VOID - SEASON 2, EPISODE 2

Written by Sean McKnight

With Jeni Miller

Dinner Dates and Bad Intentions

NARRATOR

Season 2, episode 2. In our season premiere, Nova managed to successfully dock the colony shuttle to the space station after Jonas was injured during a malfunction. Nova met with Max Huxley to discover some new and interesting things about life on the station. Upon meeting Dr.

Ursula Nash, Nova was informed that Jonas had slipped into a coma.

INT. INJURY WARD - DAY

SOUND: MEDICAL WARD BACKGROUND

NOVA BAYFLOWER

How long will this coma last?

URSULA NASH

Not sure. We'll give him a couple days; then we're going to pull him out.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Pull him out?

URSULA NASH

Yes, we can pull him out of his coma and restore his consciousness.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Well, if you can do that... why wait?

URSULA NASH

It's a dangerous procedure and still experimental. It's best if we give him a chance to heal on his own first. We'll operate in two days, if he doesn't come out of it before then.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Will there be any permanent damage?

URSULA NASH

We don't know yet. His injuries have caused his brain to swell. Once the pressure subsides, we'll have a better understanding of how bad the damage is.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What can I do to help?

MAX HUXLEY

What is the nature of your relationship to Dr. Aldridge?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

We're friends and colleagues. I haven't known him for very long I'm afraid. He doesn't have any family.

URSULA NASH

Unfortunately, there's not much anyone can do. We have to give it time and keep monitoring him. You look tired, Ms. Bayflower. This would be a good time to get some rest.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I just came off of ten hours of sleep, and I have work to do.

URSULA NASH

It usually takes some time for the body to adjust to conditions here. Don't push yourself too hard.

Drink plenty of water. Here... take these.

SOUND: PILL BOTTLE OPENING

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What are these? They're not some weird drugs, are they?

URSULA NASH

No, just a jolt of vitamin B.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Oh, ok thanks. Where did you get vitamins?

URSULA NASH

We make our own. I think you'll find the technology here a bit more advanced than what you're used to on the colony.

MAX HUXLEY

How long will you be staying here?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Uh, well, that's complicated. I don't intend to go back anytime soon. How long we'll be here will depend on Jonas.

MAX HUXLEY

Oh?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Yeah, we're actually here to find a crew.

URSULA NASH

A crew? I thought you delivered supplies.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

We did, but we're done with that... and we have other plans.

URSULA NASH

Well, whatever your plans - I wish you luck.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Thanks. Hey, I need to start rubbing elbows with some freelancers. Any recommendations on where I can meet people?

MAX HUXLEY

It depends on what you're looking for. We have 5 factions … They govern the station. They're based on science, faith, intellect, vice, and engineering. Each faction has their own places to socialize.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

That will help. I guess I'll start with the engineers.

MAX HUXLEY

In that case I would suggest The Library in the engineering annex.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Thanks. Is it ok to come back and check on him?

URSULA NASH

You can visit anytime you wish. I'll contact you should there be any change in his condition.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Mr. Huxley...

MAX HUXLEY

Max, please.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Max, how much time do I have in the temporary quarters you gave me?

MAX HUXLEY

Since it sounds like you're staying awhile, you're welcome to occupy the quarters as long as you like. We don't get too many visitors from Earth except for the very rare colony runs. We also have off-worlders stop by too.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Off-worlders?

MAX HUXLEY

There are those who have left the station to venture out on their own. Sometimes they make it back; most don't.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Thank you - I may be here awhile.

MAX HUXLEY

Not to worry, Ms. Bayflower. However, we do have a standard guest stay period of 30 days. Once you've exceeded that time, you're welcome to stay in the room, but we'll have to start charging you.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

How would I pay?

MAX HUXLEY

Either with station credits or through a labor exchange program.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

That sounds great. You seem to really have things figured out on the station.

MAX HUXLEY

We have our issues like any other society, but we're doing fine.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I'm going to head back to my quarters for a bit. I'll check in later. Thank you.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, NOVA MAKING A DRINK

INT. NOVA'S QUARTERS - DAY

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I really don't want to have to do this.

(pauses for a drink)

Ok, here we go. Astrid, open transmission with Cyrus Hatch.

ASTRID

Starting transmission with Cyrus Hatch. One moment please.

SOUND: DIALING SOUND

CYRUS HATCH

(over communicator)

This is Lieutenant Hatch. How may I be of...Nova?!

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Hi, Cyrus. Yep, it's me.

CYRUS HATCH

You're the last person I expected a call from.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I told you I'd be reaching out once I arrived at the station.

CYRUS HATCH

You're here?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Of course, where else did you think I was contacting you from?

CYRUS HATCH

Where are you?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

They have me in quarters in the science annex not far from the injury ward.

CYRUS HATCH

Ok. What can I do for you?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Yeah, it's nice to see you too.

CYRUS HATCH

You broke my heart, Nova. What did you expect?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I didn't - I don't - I wasn't sure what to expect. I just know that it's nice to see a familiar face. You look good; you appear to be in good shape.

CYRUS HATCH

Thanks, you're looking well yourself. Being a pilot agrees with you.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Do you think so? You were never happy with me being...

CYRUS HATCH

(cutting her off)

You didn't come all this way to hash out our past, did you?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

No, nope, I didn't. I contacted you because my partner and I are looking to build a crew.

CYRUS HATCH

Partner?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

It hasn't been formalized, but yes, my partner Dr. Jonas Aldridge and I are on an important mission.

CYRUS HATCH

What kind of mission?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I can't get into the details of that with you right now.

CYRUS HATCH

It's going to be hard recommending people for your crew without knowing the details.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Don't give me a hard time about this. It would take forever to go over everything with you.

CYRUS HATCH

Then I guess we'll have to have dinner together so you can explain it to me.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Oh no you don't! I can just tell you the kind of people I need and you can just pass along your recommendations through a message.

CYRUS HATCH

What's in it for me?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What do you mean?

CYRUS HATCH

I'll want compensation for my time and effort. Nothing comes for free on the station. How does a thousand credits sound?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I can't afford that!

CYRUS HATCH

Then you can't afford me. There's a price for information.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Can you not be a dick about this?

CYRUS HATCH

Same old Nova: want's something for nothing...

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What do you want?

CYRUS HATCH

Instead of the credits, have dinner with me. That's all I'm asking. Dinner in exchange for information... seems pretty damn fair if you ask me.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I'm not asking you. (pauses while considering)

Fine, just dinner and that's it. No after-dinner drinks at your place or any crap like that.

CYRUS HATCH

Just dinner, that's a promise.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Dinner's NOT in your quarters, correct?

CYRUS HATCH

You know I can't cook. I have a spot picked out, I'll send you the details... 8 o'clock sharp. Cyrus Hatch out!

NOVA BAYFLOWER

But I don't know...

ASTRID

Transmission ended.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Shit, that's not how I wanted that to go.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, CHIME SOUND

INT. MAX HUXLEY'S QUARTERS - DAY

ASTRID

Receiving transmission from Council Seat Harris, Earth Colony.

MAX HUXLEY

What does he want? Astrid, accept transmission. Council Seat Harris to what do I owe the surprise?

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

(over communicator) Greetings from Earth, Mr. Huxley! I was just following up to see if you received the goods we sent.

MAX HUXLEY

Yes, we did. I believe all that was confirmed in our earlier communications.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Of course! Of course! I was just confirming that you were happy with everything we sent.

MAX HUXLEY

Yes, it's all very nice; but as I've expressed before, this is all so unnecessary. We generate all we need right here. There's really no reason to keep sending us...

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

(excited, cutting him off)

It's no bother really! We just want to do our part to help in the best interests of the station and our future...

MAX HUXLEY

And your efforts are appreciated? But not...

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

(nervously cutting him off)

We're having a personnel problem; we'll need you to intervene and send the shuttle back.

MAX HUXLEY

I'm sorry?

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

(brief pause, embarrassed)

The pilot Ms. Bayflower has gone rogue. It turns out she was in cahoots with a reprobate by the name of Dr. Jonas Aldridge. She betrayed us and together they stole our shuttle!

MAX HUXLEY

Mr. Aldridge is a patient in our injury ward.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Serves him right! They are not to be trusted Mr. Huxley! I'm ordering you to round them up and fly them back to Earth so they may face justice!

MAX HUXLEY

You're orderingme?

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

(fumbling for words)

I'm, I'm sorry, Mr. Huxley, I didn't mean to, I, we, we just want our ship back and for those who wronged us to be judged before God.

MAX HUXLEY

Judged before God, you say? I didn't know you and the council had that kind of clout ... to speak for God...

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

We are a God-fearing colony, Mr. Huxley.

MAX HUXLEY

Interesting your choice - to fear God. Sad really.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Well, I...

MAX HUXLEY

My answer is no; I'm afraid, Council Seat Harris. I don't see how the logistics would work in a way that would be to our economical benefit.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Economical benefit?

MAX HUXLEY

Yes, what does the station get out of doing your dirty work for you? It seems like a lot of cost investment on our part with zero return.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

(sounding confused) Cost? Return?

MAX HUXLEY

Now you're getting it. If you want your shuttle back I would suggest sending another ship with 2 pilots, then you can have the 2nd pilot fly your shuttle back if, I mean, when, they return to your little colony.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

But that will take months! We don't have the resources! I don't know if we have another working shuttle, and finding pilots will be problematic...

MAX HUXLEY

(cutting him off)

These all sound very much like youproblems not us problems, Council Seat Harris. I would say you've got your work cut out for you.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

But I don't know how...

MAX HUXLEY

I'm sure your crack team of "scientists" will figure it out. In the meantime, we'll keep your ship docked for you. Although there is a docking fee that you will be charged after a grace period of 15 days.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

A docking fee?

MAX HUXLEY

If you can't pay the fee in station credits, we'll be confiscating the shuttle for our own use or to scrap for parts.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Station credits? We don't have... Please understand that we're doing God's work.

MAX HUXLEY

That's nice, maybe you can pray for credits. Best of luck. Astrid, end transmission.

ASTRID

Transmission ended.

MAX HUXLEY

Astrid, open transmission with Dr. Ursula Nash.

ASTRID

Opening transmission, one moment please.

SOUND: DIALING SOUND

URSULA NASH

(over communicator) Yes, Mr. Huxley?

MAX HUXLEY

I wanted to check in on the condition of Mr. Aldridge.

URSULA NASH

I'm sorry to say: he's still in a coma.

MAX HUXLEY

I see, please keep me informed on his condition and make sure you post security nearby.

URSULA NASH

Is there a problem?

MAX HUXLEY

No, just being cautious.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, BACKGROUND SOUNDS OF A RESTAURANT, MUSIC / LOUNGE BAND

INT. OUTER RIM BISTRO - EVENING

CYRUS HATCH

(sounding drunk) I'm flattered, really.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

(also sounding drunk) Why would you be flattered?

CYRUS HATCH

Because you came all this way to get back together with me.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

You're delusional; I was forced here to dinner; don't you remember that?

CYRUS HATCH

Forced, come on! If I remember correctly, there isn't anything like this on the colony!

NOVA BAYFLOWER

(reluctantly)

No, I guess not. What did you call this place?

CYRUS HATCH

A restaurant.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

(repeating it back) Restaurant.

CYRUS HATCH

The name of it is The Outer Rim Bistro.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

And the name of this wooonnndeerfuul drink...

CYRUS HATCH

A Nuclear Blast.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

That's in poor taste.

CYRUS HATCH

So's the drink!

Both of them laugh.

SOUND: FOOD ARRIVING, DISHES AND UTENSILS CLINKING

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What am I eating again?

CYRUS HATCH

It's food that's been synthesized from the old days! Nothing like that goo protein paste you're used to eating. Go ahead, that's called a burger and french fries.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

(while eating)

This is amazing! Oh my god! I've never tasted anything like this! What's it made of?

CYRUS HATCH

They use 3D printers to create it, I don't know what the ingredients are. That round disk is supposed to simulate the taste of cow and those things come from potatoes.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

We used to get a potato once in a while in the colony. They were usually the half-rotten ones the council didn't keep for themselves.

CYRUS HATCH

They always did horde the best resources.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Yeah, well they can choke on it. Ok, we're out to dinner... onto my business.

CYRUS HATCH

And we were just starting to have fun. What's this mission all about, and who is this partner of yours?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Keep this to yourself. My partner is Dr. Jonas Aldridge. We're on a mission to find a new home planet.

CYRUS HATCH

You're joking.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I wish I was.

CYRUS HATCH

And Dr. Aldridge? Where is he?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

In a coma - he was injured during our flight here.

CYRUS HATCH

A coma?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Yes, but I was told he would be pulled out of it soon.

CYRUS HATCH

What is your ship like?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

We don't have one. We flew the colony shuttle here, but it's no good for deep space.

CYRUS HATCH

How are you going to pay for a ship? Colony credits mean absolutely nothing here.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I don't know. With Jonas unconscious, we haven't been able to discuss details.

CYRUS HATCH

Let me get this straight. You have no credits, no ship, your partner is in a coma and you don't know anyone.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

That's right, but I know you...

that counts for something.

CYRUS HATCH

Not much. There's nothing out there you know. Do you think you're the first to go looking for another planet to colonize?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Come on, I met you for dinner as agreed. You owe me information.

CYRUS HATCH

(hesitant)

I might know some people that will help get you started. I'll make you a list. No one works for free here, Nova, no one. I don't know how you're going to get a crew and a ship together.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Let us worry about that.

CYRUS HATCH

Are you and coma-guy close?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

His name is Jonas, and we're good friends, but that's it - not that it's any of your business.

CYRUS HATCH

I was just curious. Would you like another drink? I'm having one.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I know what you're up to, and it's not going to work.

CYRUS HATCH

No idea what you're talking about. I'm just enjoying a nice meal and catching up with an old flame.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Old?

CYRUS HATCH

Sorry, former flame. Listen, tonight we should relax and enjoy ourselves.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Good, I'm glad you put that word former in there because you and I are definitely in the friend zone!

SOUND: SOUNDS OF GLASSES CLINKING, EATING AND DRINKING, AND THEN NOVA AND CYRUS HAVING SEX, TRANSITION SOUND

INT. INJURY WARD, HOSPITAL SOUNDS

URSULA NASH

And when you come back nurse, please bring those charts I asked for... As for you, Mr. Aldridge, let's check your vitals again.

SOUND: TYPING ON A KEYBOARD, BUTTONS BEING PRESSED, BEEPING, SCREEN PRODUCING DATA

URSULA NASH

Vitals are looking good, nice and stable. Annnnnd, your brain swelling is going down - almost looks normal. Maybe we won't have to operate on you after all, Mr. Aldridge.

JonAS ALDRIDGE

(very quietly) Dr. Aldridge.

END OF EPISODE 2