerates on the planet.
There is a pause as Di thinks it over.
Here’s your chance to really help people, wouldn’t that make her proud Diana?
Musical Transition
We are back in the lab, the music from before is playing. Di finishes a few keystrokes and stretches. She gets out of her chair, pauses the music, and makes a call as she walks out.
Di
Kara? I’m heading home, want a 3 a.m. burrito?
End of Episode
Episode 3
The sound of a coffee grinder and the beans being poured into glass jars, then being filled up with water. Kara places the jars on the counter and goes to strain a filled jar. Di walks in.
Kara
Morning! I made Shakshuka if you want some, it’s in the pan.
Di
Thanks.
Di walks over and makes herself a plate.
Kara
Here, try this.
Di
Not big on coffee.
Kara
This is different, plus you’ve never even tried my coffee.
Di
Might be because I’m not big on coffee.
Kara
I’ll take that food away from you, don’t think I won’t.
Di
Fine. What is it?
Kara
New holiday flavor I’m working on. Everyone always goes for pumpkin spice, so I want to rise above the basic bitches. [Pours a glass] This is cranberry, orange, and cloves. And because you’re a troglodyte [Opens a bottle of soda water and pours it in] Here, it’ll taste more like the battery acid you drink.
Di
Hmm, no kidney failure? I guess I’ll make an exception. [Takes a drink] Holy shit that’s good.
Kara
Just wait until the caffeine kicks in.
Di
I get the demand now, thanks.
Kara
You know, I can start supplying you. It would be better for you than those drinks.
Di
I’ll think about it. [Takes another drink} mmm, yup. Definitely going to put that in the “strong maybe” pile.
Kara
Why are you up this early on a Saturday? I thought you just finished your big project.
Di
Something big is coming in from another department. Only will be in for a half-day, if you want to do something tonight.
Kara
I actually have a rage room booked, I’ll get you a spot if you want? It’s so therapeutic to smash shit.
Di
Sure. Why are you up?
Kara
Fucking Farmer’s markets. Have to pedal to the hipster's and those knobs that say “I can’t live without my coffee”.
Di
[Bangs the table] Seriously! What is up with that? I’ve always been too afraid to ask you.
Kara
It should be just as socially acceptable for me to be selling crack if people are that dependent. But, far be it from me to bite the hand that feeds.
Di
[Grabbing her keys] Wear a jacket.
Kara
[Calling back] Love you too!
Musical Transition
Di and Lyle walk out of the lift and into the lab.
Lyle
I wasn’t sure if she’d like it since she doesn’t wear jewelry that often.
Di
No it’s nice. I’m sure she’ll love it.
Evans
Ng. LaDeaux. The sooner you get in here the sooner we can go home.
The two walk into Evans office and shut the door.
I’m sorry to do this, I just got the approval call yesterday afternoon. First of all, I’d like to thank you both for all your efforts these past few months. I know it’s been challenging. The company would like to extend their gratitude to you on the success of Project Morpheous. [Grabs two envelopes out of his desk drawer.] I hope you’ll find these checks sizeable.
Lyle
[Opens envelope] Jesus!
Evans
They’re also an incentive for further discretion.
Di
We signed NDA’s, why bother?
Evans
Because what I’m about to tell you cannot even be sighed about outside this building, and people generally enjoy being bribed rather than threatened.
There is a pause. The two shift uncomfortably in their chairs. Evans continues.
You were both told the goal of Project Morpheous was to use neuro-link technology to free patients minds from being trapped in their pain-racked bodies. We did that, and it is being used for that purpose now. However, that wasn’t the true goal of the project.
He takes a sip of coffee and types a few things on his computer.
The planet is dying. This isn’t news to you, but Mandragora has found that we have less time than anticipated. Mankind missed the opportunity to turn things around years ago, when the former United States wiped out their environmental sanctions for the sake of industry. At the moment, 1 in 100 people are allergic to airborne toxins from pollution, making unassisted breathing impossible. In the next decade that’s expected to double. 50 years from now we can expect to see entire generations finding the atmosphere inhospitable.
Di
How can that be possible without anyone knowing it? Not that I don’t believe you, but are you sure those numbers are right?
Evans
If you’d like to check the work of an international conglomerate, be my guest. It’ll only take you a few months to look over. I’ve been working on this for years, trust me, you think I’d be in a room with you two if there were matters of greater scientific importance?
Lyle
How is this supposed to help the environment? Corral people into Morpheous cradles while they breathe from oxygen tanks? Like some sort of Matrix thing?
Evans
Imaginative, but no. We aren’t going to try to adapt to the environment, we’re going to leave it.
Di
Like space travel? That’s impossible, no one’s been able to leave the solar system yet.
Evans
Mandragora has, on several occasions. We currently are the only organization in the world that possess both the knowledge of a habitable world and the means to get there. The only problem is storage.
Di
What?
Evans
It would take 20 years to get there with enough people to make the trip worthwhile. Feeding and entertaining people for that long isn’t feasible. At least right now. But if they aren’t awake that changes things.
Lyle
You want to put people in cradles and knock them out for 20 years...my god.
Di
Even if you could run a simulation that long without the brain rejecting it, there’s so many reasons why they wouldn’t be able to survive that long.
Evans
You don’t need to worry about that, it’s been handled by another department.
Lyle
There’s more people working on this?
Evans
It’s complicated. The company has multiple “exit strategies”, most of which even I know nothing about. But if we can prove this method is the most efficient, our work will be responsible for the preservation of the human species. The Morpheous cradle works, that isn’t a question now. What we have to prove is that someone can maintain them for that long.
Di
Maintain them?
Evans
We’ve shown that automating an entire ship for that long a journey is too risky, if we add the human element the risk decreased significantly. For every 100 passengers there will be one Caretaker. Someone to feed and monitor the assets, making sure they get there in one piece. We’re calling this the Caretaker Directive. To further minimize the risk they would be isolated and their environment essentially baby-proofed. Tests show it’s completely possible but there is one thing we can’t account for, psychological reaction. We don’t have time to test that but it’s too risky to just send someone and hope for the best, that’s where Morpheous comes in.
Di
You want to use it to make a sim and see how someone reacts. Time isn’t an issue in a machine that can warp the brain's perception of it.
Evans
Glad you’re up to speed. If we can create the right environment the data we collect will be the deciding factor in the project's validity.
Evans types a few more things into the computer.
This is our test subject. Frank Diaz, perfectly average across the board. He isn’t the ideal candidate for the Directive but he’s moldable; If he can manage this virtually anyone can. Monday we’re bringing him in to start his training. In the meantime, I need the two of you to take shifts working on the cradle and training Frank to use it. The goal is to build-up to the 20-year journey in the simulation. To make him into the ideal candidate during the sim we’ll be collecting data during his sessions to build new memories and behavioral profile for him to undertake. If we keep too much of the actual Frank, his brain is likely to catch on and reject the base reality.
Lyle
So we have to get him ready to play the part. Why not just find someone who fits the bill?
Evans
This was the person they sourced for us. Frank possesses qualities Mandragora finds...desirable in its employees.
Di
You mean he has something to lose.
Evans
Which will motivate him to do whatever we say. [He gets up] Take the rest of the weekend to process. Enjoy the money. Do whatever makes you happy. Monday you’ll need to be in fighting shape. The Caretaker Directive will make Project Morpheous look like child's play.
Musical Transition
Heavy music and the sounds of things breaking and Kara cheering in a rage room. It underscores the scene.
Di
I used to have a friend that whenever we’d switch plans he’d yell “bait and switch” at the top of his lungs. Regardless of where we were. I wish I was obnoxious enough to do that. You don’t feel used until it was too late; you never notice it while it’s happening. I signed my life away to Mandragora International because they told me I could make a difference. Because I thought I’d be protecting people from ending up like me, and they knew that. Morpheous was never about helping people like my mom, it was about furthering their agenda. They are predators, they stalk prey and wait until a moment of opportunity, of vulnerability. They knew I’d do anything to feel a modicum of closure, of relief. Last night was the first time not taking sleeping meds. I was expecting sleeping to envelop me in its safe arms. To experience a real moment of freedom in finally knowing that I successfully achieved my goal, that all of my work was going to make a world of difference to someone like mom, to someone like me! Instead, I was up every 2 hours to pee. Mandragora owns me, body and soul. People don’t quit, they get relocated and you never see them again. Money grants opportunities, but when you have all the money that means you can start to take away opportunities. Control people, and no one can stop you. How could they? You paid for their apathy and amnesty.
The room comes into focus.
Kara
I’d hate to be whoever you’re pretending that printer is.
Di
[grunting and she hits it harder and harder]
Kara
Woah there, let’s dial back the ‘07 Brittany.
Di
[she is yelling now until she physically can’t hit the printer anymore]
Kara
Di…
Di
[panting] Sorry...sorry. [Trying to change the subject rather than storming out crying] you’re right this is murder on your forearms.
Kara
Oooh just you wait until tomorrow. [Hands her two bottles] I bought a few more before we go.
They throw the bottles at the wall. They cheer and laugh as the sounds of breaking glass fade out.
End of Episode
Episode 4
Sounds of the office, Di walks in and cracks open another energy drink. It’s a two-drink kind of day. She gets to her computer and logs on.
Lyle
How was the weekend?
Di
Fine. You got any ibuprofen? My forearms are killing me.
Lyle
Uhhh...
Di
I went to a rage room, you know where you break a bunch of shit with your friends.
Lyle
That makes sense, here.
Di
Thanks [takes pill and swallows].
Lyle
Did it help?
Di
I literally just took it.
Lyle
No, the rage room thing. You seemed really out of it leaving on Saturday. Normally you have your resting friendly face up.
Di
It’s fine.
Lyle
Evans isn’t in yet...You know we’re a team, right?
Di
We barely know each other.
Lyle
No, you don’t ever talk about yourself so I barely know you. You know all about me. Father of 3, in recovery alcoholic, collects unicorn figurines.
Di
Yup, that’s you in a nutshell. [Pauses] I took this job because my mother had just died and the Morpheous cradle would have really helped her. Now it turns out it was never about helping people like my mom, it was about space capitalism.
Lyle
[chuckles] God, I hope that doesn’t become the technical term.
Di
I lost my job while taking care of my mom and burned some important bridges, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t have recovered from eventually. I just really needed closure, and I thought this was the way to get it.
Lyle
You feel duped. I understand. If my wife left with the kids again after I’ve done all this to put things back together, I’d feel the same way.
Di
Forever seemed so short when I signed up here. I felt like there wasn’t anything after grief, so I didn’t need to plan ahead. Now I’m here and I’ve nothing to show for it.
Lyle
This might not seem helpful, but maybe what you’re looking for isn’t something you can find in your work. Your mom didn’t die because of something you did or didn’t do. It isn’t your fault, and it’s going to take you a while to come to terms with that. I know you’re close with your roommate, but if you ever need to talk to someone that’s signed the same NDA, I’m here.
Di
Thanks...I...thanks Lyle. Should we hug, or something?
Lyle
What? No, gross. But you can get me a coffee.
Di
[Laughs] Black?
Lyle
Unless you can get it darker.
Evans Enters
Evans
Good morning, I trust you had a restful weekend?
Lyle
It was great, thanks for asking sir. How was yours?
Evans
Fine. Now Frank will be here in a few hours. He’s moving into his onsite housing then I’ll collect him and walk him through our part of the facility. I’ll introduce him to staff then he’ll be getting his psych eval. Diana I’ll be sharing the results with you so we can begin building a psych profile in the system as soon as possible.
Di
Of course.
Evans
As a rule for both of you, tell him only things he absolutely needs to know about the program and about yourselves. Absolutely no fraternizing of any kind will be tolerated. You’ll be given a brief before each session with him, stick to it. I’ll be in my office, don’t disturb me. If you need something wait or send me a message.
Evans leaves and shuts his door.
Lyle
Coffee?
Di
Yup.
Musical Transition
Evans
Mr. Diaz, I’d like you to meet Diana Ng and Lyle LaDauex. They will be training you on the cradle as well as looking after you while in the simulation.
Di
Hi.
Lyle
Hello.
Frank
[Shaking both of their hands] Nice to meet you both.
Evans
At the end of the week you’ll be meeting with Ms. Ng after we get the results of your psych eval later today.
Frank
Oh...I didn’t realize...should I be worried?
Di
Not at all, it will just give us a better sense of who you are and how we can best work with you. You don’t need to worry.
Evans
I’ll show you to your workstation Mr. Diaz.
The two walk off.
Lyle
That was uncharacteristically friendly of you Di.
Di
He seems nice, besides I usually like to pour on the charm with people when I first meet them.
Lyle
Wonder where they found him.
Di
Who knows, I just feel bad that he has to spend time with that creepy therapist they brought in.
Lyle
Have you met him?
Di
Briefly, he was in Evans office earlier. Gives me a “sex offender” vibe.
Lyle
Rude.
Di
Meet him first then tell me if I’m wrong.
Musical transition
Di knocks on the door and cracks it.
Di
Are you free now?
Frank
Yes! Please, come in.
Di
Nice office. I’m jealous, you get a window and everything.
Frank
Ya I like it, I’ll definitely be able to focus but it’s a big change to open floor plan spaces that I’m used to.
Di
[She pulls up a chair and sits down] What did you do before this?
Frank
Sales, I worked for an e-commerce company and basically called businesses to sign up.
Di
That sounds interesting.
Frank
It was super boring but the people were fantastic. Everyone had this silent agreement that the job sucked so we all just tried to make the best out of it. The office was really cool though, I got paid to play video games every day basically.
Di
I’m jealous. [Picking up her folder] Should we begin?
Frank
You got it Doc.
Di
Oh, I’m not a Doctor.
Frank
Professor?
Di
Nope.
Frank
Oh okay, I got it. Captain Science.
Di
Diana works just fine, but I’m open to workshopping Captain Science. So what we’ll be doing together over the next few months is getting you prepped for the time-lapse simulation. I’m going to be teaching you about the mechanics of the simulation, how it all works with your brain and what we need to do to maintain it.
Frank
That’s not intimidating at all.
Di
Think of it like scuba diving. We have to teach you how to do it in order to be able to pull it off safely. If you woke up and found yourself suddenly in the middle of the ocean strapped to some scuba gear, you’d panic. Luckily you don’t actually know what it’s like to be in space, so we can fabricate a lot of the senses you are going to feel. But we have to crash test everything to make sure the environment is as realistic as possible so we can collect the right data.
Frank
Okay. Let’s get started.
Musical Transition
Di
On a scale of 1 to 10, how brain dead are you right now?
Frank
Ever see that movie Starship Troopers?
Di
Ya, actually.
Frank
The douchebag pilot that gets brain drained by the queen bug.
Di
[Laughs] I think we’re done for the day then. I’ll send over all the notes for you to read by Monday.
Frank
Thanks Captain Science.
Di
You’re welcome, have a good weekend.
She gets up and leaves to go back to her work station.
Lyle
How was it?
Di
He’s definitely average, but he’s nice. I just don’t understand how he could end up here.
Lyle
Don’t ask. You know how these test subjects are, once we’re done with them, the company ships them off elsewhere. Besides Evans doesn’t want us getting too familiar, you have your own problems. Speaking of…
Di
What?
Lyle
I’ve been doing more tests. I can’t tell for certain but we can only cause time to go so fast in the simulation without causing damage to the brain.
Di
How fast can it safely run right now?
Lyle
He’d have to be in there for five years IRL, and I can already tell you that won’t work for Evans and whatever faceless monsters he answers to.
Di
Is that assuming he goes into the environment for the first time?
Lyle
It is based on the data we have right now, ya.
Di
So, the more we can build and get him familiar with the lighter the load on the brain?
Lyle
I can only speculate at this point. But it would stand to reason that the more familiar he is with the conditions of the sim and with the Directive, the easier this will be.
Di
I’m not sure how we’re going to make it feel familiar enough and foreign enough at the same time. Unless...unless it doesn’t have to feel foreign at all.
Lyle
What do you mean?
Di
We’re already building him a new behavioral profile to make him an ideal candidate while he’s in there right? So why not go a step further. We can justify all of this if he thinks he’s one of us. That he worked on the project and that he’s volunteering to do this. Build memories to back up everything. That way we can get him as familiar with the process as possible and still allow his mind to believe that what's happening is real.
Lyle
It couldn’t hurt to bring it up to Evans. I’ll keep working on this and we’ll see if we can get the sim time to under a year without melting his brain.
Di
Have a good weekend.
Musical Transition
Sounds of a restaurant.
Kara
Di?...Di?...Di!
Di
Huh? Sorry.
Kara
What’s going on? Something happen at work?
Di
There’s this...new guy. He’s nice but...mysterious I guess? I just keep wondering how he ended up here.
Kara
Why don’t you ask?
Di
I...uh...I’m not really supposed to go into personal stuff at work.
Kara
Some like fraternizing clause?
Di
Sorta, sure. Anyway, he's more of a freelancer so he won’t be around for long. My coworker thinks I should just stay away.
Kara
I don’t know, what’s the harm of getting to know someone worth knowing? Worst case scenario is that he's boring and you never have to see him again.
Di
Maybe...How’s work?
Kara
Workie. I’m actually starting to look at spaces to rent. Up my production and storage, have a place to meet buyers... You know, I’m going to be looking to bring on someone soon.
Di
Ooooo!
Kara
Ya, and I could really use someone that’s a badass science type with a wry sense of humor, do you know any?
Di
In this economy? I don’t think you can afford it.
Kara
Come on, you haven’t been happy at your job. This could be a change for the better!
Di
You know I can’t Kara, I would if I could.
Kara
I can talk to my parents, send me a copy of your contract and maybe there’s a loophole. Hell, they’d probably buy you out of it if it’s possible.
Di
It’s...it’s not that kind of contract. I’m sorry.
Kara
It’s ok, just means I’ll probably end up hiring some dude with a man bun and ironic tattoos.
Di
That sounds like something you’d like?
Kara
I know! But I’m trying to make you jealous...you know new years is just around the corner.
Di
I’m down to do whatever.
Kara
Good to know, but that’s not what I’m getting at. Without sounding like a drug ad, I’m concerned about your health. You drink those shit drinks to stay awake and then that sludge to go to bed. It’s not good for you, and selfishly I want you around for a while. How about a resolution? We switch to a reasonable amount of coffee during the day and melatonin at night. Did you know they make them into little fruity gummies?
Di
I feel like that would just train you to fall asleep when you taste that flavor though.
Kara
It does. One lick of anything blackberry and I’m out. [laughs then pauses] Can you do that for me, please? I hate seeing you like this but I’d hate not seeing you more.
Di
[Takes a moment to realize how much Kara loves her] I’m sorry I’ve made you worry about me. I’ll give it a try I promise.
Kara
If you apologize again I’ll slap you in your stupid pretty face. You’re family, and I’m always going to be here.
Di
I’m not trying yoga though.
Kara
I know we’re hilarious but let’s put jokes aside for a minute. You work yourself to the bone, you’re miserable, and most days I can’t tell if you’re trying to survive or kill yourself. Burying your problems in your work hasn’t made this better, maybe let’s find something that will?
Di
Look...you’re right.
Kara
Ok...go on…
Di
You’ve been patient with me and have stuck around longer than anyone really should. I’ll start on the health stuff but...it’s going to be a process. Will you stay with me while I go through this?
Kara
[Takes hand] I’m not going anywhere...and not just because the house is in my name.
Di
[Laughs]Goddamnit.
End of Episode
Episode 5
Di is finishing up work. It’s a late-night in the middle of December, she’s on the phone with Kara.
Di
Is anyone parked in my spot? Perfect, do I need to pick anything up? Ice?... Oddly enough I don’t think they sell figgy pudding at the gas station. Love you too.
She hangs up and starts to collect her things to leave. Then she realizes she hears the faint sounds of Christmas music. She follows it to Franks office and opens the door.
What are you still doing here? It’s almost midnight.
Frank
Couldn’t sleep and my place doesn’t have a computer.
Di
That’s medieval. Are you working?
Frank
I was, but then I started looking at old photos and got distracted.
Di
Of what?
Frank
My daughter, wanna see?
Di
[Takes a moment to consider] Sure.
She pulls up a chair to his desk.
Frank
Captain Science, I’d like you to meet Esther.
Di
She’s adorable! I love the little elf costume.
Frank
Her mom really loved Christmas so she’d dress her up in all the disgustingly cute festive kids clothes. Once she started going to preschool we’d pick a day where her mom and I would stay home from work to decorate the house, then we’d pick her up and take her to dinner and whatever kids Christmas movie was out at the time. I had the lights on a timer, so when we’d pull up to our driveway that night she’d see her house explode with all these colors. I never really was into the holidays, but seeing the looks on their faces always made it worth it.
Di
Oh my god, that’s amazing. I never knew you had a family.
Frank
Evans didn’t tell you?
Di
No, I guess it’s not something he thought we should know.
Frank
I guess it doesn’t make much difference.[Clicks through more pictures]
Di
Who’s that?
Frank
That’s my sister Chris.
Di
Where’s your wife?
Frank
She...uh...this was after she passed.
Di
Jesus, I’m so sorry.
Frank
It’s okay. She had a rare form of bone cancer, runs in her family. She suffered for a long time, but you’d never have known it…[clicks a few more times and laughs] this is the time I fell off the roof!
Di
What? How?
Frank
Every Christmas Eve my...Esther’s mom would tuck her in after we read the Night Before Christmas. Esther never liked going to bed so her mom would tell her she had to be asleep by the time Santa got there, or she wouldn’t get any presents. So I’d be on the roof with sleigh bells to really sell it. And that particular year I slipped on a roofing tile and fell off the house.
Di
That’s terrifying! You’re lucky you didn’t die.
Frank
It was a one story, wasn’t a big deal. I didn’t want to ruin the illusion though so I told Esther that I got beat up by a gang of traveling Snowmen.
Di
You sound like a really great dad.
Frank
You probably have things you’d rather be doing, I don’t want to keep you.
Di
No, no it’s not a big deal.
Frank
You sure? If I were you I’d be racing to get home to spend time with the family.
Di
Just my roommate. She’s hosting a party at our house...My mom passed away a little over a year ago.
Frank
I’m sorry to hear that. It’s tough to lose anyone, especially a parent.
Di
They say it gets easier but...ya, I don’t know about that.
Frank
It takes a long time to recover from losing someone you loved...I don’t know you very well, but speaking as a parent, I’m sure your mom would be proud of you.
Di
How do you figure?
Frank
Uh, because you are THE Captain Science! You’re smart and funny and helping to change the course of human history. I bet you if she could get that on a bumper sticker, she would.
Di
[Laughs]I think you’re right...What do you want for Christmas Frank?
Frank
A stiff drink would be great...but really I’d give anything to climb up on the roof of my sister's house and jangle around a bunch of sleigh bells.
Di
Let’s do it
Frank
What?
Di
Ya, if you promise to not fall off the roof.
Frank
You know I can’t leave, they put this chip in my arm to make sure I stay on the property.
Di
Oh right. Hold up your arm.
She pulls out something from her bag and scans Franks arm. After a few taps she’s finished.
Di
Now according to this, you’re currently walking back to your room and won’t leave until tomorrow morning. Where do you live?
Musical Transition
The two of them are laughing together in Di’s car.
Di
I can’t believe you didn’t get caught!
Frank
My sister sleeps like a log and we never move the Christmas decorations. It was perfect! Did you see any lights come on?
Di
Silent night, pun totally intended.
Frank
Thank you so much for this Diana. You don’t know how much this meant to me.
Di
Call me Di, and I think I have a pretty good idea...you hungry?
The sound of them going up to a drive-through and ordering burritos underscores the monologue.
Frank’s a good guy, and really that was his only mistake in life. We sat together on the trunk of my car eating 3 a.m. burritos while he told me his story. He fell in love with a girl in college and they had a baby together. They never had a wedding, it was never in the cards financially. But they had a modest little life together. Frank moved from job to job until finally settling into sales. He’s not really the type but he’s friendly and trusting, and he relied on that to feed his family. When Esther was 6 her mom got sick. He’d never say her name. He’d just refer to her as “Esther’s mom”, “she’, or “her”. It was like he kept himself stitched together all these years to be strong for Esther, and the mere mention of her mom could rip the seam right out and he’d fall to pieces. Frank played single dad for a few years until Esther got sick with the same type of cancer her mom died from. He poured all his time into work so he could throw money at the medical bills, but it became too much. He had to move in with his sister, who helped with Esther when Frank couldn’t be there. I thought it was incredible; the kind of parenting you only see in movies or hear about in commencement speeches. But as he told me this all I heard was shame in his voice. He couldn’t spend enough time with his daughter because he was doing everything he could to keep her alive. That’s how Evans got him: Frank had ran out of options and Evans offered a way out. In exchange for his work as a test subject, his daughter would be admitted to an experimental Mandragora facility that specializes in rare forms of cancer. The narrative was that he got a new job working on a pipeline in Alaska. He would be gone for a long time but he’d make enough money to pay for her treatment. He didn’t want to leave his daughter, he didn’t want her to be alone while she went through that, but what else was there? He’d do anything for his little girl to get better.
He told me all of this before he finished his chili relleno burrito. I was too fascinated to eat. Here was a man that worked selflessly to provide a better life for his family, and the world kept kicking him while he was down. But he got up, without complaint. Mom would have loved him. He reminded me so much of her, and as I watched him smile and laugh about the sleigh bells it was like she was right there with me again. I took him back to the facility, he thanked me as he got out of the car. Just as he was about to close to door he asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I told him I had already gotten it. When I got home and sat on my bed, I felt something weird in my chest, like someone had hit it with a chisel and gallons of relief just poured out. I had helped someone like my mother used to, not through results but through kindness. I had the best night of sleep of my life, the kind of sleep that feels like a reward you’ve earned. The kind that makes you feel like all your broken parts are glued back together.
Musical Transition
Door closes, Di and Lyle are in Evans office.
Evans
I’d like to congratulate you both on all your hard work. Thanks to your efforts the test will begin tomorrow at 0800. For the next 9 months we’ll be working in shifts to monitor Franks progress. The systems A.I. will do it’s best but we need to be ready to make alterations to the simulation at any moment. Frank must maintain the Directive at all costs. I’ll be around for another few hours if you have any questions.
The two get up and leave back to their work area.
Di
What do you think, is he ready?
Lyle
He’s acclimated to all the test runs we’ve done, and I did a small test run of the behavioral profile over the weekend and his brain took to it instantly. Only problem was he has to be eased out of the sim otherwise his brain will get the equivalent of “the bends”.
Di
How bad is it?
Lyle
Right now it looks like he’ll just be really disorientated for a few hours, but who knows what could happen when he’s been under for 9 months.
Di
Jesus, we should get more time for this. This isn’t ethical.
Lyle
I agree, but we’re rapidly getting into a period where we’re going to have to choose between ethics and preservation.
Di
I’d rather not have to choose at all. I’m going to step out, do you want anything?
Lyle
I’m fine thanks, just going to run a few more tests then I’m probably going to take off.
Di
I’ll see you tomorrow.
Di walks over and knocks on the door to Franks’ office. She doesn’t wait to be called in.
Di
Hey.
Frank
Hey Captain Science.
She closes the door and pulls up a chair.
Di
How are you feeling?
Frank
Feels like tomorrow is the first day of school. Kind of nervous, kind of excited.
Di
It’ll be okay. I’ll be looking after you, nothing bad will happen. You’ve been doing great in all your test runs.
Frank
You know I never really can remember them. I’ll get bits and pieces when I come out of it, but if I don’t really focus on it I lose it.
Di
Does that scare you?
Frank
Sometimes. I feel like a different person, and not in a liberating way but like I’m being sasuaged into someone else’s life.
Di
It’s a simulation Frank, that’s the point.
Frank
You asked what I felt.
Di
You’re right, I’m sorry…
Frank
It just feels like...like something’s taken from me but I can’t place what it is. Then when I get it back I can’t for the life of me tell why I missed it...sorry. This isn’t encouraging. I’m good, I’m ready.
Di
Can I get you anything? Maybe I can swing by your sisters' house? Leave something for your daughter?
Frank
No...no that’s okay. Dr. Evans pulled me aside after our Christmas excursion and gave me this vague speech, almost like he knew but didn’t want to say anything. I don’t want to mess anything up at this point, especially since she started her treatment.
Di
She did?
Frank
That’s what Evans said. He seemed sincere, which is rare for him I’ve noticed.
Di
It always comes when you’re about to officially decide he’s a monster. The worst part is I can never tell if it’s manipulation or just how he is. Fierce exterior with moments of softness.
Frank
I know you won’t be able to tell me, but can you just make sure that Esther is being taken care of. If it doesn’t get you into trouble.
Di
I promise.
Frank
Thank’s Di. I don’t know what I’d do without you.
Di
Don’t mention it.
She gets up and leaves the office, closing the door behind her.
Musical Transition
An alarm goes off. Di quickly silences it and staggers out of bed. She goes straight into the kitchen, making a beeline for the fridge. Kara is working on her computer at the kitchen table.
Kara
Good evening Elvira.
Di
You’re up late.
Kara
Just about to go to bed. I’m just finishing up a few things before tomorrow. The health inspector is coming by to clear everything, then we can officially start taking orders.
Di
What are you doing now?
Kara
Finishing filling unofficial orders. I’m amazed I got this far without permits, but sadly the time has come to get all legal and boring. I’m really glad you are liking the coffee, you’ve been sucking it down.
Di
It gives me a great boost, especially for these night shifts. Maybe I’ll stop buying energy drinks soon. Did you hire that guy?
Kara
Grady or Braden?
Di
Pig tattoo?
Kara
Ooooh, Ansel! Yes.
Di
That’s exciting, hopefully he doesn’t catch on that you don’t know what you’re doing.
Kara
Oh no, it’s on my email signature: Kara Mays, CEO of “I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing” inc.
Di
[Laughs]Thanks for the coffee. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow I’m sure.
Kara
We’re never awake at the same time so I just watch you while you sleep now.
Di
That’s why I’ve started putting makeup on before I go to bed.
Kara
I’ve noticed, the effort is appreciated.
Di gets up and kisses Kara on the head before walking back to take a shower.
Musical Transition
Di walks in, Evans is working.
Di
Good evening.
Evans
Hello.
Di
Where is he at?
Evans
Just rounded the five-year mark. He’s 100% synchronized with the Directive.
Di
Perfect. [Pauses] Dr. Evans? How is his daughter doing?
Evans
[Stops working and slowly turns in his chair] What?
Di
Frank's daughter Esther, he said you admitted her to one of our facilities.
Evans
Oh, right. Yes, she was admitted and cured within the first month of Frank being with us.
Di
Did you tell him?
Evans
Of course not.
Di
What? Why?
Evans
It gave him a reason to finish the training. It’s amazing how strong the primal sense to provide is for some people.
Di
But he’ll get to see her when he comes out right?
Evans
The future of Frank Diaz is above your security clearance, you should be more concerned with what will happen to you.
Di
What?
Evans
You’ve displayed an attachment to the subject. An attachment that is very concerning. I’ve forgone notifying my superiors because this could jeopardize the project, but this needs to stop.
Di
I don’t…
Evans
No, this isn’t a conversation. I’ve dedicated my life to this, made sacrifices you cannot begin to fathom. If you fuck this up I will find the deepest, darkest, most disgusting hole to throw you in and leave you there to rot. What you don’t seem to understand is that I am fully capable of doing that. As far as Mandragora is concerned you are property, which means it can dispose of you without any regard to the laws of any country. Are you understanding me?
Di
[Quiet]...Yes.
Evans
Yes what?
Di
Yes, Doctor Evans.
Evans
[gets up to leave]I’ve liked you until now Diana, you get your work done no matter what. That will no longer protect you.
He leaves. Diana takes a moment and throws something against the wall in rage.
Di
Fucker!
End of Episode
Episode Six
Sounds of the lab, Di is typing. She takes a break every few keystrokes to sigh and sips her coffee.
Di
Happy 7 years Frank.
She continues to work and do various other “bored at work” things to underscore her monologue.
It’s like watching a flower wilt. It’s poetic and sad all at once, watching something die. He’s following the Directive thus far, but you can tell it costs him. I feel like if we traded places, we wouldn’t feel any different. We’re both slaves to something that we did for other people. A day doesn’t go by where I’m not tempted to just rip him out of it, throw him in my car, and take him to his daughter. Mom would have. She’d have punched Dr. Evans in the throat, made some sort of improvised hand trolley, and wheeled Frank out to freedom. I read somewhere that 80% of people would accept help from a stranger but only 20% would offer their help to one. I feel ashamed that I know my mom would be that 20% and I’m not sure what I’d do. I’m not strong enough to help myself let alone another person. That’s not who my mother wanted me to be, and that fact rings louder in my head day after day in this place.
The computer starts to make beeping sounds, Di is pulled out of the monologue.
Di
Shit [Types furiously] Come on Frank, we’re too far in to start trying to fight the man.
Evans walks in unexpectedly, it causes Di to jump.
Evans
How is he doing?
Di
He’s beginning to deviate.
Evans
I can read, I’m more interested in what you intend to do about it now.
Di
I’ve tried a few things but we have to be careful about altering anything in his environment. Introducing something drastic that we haven’t prepared him for could have negative effects.
Evans
Fine. Just make sure we can get him back. We’ve invested too much time not to carry this to full term.
Di
Of course sir.
Evans
I’ll be right back, I have to make a call. If anything happens come and get me.
Di
Yes sir.
Evans leaves, Di goes into a fury of typing.
[Panicked]Fuck. Why couldn’t this happen while Lyle was here? If Frank disintegrates now Evans will think it’s my fault, and that this is a part of my “evil plan” to undermine him or whatever. Which means he’ll probably kill Frank and he’ll never see his daughter again and she’ll basically be in therapy for the rest of her life and will be a walking garbage fire that people hang out with to feel better about themselves! [Breaths]
Okay....this is not helpful. How can I be helpful?... Relaxing stuff! Maybe if I can introduce enough relaxing stuff to his day he’ll chill the fuck out and realize that it’s not so bad. One good day at work can make you forget the majority of bad days at work right?...
Frank
Wha…[groans]..wah..
Di stops working and whips around to Frank, it takes a second for them to process what is happening.
Di
Shit…
Frank is trying to sit up, his speech is slurred and he is disorientated.
Frank
What the fu...where am...wha...wah?...wah?!
Frank finds that he is covered in wires and instruments. He is frantically pulling them off of himself.
Frank
[Screaming] Wha is happ-uhh..uhh..uhhhhhh.
Evans
Get him down now!
Di
We can’t, he’s going into shock.
Evans
For fucks sake.
We hear him grab a syringe, and takes the cap and throws it to the ground, he plunges it into Franks arm. Frank is struggling, he can only make vowel sounds. He is becoming more and more distressed. Evans and the researcher are struggling to hold him down.
Evans
Take your bloody medicine Frank.
Di
It’s not working.
Evans
Give it a second.
Di
He’s panicking!
Evan
Fuck sake. [Punches Frank in the face]. There
Frank drops and the voices begin to bottle and fade
Di
What the fuck?!
Evans
See? He’s down. Now I want him sedated until we can sort out how to proceed.
Di
He’s not a fucking animal Evans, he needs real medical attention.
Evans
What did you just say to me?
Di
No, fuck your “what did you just say” bullshit. You heard me. This is wrong! This man has a family.
Evans
This man is legally dead.
Di
What?
Evans
Officially, he died in a work-related accident in Alaska a month ago.
Di
But… his daughter.
Evans
Cured and compensated. He’s never going home, he’s finishing the job we fucking paid him to do. And if you aren’t going to help then jump off the fucking roof, because you’re neither use nor ornament anymore...Well?!
Di
Inner monologue
Mom wouldn’t take this, she’d...she...she isn’t here. She can’t help Frank, but I can. This isn’t the hill I die on, make him feel superior and catch him while he isn’t looking.
Back to dialogue
I’ll get a room ready for him.
Evans
Then why are you wasting my time? Vanish!
Musical Transition
Di is walking through the door, goes straight to her room and grabs her bottles of sleep aid that she’s stashed in her drawer, she goes into the kitchen and opens them, pouring them down the drain. Then she goes into the fridge and grabs all the energy drinks that are left. She pops them open and pours them down the drain. Kara walks in.
Kara
Uhh...Di? Are you alright?
Di
No, I’m pissed off.
Kara
Yes I can see that dear, but why?
Di
I’m tired of moping, I’m tired of feeling helpless, and I’m tired of poisoning myself to get over it. And I know this is just something small but at least I’m fucking trying.
Kara
I…[hugs]I’m proud of you.
Di
But I haven’t done anything yet.
Kara
You have, and you’ll see it eventually.
Musical Transition
Di and Lyle are sitting in Evans office.
Lyle
How long has he been out?
Evans
Over 24 hours, we have 48 before I have to submit my update report. At which time it is very possible that Mandragora will decide this isn’t worth it anymore and shut the project down.
Di
And the longer he stays out the harder it will be for him to be able to acclimate to the system again. We’ve never seen what a simulation this long does to his personality. I checked on him earlier and he still doesn’t know his real name or recognize his daughter yet when I showed him a picture. Who knows how much he’ll have regained by now without the Morpheous feeding him our personality profile.
Evans
Even if we get him back in, we don’t have 9 months to wait for him to finish the simulation. We’ll have to accelerate it to 5 if we are going to make it.
Lyle
But that kind of strain…
Evans
Has any of your tests suggested that he won’t be able to do it?
Lyle
He’ll finish it, no question, but his brain will be pouring out of his ears when it’s done.
Evans
Even with a cool-down period to allow the brain to acclimate?
Lyle
Again, he might not have much of a brain left after we’re done...but he’d be able to finish the simulation at least.
Evans
Then that’s what we’re doing. Make the necessary preparations, I’ll handle Frank. The sooner we can get this moving the better.
Evans gets up and leaves the office.
Di
What the fuck is wrong with you?
Lyle
Don’t.
Di
I can’t even begin to say how much of an unethical clusterfuck this is.
Lyle
Di, he never was going to get out of this alive. Whether he took the time to think about it or not, there was nothing after this.
Di
You have kids, do I need to spell out how disgusting you are?
Lyle
You mean we, right?
Di
What?
Lyle
Because as far as I’m concerned, Diana, you are as much of a monster in this situation as the rest of us. We don’t have a choice. If you hate your life, fine, but I spent everything to keep mine. So if I have to put this guys brain in a blender to see my family at the end of the day, then that’s how it has to be. That’s not even mentioning the fact that it’s him or the fucking future of the human race. So get a bandage for your bleeding heart and let’s get on with it.
Di
I hope your kids grow up and hate you. I hope they forget to call you on holidays and get you shit last-minute Christmas gifts. I hope they never tell you how much of a disappointment you are, because it doesn’t need saying. It might as well be tattooed on your forehead. I bet you were a better man as a drunk.
She gets up and slams the door.
Musical transition
The sound of Di working
Di
Frank went back into the Morpheous, not that he really had any choice. But before he did I rewrote his personality profile. I gave him back all of his memories of Esther. I wasn’t 100% sure if his brain would accept the simulation again with that knowledge, but it went off without a hitch. Apparently love is the strongest motivation. I hid it deep within the code so Evans wouldn’t be able to find it easily, and he’d go on thinking that he won. I gave Frank one last gift, and like all great gifts, there’s multiple parts.
The final scene of Franks Simulation fades in. Di shares all of CASPR’s lines, as she is telling him what to say. It will start off only being voiced by CASPR and will slowly incorporate Di until it’s just her.
Frank
I’m not waking up, am I?
CASPR
[Long pause] No.
Frank
Ya. Thought so.
CASPR/Di
The strain of this faster simulation was too much for your brain Frank. Once the simulation has completed your brain will hemorrhage from the shock. I’m sorry Frank.
Frank
[Long pause, shaky breath]Can I see her?
CASPR/Di
All I can do is try and extrapolate from your memories.
Frank
I don’t care, as long as I’m not alone.
We can hear the sound of something materializing. Frank reacts on breath
CASPR/Di
She thought you had died six months ago, Frank. She mourned you, but your sister was able to enroll her in therapy. She has made progress towards a healthy recovery. All her needs will be taken care of.
We can hear Frank kneel down and hug the image of Esther.
Frank
More, what else.
CASPR/Di
She receives good marks in school Frank. She has many friends. Her teachers enjoy having her. She plays soccer.
Frank
Soccer? Oh god. Can she…
CASPR/Di
She is the teams most capable runner, Frank
Frank
[Openly weeping] God.
CASPR/Di
She was proud of you Frank. She misses you.
Frank
[to the construct]I love you. I love you. I know you are just what’s left of my picture of you but I love you and am so proud of you.
CASPR/Di
She loved you too Frank. I have record of her saying so in 43 school assignments.
Frank
[Shaky exhale while holding the construct of Esther]Thank you. [He kisses it’s head] Thank you CASPR.
CASPR/Di
You are welcome Frank…[Long pause] Frank?
Frank
[His face still buried in the constructs hair]Ya?
CASPR/Di
Happy Tuesday.
Things fade back to the lab. The sound of a disc drive opening and closing, then some beeps with the drive opening again. Di takes the disk and puts it in her bag. Evans enters.
Evans
What’s happening? Has he finished?
Di
Yes.
Evans
Should we bother with the cool down process?
Di
No...no he’s gone. Once the reality switched his brain just gave up.
Evans
That’s… that’s a pity. He was a good person… someone will be up in the next few minutes to collect him. Upload the rest of the data and take a few days. Maybe go on holiday? I’ll call you in a few days. I have to get to another meeting.
Di
Goodbye, Doctor Evans.
Di goes back to work and her monologue underscores as she types something out, then gets up and wheels in several oxygen-tanks from storage.
When you learn how to fix things, you also are learning how to break them. I patched the battery problem when we were first building the cradle, so naturally, it was easy for me to unfix it. Because it hadn’t been a problem for so long, no one thought to keep flammables away from here. For weeks I’ve been corralling all the oxygen tanks I can get my hands on. Now they’re in a circle around the cradle, like Stonehenge. I set the cradle to it’s fastest setting, locked the doors, and walk out of the building. That’s part 2 of Franks gift, all that is left is part 3.
Di is walking to her car and getting in when there is a huge explosion and the fire alarms for the building are going off. She drives on.
Musical Transition
Di knocks at the door. It opens
Chris
Hi, can I help you?
Di
Christina Diaz?
Chris
Yes… how can I help you?
Di
I worked with your brother Frank. I was with him when he passed. I’m sorry for your loss. He was… he was a good man.
Chris
Thank you… do you want to come in?
Di
No, I’m sorry I can’t stay long. I just came by to give you this. [Hands her the CD] I think he’d want Esther to watch it when she’s old enough. He loved that little girl with everything he had.
Chris
What is this?
Di
It’s kind of a...a last will and testament. I think he’d of wanted her to have it. Put it somewhere safe. If anyone comes by asking if you’ve seen me you can’t tell them I gave this to you.
Chris
You don’t work on a pipeline in Alaska… do you?
Di
[Laughs] I wish I did.
Chris
Thank you. This means the world to us.
Di
I better get going.
She turns to leave.
Chris
[Calling back into the house as she closes the door] It’s… it’s no one sweetie. Are you ready for soccer practice?
Musical Transition
Di walks into Kara’s new kitchen.
Kara
Be with you in a sec… Di?
Di
Nice digs.
Kara
Well, I’ve been asking you to come look at it forever. Is everything okay?
Di
No, it’s not. Kara I have to go away for a while.
Kara
What?
Di
I can’t tell you much without putting you in danger. But the company I worked for did bad things, and I helped them. But I...I did something about it and they’ll be looking for me and probably people I’m close to so...unfortunately that’s only you.
Kara
[Takes time to process this]Uh...okay...okay! So we’ll go on a Thelma and Louise trip and…
Di
No. I’m leaving. You should go stay up with your parents for a few weeks. Don’t go home, just get in your car and drive straight there. Don’t stop anywhere and don’t talk to anyone. Please, I know this is weird but if something happened to you...I love you. [Hugs]
Kara
Di, you’re scaring me.
Di
I’m sorry. Thank you, you’ve meant everything to me. [She goes to leave]
Kara
Where are you going? Di? Di!
Di
I think it’s time for me to take a vacation somewhere.
Kara
[Going into the refrigerator] Take this for the road. Also if you go somewhere that has a beach and doesn’t extradite you give me a call. Maybe we can set up a snow cone stand or something.
Di
Ya… ya I think I’d like that.
Musical Transition
The sounds of a hospital room. Andrea Manus walks in.
Andrea
Mr. LaDauex, how is the good Doctor?
Lyle
He’s stabilized for now. The cradle really made all the difference.
Andrea
That’s nice to hear.
Lyle
Did… did you find Di?
Andrea
Diana Ng is no longer your concern, and neither will be Dr. Evans. You’re being reassigned, immediately.
Lyle
What? You can’t do that?
Andrea
Mr. LaDauex, there is little in this world I cannot do. Mr. Vogel, remove him.
Lyle
What? No!
Lyle struggles as Vogel removes him from the room and the door slides shut. You can hear the sounds of his muffled screams still.
Andrea
[Types something out] Enjoy your rest Mason. We have a lot to catch up on.
The sound of Lyle’s screams are stopped by the muffled sound of two gunshots.
End