s2Eps104

Series 2 | Episodes 104
[The Chosen have made their move and now hold the tribe leaders, and through them the city, in the palm of their hand. Now that the leaders have surrendered, what hope does the city have? Not all of the Mallrat leaders have been taken, however, and they work to free their captured friends. At night, inside the hotel, the rest of the Mallrats try to sleep. Alice is too restless and can't help thinking about the situation they find themselves in]

Alice: I can't believe this! We're cooped up like chickens!
[Ellie, trying to sleep, lifts her head to respond to her sister]
Ellie: At least we're all together. Look at Salene and Tai-San; they don't even know if their husbands are dead or alive.
Alice: She's meditating! This is no time to meditate.
Ellie: I'd have thought it was a perfect time.
Alice: If she cared about him, if she really loved him, she'd go knock the door down and go out and find him.
Ellie: I thought you two had worked things out?
Alice: Sure, we have.
Ellie: But you're still jealous of her.
Alice: I am not jealous! I'm just worried about Lex, that's all.
Ellie: Fine! Go break down the door and get us out of here!

[She leaves Alice to her brooding and lays back down to get some sleep]

[In the Mall, the boys search for weapons to fight the Chosen. Lex and Ryan come down the stairs carrying potential objects, including a tennis racket. Lex doesn't seem too impressed by their options]

Lex: Are we gonna fight these guys or play them at mixed doubles?
Bray: There's got to be some better stuff in here!
Ryan: We're still going to be outnumbered!
Bray: It's not just gonna be the four of us. There's a whole city of kids out there feeling exactly how we feel right now.
Ryan: Are you sure they're gonna want to fight?
Bray: Why not?
Ryan: They've just seen their leaders praying to Zoot.
Bray: No one could have believed that puppet show was for real!
Lex: Well if they did, I'll set them straight. Bray you may be the man for building things up, but I'm the one for knocking them down. Leave it to me.
[Jack joins them and hands a piece of paper to Bray]
Jack: Guys, I um, I did a computer map of the hotel from what I could remember.
Bray: Great.
Jack: So, what's the plan?
Lex: Bray's gonna pretend to give himself up-
Bray: And as soon as Danni's clear, Lex is gonna give the signal to attack.
[Clearly, Jack is not impressed by their brilliance and throws his hands in the air]
Jack: Okay, that, that's stupid!
Lex: Jack, you're the one who gave us the idea in the first place.
Jack: Me?
Lex: Well after what you did with Wolf, we figured we'd just send you in first and wait for 15 minutes and then the rest of us would come in with stretchers and carry everybody else out.
[Everyone smiles at this, but Jack's point is still valid. Still, they're not in the best position]
Bray: Besides, what else can we do? It's not like we can flush them out.
Jack: Well, flush them out, flush them out, no, but smoke them out. We could- we could smoke them out maybe!
Lex: Um, how?
Jack: Well if, if we could work something out that would burn - without burning the hotel down of course - and somehow find a way of getting into the building, then...
Bray: It could work!
Jack: Well it's, it's the only idea we've had yet.

[Lex look skeptical, but it is the only plan they have]

[The Guardian paces while Trudy watches him serenely in all her Chosen glory]

Trudy: You are restless tonight.
Guardian: We have waited so long for this day to dawn.
Trudy: What troubles you?
Guardian: I know in my heart that Bray could not prevail against us.
Trudy: Still you fear him?
Guardian: Zoot's spirit will guide us in the coming struggle.
Trudy: Is there any word from Bray?
Guardian: When the deadline expires, he will give himself up, rather than see his woman die.
Trudy: And then?
Guardian: And then he will be reunited with his glorious brother.

[Trudy looks coldly pleased at the news of Bray's coming demise]

[In the morning, Lex tries to drum up support for the rebellion but it's proving to be a hard sell with the group of kids he's talking to]

Lex: What's the matter with you guys? Are you scared? Zoot is not a god and he's not the devil either. He was just another kid. And when he lost his folks he couldn't hack it, so he said some stuff and now this bunch of losers want to make out that it's some big new religion. Look, I don't have the time to waste on a bunch of cowards, so just make up your mind. Are you lot in or are you out?
[This speech has some effect on the crowd, but it's not the one Lex is looking for. Two boys step forward to protest Lex's slur on their character]
1st Boy: I'm no coward!
2nd Boy: Yeah!
[Lex doesn't have much patience with seeking cooperation, but he makes one more attempt to convince them]
Lex: They're scum. They're lowlifes! So what's the problem? Let's go in there and kick some butt! [But he's lost them and the crowd begins to walk away] What are you waiting for? Wimps! You lot make me sick!

[At the Mall, Jack, Bray, and Ryan work quickly stuffing clothing into bags]

Bray: Jack, are you sure this is gonna work? I mean, we don't want to burn the place down.
Jack: Yeah, well we'll soak the sacks just enough so they smoke rather than burn.
Ryan: Well where do we put them?
Jack: Um, the outlet for the ventilation system on the roof. That's the best place.
Bray: Jack, tell me honestly. I mean, what are our chances here?
Jack: Well I'd put mine at about 90 percent and- I'm not so sure about yours.
[Bray smacks him in the chest, not amused]
Bray: Don't get cocky!
[Lex enters with a small bunch of kids at his back. They don't actually look all that intimidating]
Lex: Here they are. The meanest bunch of desperados this side of Sector 10.
Bray: Great! Great! Let's do it! Jack, Ryan you guys go ahead. Lex you tell your guys to round up the others and keep them out of sight, surprise is gonna be the key
Lex: Wait a minute, uh, what others?
Bray: The people, you know, the tribes. [Lex looks a little sheepish at this and Bray gets upset] You were gonna mobilize the people! What are you trying to tell me, this is it? Are you kidding?! Lex, We need an army. We need an army, Lex!
Lex: Look you have no idea what we're facing out there! The people don't want to fight, the people want to lie down, roll over, and play dead! I'm lucky I got anyone!
Bray: Don't you get it yet? We are gonna be massacred!
[With that oh so encouraging speech, Bray has managed to undo Lex's work and half the group run for the Mall exit. Lex yells after them]
Lex: Look, wait! Wait! Come back! Where are you going, you cowards! Nice one, Bray! Do you have any idea how long it took me to whip up that lot!
Bray: This is no back alley brawl Lex! We're fighting for the whole city here.
Lex: Fine. You think you can do better, you go out and try!
[Bray puts his jacket on and heads out, muttering under his breath]
Bray: I couldn't do any worse, could I!
Lex: Fine, leave! Don't worry about us, we'll be just fine without ya!

[At the hotel, Tai-San and Alice share some water and talk while the other Mallrats rest. Alice hands a flask to Tai-San]

Tai-San: Thanks. And thanks for trying to warn us yesterday. You didn't have to do that.
Alice: I'm a Mallrat too, aren't I? All for one and one for all.
Tai-San: What happened to Ebony?
Alice: She got away. She wanted me to go with her, but, I kinda wish I had now.
Tai-San: So you'd rather be like Ebony and have no one?
Alice: Well at this precise moment, absolutely. [Tai-San looks away, her unhappiness obvious] You miss him, don't you? Look, don't worry about Lex. He's like an alley cat; he won't get hurt.
Tai-San: I don't know why I love him so much. He's deceitful, dishonorable.
Alice: He's down right bad. But honey, that's half the attraction.
Tai-San: All my life, I've searched for what is good and pure and lasting. And then this guy comes along who's none of these, and I want him.
Alice: That a girl, we'll make a human being out of you yet.

[The door opens to admit a Chosen guard. He points at Danni and motions that she should come with him. She looks back at Alice and Tai-San before turning to follow him]

[Lex, Ryan, and Jack lead a raggedy band of rebels through the city. Lex stops and turns to look at Jack, bringing up the rear]

Lex: How long will it take to smoke up?
Jack: Five, ten minutes.
Lex: We'd better go.
Jack: What about Bray?
Lex: It's nearly noon. If he was gonna show, he'd be here by now.
Jack: Well can I just remind you there are only...seven...of us.
Lex: So? You never heard of the Magnificent Seven? [When Jack still doesn't look convinced, Lex appeals to his protective instincts] Jack, think of Ellie. Who knows what's happening to them in there.
[Ryan is already convinced and moves off to start the plan. Jack reluctantly follows him]
Ryan: Good luck Lex.
[Left alone with his rag-tag group, Lex curses Bray for leaving him with this mess]
Lex: Damn you Bray!

[But Bray is still trying to round up some support from among the city kids. They aren't any more impressed than Lex's kids were and they're already turning away from Bray]

Bray: Hey, come on, don't turn away. Can't you guys see what's going on here? I need your help!
Boy: Why? Cause they've got your girlfriend?
Girl: Yeah, Mallrats only look after themselves.
Bray: Come back! Come back! Please, come back! Please!

[Unlike Lex, Bray hasn't managed even one convert]

[Meanwhile, Danni is thrown into a room and finds Trudy reclining on the bed and reading a magazine. She's wearing her best smug expression on her face and proceeds to have a very condescending chat with Danni]

Trudy: Hello. How do you like the accommodation?
Danni: What do you want Trudy?
Trudy: I just thought I should apologize about yesterday. I know how much you like your meetings to go off without a hitch.
Danni: It's funny, I should feel surprised that you betrayed us, shocked. I should feel something. But, you know what, I don't.
Trudy: No, but I know you don't like to lose control. You're like Amber in that respect. I guess that's why Bray took up with you. You remind him of her.
Danni: Is that all?
Trudy: I just thought you'd like to know, it's time for you to see him again.
Danni: Bray? [She's happy for a moment but then wonder's what that could mean] Bray's here?
Trudy: Soon. The Guardian gave him til noon to surrender, or you'll die. And you know what Bray's like. He's far too gallant to ignore a damsel in distress.
Danni: Unless it's you.

[Danni smiles, knowing she's gotten a good dig in. Trudy loses her smile and gestures for the guards to remove Danni from the room]

[A kid in Chosen robes is walking along a wall and Jack approches him]

Jack: How're you doing, mate?
[When the Chosen walks toward Jack, Ryan jumps out from his left and bashes him in the head with a pan. He motions for Jack to get going]
Ryan: Jack! Get up there!

[Jack takes off running while Ryan begins to remove the Chosen's robe]

[Bray is trying again. He stands above another crowd and tries to convince them to join the rebellion, such as it is]

Bray: Okay, I admit, I want to save my friends. Don't you have people in there you want to save? Leaders? People who have seen you through the bad times, right back to the loneliness?
1st Girl: Yeah, and what good did it do us?
2nd Girl: Maybe this Guardian really does mean what he says?
Bray: Yeah. Sure he'll look after you! What has the Guardian promised you? Nothing! What has the Guardian given you? Nothing! Nothing except fear of what he'll do to you if you don't sign up to his brutal world!

[Could he be getting through to them?]

[Over the unconscious body of the Chosen boy, Ryan throws the rag-filled sacks up to Jack on the roof of the Hotel]

[By the pool, the Guardian is once again holding court. Drums beat as the tribe leaders are pushed forward by armed guards. Danni is at the front of the group, her hands bound. Lex watches from cover as Danni and the others are taken before the Guardian and pushed to their knees to join others already kneeling to him. Jack moves into position on the roof]

Guardian: Amongst you, there are non-believers. Those who would deny our sacred mission. Like the Mallrats, with their leaders Bray and Danni, remember them? Inventors of the antidote to all problems, with which they sought to control the city. I challenged Bray to surrender himself to me, or Danni would be sacrificed to Zoot. Let him come forward now, if he is as brave as he claims.

[Jack throws the sacks into the ventilation system outlet on the roof. He has a little trouble with the lighter and quickly grows frustrated. The whole plan hinges on him]

Jack: Come on!

[Meanwhile, the Guardian looks around, waiting for Bray to appear in answer to his challenge. But Bray doesn't show, and the Guardian is triumphant]

Guardian: So be it!

[Danni looks down at this, whether from despair that Bray hasn't shown or because she's relieved that he didn't isn't clear. Lex watches all this from his hiding place and then takes off]

[Bray still has the group's attention, and he sounds convincing]

Bray: Why should we fear him? Look, there's more of us! he's the one who should be afraid. Look, I'm not asking you to save my friends. I'm simply asking you to save yourselves.

[Jack has succeeded in setting fire to the sacks and smoke is pouring off of them. He slams the hatch closed and the sound attracts the attention of a Chosen boy walking beneath the building. While he calls his friend over, Jack covers the ventilation shaft with a blanket to trap the smoke. Luckily for Jack, the other Chosen who is called over is actually Ryan dressed in a blue robe. He punches out the other boy and gives Jack a thumbs up]

[Drums sound as the Guardian begins to speak. Danni makes one more attempt to reason with him]

Guardian: The time has come.
Danni: You really think this is gonna endear you to the people?
Guardian: Perhaps not, but your pretty head on a spear might give them pause for thought.
[But Bray arrives to save the day. He walks boldly down the steps into the little gathering]
Bray: Guardian!
Guardian: Bray, I see you have a flare for the dramatic.
[Some Chosen guards grab him and twist him arms behind his back. He doesn't struggle]
Bray: Let her go.

[The Guardian simply watches his enemy being led before him and doesn't answer]

[Inside the hotel, the Mallrats are still gathered in one of the rooms. Cloe tries to comfort Patsy as she cries]

Patsy: It's all my fault! It's all my fault!
Salene: What's going on?
[Alice and Ellie are looking out the window and turn to tell the rest of them what they've seen]
Ellie: I think Danni's in trouble.
[But she isn't the only one. The vent by Dal and KC begins to expel smoke]
Dal: I think we're all in trouble.

[Dal notices the smoke and his words move the others to action. They stand to get as far as possible from the vent]

[The drama by the pool continues to unfold]

Bray: Well, I'm here. Don't hurt Danni!
Danni: He's bluffing Bray!
[Their eyes meet and Bray pulls away a little wishing he could reach her]
Guardian: No more games! It's you or the girl.
Bray: Alright! Release her.
[Danni is upset but resigned at Bray's choice. Unfortunately, the Guardian has no intention of sticking to his bargain]
Guardian: Release her? But now I have you both.
[Luckily, that won't be the case for long. Lex and Jack lead a group of rebels into the area surrounding the pool. And it appears that Bray was successful in gathering supporters]
Lex: Now!

[Lex and Jack get in a few good punches while the smoke from the hotel drifts over the pool. There is chaos as people get pushed into the pool and knocked unconscious by both sides]

[The Mallrats huddle together and cough as the room fills with smoke]

Dal: They've set the place on fire!
Cloe: We're all gonna die!
[They hear a banging at the door which suddenly bursts open to admit Jack]
Ellie: Jack!
[Ellie runs to his open arms and the others are equally happy to see him]
Alice: Jack! I could kiss you!
Jack: Well you'll just have to wait your turn.
Dal: What happened to the Chosen?
Jack: We've got 'em on the run.
Alice: Well I hope you saved a few for me.

[He's about to give Alice her chance. They follow him out of the room to join the other Mallrats in fighting the Chosen]

[Trudy makes her way to safety with Brady clutched in her arms while the Guardian decides maybe now isn't the time to take a stand. He too moves to avoid the fighting with his followers behind him]

Guardian: Fall back!
[Lex helps Bray to fight off the Chosen guards holding him]
Lex: Bray!
Bray: Thanks.
Lex: Don't mention it. [They see Jack leading the other Mallrats and go to greet their respective sweeties. Bray undoes the rope on Danni's wrists and Lex hugs his wife] Tai-San!
Bray: You alright?
[He fervently hugs her]
Danni: Fine. Zoot be praised.
Bray: And to his Chosen-
Lex: Pain! A whole lot of pain!
[The Chosen have fled, and the Mallrats are alone with only the wounded scattered around them]
Cloe: We did it! We won! We won!
Salene: Where's Ryan?
Lex: He must be around here somewhere.
Jack: The Guardian got away. He went to the beach with the rest of his men.
Lex: Bray, we can't let him get away this time.
Bray: I know.
Lex: Okay, I'll go after him with half the troops, and you take the rest. Try and cut him off in case he tries to get into the hills.
Bray: Let me go after him.
Lex: You don't trust me?
Bray: I trust you, but- [He turns to look at Danni and back at Lex] The Guardian's mine!

[They shake hands and each split off with their troops following behind them]

[The Chosen, their hoods concealing their faces, march through the city]

[Salene finds Ryan unconscious by the pool, still in his Chosen robe. She kneels beside him, terrified that he might be dead]

Salene: Ryan! Ryan please speak to me!

[She pulls his hood off and lays his head in her lap, but he doesn't stir]

[Lex and his contingent come upon two boys working on a vehicle, some kind of buggy. He pushes them out of the way and jumps into the seat, giving orders to his group]

Lex: Sorry boys. Time of war and all that. You lot go find Bray and the others, I'm gonna scout ahead.

[He straps himself in, puts on the helmet, and drives off while the troops head off in the other direction]

[Salene calls for help but no one is around to hear her. She cries over him and begs him to come back to her]

Salene: Somebody help me! Ryan, please forgive me. I've been so awful to you. I've lied, cheated, but I'll make it up to you, I promise. Please Ryan wake up! I'm gonna have our baby!
[At that wonderful news, Ryan wakes up. He speaks groggily]
Ryan: Say- say that bit again, about our baby.
Salene: Ryan!

[Lex pulls up to a cliff overlooking the beach. He can see Bray and their people approaching a small group of Chosen]

Lex: Way to go Bray!

[On the beach, the Mallrats and armed kids surround the Guardian and the small group of supporters he has]

Bray: You've got nowhere to run this time Guardian.
Guardian: What are you gonna do Bray?
Danni: Well we know what you would do, don't we?
Guardian: Die for my beliefs? Yes. Here, I'll make it easy for you. [He kneels at Bray's feet and puts the end of Bray's staff under his chin] one clean blow and I will dwell with Zoot for all eternity. This is your last chance Bray. Why will you not kill your greatest enemy?
[The Mallrats aren't sure how to react to this sudden and easy surrender]
Alice: You? Our greatest enemy? What are you gonna do, throw sandpies?
Patsy: Great idea!
[She takes a handful of sand and throws it at the Guardian while the Mallrats laugh. Lex, watching overhead, hears a noise coming behind him and looks to see a black van approaching. That worries him and he goes to get a closer look]
Guardian: How is it possible? Zoot's blood in your veins and yet you have no vision.
Bray: Vision? We have a vision.
[Softly at first, but growing in sound, a chanting comes from every direction surrounding the beach. Under it, the sound of motorcycles and other vehicles is heard. The Mallrats and their troops look around them, trying to find the source]
Chosen: ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT!
Guardian: Like I said, no vision. [Bray slowly turns back to the Guardian, still unsure what exactly is happending] Welcome to judgement day!
[Now the source is apparent. Kids are approaching from all directions, on foot and in cars and motorcycles, shouting Zoot's name. Now it is the Mallrats who are surrounded. They try to fight free but are taken, one by one, until they are all forced to kneel before the Guardian. Bray, briefly knocked out, wakes to see the horrible position they are in. He watches another vehicle approach from around the circle of Chosen, a sand buggy. The Guardian seems to think it's one of theirs, but when the driver speaks it becomes apparent it's a rescue mission, led by Lex of all people. He calls to Bray]
Lex: Bray! Get in!
[No one tries to stop Bray when he gets up and jumps in next to Lex. The rescue is ill-fated though, as the buggy tips over when Lex drives up an incline. The vehicle tips over on its side and there is no movement from Bray or Lex. The Mallrats watch worriedly. Then, Trudy approaches on a horse led by the Chosen. She holds Brady in her arms and smiles. Brady cries as Trudy dismounts and walks towards the Guardian and his captives. She hands the baby to the Guardian]
Guardian: Hail the Supreme Mother!
Chosen: Hail the Supreme Mother!
Guardian: Oh Mighty Zoot! Hear me. It is done!
[Danni screams and moves forward]
Danni: No!
[A Chosen guard reaches her first and take a staff to her stomach and then her back. The other Mallrats try to help her but are held back by the armed Chosen. The Guardian and Trudy and triumphant. From atop the cliff overlooking the beach, Ebony walks along. She turns and sees the situation the Mallrats are in. They huddle together while the Chosen circle them. Lex and Bray may be dead. Trudy has brought about their downfall and is lost to them. They are neither Ebony's tribe nor her friends. Will she try to help them or leave the city? As she wonders this herself, Zoot's name echoes all around]
Chosen: ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT! ZOOT!