Unwell Season 5/Episode 4 - The Creeping Water
by Jessica Wright Buha
Nothing works.
Why are you pretending this is normal?
Learning about hard conversations.
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, Amelia Bethel as Marisol, Pat King as Chester, Krista D'Agostino as Hazel, Kim Fukawa as Joanne, Jeffrey Nils Gardner as Handy Stanley
Written by Jessica Wright Buha, sound design by Eli Hamada McIlveen, directed by Jeffrey Nils Gardner, theme music composed by Stephen Poon, assistant director Lauren Grace Thompson, recording engineer Mel Ruder, associate producer Ani Enghdahl, Theme performed by Stephen Poon, Lauren Kelly, Gunnar Jebsen, Travis Elfers, Mel Ruder, and Betsey Palmer, produced by haydée r. souffrant, Unwell lead sound designer Eli Hamada McIlveen, Executive Producers Eleanor Hyde and Jeffrey Nils Gardner, by HartLife NFP.
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INT. BASEMENT OF THE GOLDEN GROOVE - DAY
SFX: WATER DRIPS.
LILY
Okay, I'm plugging it in.
MARISOL
Lily! Make sure that outlet's dry!
LILY
It's super-dry.
SFX: PLUGS IT IN. THE PUMP ENGINE WHIRRS.
LILY (cont'd)
It is working?
SFX: THE PUMP ENGINE WHIRRS.
LILY (cont'd)
Mari!
MARISOL
What's it supposed to be doing?
LILY
Sucking up all the water! Lemme see.
SFX: THREE DRY FOOTSTEPS, THEN ONE WET ONE.
LILY (cont'd)
Dammit. Yeah, it's getting deeper.
MARISOL
Shit shit shit.
LILY
Everything's cool. This is normal.
MARISOL
Um, no.
LILY
Basements leak.
MARISOL
This basement has never leaked.
LILY
Classic basement move.
MARISOL
Why would I store all this
stuff here if it leaked?
We gotta get all these boxes upstairs. Can you
help me take them up to the apartment?
LILY
All of them?
MARISOL
Or we need to get the pump working!
LILY
I think we just have to--
SFX: LILY'S FOOTSTEPS SPLASH THROUGH THE WATER (ABOUT THREE
INCHES)
LILY (cont'd)
I mean, it's running.
MARISOL
But look how weak it is.
SFX: LILY'S FOOTSTEPS STOP AS SHE REACHES MARI. WATER PUMPS
OUT/MAKES A PITIFUL SLURPING SOUND.
LILY
Yeah. Maybe it's just on "low." Lemme play the
thing again...
SFX: TAP AS LILY PLAYS A VIDEO ON HER PHONE.
HANDY STANLEY
Hey guys, it's Handy Stanley, and I've got the
Vitawork one-sixth horsepower submersible utility
pump here--
--and it is a game-changer.
Let's dive in.
LILY
I think it was at a minute
forty.
SFX: PERHAPS SOME SORT OF FAST-FORWARDING SOUND AS LILY FAST-
FORWARDS THE YOUTUBE VIDEO???
HANDY STANLEY
And if you're in the need for speed,
LILY
Oh great--
HANDY STANLEY
take that left tab, click it up and flip it over,
and that'll kick in the reserve power to--
SFX: TAP AS LILY PAUSES IT.
LILY
Click it up and flip it over?
MARISOL
Which tab is it?
LILY
Lemme double-check.
HANDY STANLEY
--need for speed, take that left tab,
LILY
Okay, it's that one.
HANDY STANLEY
Click it up and flip it over.
LILY
Okay, click it up.
SFX: TAB CLICKS UP.
LILY (cont'd)
Good. Now... flip it over? I gotta see it again.
HANDY STANLEY
--left tab, click it up and flip it over.
MARISOL
How's he doing that?
LILY
I don't know! it's like it's on a hinge.
MARISOL
I think you gotta twist it.
LILY
Okay...
SFX: SOUND OF A PIECE OF PLASTIC BEING STRAINED TO THE POINT
OF ALMOST BREAKING.
LILY (cont'd)
I feel like I'm gonna break it.
MARISOL
Okay, stop, stop. This is like the last utility
pump in a hundred mile radius.
SFX: WATER IS PUMPED PITIFULLY OUT THE HOSE.
LILY
Well, shoot.
MARISOL
There's no way that's gonna get the water out.
LILY
Yeah.
MARISOL
I mean, it's gotta pump it up
to the basement window, then
out to the alley, then to the
storm drain.
LILY
(increasingly irritated)
Right. Right, Yeah. Okay.
LILY (cont'd)
So what's the plan?
MARISOL
We move the boxes.
LILY
There's like fifty of them.
MARISOL
And?
LILY
Where're you putting them? In the back room?
LILY
I don't think there's space.
MARI
No, no, no. There's no space.
I know. We gotta put em up in my apartment.
LILY
All fifty boxes?
MARISOL
Yeah.
LILY
That's so many stairs.
MARISOL
What else are we going to do?
LILY
These can't be that important if you're storing
them in the basement, and--
SFX: LILY WALKS THROUGH THE WATER TOWARDS THE BOXES.
LILY (cont'd)
--risking water damage.
SFX: LILY'S WET FOOTSTEPS TURN TO DRY AS SHE GOES TO A BOX.
MARI
The basement's been literally, like, bone-dry
since I moved in.
LILY
Like what's even in here.
SFX: CARDBOARD SCRAPES AS THE BOX OPENS.
MARISOL
It's my overstock.
SFX: SOFT FLIP OF RECORDS.
LILY
This box is just copies of the Jesus Christ
Superstar soundtrack.
MARISOL
(correcting her)
Concept album. But, yeah, that's the JCSS box.
LILY
This whole box.
MARISOL
Any collection you get from the early seventies
is gonna have a copy, so--
LILY
How many of these do you sell in a year?
MARISOL
I don't know, a couple.
LILY
Well, you're good for thirty years.
SFX: MARI'S QUICK FOOTSTEPS TO THE BOX.
MARISOL
I'm gonna get these upstairs.
LILY
Mari, just keep five, and toss the rest.
SFX: MARI PICKS UP THE VERY VERY HEAVY BOX.
MARISOL
These were all---oooof! Someone's.
LILY
Okay.
MARISOL
All these records belonged to different people.
They played them when they were sad, or when they
needed a friend.
LILY
And now they're yours. I mean, right? Didn't they
sell them to you?
SFX: DISTANT BELL RINGS FROM UPSTAIRS AS SOMEONE ENTERS THE
SHOP.
MARI
You don't have to help me move them.
CHESTER (O.S.)
Marisol?
MARISOL
(shouting up to Chester)
Yeah!
LILY
I'll help you take them upstairs, I just think
it's bonkers.
MARISOL
I don't care what you think is bonkers!
CHESTER (O.S.)
Is anyone here?
MARI
(yelling up to Chester)
One second!
LILY
Mari, I didn't--
MARISOL
(to Lily, acidly)
One second.
Look. This basement has never flooded, and now
it's flooding and I feel everyone's pretending
this is normal and no one's trying stop it.
LILY
Stop what. The rain?
MARISOL
Don't tell me you think this is normal rain.
LILY
Normal-ish.
Okay, let's say Blooms is behind it. Why would he
want to flood us out?
MARISOL
He did it to Rudy.
LILY
I know.
MARISOL
Lily, I need to keep myself safe, and my
livelihood safe,
LILY
I get that--
MARISOL
--and I don't know why you think that's a waste
of time.
LILY
I don't. I just think sixty copies of Jesus
Christ Superstar is not what we should be worried
about right now.
SFX: THE WATER PUMP WHEEZES AS IT FEEBLY PUMPS WATER.
MARISOL
What should we be worried about?
LILY
I don't--[know.]
MARISOL
You think Blooms is gonna flood the town--
LILY
Look, the rain is crazy, BUT--[it's fine!]
MARISOL
And then we're all gonna die.
SFX: LILY THINKS ABOUT THIS A MILLISECOND TOO LONG.
LILY
No.
MARISOL
Oh my God.
LILY
(with conviction)
No! No. No one's going to die.
MARISOL
No one else is going to die.
LILY
(correcting herself)
No one else is going to die.
CHESTER (O.S.)
Marisol, it's rather urgent!
MARISOL
(shouting up to Chester)
Coming up now!
(to Lily)
Let's get upstairs.
SFX: MARI AND LILY'S FOOTSTEPS GO UP THE BASEMENT STAIRS.
MARISOL (cont'd)
You're not exactly being convincing.
INT. GOLDEN GROOVE RECORD STORE - DAY
SFX: A SONG PLAYS.
LILY (O.S)
I'm not saying no one's ever going to die.
SFX: DOOR CREAKS OPENS.
MARISOL
Hey Chester.
CHESTER
At last. Marisol--
LILY
I mean, don't, you know--
SFX: FOOTSTEPS AS CHESTER MOVES TOWARDS MARISOL. THE SPIRIT
ORGAN JANGLES SOFTLY IN ITS CASE.
CHESTER
May we speak somewhere in private.
MARISOL
Yeah sure--
LILY
--don't say like, "oh Lily, someone died in a car
accident,"
LILY
"you said no one was ever
going to die."
CHESTER
Perhaps a back room, or
something.
MARISOL
But people didn't used to die in accidents.
Right, Chester?
CHESTER
If you're speaking of Rudy, his death was no
accident. Marisol, please, I--
LILY
What's with the suitcase.
CHESTER
I cannot have this in the open.
MARISOL
Cool. Let's go in the back.
CHESTER
Thank you.
INT. BACK ROOM - DAY
SFX: MUSIC FROM THE RECORD SHOP PROPER IS SLIGHTLY MUFFLED
BEHIND THE WALL (BUT FLOWS THROUGH THE OPEN DOOR)
MARISOL
Do you need some table space?
CHESTER
Yes, that would be helpful.
SFX: SHUFFLE AS MARI CLEARS STUFF OFF THE TABLE.
CHESTER (cont'd)
And a flame, if possible.
MARISOL
Got it.
LILY
What, are we having a seance?
CHESTER
No, no.
LILY
Gonna say, Chester, I know a few ghosts you can
talk to.
MARISOL
Is that enough space?
CHESTER
Yes, thank you. So--
SFX: HEAVY THUD OF THE SPIRIT ORGAN BOX ON THE TABLE.
LILY
Sorry, what's with the suitcase again?
CHESTER
I'm here because--
LILY
--you're moving in?
SFX: CHESTER SMILES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WHILE.
CHESTER
No, no--this is... this is
merely...
LILY
I know we're getting to be
friends but take me to dinner
first.
CHESTER
Merely something I need assistance with.
LILY
This the part where you open the box?
CHESTER
Before we continue, may I quickly initiate you
both into the Order?
LILY
Chester.
MARISOL
What?
CHESTER
It will take two minutes.
MARISOL
The Delphic order?
LILY
I don't think so.
CHESTER
I'll use the abridged text.
MARISOL
Nope.
LILY
It's not gonna happen.
CHESTER
You can recant the moment we're through.
MARISOL
Yeah, hard pass.
LILY
Chester, sorry, but no.
CHESTER
A long shot, I'll admit.
LILY
You don't have to worry--we're not gonna tell
anyone whatever... the thing is.
CHESTER
Thank you.
So. What we have here is...
CHESTER (cont'd)
SFX: HINGES CREAK. THE SPARKLING SPIRIT ORGAN IS REVEALED.
LILY
Oh wow.
CHESTER
...a steam organ, in miniature. Through this, ah,
"spirit organ," communication is possible with
the ones who came before.
MARISOL
The "ghosts."
CHESTER
Yes.
I hoping to get some answers.
LILY
So it is a seance.
CHESTER
Not strictly speaking.
LILY
Just talk to Wes, or Norah, or--
CHESTER
I need to speak to someone I trust.
LILY
Got it.
CHESTER
The way it works is this:
MARISOL
We play a song?
CHESTER
No, we ask a question. Just with words, with our
voice.
MARISOL
And then it responds in song.
CHESTER
Yes. In a way--the notes correspond to specific
words or concepts. This is all detailed in the
guidebook, which is... here.
MARISOL
Let's see.
SFX: RUSTLE AS THE GUIDEBOOK IS HANDED OVER.
CHESTER
The guidebook is truly indispensable.
SFX: MARISOL FLIPS THROUGH THE BOOK.
MARISOL
Okay, so high C means "the insect,"
"industrious," oh, also "misunderstood," "small,"
"near," "immediate." Or the word "yes."
CHESTER
But difficult to parse without a working
knowledge of music theory.
I'm hopeless with all this, Lulu is the one
who...
SFX: CHESTER CANNOT CONTINUE.
MARISOL
(to herself)
High C sharp. Wilting, sunset, fading, cold,
death.
LILY
You okay, Chester?
CHESTER
No.
SFX: PAGES TURN AS MARI READS THE GUIDEBOOK.
MARISOL
(to herself)
Low C. The stone, rock, dirt, earth, sturdy,
strong.
LILY
I'm sorry Lulu had to skip town with Jamie for a
bit.
CHESTER
Yes, the situation is sub-optimal.
How does one explain this to a child? "Your home
is not safe anymore--your home is not a home."
How can that be?
LILY
What'd you end up telling him?
CHESTER
The truth, as simply as I could. But I emphasized
that we are all working as hard as we can to make
it safe again.
LILY
What'd he say?
CHESTER
He had an age-appropriate reaction.
LILY
I'm so sorry.
MARISOL
(to herself)
Low D. The house, home, structure. Hearth. Safety
LILY
Things seem really hard right now.
CHESTER
Cracks are forming. Many many cracks.
The town cannot fall.
LILY
Yeah.
SFX: THE TINY FIRE CRACKLES IN THE CALLIOPE.
LILY (cont'd)
Lemme open a window before the fire alarm goes
off.
CHESTER
Yes, sorry--the smoke.
SFX: THE RAIN FALLS.
LILY
It's gotta stop tomorrow.
CHESTER
There are stories of it raining for a month.
Flooding the cemetery, the bodies disinterred,
floating, weightless. Hair tangled in tree
branches.
LILY
When was this?
CHESTER
1924.
LILY
Think that's going to happen again?
CHESTER
I will ask.
(to himself)
Nearly ready.
(to Marisol)
Oh, Marisol, there is an app, I believe, that can
assist you with identifying the notes.
MARISOL
Nah, I got it.
LILY
You have perfect pitch?
MARISOL
No, I can just tell the notes apart.
LILY
(impressed)
Huh.
CHESTER
Quiet, please.
SFX: CHESTER CLEARS HIS THROAT. THE WATER IN THE SPIRIT ORGAN
HUMS AS IT BOILS. SQUEAK OF A VALVE TURNING, THEN SOME SORT OF
NEUTRAL STEAM HISS/WHISTLE IS HEARD (AKA THE DEFAULT SOUND OF
THE CALLIOPE).
CHESTER (cont'd)
Greetings, I wish to speak to those who have gone
before.
SFX: STEAM SHRIEKS SOFTLY THROUGH THE D NOTE.
CHESTER (cont'd)
The request is granted. I summon the spirit of
Arthur Warren.
SFX: THE CALLIOPE GIVES OUT A FEW NOTES OF GREETING.
CHESTER (cont'd)
Grandpa, why did Rudy die?
SFX: THE CALLIOPE PLAYS [A, E FLAT, C SHARP, A FLAT]
MARISOL
Wind, trees, sky--
CHESTER
"The wind turns the leaves." The traditional
answer to that question. I've asked some
variation of that often.
MARISOL
Yeah? I was gonna say "everything falls."
CHESTER
That's certainly not the traditional reading--
MARISOL
Dust in the wind.
SFX: THE CALLIOPE PLAYS MORE NOTES. THE
NOTES SOUND STRANGE AND VERY UNRESOLVED.
LILY
What's that mean?
MARISOL
"You" and...
SFX: MARI FLIPS THROUGH THE BOOK.
MARISOL (cont'd)
"Safe." You're safe?
CHESTER
I've never heard the notes played that way.
CHESTER
It sounds wrong.
MARISOL
It's unresolved.
MARISOL
I think it's a question.
CHESTER
You think he's asking us a question?
MARISOL
Oh yeah. It's unresolved--like, musically.
Definitely a question.
CHESTER
Oh.
LILY
Oh dang.
MARISOL
Do you feel safe?
CHESTER
Do I feel safe? Personally? Me?
MARISOL
Sure.
MARISOL
Do you feel safe?
CHESTER
Oh.
SFX: CHESTER CANNOT SPEAK.
CHESTER
Lily?
MARISOL
Do you feel safe?
LILY
Yeah, hi. So I have felt safe in the past. I will
feel safe in the future. But I don't feel safe
now.
SFX: THE SPIRIT ORGAN IS UPSET. IT PLAYS SEVERAL SOUR NOTES AT
ONCE.
LILY (cont'd)
We don't want to upset you. We're just telling
you the truth. You want us to be truthful with
you, right?
SFX: THE CALLIOPE SPITS, HISSES. IT PLAYS ALL THE NOTES AT
ONCE.
MARISOL
That's not good.
LILY
Do you want us to lie to you?
SFX: SHARP SOUND AS A PIPE CRACKS.
CHESTER
Grandpa--
SFX: THE BRASS PIPES ALL POP, BUCKLE, AND SHATTER. THE PIECES
FLY ACROSS THE ROOM, HITTING THE WALLS, WOOD FLOOR, AND
WINDOW. CHESTER GASPS.
LILY
Careful!
MARISOL
Shit!
SFX: THE LAST OF THE STEAM EXITS WITH A SIGH.
MARISOL (cont'd)
What the fuck.
LILY
Everyone okay?
MARISOL
If you stole this from Hazel, I hope you asked
first. Cause she is definitely going to notice
it's, ah, different.
LILY
Let's get this picked up.
SFX: CLINK AS BRASS PIECES ARE THROWN INTO THE WOODEN BOX.
MARISOL
I'm getting the broom.
SFX: FOOTSTEPS AS MARI WALKS OVER TO WHERE THE BROOM IS
LEANING AGAINST THE WALL.
LILY
Chester, should we--?
SFX: CHESTER IS STARING, SILENT, AT THE DESTROYED SPIRIT
ORGAN. BRUSHING/CLINKING SOUND AS MARI SWEEPS THE METAL SHARDS
OFF THE WOOD FLOOR.
LILY (cont'd)
Hey! Chester!
CHESTER
Yes?
LILY
You want us to put all the pieces back in the
box, or you want to just call it?
CHESTER
I don't understand.
LILY
We can put the pieces back in the box, or we can
just trash it. Either way.
CHESTER
Oh, Lily.
SFX: CHESTER STARTS TO CRY. MARI STOPS SWEEPING.
LILY
Oh, hey, hey.
SFX: FOOTSTEPS AS LILY GOES TO CHESTER.
LILY (cont'd)
It's okay. Chester.
SFX: SOFT RUSTLE AS THEY HUG.
LILY (cont'd)
Hey.
SFX: CHESTER TRIES TO CATCH HIS BREATH THROUGH HIS SOBS.
LILY (cont'd)
We're gonna figure this out.
CHESTER
It's not steadying itself. I cannot.
LILY
It's okay.
SFX: BRUSHING/CLINKING SOUND AS MARI CONTINUES TO SWEEP THE
METAL SHARDS OFF THE WOOD FLOOR.
LILY (cont'd)
We're gonna figure this out together.
MARISOL
(chanting in a punk song-
style)
Fight doesn't end til we're dead in the ground
So we'll keep breathing,
Keep em screaming.
LILY
Exactly.
SFX: MARI HUMS THE REST OF THE SONG TO HERSELF AS SHE SWEEPS.
CHESTER STEADIES HIMSELF.
CHESTER
Thy...
Thy shalt rejoice in tribulations, for the
suffering makes thee strong.
LILY
Mmmm. That sounds like a Silas-ism.
CHESTER
It is.
LILY
Got anything from the good guys?
CHESTER
Ah...
MARISOL
Maybe from your grandpa?
CHESTER
I remember one day, I was playing outside--I was
a child.
LILY
Sure.
MARISOL
You can play outside as an adult. No judging.
CHESTER
And I started to rain, so I ran inside but
Grandpa was mending a fence and he yelled after
me, "What's a few raindrops? Think you're a sugar
cube and gonna melt?
LILY
What's a few raindrops?
MARISOL
What's a few raindrops!
LILY
We're not gonna melt? Right?
CHESTER
Right.
SFX: MARISOL DUMPS A DUSTPAN FULL OF METAL SHARDS INTO THE
WOODEN BOX.
MARISOL
Okay, that's most of it.
CHESTER
Thank you.
I have to show this to Hazel.
LILY
Sorry--she's probably going to be pissed.
CHESTER
She'll--eh.
SFX: CLANGING AS CHESTER PICKS UP THE BOX.
CHESTER (cont'd)
She'll want to know the Signs.
MARISOL
I'll grab the door.
SFX: MARI'S QUICK FOOTSTEPS TO THE DOOR.
CHESTER
Thank you.
SFX: DOOR CREAKS OPEN, AND THE MUSIC FROM THE GOLDEN GROOVE
PROPER FLOODS IN. FOOTSTEPS (AND A VERY CLANGY BOX OF BRASS
SHARDS) ARE HEARD AS EVERYONE EXITS THE BACK ROOM.
INT. GOLDEN GROOVE - DAY
SFX: DOOR CLOSES BEHIND THEM. FOOTSTEPS AS THEY WALK THROUGH
THE STORE. THE PIECES OF THE CALLIOPE JANGLES QUIETLY IN ITS
WOODEN BOX.
CHESTER
Marisol, I'm so grateful for your assistance in
deciphering the message.
MARISOL
No prob. Lemme get that for you.
SFX: THE FRONT DOOR CREAKS OPEN WITH A BELL TINKLE.
CHESTER
Thank you. Lily, let's talk soon.
LILY
Sure.
CHESTER
Afternoon, all.
LILY
See you.
MARISOL
Hang in there, Chester!
SFX: CHESTER'S FOOTSTEPS WALK OUT OF THE SHOP. THE BELL
TINKLES AGAIN AS THE DOOR CLOSES BEHIND HIM.
MARISOL (cont'd)
So? You gonna help me?
LILY
What, hunt for more metal shards in the back
room?
MARISOL
The boxes.
LILY
Mari, it's not just the boxes. The electrical box
is down there, if that floods, then you risk an
electrical fire...
MARISOL
So we'll get a better pump.
LILY
Where?
MARISOL
We'll borrow one.
LILY
From who?
MARISOL
Or we'll give up!
SFX: THE MUSIC PLAYS SOFTLY. RAIN POUNDS OUTSIDE.
MARISOL (cont'd)
Why are you being so shitty about this?
LILY
I'm just being realistic that this place is
unsustainable for now, and I think you should--
You know.
MARISOL
What?
LILY
Leave.
MARISOL
Leave... my store?
LILY
Leave Mount Absalom. Go to Indianapolis, stay
with your sister for a little bit.
MARISOL
Um. No.
LILY
Things aren't safe right now. Chester's little
steam machine exploding, the rooms in Fenwood are
still all mixed up--
MARISOL
You told Chester we were going to figure this out
together. So, what, am I not a part of that.
LILY
I'm just trying to keep you safe.
MARISOL
You're just being really patronizing, and I don't
super-appreciate it.
LILY
Fine! Stay here and die. I'm done
SFX: LILY'S FOOTSTEPS WALK QUICKLY TOWARDS THE DOOR. A SONG
COMES ON.
MARISOL
Why are you acting this way?
THE MUSIC
(singing)
Every heart breaks in the end.
It's what they're made to do.
LILY
What's record is this?
MARISOL
I don't know, it's just the radio--
THE MUSIC
(singing)
You can waste away a lifetime
Just a-waiting for a bloom.
MARISOL
We're not breaking up, Random Song That Just
Happened to Come on the Radio. We're having a
conversation.
SFX: THE SONG GOES INTO AN INSTRUMENTAL BREAK.
LILY
Yeah, these sorts of conversations usually end
badly.
MARISOL
What? Why?
LILY
I just have bad luck with--
MARISOL
With discussing hard topics.
LILY
Yeah.
MARISOL
What do you normally do? Oh, what you were going
to do--leave.
LILY
I was just going to give you some space.
MARISOL
That is so obviously the opposite of what I want.
LILY
Is it.
MARISOL
We can have hard conversations without one of us
leaving. You gotta trust that fact.
LILY
That's hard for me.
MARISOL
Okay, so you have to find the courage to trust.
LILY
I've been--[hurt a lot]
MARISOL
Which is really hard for everyone.
LILY
I've been hurt a lot.
RUSTY
(singing)
Every heart breaks in the end.
SFX: THE SONG ENDS. RINGING SILENCE.
LILY
Every heart breaks in the end.
MARISOL
Yeah, well, "every...
(making it up on the spot)
heart will bloom again."
So there.
LILY
You just make that up?
MARISOL
You don't wanna go toe-to-toe in an emo poetry
slam with Mari Cabrera, okay?
LILY
I do not.
Hey. I'm sorry.
MARISOL
It's okay.
You gotta trust that we can hash this out without
breaking up.
LILY
How?
MARISOL
Cause you know I love you.
LILY
Love you, too.
You want to move some boxes.
MARISOL
I would love to move some boxes.
LILY
Let's go.
INT. AUGUST LODGE - DAY
SFX: FOOTSTEPS AS CHESTER WALKS DOWN AN ECHOING HALLWAY OF THE
AUGUST HALL.
HAZEL (D)
Where is Marcus?
JOANNE (D)
Reinforcing sublevel A.
HAZEL (D)
Yes, how are the sanctums?
CHESTER
Hazel?
JOANNE (D)
Daniel thought he heard dripping in Mahogany.
HAZEL (D)
Facts, not thoughts, Joanne.
JOANNE (D)
It's hard to tell with the carpet.
HAZEL (D)
Damned carpet. It's just a dust trap.
CHESTER
Hazel!
HAZEL (D)
Is it cruel I almost hope it sustains water
damage? Chester!
SFX: CHESTER'S FOOTSTEPS HAVE REACHED HAZEL AND JOANNE.
CHESTER
Hazel--
HAZEL
Glad you're here, we need--
SFX: HAZEL SHRIEKS IN HORROR AS SHE SEES THE SPIRIT ORGAN CASE
IN CHESTER'S HAND.
HAZEL (cont'd)
What is that—
CHESTER
I need to speak with you
HAZEL
Why is that--
JOANNE
Hazel?
HAZEL
Everything's fine, Joanne. I'm just surprised to
see Chester with my suitcase! Why don't you set
that down in my office.
CHESTER
We need to talk.
HAZEL
Oh yes, Chester, we most certainly do. Joanne,
could you please move the sandbags from Mahogany
to Marble and Onyx?
JOANNE
But the dripping...?
HAZEL
Sacrifices must be made. Thank you.
SFX: FOOTSTEPS AS HAZEL SHUFFLES CHESTER INTO HER OFFICE.
HAZEL (cont'd)
Now, Chester, let's just head into my office...
SFX: DOOR CLOSES.
HAZEL (cont'd)
Where did you take the organ.
CHESTER
Hazel.
HAZEL
You didn't ignite it?
CHESTER
I needed answers.
HAZEL
Chester!
CHESTER
And I cannot--[reconcile past
events with the truth.]
SFX: CHESTER SETS THE ORGAN ON HAZEL'S DESK. THE BRASS SHARDS
CLATTER WITH A DULL, SICKENING SOUND
HAZEL
What is that sound?
CHESTER
It sustained damage.
HAZEL
Why did you do this? If you needed answers, you
should have come to me. Were there any witnesses?
Tell me they were ordained.
CHESTER
Hazel. Hazel.
HAZEL
Why didn't you ask me?
CHESTER
I cannot reconcile the events that happened with
what I know to be true. I know that we are safe
if we follow the signs. That we are taken care
of. But an innocent man was murdered.
HAZEL
Yes, but Dr. Peltham didn't follow the signs,
obviously, so the Revelator struck him down.
CHESTER
It was not the Revelator. It was the town.
HAZEL
Yes, your Man Who Blooms
CHESTER
One who Blooms.
HAZEL
He doesn't exist! It's only the land, thy green
and growing arms, and the specter at the border.
CHESTER
It's more than just the land.
HAZEL
We are safe as long as the Revelator is at bay,
and it's true that he is very much among us at
the moment, and certainly the destruction he sows
is devastating, but. By the grace of the land, we
are provided for. In thy hale and verdant arms we
have everything we need.
CHESTER
The town has lost its way.
HAZEL
Shut up.
SFX: HAZEL'S FOOTSTEPS TO THE RECORD PLAYER.
HAZEL (cont'd)
(loudly, to any
eavesdroppers)
Chester, have you heard this recording?
SFX: CLICK AS HAZEL TURNS ON THE RECORD PLAYER.
HAZEL (cont'd)
Phillip found this in the archives.
SFX: NEEDLE DROPS DOWN ONTO A RECORD. FUZZ BEFORE THE SONG
BEGINS.
CHESTER
Hazel.
HAZEL
You won't believe your ears!
SFX: THE RECORD STARTS TO PLAY--PERHAPS THE TOWN ANTHEM DONE
IN A JOHN PHILLIP SOUSA-STYLE?
CHESTER
Hazel, I--
HAZEL
The town has not "lost its way."
CHESTER
I am asking for your help in making sense of all
this--
HAZEL
Never say that.
CHESTER
--because, Hazel--
CHESTER (cont'd)
Rudy's death was--wrong.
HAZEL
It wasn't wrong, you're just not thinking. You're
not trusting, Chester.
CHESTER
I do trust.
HAZEEL
Just like Peltham didn't trust. And those that do
not trust and do not believe should have no
expectation of a harvest. That's not cruel,
that's just.
CHESTER
Rudy's lack of belief had nothing to do with what
happened.
HAZEL
It has everything to do with it. We trust that we
are provided for, that it is all going to plan.
Of course, we assist when necessary, but always
trusting in the truth of the safety of thy hale
and verdant arms.
CHESTER
But the mere presence of the
Revelator shows that we are
not being provided for.
HAZEL
No, no, Chester, you're
misreading the texts.
Chester. Listen to me!
HAZEL (cont'd)
The Revelator's power, properly harnessed, will
pull us out of these turbulent waters. You have
to understand that, while we did fail in
protecting this blessed place from the Revelator,
CHESTER
He failed us.
HAZEL
Despite our failure, the grace of this land
continues to provide. The Revelator's presence is
a gift, and once I successfully reintegrate him
into the town on our terms, stability will ensue.
But you are not trusting that we are provided
for.
CHESTER
I trust that acts of kindness and bravery will be
rewarded, but Rudy did just that, and he was cut
down.
HAZEL
We trust--
SFX: HAZEL BANGS HER FIST ON HER DESK TO EMPHASIZE THE NEXT
FEW WORDS. HER BANGS CAUSE THE RECORD PLAYER TO SCRATCH THE
RECORD AND THE NEEDLE TO COME UP.
HAZEL (cont'd)
--in the oath, Chester! The oath that binds us
not only to protect, but also to be protected.
CHESTER
It is not protecting us.
HAZEL
TRUST THE OATH.
CHESTER
I RECANT MY OATH.
SFX: THE RECORD PLAYER GENTLY TAPS AS IT GOES AROUND IN A
SILENT CIRCLE.
HAZEL
Strange time for dramatics.
SFX: HAZEL SHUFFLES A FEW PAPERS ON HER DESK.
HAZEL (cont'd)
Joanne said Sublevel "A" is at risk, so what do
you think about shifting the sand bags to--
CHESTER
I renounce the way of the light.
HAZEL
We shift the sandbags and
forget about Mahogany to
protect Marble and Onyx, and
I'd love your opinion on
this, of course I'm happy to
just forge ahead like I've
had to do so often of late
because your mind is occupied
elsewhere.
CHESTER
I renounce clarity.
I renounce knowledge.
I renounce my mantle of
knighthood.
I renounce it all.
I know my path now leads into
the Barren Places--
CHESTER (cont'd)
--but it is what I desire.
HAZEL
Chester.
CHESTER
I recant my oath.
CHESTER (cont'd)
I recant my oath.
I--
HAZEL
Stop.
SFX: SOMETHING IN HER VOICE MAKES HIM STOP.
HAZEL (cont'd)
Chester. I understand that you're upset, but
don't recant thrice. Don't turn your back on your
home.
Think of Jamie. What message is that giving him?
To give up on the ones who need you most?
You were so happy to take the oath. I remember I
called you when I got my invitation and I kept
saying over and over "I'm invited to be in the
Order, I'm invited to be in the Order" and you
were just laughing and laughing, finally, I said
"why are you laughing" and you said--do you
remember?
CHESTER
"I'm invited, too."
HAZEL
And I was so happy. We were going to be in the
order together, doing great things--together. I
was giddy for weeks--we both were.
CHESTER
We were children.
HAZEL
Nonsense, it was the week after high school
graduation.
SFX: HAZEL TURNS THE TICKING RECORD PLAYER OFF.
HAZEL (cont'd)
But yes, we did still had a childlike hope in our
ability to do good, and to change the world
through hard work and a focused spirit. And thank
goodness we did. We've done such wonderful things
with that hope, that cheerfulness.
You should be part of the rebuilding, Chester.
You worked so hard to protect the town, and your
father, and grandfather and great-grandmother.
This is our time of triumph. We're so close to
stability, and so close to destruction. Please.
Help.
CHESTER
Hazel.
HAZEL
Please don't recant thrice.
SFX: CHESTER IS SILENT FOR A LONG TIME.
CHESTER
I won't.
HAZEL
Good! We've much work to do. As I said, sublevel
A is in need of reinforcement. Obviously sandbags
is a viable option, but should we consider--[a
pump]
CHESTER
The Spirit Organ is shattered.
HAZEL
Naturally. Thy Hale and Verdant Arms is in
distress. But not for long.
END.