SAFE SOCIETY
episode 1
by CHRIS SHIMOJIMA
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SAFE SOCIETY
"Episode 11"
INTRO TITLE SOUNDS: ("Safe Society"
chorus of whispers)
RECAP SOUND BITES.
B
They're tracking, somehow. Making
their way through all of us.
MEN IN SUITS
(simultaneous)
Come with us.
REBEL
GET OFF! GET OFF ME!
B
There's a stronghold inland near
Tucson. I'll let them know to
expect us.
W
In memory of the fallen M, my
protege, we have to Shatter That
Glass. Now.
Footsteps marching in unison.
CIVILIANS
(chorus of voices)
Shatter That Glass!
Shatter That Glass!
Ick -- ick -- ick -- ick --
Swerving and braking.
LAW ENFORCEMENT (ON LOUDSPEAKER)
Terrorists, release your hostages.
We have coercion.
Footsteps -- running. Echoing on
building walls. Daniel breathing
heavy. M panting.
INTERCOM VOICE
Totem is erected.
NARRATOR
Patch us through -- yes -- YES!
B
I dunno how else we stand a chance.
BAM BAM BAM BAM
The kids are screaming.
Stabbing. Bones snapping.
INTERCOM VOICE
Civilian down. Civilian down.
Civilian down.
Lucia's footsteps move into the
distance, past all the commotion.
M
Lucia! No!
M's footsteps -- going after, but
quickly stopping. It's no use.
M (CONT'D)
GUYS, SHE ESCAPED! STOP! STOP!
The Rebels pause, panting...
M (CONT'D)
WHAT IS HAPPENING -- B -- WHAT --
WHAT'S GOTTEN INTO YOU --
B
You gotta understand, Revolution Is
Never Pretty. We can't just stop
the big guys. The wheel's already
in motion. Meaning these Civilians
will cause trouble all by
themselves.
A bullet whizzes by. Cracking
rubble.
YANN
Shit!
B
You hit?
YANN
I'm okay. What was that??
W's voice, shouting from outside,
in the distance.
W
M? M, I'M OUT HERE. DO NOT SHOOT.
WE ARE ARMED. I WANT TO TALK.
Quiet. Then:
W (CONT'D)
M?
B's footsteps -- rushing over to
the door.
B
(sticking his head out)
HE'S NOT YOURS.
W
YOU CAN SEE, HIS DAUGHTER IS
ALREADY HERE.
M sighs.
B's footsteps -- returning.
B
I'm not letting you. Lucia -- they
may have her -- but you go out
there, you lose Daniel here too.
We make a dash for it now -- the
direction we came from is still
empty -- we still have a chance.
M
And go where now?
B sighs.... then regathers himself,
trembling with conviction:
B
THERE ARE MORE OF US! THE LIGHT
WILL SHINE AND WE WILL RISE! YOU
AND ME AND ALL OF OUR FAITH!
INTERCOM VOICE
Civilian blood is dripping down
this murderer's arm. Onto Daniel's
shoe. M sees it.
NARRATOR
M... M, you know better than this.
Step out.
M sighs.
We follow his footsteps, MOVING
TOWARD the outside ambience.
MUSIC: slow tribal drumbeat, like
something in waiting, ritualistic
A choir of Civilians in the
distance, some doing the HUM AND
CHANT, some clearly muttering:
CIVILIANS
Shatter that glass -- ick -- ick --
shatter that glass, shatter that
glass...
INTERCOM VOICE
W is in front. He's weakened by
his risk factors, and now in a
wheelchair, but he's strong with
the support of the others in the
front line. That's other Safe
Society Members. And Sofia,
holding onto Lucia. Your totem is
above them, held up by poles.
NARRATOR
Yes... the channel is open....
(morphing into monster
voice)
M... Law enforcement is on their
way for your... friends.
W
(repeating)
M. LAW ENFORCEMENT IS ON THEIR WAY
FOR YOUR... FRIENDS. COME HERE AND
WE WILL WORK IT OUT FOR YOU.
M's footsteps -- slowly stepping
out.
W (CONT'D)
IS DANIEL THERE? BRING HIM TOO.
M
NO.
W
IT IS PART OF THE DEAL, M.
M
TELL ME THE DEAL.
W
LET US NOT SHOUT AT THIS DISTANCE.
WE WILL MAKE EVERYONE ANXIOUS,
MAKING FOR WORSE TEMPERS IF INDEED
THEY MUST CONTINUE TO PURSUE YOU.
M sighs...
We follow his footsteps back in.
M
Gimme Daniel.
B
No.
DANIEL
Ah! No! No!
Daniel yelps as he's yanked. Their
footsteps -- heading back out.
STREET
Their footsteps, walking closer to
the gathering.
M
This is close enough.
SOFIA AND LUCIA
Daniel. Come!
DANIEL
(afraid)
Daddy...
Every few moments, W's voice
glitches and morphs into Narrator's
monster voice:
W
I know you did not harm any of the
innocents in there. So let's
forget all of this. Your family --
our family -- can rejoin. You will
be in no trouble.
M
You have to leave my kids alone.
W
Who has not left them alone?
M
You. Who you work for. They're
leaving none of these kids alone!
Don't deny it!
W sighs.
W
We... we wanted to help... we...
(tears)
Perhaps we were pathetic. Thinking
it possible to eliminate unfair
gender biases and cruel male --
M
Tell me they won't be in a program.
W
..... I wish I could, but it's not
in my hands. Look to your wife.
M
Sofia! Don't let this!
She doesn't respond.
M (CONT'D)
OUR CHILDREN. TAKING AWAY OUR
CHILDREN'S LIVES.
Still nothing.
W
Let's put aside differences. And
return to life as it was just the
other day. I know, M. I know
there is primal excitement in an
uprising that is sickening and
brutal --
The words ECHO AROUND OUR EARS.
The flicker sound effect! We heard
it when M was triggered in Episode
3, followed by a jolt of the HUM.
M gasps -- his breath trembles...
W (CONT'D)
Its unpredictable dangers.
Again, the words ECHO AROUND OUR
EARS.
Flicker again.
W (CONT'D)
Forget that it will hurt the
millions of minorities the most...
the many impoverished....
Echoing.
Flicker again.
M breathes through a clenched jaw.
W (CONT'D)
I know there is excitement in
constant paranoia, and constantly
fighting to exhaustion... Just ask
yourself...
Flicker, flicker, flicker.
Echoing.
W (CONT'D)
.... is it any use?
Beat.
Then M lets out a trembling
breath.... and seems to stagger and
collapse.... in tears......
Distant police sirens. Distant
sets of footsteps -- sprinting.
INTERCOM VOICE
Rebels are making a run for it.
ADJACENT STREET
The cop cars screech to a stop IN
EACH OF OUR EARS.
The humvee rolls up. Concrete
rumbles. Glass shatters.
Doors open. Guns are pulled out.
COP (ON INTERCOM)
Freeze. Put your hands up.
MEN IN SUITS
We got it from here.
The 2 pairs of footsteps, marching
in unison.
B
No, not them. No! NO!
The marching footsteps crescendo,
reverberate, overwhelm....
BACK BY M
The mass of Civilians footsteps --
moving forward.
INTERCOM VOICE
Civilians are proceeding to rescue
M's other child.
M
Wait -- wait -- please.....
The Civilians pause.
M (CONT'D)
I want to say goodbye to my kids.
Beat.
Sofia sighs.
SOFIA
Lucia. Go.
Lucia's footsteps -- trudging over.
M
Daniel... Lucia...
M wraps them into a hug.
M (CONT'D)
Look at me.
He takes a deep breath.........
then makes one last effort to put
INTENT into his voice. The EXTRA
DEEP RESONANCE starts to
build.......... but when he speaks,
the words become so distorted we
can't make them out.
M (CONT'D)
-- -- -- --
(beat)
Do you hear? Do you understand?
Lucia gasps... as if waking up....
M takes another deep breath.
M (CONT'D)
-- -- -- --
Then, finally:
LUCIA
(tender)
Daddy...
INTERCOM VOICE
His influence has finally worked.
Too late for him though.
M
Yes. Yes. Close your eyes with me
hard. Both of you. Good. And
hold it in the back of your
mind.... and repeat..... -- -- -- --
LUCIA AND DANIEL
-- -- -- --
M
Because now you are small and you
can't do anything, but soon, maybe
you can.
M stands back up.
The Civilians start moving forward
again, until they're RIGHT NEXT TO
US.
LUCIA
Daddy!
Lucia and Daniel are grabbed.
M
Hold onto it... hold onto it...
The kids are crying, afraid --
their voices fade into the distance
as the Civilians take them away.
Slimy, peeling, dripping, rumbling
sounds overwhelm.
NARRATOR
Welcome, our children... Come
higher....
A wave of sliminess...
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
Come through our plasma....
The kids' fearful yelps get
closer....
Sound of them being pushed through
some warping/wobbling/liquid
bubble...
The kids become muffled..........
then fully quiet...........
.................
MUSIC: INTRO/OUTRO THEME
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
(back to normal voice)
Welcome to our C29 segment,
informing you of the latest
unprecedented trends benefitting
your lives, equalizing all, and
progressing you toward united
global governance.
VARIOUS VENUES
AUDIO MONTAGE of applause.
NARRATOR
Across the nation, classes of
students, various grade levels,
waited so patiently behind
curtains.
EXT. PARK
SENATOR NAWALI speaking INTO A MIC:
SENATOR NAWALI
Good afternoon.
NARRATOR
At S.S. Park, Senator Nawali (Liu),
who spearheaded the operation,
eloquently communicated to media
the magnitude of the achievement.
SENATOR NAWALI
So I wanted to tell you about Our
Future. Having my own kids, it is
personal. There's no way better to
put this. These are New Humans.
Applause.
NARRATOR
And supporting Senator Nawali (Liu)
were the pertinent Members,
standing right behind him --
(smiling)
-- except for W, who was chafing
against his wheelchair. In all
seriousness, to anyone daring to
make fun, perhaps you should know
that W can truly fly in his mind
and heart.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 4
These young ones are Gentle Beings
of Love that won't --
SENATOR NAWALI
These young ones are Gentle Beings
of Love that won't ever hurt
others, ever again.
Slimy, peeling, dripping, rumbling
sounds.
NARRATOR
And behind the Members, looming
high, proud, and humongous above
all was our totem. Composing them
the right notes:
(monstrous voice)
New Humans are truly docile.
Obedient.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 4
Truly docile. Obedient.
SENATOR NAWALI
Truly docile. Obedient.
NARRATOR
(monstrous voice)
And with tamed, limited --
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 4
And with tamed, limited
reproductive ability, ensuring --
SENATOR NAWALI
-- ensuring a more manageable
population. Let us keep supporting
the global pharmaceuticals, the
innovators, the changemakers,
making this happen for you.
VARIOUS VENUES
Applause. Cheers erupt.
NARRATOR
(normal voice)
As the curtains raised or parted,
out came these New Humans, with
perfect postures, smooth hairless
heads held high, and elegantly
swinging legs -- pantsless, of
course, to put on show the
shapelessness and noble fluidity of
their most private parts. To
standing ovations, they received
their well-earned certificate.
TEACHER
Here is Little Marcus Radolfo
Junior. Thank you Marcus Radolfo
Junior.
As teacher continues, NEWS REPORTS
AND ONLINE CLIPS overlay.
ANCHORS AND CHANNEL HOSTS
...first batch of processing,
including womb removal, a
resounding success, with more
scheduled...
...every child, no matter
upbringing, to be gifted the full
re-education package by end of the
summer...
...already seeing the miraculous
results of the training. No one is
indifferent to activism.
EXT. PARK
SENATOR NAWALI
Dear New Humans, my plea to you is
this: will you help make the New
Future?
VENUE
ANDROGYNOUS STUDENT 1 (5 years old)
speaks into a mic:
ANDROGYNOUS STUDENT 1
We will help make the New Future.
Thank you for making us whole.
EXT. PARK
SENATOR NAWALI
Find your agenda! Fight!
VARIOUS VENUES
More ANDROGYNOUS STUDENTS (5 years
old) speaking INTO MIC:
ANDROGYNOUS STUDENTS 1, 2, 3
A BETTER WORLD!
A BETTER WORLD!
A BETTER WORLD!
A whole army of Androgynous
Students:
ANDROGYNOUS STUDENTS
A BETTER WORLD!
NARRATOR
Holding signs with slogans, and
wearing agenda-specific t-shirts
and activist pins of their choosing
-- which almost always included the
blue and green circle -- the New
Humans condemned their systemically
troubled country and called for
more progress... more... more...
Their energy is as contagious as
any viral variant.
JAIL CELL
Distant clanging and JAILMATE
voices.
NARRATOR
We are relieved to report that,
meanwhile, Terrorists like B are
rotting behind bars.
B's throaty breathing and gurgling
through spit.
B
Ehhhhhhhhhh. I'm B.... I'm...
B......
PARK
NARRATOR
And the golden child, M, has
reclaimed his throne. He was in
fact front row at Senator Nawali
(Liu)'s speech.
(monstrous)
Oh, and this is perhaps a great
time to mention that --
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 4
Oh, and this is perhaps a great
time to mention that you are now a
civilized people --
SENATOR NAWALI
You are now a civilized people,
without need for primal murderous
weapons. If we decide you are a
threat, you hand it over.
Remember, always always better safe
than sorry.
Applause. With deeper rumbling
now...... cracking......
Suddenly a pop, burst, and splatter
--
-- and the demonic shriek -- like
the one we heard inside B's body --
but now bigger -- the roar to end
them all..........
RAHHHRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
INT. ROOTING4U HEADQUARTERS / BULLPEN - DAY
Employees hustling and bustling.
We follow M's determined footsteps.
INTERCOM VOICE
M greets with a fist-bump.
M
(through masks)
Isaiah, can you check that Imani's
shots are up to date?
INTERCOM VOICE
Fist-bump.
M
Zara, you don't need my go-ahead,
just do your brilliance.
INTERCOM VOICE
Fist-bump.
M
Howard, send me the report on
everything that's triggering. I
want you spearheading a task force
eradicating all of it from these
grounds.
He slides a door open.
OFFICE
Slides it closed.
He takes a deep breath.
Quiet, aside from distant muffled
employee sounds.
MUSIC: quietly eerie....
questioning....
INTERCOM VOICE
Hm. He is looking a bit solemn
today.
EXT. ROTHMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL - DAY
Cars idling. Distant parents
voices.
INTERCOM VOICE
Odd, considering it is the first
Visitation Day and the New Humans
get to be with their blood parents
for 24 hours.
Huge double doors open.....
Kids' footsteps -- approaching.
Parents gasp, overjoyed. Some
clap.
PARENTS
There it is!
So cute! Aww!
SOFIA
I see them! M, you see? You see?
M
Where? Oh. Uh huh.
Daniel and Lucia's footsteps arrive
RIGHT NEXT TO US.
DANIEL AND LUCIA
Hi Daddy, hi Mommy...
Sound of embraces. M feigns joyous
laughter.
M
Love it... just... wish you had
hair I could ruffle! But all good!
SOFIA
You look beautiful, my
sweethearts!!! I love these pins!
"Better off poor without bigoted
customers. Poor gets free
support." How true!
EXT. GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT - DAY
Car pulls up. Engine goes off.
Car door opens. Sofia's voice, in
semi-distance:
SOFIA
...okay. Those have built-in 6
layers? I'll look.
Car door closes. Her footsteps
walking away.....
INT. M'S CAR - DAY
INTERCOM VOICE
He's watching Sofia leave... why?
She enters the store... and now he
turns to the New Humans in the
back...
Sound of M turning.
DANIEL
(so peaceful)
Daddy, you should see our new home.
It's lovely.
M
I know.... I know.....
Sound of M leaning in... and
putting INTENT into his voice. An
EXTRA DEEP RESONANCE builds.
M (CONT'D)
Do you remember? -- -- -- --
The phrase he spoke before. Again
sounding too distorted -- almost
static.
INTERCOM VOICE
Indecipherable. Did you hear? Can
we patch into what he's saying?
M
Remember? -- -- -- --
INTERCOM VOICE
The New Humans don't seem to
understand either.
M
-- -- -- --
INTERCOM VOICE
The daughter's eye twitched. Now
he looks more determined.
M
-- -- -- --
M takes a deep breath. Not giving
up.
M (CONT'D)
-- -- -- --
MUSIC: eerie swell
......................THE END