VOID - SEASON 2, EPISODE 10
Written by Sean McKnight
With Jeni Miller
Cocoons and Butterflies
Copyright ©2020 VOID PODCAST LLC voidthepodcast@gmail.com
NARRATOR
Season 2, episode 10. Previously on VOID, Nova spent some time getting to know the crew's new engineer, Gilban Tricky. Max Huxley is working closely with Gideon Judge to ensure the will of The 5 is executed as they wish.
And Ursula Nash worked things out with Jonas and officially joined the crew.
INT. SEREBELLA'S QUARTERS - MORNING SOUND: PERSONAL QUARTERS, FOOTSTEPS PACING
SEREBELLA REON
And you're absolutely sure this is enough to last me?
DRUG DEALER
(over communicator) Serebella, what I sent you will last a lifetime.
SEREBELLA REON
Don't lie to me, these rocks are tiny.
DRUG DEALER
Yeah, but those are way more concentrated than what you normally get. See that little rock you're holding there? That will keep you high as hell for a month straight. And I hooked you up with a whole case!
SEREBELLA REON
I'm going out for awhile and this needs to last.
DRUG DEALER
Will you relax? Have I ever steered you wrong?
SEREBELLA REON
I'm going to test this batch.
DRUG DEALER
Be my guest, but be ready. Like I said: this isn't your normal stuff. I would cut that one into quarters at least for the first time.
SEREBELLA REON
Seriously?
DRUG DEALER
As a heart attack. You know me. You know my goods. My stuff doesn't lie.
SEREBELLA REON
Yeah, well you know that I'm picky and I'm no punk.
DRUG DEALER
See for yourself. It's cool; I'll wait.
SOUND: TORCH LIGHTING, SMOKING SOUND (BONG?)
SEREBELLA REON
I don't feel...
DRUG DEALER
Give it a second.
SEREBELLA REON
I still don't...Oh. Wow. Ahhhhhh....
DRUG DEALER
Told you. I stand by my product!
SEREBELLA REON
This is amazing. So strong and clean. Why don't you normally sell me this?
Because it's expensive and harder to make. I only reserve it for my top-shelf customers. Since you're buying so much this time, I decided to elevate you to my diamond club.
SEREBELLA REON
(very high and playing along)
Oh, well, thank you very much. I accept this diamond membership with great honor.
DRUG DEALER
As you should. Only the elite of the station make it onto the list.
SEREBELLA REON
And you're saying this high is going to last awhile.
DRUG DEALER
For the small amount you just smoked, you probably won't have to light up for another, maybe, nine days.
SEREBELLA REON
I'm going to be high like this for nine days?
DRUG DEALER
At least.
SEREBELLA REON
Oh shit. I have to go in for body mod today.
DRUG DEALER
That's going to hurt.
SEREBELLA REON
They're going to give us other drugs to numb us.
Combined with what you just smoked? You are in for a hell of a ride.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, HOSPITAL LAB SOUNDS, FOOTSTEPS, PEOPLE WORKING IN THE BACKGROUND
INT. MEDICAL OFFICES SCIENCE LAB - DAY
URSULA NASH
Good day, Dr. Aldridge and Ms. Bayflower, you're right on time.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
I'm a little nervous. How long does it take?
URSULA NASH
Judging by the other crew members who have gone through it so far, the procedure takes about four and a half hours.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Who have you processed?
URSULA NASH
Let's see.
SOUND: TABLET SCREEN BEING TAPPED
URSULA NASH
So far we've finished prepping Gideon Judge, Anko Lumen, Regina Rex, and Gilban Trickey. We just have to finish with you two, and then myself and Serebella. We have our session later this evening.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
So what do we do?
URSULA NASH
You'll both need to strip down and get in those two glass chambers.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Do we have to remove all of our clothes?
URSULA NASH
I'm afraid so.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Keep it in your pants, Jonas.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
How am I supposed to do that?
SOUND: CLOTHING BEING TAKEN OFF, BARE FEET MOVING ACROSS THE FLOOR
URSULA NASH
Ok, climb in.
SOUND: STEPPING INTO CHAMBER
URSULA NASH
Once we close the chambers, you won't be able to open them until the procedure is finished. Are you ready? Yes? Ok, seal them up.
SOUND: CHAMBERS CLOSING AND SEALING
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(inside chamber)
I guess it's too late to go to the bathroom.
URSULA NASH
(sarcastically)
Yes, that's very funny. I've never heard that one before. One moment.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, SITTING ON A CHAIR, KEYBOARD SOUNDS
URSULA NASH
Lay your arms flat and keep your head straight forward. Operator, please compress chambers and prepare the first injection. It's going to get tighter in there as the chambers close up to hold you in place. Don't worry.
SOUND: MECHANICAL SOUNDS, MACHINES WHIRRING TO LIFE
URSULA NASH
Ok, you two. Here we go. Operator, administer the penicillin and lidocaine.
SOUND: NEEDLES MOVING
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(through chamber monitor)
Ow!
NOVA BAYFLOWER
(through chamber monitor) You big baby! That was nothing.
URSULA NASH
That was penicillin and a numbing agent. Operator, begin first injection series.
SOUND: MORE INTENSIVE NEEDLE SOUNDS
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Ahhhh!!
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Aggghh!!
SOUND: MACHINERY WINDING AT ITS PEAK, CONTINUED SCREAMING
URSULA NASH
Hold needles for five more seconds.
(pause)
Annddd, retract needles.
SOUND: MACHINE RETRACTIONS
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(out of breath)
That really hurt. That was after
you numbed us?
URSULA NASH
Yes, even after we numb you it only works to a certain degree. We have 13 more to go.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
(catching her breath) You mean 13 more injections?
URSULA NASH
No, 13 more seriesof injections,
5 injections per series. And then we have the radiation treatments.
SOUND: MACHINES WINDING BACK UP, TRANSITION SOUND, COMMERCIAL
VOICE OVER
(voice over with music bed)
For those of you in deep debt. You now have a way to consolidate that debt and get your credit back on track. United Credit Consolidated will make your existing credit debts disappear with our innovative loan programs! If you can't pay in credits, the UCC will accept your blood, as well as life forfeit with distribution of body ownership. Your corpse is your capital with United Credit Consolidated! Credits are life!
The UCC is life! Visit our offices in the Intellect annex, level 13.
INT. MEDICAL OFFICES SCIENCE LAB - EVENING
SOUND: LAB SOUNDS, KEYBOARD TYPING, MACHINERY RETRACTING AND WINDING DOWN
That was the last series of injections. How are you both holding up?
NOVA BAYFLOWER
(voice changing pitch and vibrating over speaker, out of breath)
Oh, thank the, wait, what's wrong with my voice?!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(voice changing pitch and vibrating over speaker, out of breath)
Your voice does sound...hey! What's going on?
URSULA NASH
Don't worry, voice changes are a normal side effect of the procedure. It should only last a few hours or so.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Did you say "should"?
URSULA NASH
Speaking of time - we're onto the radiation treatments. This will last about 90 minutes.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
What is this for?
URSULA NASH
For our time in deep space. Our bodies will be subjected to high levels of radiation for extended periods of time. The ship only shields you from so much.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Oh.
The injections are for our time on Titan along with other generic treatments for random planets we may encounter.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Titan? What about Europa?
URSULA NASH
Dr. Lumen's report didn't specify Europa. I'm guessing the planetary conditions are the same.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
They're similar but not the same.
URSULA NASH
Let's begin. No injections this time. We'll be exposing you to limited bursts of gamma radiation along with another wave of a mixture of neutron and X radiation. If you have to vomit or end up with diarrhea, please try to give us some notice.
SOUND: KEYBOARD TYPING, AN "MRI-LIKE" MACHINE BEGINS TO POWER UP AND PULSATE. TRANSITION SOUND. SOUNDS OF NATURE, TREES, BIRDS, ETC.
INT. FAITH ANNEX INVOCATION AUDITORIUM - NIGHT
GIDEON JUDGE
Thank you, my students, for gathering with me tonight. We meet not only for passionate discussion, but also for something more auspicious. My departure.
SOUND: AUDIBLE GASPS
GIDEON JUDGE
Please, do not deem this negative. Understand that I go for the good of the station and our future. I have blessed a contract that will take me, along with a very capable crew, into deep space. We leave in a few days.
SOUND: GASPS AND MURMURS
GIDEON JUDGE
I probably will not return for quite some time. I've taken a sabbatical from here, the Invocation Auditorium, to aid in a bold mission that will change the fate of all.
SOUND: HUSH FALLS OVER THE CROWD
GIDEON JUDGE
My protege' Regus Tartan will assume the new title of Associate Academic and will replace me as your professor until my return.
SOUND: MIXED REACTIONS
GIDEON JUDGE
If you have further questions, I'll be available after tonight's discourse on the return of Quetzalcoatl.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, PERSONAL QUARTERS, PREPARING A DRINK
INT. NOVA'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
GILBAN TRICKEY
(over communicator)
This is Gilban. Oh, hi, Nova. You look, terrible.
(voice is still altered, pitch and vibration changes but getting closer to normal)
Thanks.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Your skin is purple.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
(somewhat drunk) I noticed.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Don't worry, the hair loss is a common thing, too. It will grow back, if and when your skin goes back to normal. You might consider just shaving it all off for now.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Why is this happening? You look fine.
GILBAN TRICKEY
I've gone through that process a bunch of times. You build up a resistance. First body mod is always the worst. You'll get used to it.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
I don't want to get used to it! I don't even know what I'm getting out of this whole thing. I just keep getting my ass kicked! I'm nearly killed flying here; I get kidnapped, then arrested, and now I'm purple with my hair falling out, after being stabbed 90,000 times!
GILBAN TRICKEY
Sounds like you've had a rough day.
I've been thinking about what you said.
GILBAN TRICKEY
About what?
NOVA BAYFLOWER
About going after my things, not someone else's.
GILBAN TRICKEY
That's great. What do you want to do?
NOVA BAYFLOWER
I don't know! It's exciting to think about. There's so much to explore here!
GILBAN TRICKEY
Many opportunities are available, if you put in the work. It's easy to try things and move on if you don't like something. Everyone's growth is encouraged for all to figure out where we'll best contribute.
SOUND: DRINK BEING MIXED, GLASS CLINKING
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Who am I sticking my neck out for?
GILBAN TRICKEY
You might want to go easy on the booze. You did just get done with a rough first body mod. And that particular liqueur is laced with quaaludes. They do like the classics.
Oh, that's why I feel like this. (brief pause to
contemplate)
The colony was nothing but terrible! I lost my parents to a cave-in when I was little. I never even told Jonas that.
GiLBAN TRICKEY
What's the story with you two? Are you sure you're just friends?
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Friends? I guess. I seem to just get caught up in bigger messes since I got connected to him. He wants to save the world.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Why?
NOVA BAYFLOWER
I don't know. The fate of our species or something.
GILBAN TRICKEY
The station is the fate of our species, Nova. Not the dirt farm down below. His efforts, and yours are misguided.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Jonas does seem in over his head. Both of us are.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Do you have friends or family on Earth?
(getting choked up at the mention of Gerald)
Hell no! Jonas and another guy, Gerald are my only friends.
(recomposing herself) Everyone else either betrayed me, wanted me arrested or dead. I'm never going back.
GiLBAN TRICKEY
Then why bother?
NOVA BAYFLOWER
I don't know!
(pauses to think about it)
Why are youdoing it?
GILBAN TRICKEY
My barter deal. You need a considerable ship to get to Mars and a decent crew for retrieving the artifact we're going for. This deal happens to have both without any effort on my part other than doing what I would normally do anyway. Easy.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
What about saving humanity?
GILBAN TRICKEY
What about it? I couldn't care less. I know they're all doomed down there. Everyone does. People joke about it.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
I had no idea people here cared so little about what happens on Earth. The people in the colony are told the station is the hope of mankind. They preach it like it's a religion.
Earth is the past; the station is the future ... that is true. But everyone here wrote that rock off long ago. The people on Earth had their shot and they blew it.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Yeah, I guess so.
GILBAN TRICKEY
What's sad is that the people on Earth still think they have a future at the station. They couldall come here if they had access to ships. How ambitious are they?
NOVA BAYFLOWER
There was some complacency going around mixed with apathy.
GILBAN TRICKEY
That wouldn't fly here. You end up getting kicked out or you end up underground, if you don't contribute. The station doesn't suffer lackadaisical behavior.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Many of them wouldn't last a week in this place.
GILBAN TRICKEY
No big loss then. I'm sure we'll continue to do just fine once the last human on the planet has turned to dust.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
You're right! Why put in the effort? Besides the kidnapping and being arrested, I've been having so much fun in this place! The casino was incredible, the clubs, the technology. It's all so amazing! I never want to leave!
You can always join me, if you want.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Thanks, but no thanks. I don't want to go digging up your buried treasure. It sounds like fun but if I have to do more of this body mod crap, I think I'll lose my mind.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Ok, well perhaps you'll change how you feel later.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Maybe someday. But for now I've had enough of following someone else's dreams. I've made a decision.
GILBAN TRICKEY
And what decision is that?
NOVA BAYFLOWER
I'm telling Jonas I'm backing out of the mission and staying here.
END OF EPISODE 10