Unwell Season 5/Episode 10 - Elevation

by Jessica Wright Buha

What do you remember?
Practicalities.
Love remains.

Listen to the Episode here.

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.

—-

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.