[A DOOR CLOSES IN THE DISTANCE. FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING. SOME FIDDLING WITH THE MIC, DISTORTED AND MUFFLED. THEN:]
JESS: [GASPING] Jordan, god, you scared me! No, no, it's okay, I just expected everyone to be asleep. It's… four? I think? I didn’t realize I was gone that long. Not much point in wearing a watch if I don’t look at it, huh? [SNIFFS] You okay? Did I wake you?
Yeah, fair enough. You sleeping okay these days? [LAUGHS LIGHTLY] Yeah, me too. Oh- I’m okay. I’ll grab a bandaid, or a couple, I guess, in a second. No, no, I’m just- making sure all this stuff is working before I hit the hay. I just had a weird feeling about it, and I know I’m gonna forget to check if I don’t do it right now so–
[ELECTRIC SPARK. JESS WINCES. DISTORTION STARTS TO CLEAR.]
I’m okay, just– the mic wasn’t plugged in properly. And I’m sure the wiring in this place is only mostly up to code… I’m gonna just make sure nothing else on the board is feeling a little extra alive tonight. I’ve watched Martha do maintenance stuff before [CLEARS THROAT], so hopefully I can figure it out. [SNIFFS] You headed back to bed?
Hey, y’know, I just wanted to say, and I know I speak on behalf of the group, but we are so grateful for you, for everything you’ve done, and for all the work and care you have put into everything that's happening. I am so grateful for all you’ve done, and I know how much this all means to you… but I also know you have a family here. And a home. And… what I mean to say is, if you ever wanted to go– and I know what’s waiting out there isn’t exactly ideal right now– but if you did feel like you wanted to be not here anymore, at any point moving forward, there's no hard feelings at all, okay? I’ve just been thinking and– yeah. No pressure to stay.
But- yeah. Think about it. Okay. You too, Jordan. Good night.
[FOOTSTEPS AWAY. JESS SIGHS, SOME FIDDLING WITH THE BOARD.]
JESS: [MUTTERING] Flickering. Why are you flickering? Does that mean you’re on, why are you on? I didn’t- that makes no sense.
[WHISPERS RISING, SOFT. A CREAK SOMEWHERE]
JESS: Jordan? Is that you? [PAUSE] Huh.
[IMPERSONATING CLARK] “Sleep deprivation can cause hallucinations sometimes, you know.” [SIGH] More like everything in this place has developed a mind of its own— especially this dumb thing-
[SHE HITS THE BOARD. STATIC FOR A MOMENT, MORE WHISPERS]
JESS: Gah, Martha, what am I even doing? Yes, what am I doing at this point in time, but also… what am I even doing anymore? I keep thinking I’m just going to knock on your door and… we’ll talk and you’ll just help things make a little more sense and I’m… so stuck in my old habits that even though you aren’t here and you can’t hear me, I’m talking to you.
[ANOTHER NOISE, MORE WHISPERS AND CREAKING AS JESS SPEAKS]
JESS: Hello? [BEAT.] Clark, if that’s you, I’m sorry about the bad impersonation if you heard it…
[PAUSE. SOUNDS CONTINUE]
JESS: Hello? Someone there?
[EVERYTHING GOES QUIET]
JESS: [SOFTLY] Just the silence, huh? Well, I’ll deal with you [TAPS THE BOARD] before the show tomorrow.
[STATIC INCREASES AND WHISPERS ECHO “I WILL BE ALL, I AM THE BE ALL”, BEFORE RADIO STATIC, END]