s5Ep03 Transcript

Series 5 | Episode 03
[A police car, covered in graffiti with lights flashing and siren blaring, moves through the city. It's just like the old days, fires burning everywhere. Terrified at the return of Zoot, kids run screaming through the streets]

[Amber paces in her room at the mall, holding a fussy Baby Bray. She remembers what it was like when Zoot ruled the city. She also thinks of Bray, longingly and sadly]

Amber: We've gotta find your daddy, hey? He's out there somewhere. And we're gonna find him.

[In Liberty, Ram is conscious and demanding answers, though not very coherently. It's unclear how much he is aware of]

Ram: Where am I? This isn't Paradise!
Slade: Best room in the house, though.
Ram: I know what's going on. This is another virtual world. It's pretty pathetic!
Slade: Most other folks would be grateful. It beats rotting on a rubbish tip.
[Ram finally seems to wake up fully and suspiciously takes notice of Slade]
Ram: Who are you? What's your name?
Slade: Slade.
Ram: Yeah? Well, who're you workin' for Slade?
Slade: Who said I was working?
[Ram coughs roughly, still not in the best of health]
Ram: Look, I may not be feeling too great right now, but my head is clear enough to know that this isn't real! It's another virtual world!
Slade: If you say so.
Ram: Look, don't interrupt me!
[Fed up with his ranting, Slade very quickly reaches over and grabs Ram by the throat]
Slade: Or what?
[Ram still doesn't get it, though]
Ram: Who programmed you? What's the deal here?
Slade: You're sick, delirious. You should rest. The deal here is, you rest. We'll settle up later.

[Ram shoves Slade's hand off his throat and coughs again, laying back down for now, still suspicious and confused]

[At Ram's Palace, Techno HQ, Amber shoves open the external doors and goes inside. She tracks Jay down]

Amber: Jay.
Jay: Amber.
Amber: I'm so glad to see you; I need your help.
Jay: Sure, what's up.
Amber: Well, I need to know where he actually is. I need to know what really happened so I can find him. He should be back by now, shouldn't he? What do you think's taking him so long?
[Jay has no idea what she's talking about and laughs at her eagerness]
Jay: Slow down. Who?
Amber: Bray.
[That wipes the smile off his face and he answers falteringly]
Jay: Amber, I'd- I'd really like to help you, but since I left the Technos I'm no longer privy to that kind of information. I don't know where he is. I'm sorry.
[She's surprised by that, and a little incredulous]
Amber: Oh come on, Jay. You were a Techno when he was taken, the commander; you oversaw the invasion. You took him.
[Jay is uncomfortable, clearly, with his role in all this]
Jay: Look, there are a lot of people out there who are still missing. Don't you think I'd like to be able to find all of them?
Amber: Then make Bray the first one. I don't even know if he's still alive, Jay, and I need to know. It's not just for me; it's for my son.

[He's unable to withstand her appeal and nods, smiling sadly]

[In a warehouse in the city, captive Salene paces back and forth, worried and alone]

[Lex is having a nightmare about his marriage proposal to Tai-San and her rejection]

Lex: Not interested?
Tai-San: I don't believe in marriage.
[She leaves him and he wakes up abruptly in the real world. Siva sits beside him, concerned and a bit pissed off]
Lex: No!
Siva: You were having a bad dream. About Tai-San?
[She's obviously upset by that and Lex is frustrated with her censure]
Lex: Aw, Siva, I can't help what I dream!
Siva: So you admit you were dreaming about her.
Lex: What if I was? You said my past relationship with Tai-San doesn't bother you.
Siva: Right! Your past relationship doesn't bother me. Your present relationship is something else.
Lex: I can't undo the past. Nor would I want to! When I saw her at the hotel, I was shocked. But pleased to see she was still alive. And now that she'd disappeared again, I need to know what's happened to her.
[Sympathetic, she's not, and his dressing to go outside and resume searching for his missing wife isn't helping]
Siva: You need to get a divorce!
Lex: How the heck is that gonna help?!
Siva: That'll prove you care for me, so it'll help alot!
Lex: You just don't get it, do you? I've gotta find her, and you should stop being so jealous and let me try!
Siva: Go ahead, try! Find her!
Lex: I don't need your permission.
[He begins to leave but she stops him]
Siva: You're right; you don't. One thing.
Lex: What?
Siva: I can't guarantee I'll be here when you get back.

[He's not in the mood for threats and gives her a dirty look before walking out. But Siva is sincerely upset and probably way past hurt]

[Jay and Amber have gone to Mega for help in locating Bray, but he's reluctant to do it for her sake, or so he says]

Mega: I'm not sure this is going to help you, Amber. We should be looking forward, a new start.
Amber: The city is full of people who've lost their loved ones. If you can help me find Bray, it'll give the city hope, something to believe in.
[She goes over to the computer and starts entering something, although she doesn't know where to look on her own, hence her need for Jay and Mega's help]
Jay: She's got a point, Mega.
Amber: He's my son's father. I have to know where he is.
Jay: Look, help us out. If he was abducted in the initial round up, he'll be on the list.
[Mega leans in close to Jay in an attempt to speak privately to him, but it appears Amber can still hear him and holds her breath for Jay's answer]
Mega: Are you sure you wanna do this?
Jay: Key in the password.
Mega: Fine, if that's what you want. [He sits down at the computer and types in password, which brings up a scrolling list of names with some additional notations next to them. Amber waits anxiously, but Mega doesn't have anything for her] Sorry, not listed.
[Amber doesn't know what to say, but Jay takes Mega's place at the keyboard]
Jay: Let me try. [He starts typing and almost immediately finds the name Amber's interested in and clicks on it] Gotcha!
Amber: Bray. Oh, you found him, I don't believe it!
[She's overjoyed as his picture is pulled up on the screen. But her joy turns to horror as the word "DELETED" is spelled out, letter by letter, across his face]
Amber: Deleted? [She turns angrily to Jay and spins him around to face her] Mind telling me what that means?
[He speaks flatly, without emotion, but his own horror is there just under the surface]
Jay: It means he's dead.
Amber: Are you sure? In the real world, or the virtual world?

[Jay stares mutely, knowing that whatever he says will be wrong. Bray's gone, and everyone in the room knows it]

[Ominous music plays as a kid spray paints Zoot's name on a city wall]

[Perky Trudy and and a somber May are in the cafe. Trudy sighs in frustration]

Trudy: I keep forgetting kettles don't boil without electricity! I really wanted coffee. Hey, well, would like a cup of H2O? [She brings two glasses over to the table, oblivious to May's quietness] So, is there any news from those lowlife scumbags?
May: How would I know?
Trudy: Well, I thought you were sort of the go between.
[May snaps at an unsuspecting Trudy]
May: What's that supposed to mean? It makes me sound like I'm in on it!
[Trudy miscontrues the reasons behind May's bad mood, assuming concern for Salene. She's way off mark]
Trudy: No, silly! Hey, Salene'll be okay.
May: Yeah?
Trudy: May, Salene is strong and smart. She will get through this. [Mouse flounces sadly in to the cafe] Hey, Mouse, what's up? Is everything okay?
Mouse: Yes, but Sammy isn't.
Trudy: We'll have to be patient with Sammy; he'll get there.
Mouse: How?! Salene's not here and I'm just too little to look after him all by myself. And now he's sulking and in a really bad mood. And he doesn't even want a hug, which is a really big offer because he's a boy!
Trudy: What a shame, Mouse. A hug might just have done it, too. Would you like me to come and help you? Okay.

[Trudy leaves with Mouse and May sneers at them for no apparent reason]

[Back at the hotel, Jay and Amber are each trying to come to terms with the news of Bray's deletion in their own way and for their own reasons. Jay is ashamed and Amber is furious]

Jay: I just had no idea that the Technos had-
Amber: Say it. Go on, say it! "Deleted" Bray. Killed, murdered, butchered, destroyed, assassinated. Graphic enough for you? Or should we stick to your quaint little euphemism? Save your breath, Jay. Because no amount of sorry is gonna bring him back from something so permanent, is it?!

[She storms out, leaving a regretful Jay behind. He slams his hand down on the table, unable to express his frustrated and furious emotions in any other way. He considers a moment and then retypes the password. Whatever it brings up, whoever, is accompanied by the same sound of the "DELETED" tag that appeared on Bray's picture. Jay is devastated by what he sees]

[Salene continues to pace in the dark room where she's being kept. In frustration, she bangs on the door and yells to her captors beyond it, though she receives no response]

Salene: Let me out! You're gonna regret this, you hear me?!

[In the Liberty saloon, Ruby is working on a crossword puzzle when Slade comes down the stairs]

Slade: Is it too early for a drink?
Ruby: This is Liberty; it's never too early. What'll it be?
Slade: Something mellow with a sour kick.
[They both chuckle as she gets up to go behind the bar]
Ruby: Sounds like a guy I used to know.
Slade: Crossword, eh? Exercising your mind?
Ruby: Reminds me of the old days, when we had newspapers. Limit it to once a day though; don't want to get obsessive.
[She pours something for both of them and hands him a glass with a smile. He takes an appreciative sip]
Slade: Ah, just what the doctor ordered. Give me a clue.
Ruby: Speaking of which, is he alright up there?
Slade: Nothing rest won't cure, maybe.

[They exchange rueful glances, knowing how it is these days with illness]

[Amber walks back to the Mall, weeping like her heart is broken. No one on the streets seems to even notice her pain. She stops, overcome, and notices graffiti saying "Zoot Lives" on a nearby wall. It only exacerbates her pain and she continues on, still crying]

[Ruby takes Slade up on his Crossword help offer]

Ruby: Okay, nine across: "He'll act badly, being a spiteful person." [While he considers that, she decides to get some information on his plans in Liberty] You planning on sticking around long?
Slade: Nope.
Ruby: Where you headed?
Slade: No place in particular.
Ruby: Waiting for your friend to get better?
Slade: I don't recall saying he was my friend.
Ruby: But...he is going with you?
Slade: Don't recall saying that either.
Ruby: You ever win a prize for your conversation skills?
[She's disappointed by his short answers, though she chuckles at his response]
Slade: Nope. What do I owe you?
Ruby: Oh, about three answers and a sentence. But hey, you amuse me. Drink's on the house.
Slade: Are you sure that's good for business?
Ruby: Sure. It's called a loss leader. It leaves the customer feeling obligated to return at a later date.
Slade: Hellcat.
[He gets up to leave as he gives her the crossword clue and she's surprised at how quickly he came up with the answer]
Ruby: How did you work that out?
Slade: "Act badly." Mix it up, gives you "cat". "He'll" is "hell". "Spiteful person": hellcat.
Ruby: I knew that.
Slade: I don't remember saying you didn't.

[He returns upstairs and she's intrigued by this new guy in town]

[Trudy is trying compassionately to break through to Sammy while Mouse eavesdrops anxiously just outside the door]

Trudy: I know what you're going through.
Sammy: How can you? You haven't done Paradise!
Trudy: No, but I have lost things that hurt. We all have.
Sammy: I wanna play the game!
Trudy: Do you? Do you really still wanna play?
Sammy: Yes!
Trudy: Well, that's not an option Sammy. We don't have the electricity anymore. No power, no play.
Sammy: But I feel so bad. I can't stop thinking about it!
Trudy: You will. Ride it out; you'll get there. But I guess you could do with a little help. [She turns to look pointedly at Mouse, who tries to duck out of sight] Mouse, it's okay. I know you're just concerned about your friend, and not spying at all. Come here. [Mouse runs in and climbs onto the bed next to Trudy, putting her arm around her] So, you wanna help Sammy get better?

[Mouse nods and they both smile winningly at Sammy. He's sneers at them, rolling his eyes at their unwanted and unasked for attempt to help him]

[Ram seems to be having some kind of nightmare, agitated and talking randomly and fiercely. Slade ignores his rambling as he packs up his stuff in a duffle bag]

Ram: Wait. You leave me here to rot like garbage. I trusted you, Mega. Came here on purpose! I'm gonna get you, Mega! Left to die. You're crazy!
Slade: As much as I don't want to miss a single syllable of this erudite, stimulating conversation, sweet dreams and adios, amigo.

[Slade looks back at Ram once and then leaves, closing the door behind him]

[There's growing chaos in the city. A new group of Zoot disciples are marching through the streets, chanting. There is a brief glimpse of Zoot. A memory, a dream, or reality?]

Zootists: Zoot lives! Zoot lives! Zoot lives!

[Mega is updating Java on the progress of their nefarious plans as she stares, bored, out the window]

Mega: It's beginning to spread. First the car, then the signs.
Java: Meanwhile, I'm cooped up in here.
Mega: Java, have patience. We have to make this look as plausible as possible. If I were to just let you out, the whole thing would fall. And you don't want that, do you? No, no. You want what's at the end of all this. You want all of that.
Java: And what do you want, Mega? Just to play the game? Is that it?
Mega: We all have our own vision of Paradise, Java.

[These co-conspirators clearly don't trust each other, which doesn't seem like a good beginning to this plan]

[Mouse is sitting with Sammy on his bed trying to interest him in some activity. He's flipping through a magazine and remains surly and uncooperative]

Mouse: We could play a game! Lex taught me how to play five card brag. You wanna play?
Sammy: Got any cards?
[Her eagarness is deflated]
Mouse: Ah, no, I haven't.
Sammy: Look, Mouse, I just want to be left alone right now.
Mouse: But Trudy said I'd be doing a great job if I stayed here and be'd your buddy.
Sammy: I don't need a buddy, especially a small little kid like you!
Mouse: Do you want me to go away?
Sammy: Yes!
Mouse: Okay then, I will!

[Poor Mouse was just trying to be nice and help and now he's made her mad. She flounces out with a backward glance at Sammy, who shakes his head and goes back to his magazine]

[Slade roars out of Liberty on his bike but pulls to a stop just past the sign. He pushes up his visor and rolls his eyes, trying to fight his second thoughts]

Slade: I can't believe I'm doing this!

["This" is turning around, returning to the Saloon, and not abandoning Ram]

[Mouse sits dejectedly at a table in the cafe playing with a spoon when Trudy walks in. She tries to be sympathetic but Mouse is petulant and not easy to talk to]

Trudy: How's Sammy?
Mouse: Don't know. He told me to go away.
Trudy: Oh, well, that's a shame.
Mouse: There's nothing, nothing to do. I'm not even allowed outside!
Trudy: Well, it is dangerous, Mouse. We don't want you disappearing as well.
Mouse: Like Salene.
[Trudy pauses uncomfortably, but tries a small smile]
Trudy: Kind of. Hey, I know what we can do! We might as well put this old thing to good use. This, Mouse, will turn you into a woman of letters.
[Trudy walks over to the refrigerator, which is covered in letter magnets and begins to move them around. Mouse looks less than thrilled by the idea]
Mouse: Wow.
Trudy: Okay, go ahead and read that for me.
[Trudy has spelled out M-O-U-S-E using the magnets and points to them expectantly. Mouse is snotty and uninterested]
Mouse: I can't read.
Trudy: Oh, sure you can! What does it say? [Mouse just looks at her] Okay, I'll give you a clue: it's in this room.
[Completely randomly and unconnected, Zoot walks by and isn't even noticed by either of them, so what was that about? Mouse continues to not care]
Mouse: I don't know.
Trudy: Yes you do! It says, "Mouse"; it says your name.
Mouse: I don't want to play your stupid game!

[She smacks her hand against the magnets, scattering them. A shocked and offended Trudy watches her storm off]

[Lex walks through the warehouse district of the city, muttering to himself. A couple guys walk up to him, challenging]

Guy 1: First sign, you know.
Lex: What is?
Guy 2: Talking to yourself.
Guy 1: Madness.
Lex: Yeah, and the second sign is speaking to geeks like you.
Guy 1: I'll ignore your ignorant remark, Sheriff, because there's something I want to know.
Lex: Same here. And I'm real busy, so get out of my face.
[He tries to walk between them, but they stand together and won't budge. Guy 2 pushes him back]
Guy 1: Who's been spreading all the rumors about Zoot?
Lex: Zoot?
[Lex is genuinely surprised to hear about this. Has word not reached the Mall yet? Or has Lex just been so occupied trying to find Tai-San?]
Guy 2: It's all over town. Some people have even seen him.
Guy 1: And his car, you remember his car.
Lex: Yeah, how can I forget.
Guy 2: So, what's the scam? Or is it for real?
Lex: Get a life! Zoot is dead!
[Lex tries again to leave but Guy 2 grabs him by the throat]
Guy 1: How about we take a life instead? I'm asking you because you should know! You're the one who's supposed to have wiped him out.
[They're angry and distracted enough by that that Lex is able to break Guy 2's hold on him and punch Guy 1 before kneeing Guy 2 in the gut]
Lex: There is no "supposed" about it! He's a goner. Like you, if you ever lay a finger on me again. Am I making myself clear?

[They nod and he walks by them finally]

[In the cafe, Mouse and Brady are sitting at a table eating. Amber is holding Baby Bray and about to fix his bottle when Jay walks in. She is hostile towards him, and maybe he should have waited until she could process this more]

Jay: Are you alright?
Amber: What do you care?
Jay: We need to talk.
Amber: No, we don't.
Jay: Amber, it's a mess out there. I need your help.
Amber: It's your mess, you clean it up. You're the Techno.
Jay: Not anymore! I had nothing to do with that. You have to believe me.
Amber: Why? Will it bring him back? Didn't think so. [He looks away and she looks past him at Mouse] Mouse, look after Brady for me? [She walks past Jay to leave the cafe but he stops her by taking hold of her arm] Let go of my arm!
Jay: Amber, please.
Amber: I have to feed my baby. I'm finding the atmosphere here a little stressful. Would you excuse me?
Jay: There's a bunch of people out there who need our help! We have to stay united.
Amber: Don't make me laugh. You don't care about the city; you don't care about anything. Ice runs through your veins, I can see that now. And I was foolish enough to call you a friend.
Jay: Stop it!
Amber: No! You condoned the murder of my baby's father. That's as good as doing it yourself. I hope you can sleep at night, Jay, because thanks to you, I can't!

[She exits dramatically, leaving a guilty and upset Jay behind. Yep, he definitely should have given her a bit of time]

[Slade has indeed returned to help Ram, which includes currently trying to feed him soup. Ram is being uncooperative, to say the least, and Slade is tired of Ram's attitude]

Slade: Come on. It'll do you good.
Ram: What is this muck? I can't eat just anything.
Slade: If you're not hungry, say so. I'm not doing this to get a model citizen award, you know.
Ram: And why are you doing all of this?
Slade: Maybe I didn't want a dead man on my conscience.
Ram: Why do I get the feeling that wouldn't bother you for one second?
Slade: For a sick guy, you're pretty ungrateful.

[Slade leaves and Ram, frustrated and helpless, knocks a glass of water off the side table]

[Jay has gone back to the hotel and for some bizarre reason is looking to Mega for sympathy. Mega sits smugly as Jay paces back and forth]

Mega: I told you not to let her see those files.
Jay: She had a right to know. I couldn't stop her.
Mega: It wasn't your fault, Jay.
Jay: Mind swinging that one by Amber? All the barriers have come up now. I'm public enemy number one; she hates me.
[May busts through the door, clearly pissed off]
May: You think you're so clever, don't you? But I'm on to you. I've worked out your little game and this is where it stops.
Mega: Excuse me?
May: Where's Pride?
Mega: Pride?
May: Well, he went out looking for Salene and he hasn't come back.
Mega: I'm not following this.
May: No? Well you've Salene, and I bet you've got Pride now as well.
Jay: May. Look, I understand that you're-
May: No, you don't understand! But he does. You must think we're all stupid. It was a good plan, Mega. Use the Mallrats to do your dirty work for you.
Mega: I don't know what you're talking about.
Jay: May.
May: No! You're scared Ram's out there somewhere gunning for you. You want him found so you kidnap Salene so we'll find him for you.
Mega: That's a ludicrous suggestion and you know it.
May: Yeah?
Mega: I don't know where Salene is. As for Pride, maybe he's gone off somewhere hugging trees.
May: Oh, you!
[She lunges at Mega's throat but is pulled back by Jay]
Jay: This is not the way! You're upset. Your guy is missing. But lashing out won't find him.
May: But I have to find him. I have to.

[She's quieted now, and seems a little lost now that her anger has been thwarted. Mega watches her curiously]

[Ram is sitting up in his bed and pulls some kind of remote or transmitter out from under the covers. He presses a button and a light at the top starts to blink, along with a beeping noise. He remembers explaining the device to Wizard and Stats]

Ram: I've got enemies, perhaps some I don't even know about. If anything should happen to me, then you can locate me with this.

[In the present, he gives a little nod of satisfaction, expecting rescue anytime]

[Jay is in a sitting area of the Mall that I've never seen before. His head is down resting against his hand. Trudy notices him, and his apparent distress, when she walks in]

Trudy: Hey. I see you're sitting by yourself. Is everything okay?
[He gives a humorless laugh and Trudy sits down in a chair beside him, full of sympathetic concern, which is just what he needs to open up]
Jay: I doubt it. Everyone seems to be looking for someone. People have been deleted; people have disappeared. It's a mess, Trudy. Even May somehow thinks I'm involved with Salene's disappearance.
[Trudy doesn't doubt his innocence in the least]
Trudy: But you're not.
Jay: No. But she's upset and needs someone to blame. Just like Amber.
Trudy: Is Amber upset?
Jay: She'll want to tell you herself. But Trudy, you have to believe me. I didn't give the direct order; I didn't even know. I was a Techno, sure, and that means I'm tainted. At least, that's what Amber thinks.
Trudy: Look, we all get mixed up in things and held responsible, even when it is not our fault. I did. I never really understood what was going on. But when I saw how it wrecked people's lives, I was eaten up with guilt. Please, don't let that happen to you.
Jay: I can't believe you'd be involved in anything sinister. You're such a good person.
Trudy: Well, I don't know about good. Human, maybe. Whatever it is that's happened, if you want Amber to forgive you, you have to forgive yourself first.
Jay: I don't know if I can do that.

[Trudy smiles at him compassionately]

[At Ruby's Saloon, Slade comes upon the sleeping Ram holding the beeping transmitter. He grabs it from him, waking Ram up. Slade is able to figure out immediately what the device is designed to do]

Slade: Now just who's this supposed to bring? The calvary?
Ram: You can't keep me here forever.
Slade: When I found you, you were rotting in the garbage. I didn't realize you had friends.
[Slade drops the transmitter on the floor and steps on it, shattering the device. Ram is furious and threatens Slade]
Ram: When they get here, they're gonna waste you! And this whole stinking place!
Slade: Well now, you just better pray they didn't get that message. 'Cause one second after they arrive, you're history.

[Ram is starting to figure out that his angry outbursts are futile and he seethes in silence]

[Wizard guards Salene's prison cell, while she continues to pace back and forth, waiting]

[Trudy enters Amber's room to find her huddled on the bed, crying her heart out. She approaches her tentatively, unsure how to approach her]
Trudy: Amber, are you gonna tell me what's wrong, or are you gonna keep this from me all day?
Amber: Go away!
[Trudy ignores that and sits beside Amber, putting her arm around her. Amber leans in to her for comfort]
Trudy: Amber, what- what is it? Amber, please tell me!
Amber: He- He's dead. Bray's dead!
Trudy: Wha-? Oh, oh my God. No, no. But, if he's dead then, everyone else is-
Amber: I don't know. I don't know! Oh Trudy, what are going to do?

[Trudy is lost in silent horror and Amber clings to her, sobbing]

[There is chanting in the city at night. It echoes around the Mall and is an eery counterpoint to Trudy's nightmare. Or is it? She wakes abruptly to see Zoot standing in her room, staring at her, before he disappears entirely. Trudy covers her mouth in horror, a horror that doesn't seem to have an end in sight]

Zootists: ZOOT LIVES! ZOOT LIVES! ZOOT LIVES!