SAFE SOCIETY
episode 2
by CHRIS SHIMOJIMA
© 2023 One Ocean Productions. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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INTRO TITLE SOUNDS: ("Safe Society"
chorus of whispers)
MUSIC: INTRO/OUTRO THEME
NARRATOR
Welcome back to our annual
symposium, and a special series
about our friend M's visionary
exploits.
RECAP SOUND BITES.
M
What's truly revolutionary is that
we enrich your order with a
concoction personalized to your
microbiome.
NARRATOR
We left off with him now deep into
adulthood, introducing his new
enterprise at Vision Con, to a
full house of attendees from all
sectors: energy, education,
banking, media, healthcare,
sustainability. His mission? A
new level of plant-based living.
M
Personalized food...
Condiments, for different
personality types...
Personalized messages and packaging
material...
MODERATOR
And how does that work? Is it
boosting certain hormones to --
M
A deeper molecular change. So we
ain't kidding, everyone: it changes
your mind.
The audience's loud murmuring...
buzzing.... growing...
A snapping interrupts -- the
audience quiets.
NARRATOR
That was the sound of confidence.
Of spiritual authority. Of one
hand clapping. Of Greatness. It
was also the sound of M signaling
to the projection booth to play a
video. The stage lights dimmed
down.
A humming pitches down and fades
down.
MUSIC ON VIDEO: generic corporate
pop track
ON VIDEO: night-time city traffic.
M
Across the country, 7pm, 7:30pm,
our subjects begin to tune in...
NARRATOR
(whispering)
So what the audience was watching
was a visual explainer of M's
company, Rooting4U. The
introductory shot was a wide of
city streets. A beautiful
timelapse into the evening. And --
look at that, they had a budget! --
ON VIDEO: a WHOOSH, into interior
ambience. Some RESIDENT chuckling,
as TV sounds play.
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
-- it zoomed in super far, looking
through a window, into one person's
home, where he, she, or they were
watching a show on a screen. His,
her, or their amazed face bathed in
a supernatural glow.
M
Picky people with picky needs...
The audience laughs.
ON VIDEO: another WHOOSH. Another
RESIDENT chuckling. More TV sounds
play.
NARRATOR
Then it zoomed in on another home,
another couch potato -- brilliantly
showing that this is a bigger
cultural trend.
M
Of course, only consuming from
whatever is offered... but waiting
for just the right thing... What
will they choose to affect them?
NARRATOR
Then it showed more homes. More
people watching shows. And using
delivery apps. Endless food
options.
M
Stomachs empty... ready to be
catered to... "Gimme more. Please
me. I dare you," they say......
More audience laughter.
AUDIO MONTAGE of doorbells... doors
opening... "thank you"s... food
bags rustling... doors slamming
shut... chewing... "mmmm"s... lips
smacking
NARRATOR
Their ravenous eyes, ready to
devour and consume. Lips smacking.
Messy mouths chowing down. Saliva
streaming.
More audience laughter.
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
Y'know, it's ironic how much M's
audience laughed, because they
looked nearly identical to the
consumers in the video. Bathed in
a similar supernatural glow -- this
one from the auditorium screen.
M
Yes, it's good to be amused, but I
won't bash it too much.
We can't fault ourselves for taking
what the economy wants us to,
right? What we can do, though, is
match our gluttony with
responsibility. Watch.
ON VIDEO: restaurant kitchen
sounds.
NARRATOR
And then the video showed the meal
creation process:
A Rooting4U order pops up on a
tablet in a Rooting4U member
restaurant.
ON VIDEO: Ding!
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
The restaurant staffer relays is to
the kitchen, which is operated...
by robots??
ON VIDEO: Mechanical robot sounds
mixed with the cooking sounds.
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
Well, that was a... surprise... to
M's audience. You can imagine how
frighteningly close to home it was
for them. Laughing they no longer
were.
ON VIDEO: disgusting food prep
sounds. Lots of squishing.
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
The robots make the food. Each
order has a Customer Concoction ID
Number.
ON VIDEO: Disgusting lab sounds.
Spraying. Bubbling. Squirting.
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
Scientists in a lab put these
Customer Concoction ID Numbers on
different stool samples -- that's
strike number 2, showing that.
Another uncomfortable sight. You
could feel the energy in the
auditorium plummeting.
ON VIDEO: robotic beeping, computer
voices, and pouring powders and
liquids
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
Back in the restaurant, the robots
scan the ID Number and see
instructions for the personalized
concoction. They measure powders
and fill a disposable dropper vial.
ON VIDEO: printing sounds
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
Personalized labeling is printed.
A personalized card is printed.
ON VIDEO: restaurant door opening.
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
A Rooting4U Driver arrives and
shows a QR code to the staffer.
ON VIDEO: robotic rolling and
beeping
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
A robot rolls over with the meal
and the vial. The Driver records
on his phone for verification.
ON VIDEO: squirting
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
The Robot empties the vial onto the
meal.
ON VIDEO: apartment door opening,
bag rustling
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
Cut to: the Driver at the
Customer's door, handing over the
meal.
ON VIDEO: chewing sounds from
CUSTOMER
CUSTOMER (ON VIDEO)
Mmmm...
NARRATOR
Cut to: her eating the meal,
smiling, savoring every bite --
Okay. This was becoming bad
infomercial.
CUSTOMER (ON VIDEO)
I, like, feel it working. I
feel... closer to nature. I will
absolutely try the meal kits next.
NARRATOR
M was rolling his eyes. He knew it
wasn't award-winning acting, but as
his video team had explained, there
was no better way to show reactions
that are, in reality, mostly
internal. But when the lights came
back up --
Humming pitches up and fades up
MUSIC ON VIDEO: corporate pop track
ends
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
-- it was fairly obvious the
audience was too savvy to let them
get away with it.
M
(feigning confidence)
Questions... so far?
NARRATOR
2... 3... 6 hands up....8, 9, 10,
11...
M
Yes, you there.
Different AUDIENCE MEMBERS speak
INTO A MIC:
AUDIENCE MEMBER 1
I have a question about the use of
automation. We don't want to be
replaced.
M
I see your concern. I wouldn't be
the one to take that up with, for
using what's unavoidable across all
industries.
AUDIENCE MEMBER 2
We didn't get to see what the
ingredients really look like.
M
True. Many of the meals aren't
picture-friendly when being
prepped. We didn't want that to
distract, because it's irrelevant.
AUDIENCE MEMBER 3
Plants sometimes give me
inflammation... and... you know...
M
It's not uncommon when eating more
plants. You'll adjust.
NARRATOR
He was trying to stay calm. He had
to prove that people would love
this.
AUDIENCE MEMBER 4
If you're charging a premium for
this, aren't you just helping the
well-off? What about those that
can't afford it?
M
The well-off are the tastemakers.
We get to them -- to you -- and you
spread these values to the common
folk. It trickles down.
AUDIENCE MEMBER 5
Why should I give a shit sample?
Pause. M sighs.
NARRATOR
If M was going to get back in
charge, right then would be the
perfect moment...
M
Show of hands -- how many of you
sent in a shit sample?
(beat)
Okay. So a sizable amount is okay
with it. Plus another 20 that's
too embarrassed to say.
Snapping again.
NARRATOR
Yes! There it was! The sound of
Greatness.
Multiple carts rolling. Sets of
footsteps. The audience starts
murmuring.
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
The sound of M calling forth his
Rooting4U staff to bring out
personalized meals, to the dozens
and dozens of audience members that
had been curious enough to provide
a stool sample.
Mash-up of "Here you go"s and
"Thank you"s and "Yeah that's
me"s..... except for AUDIENCE
MEMBER 6, embarrassed, playing
dumb.
AUDIENCE MEMBER 6
Me? Uh... no...
ROOTING4U STAFF
You're not Morgan Lochlear?
AUDIENCE MEMBER 6
Uh... yeah, I guess...
Meal boxes opening all around.
Wrapping paper shuffling. "Oooo"s
from the audience, now delighted.
Envelopes opening.
Gasps from the audience.
AUDIENCE MEMBERS
Look at this card.
Oh my God, did you read yours?
What? No way.
How did they know this?
Aww....
They couldn't've known this...
(sniffling back tears)
I'm gonna try mine.
What should I try first?
This looks really delicious.
Chewing all around.
NARRATOR
One of the ones not eating was a
young white adult, in his mid-20s.
Less trendily dressed. Clearly not
here with anyone. A restless face
twitching with various emotions.
He raised his hand.... higher and
higher, making clear he meant to
interrupt the feast. M's plant
based gut told him this young adult
was combative, so he didn't exactly
rush to respond:
M
......... Yes, you there.
B, mid-20's, harsh, pent-up,
speaking INTO A MIC:
B
My name is B. I'm an omnivore.
M
... Okay.
B
Killing animals for food doesn't
bother me. Man's done it forever.
M
Many people here of all genders
feel the same, but they're willing
to try something new.
B
I don't wanna be manipulated.
That's what this is, right?
Some of the chewing sounds around
us come to a stop.
Long beat...
M
Lemme ask you something..... If
everyone already wants to get to a
destination..... who are we
manipulating? If everyone already
has it in them.
B scoffs.
M (CONT'D)
You may scoff, but why are you
here?
B
Why? I love these conventions. I
want to stay current on what
ridiculousness is out there --
M
No, actually, I think -- by the way
you glance at everyone to check
their reaction -- you've come here,
looking for something. You've come
here, alone...
B scoffs more at first.
M (CONT'D)
Maybe all of us here are aiming for
the same Higher Self. If I have a
tool to steer a smoother path, why
not use it? Sometimes my voice
isn't enough to reach countless
more, so I expand my kit.
M's voice changes. It fills with
INTENT and HEART. And an EXTRA
DEEP RESONANCE (like Dad in first
scene of Episode 1).
M (CONT'D)
If you don't want it, don't buy it.
I'm being very upfront about it.
Who are you to say how I'm allowed
or not allowed to make my impact?
Can you see that's controlling?
(emotion keeps rising)
If I can get just one more person
on board realizing what's already
inside them: a desire to be health
and environment conscious, and to
share it..... that's worth it.
NARRATOR
A tear even fell from M's eye. B
was already shrinking back halfway
through this, and now M's force
completely immobilized him.
M
(suddenly chill, like
dropping an act)
That's adding passion to my voice.
Did I affect you?
B gulps, about to speak.
M (CONT'D)
Don't say it. Keep your pride.
What I just now did is no different
than what these meals here do, just
at greater scale.
NARRATOR
That's the other thing about M.
His theatrical timing is
impeccable.
Chewing all around, starting to
slow... deepening in pitch...
resonating more... like it's being
submerged underwater...
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
As if on cue, here came the first
wave of eaters... slowing down.....
feeling..... something
Deep breaths all around... Light
gasps... some exclamations....
happening in a cascade FROM ONE EAR
TO OUR OTHER......
MUSIC: a sonorous current... a
soothing spell...
AUDIENCE MEMBERS
What... Huh....
What's going on....
Holy shit...
What do you feel?...
I dunno...
The guy's for real...
It's miraculous.
Applause starts back up.
M
Shh. Shh. I know. You there.
Look inside and tell me, what new
urge do you have?
AUDIENCE MEMBER 7
(genuine and moved)
... I want to... help this planet
more.... really do something....
Audience murmuring and
exclamations, in awe
M
It won't be easy along the way.
But we stand a chance, if we
always, always tune in to what's
around us.... And always, always
join in. We have tools. We have
our virtual voice.
Audience breathes, feeling this
deeply...... "mhm"s and "yes"s
NARRATOR
B did not join in here.... But his
silence, instead of more scoffing,
spoke volumes.
INT. B'S APARTMENT / BATHROOM - NIGHT
Bathroom fan running.
NARRATOR
And in fact, at his apartment that
night, he brought a plastic
container with him to the toilet.
Poop plopping into water.
LIVING AREA - DAY
NARRATOR
Fast-forward through the poop
shipment and, days later, he sat,
in his lonely bachelor pad that
lacked any design sense, staring
down at his first Rooting4U meal.
Mock-steak with a rainbow of plant
based sides. And even he had to
admit: it looked like fine dining.
Utensils being picked up... knife
at work....
Then chewing... Swallowing....
Utensils again.... more
chewing.....
This time, a sigh, as if he's
sitting back, relaxing into it...
Again, swallowing.
Followed by a deep breath....
The subtle sound of saliva, moving
around his lips, his tongue...
Another deep breath.....
Then something more of a gasp...
MUSIC: a sudden positive crescendo
PHONE CONVO: M'S OFFICE / B'S APARTMENT
M (PHONE VOICE)
Yeah?
B (PHONE VOICE)
Hi. I don't know if you remember,
but I was the guy at your Vision
Con talk... the one that spoke up.
M (PHONE VOICE)
Okay... Yeah, I remember...
Long silence.
M (PHONE VOICE) (CONT'D)
Hello?
Nothing.
M (PHONE VOICE) (CONT'D)
What's --
Breathing is suddenly audible on
B's side. Wobbly. Like he's
stifling back sobs.
M (PHONE VOICE) (CONT'D)
B, are you there?
B (PHONE VOICE)
I am.
M (PHONE VOICE)
B..... we all have a virtual
voice... With strength in numbers,
we can fight....
Another breath from B.
B (PHONE VOICE)
Yeah...
(and then, more resolute)
Yes.
MUSIC: harmonious, peaceful pulses
and gentle beat
NARRATOR
It's safe to say, M's new offering
was explosive. You witnessed B,
instilled with new purpose.
Feeling the revolution brewing
inside him. And... now he even had
motivation to clean a week of dirty
dishes.
KITCHEN
Faucet running. Dishes being
cleaned.
MUSIC: transitions to INTRO/OUTRO
THEME
NARRATOR
In the next episode, we'll dive
into how M and B -- pronouns he,
him, his -- and the Rooting4U team
- pronouns he, him, his, she, her,
hers, they, them, theirs, ey, em,
eirs, ne, nem, nems, ze, zir, zirs,
ramen, ramen, ramens -- began to
make noise, in spite of -- or
perhaps because of -- a huge,
global curveball.
MUSIC: abruptly cuts off --
-- with pops of static.
The faucet keeps running. The
dishes keep sounding. It's like
we're stuck in a scene after it's
over, witnessing something private
and restricted....
.... and now there's also a low
airy drone...
... and distant reverberations of
Narrator's voice:
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
Feeling the revolution brewing
inside him.....
Feeling the revolution brewing
inside him.....
The faucet, dishes, and drone take
on more presence, getting closer to
us......
.... and now we even hear B's
breathing, which stutters --
-- interrupted by a burp.
Another breath, which passes by our
ears, as we seemingly move past...
INTO B'S BODY
Echoing whooshing sounds, as if
we're flying through a cavern....
Now very close to B's heart
beat.....
NARRATOR
(as if in another room
now)
Feeling the revolution brewing
inside him.....
Feeling the revolution brewing
inside him.....
Pulsing bass reverberations and
warping sounds.....
Gurgling....
Then shaking...
Then something cracking open.....
OUTSIDE B'S BODY
B breathes, grumbles.....
B
(to himself)
Ooff....
INSIDE B'S BODY
Something quivering more...
cracking more.....
OUTSIDE B'S BODY
B
What is that...
His hands rubbing his clothes...
and the skin on his stomach....
Prickling/rippling sounds, like
something growing....
INSIDE B'S BODY
Cracking.... then a sudden a
DEMONIC SHRIEK! Godawful!
MUSIC: a shriek here also
OUTSIDE B'S BODY
B breathing heavy, intensely
afraid.
The prickling/rippling sounds grow,
along with something
stretching/pushing, trying to push
through elastic....
INSIDE B'S BODY
The demonic shrieking is now
accompanied by slimy whip-like
sounds....
... and then stabbing sounds --
like multiple claws latching onto
something.
Then a whole chorus of cracking and
shrieking, coming from all angles,
filling the cavernous space......
OUTSIDE B'S BODY
B's heavy breathing, interrupted by
a loud explosion of liquid,
spewing...... and the demonic
shriek, now more present, right in
our face...
B
Ahhhhh!!!!
But suddenly, it all cuts off --
Leaving only the sound of the
faucet running.
Everything's calm.
B (CONT'D)
(quiet, in a trance)
Rooting4U...
Rooting4U...
Rooting4U...
Footsteps -- he's saying this as
he's walking now...
He stops to pick up and unlock a
phone/tablet.
Typing sounds......
B (CONT'D)
(quietly verbalizing what
he types)
Can't imagine not having these
meals. Let them inspire you to
help our planet......