SAFE SOCIETY
episode 3
by CHRIS SHIMOJIMA
© 2023 One Ocean Productions. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
No portion of this script may be performed, published,
reproduced, sold or distributed by any means or quoted or
published in any website, without prior written consent of
One Ocean Productions. Disposal of this script copy does not
alter any of the restrictions set forth above.
INTRO TITLE SOUNDS: ("Safe Society"
chorus of whispers)
MUSIC: INTRO/OUTRO THEME
NARRATOR
Welcome back to the celebration of
our genius friend M -- one of the
remaining "good" white persons. We
left off with M and B seeing an
entire hopeful future in waiting.
RECAP SOUND BITES.
M (PHONE VOICE)
B..... we all have a virtual
voice... With strength in numbers,
we can fight....
B (PHONE VOICE)
Yeah...
(and then, more resolute)
Yes.
NARRATOR
Picking it up from there, we now
have B -- thanks to M, and thanks
to the personalized plant-based
Rooting4U meal that he ate --
stepping up to post a very
supportive review.
Typing...
B
(quietly verbalizing what
he types)
Can't imagine not having these
meals. Let them inspire you to
help our planet......
NARRATOR
And lest you have any doubt of the
food's efficacy, we'll share with
you some other reviews:
Rapid typing on various devices...
VOICES
(verbalizing as they type)
/// Can't imagine not having these
dinners. Let them inspire you to
help our planet.
/// I can't fathom not having
these plant-based meals. They'll
definitely inspire you to help our
planet.
/// I can't go back to life
without these meals. You'll feel
the same, and be inspired to help
our dying planet.
NARRATOR
These were just a fraction of the
ones swarming in, from those that
had attended Vision Con, and
beyond. A few of those early
advocates even came to work for M.
One of them being B.
NEWS REPORT
Kitchen sounds. Chefs and line
cooks shouting.
ANCHOR
Rooting4U chefs work diligently to
perfect the meals. In the
distance, you can see kits boxed
and packed.
Construction sounds
ANCHOR (CONT'D)
The company's meteoric rise has
allowed Mr. M, the Founder, to move
headquarters to a new construction.
Office sounds
ANCHOR (CONT'D)
Inside, painted on one wall are the
huge words "No Meat Beyond This
Point," and just beyond that,
dedicated plant-loving employees
race around an open, airy layout
with their laptops, passing shelves
of sustainable snacks and awards
from various --
All sounds pause........
NARRATOR
(feeling this deeply)
But then.... an emergency.
MUSIC: concerning, dramatic
ARCHIVAL AUDIO SNIPPETS
Using real-life MAINSTREAM MEDIA
COVERAGE of Covid-19, we paint the
portrait of a similar virus
variant, and similar reactions to
it. Phrases jump out:
MAINSTREAM MEDIA COVERAGE
/// ...death tolls rising...
/// ...cases climbing...
/// ...anti-vaxers are choosing
selfishness...
/// ...especially concerning for
seniors and oppressed minorities...
NARRATOR
(sad, tenderhearted)
The viral variant stepped on all.
Uncertainty became the word of the
day...
Most of you took the opportunity to
slow down.... to reconnect to what
really matters: your loved ones...
but M? He was a man of action...
and yes, also (still) a loving
husband and father.
INT. ROOTING4U HEADQUARTERS / MEETING ROOM - DAY
Media coverage plays in background.
EXECS 1 and 2 sigh, grumble,
stressed.
EXEC 1
We got big heads, thinking our
meals were healing the planet.
EXEC 2
We didn't jinx it. It's just one
step forward, two steps back....
Smack -- a hand hitting a table.
M
(the optimist)
Hey! There's just more to do,
that's all. I want stashes of
masks unpacked, now!
MUSIC: driving, motivating
Boxes being opened. Plastic
wrapping rustling.
M (CONT'D)
Everyone from now on --
(through mask)
-- in a mask! Sanitizer
dispensers, at every corner,
doubled up!
Metal/plastic movement sounds.
Office hustle bustle. Voices of
employees working together.
Meetings.
M (CONT'D)
We'll innovate. Stronger meals.
We'll debate. We'll look at new
diagrams.
A mish-mash of EMPLOYEES pitching
things. This stands out:
ROOTING4U EMPLOYEE 1
(through mask)
... extra immune system support.
BULLPEN
Teams at work. One group arguing
in the distance... We can discern
that one voice belongs to B.
B is aggressive, and 2 TEAMMATES
are fed up, storming off -- their
footsteps and voices pan off.
M
(through mask)
B, what the hell, man?
B
(through mask)
They dunno what they're doing!
M
There's a way to debate and not say
everything "sucks." B, I
appreciate the gusto, and how
you've adjusted with the killer
hair and lux clothes. See, you're
not new here anymore. So I can't
keep telling you this. We watch
our language.
B grumbles some curses under his
mouth.
M (CONT'D)
If you can't be gentle and
encouraging, you can leave.
B shuts up.
SECOND-IN-COMMAND's voice and
footsteps approach:
SECOND-IN-COMMAND
(through mask)
M, why is he --
M
Yeah, hold on, let's step over here
and...
(fades away into distant
whisper)
NARRATOR
My goodness, you had to love M's
charm. He calmed down his second
in-command just like that. And the
complaining teammates went quietly
back to work. And B was off the
hook. Even someone like B could
appreciate that, though you still
wouldn't hear him say it.
Back to heavy hustle bustle.
Voices of employees working
together. Meetings.
M
(through mask)
Let's have more diagrams.
A pencil drawing
M (CONT'D)
More ideas.
ROOTING4U EMPLOYEE 2
I got something!
M
More prototypes presented.
ROOTING4U EMPLOYEE 1
(through mask)
...and we'll add a touch of
edelberry to the C-8-Q-9.
M
Strong, but not there just yet.
ROOTING4U EMPLOYEE 1
Okay... so what if...
The employee's voice fades into a
mass of others.
M sighs loudly, frustrated, cutting
in, making all the voices stop. He
plops into a chair.
M
(head down, it seems)
Sorry. The meals we kicked off
yesterday were wonderful. Let's
stop, or I'll drive y'all crazy.
NEWS REPORT in distance, with some
COMMENTATOR
COMMENTATOR
... variant wrecking our immune
systems. We should be doing
more...
M
Enough of that please!
It's turned off.
M gets up from the chair. His
footsteps, leaving, as he says:
M (CONT'D)
Everything we've done, and the
public still has no gratitude. I'm
calling it a day. Everyone go
home.
INT. M'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Footsteps entering. A door
closing. Putting down keys and
other items. Plopping down on a
couch.
M sighs, burning off stress.
Distant sound of the faucet running
in the bathroom, and the voices of
SOFIA (40), DANIEL (4), and LUCIA
(7).
M
(calling)
HEY? WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE
PAINT ON THE FRONT DOOR? DID YOU
SEE THAT? SOFIA?
SOFIA
(distant)
WHAT?
M
DID YOU SEE THE PAINT PEELING ON
THE FRONT DOOR?
SOFIA
WHAT, SOMEONE PEEING? COME HERE,
WE'RE BUSY.
BATHROOM
The faucet close to us now.
Splashing sounds. Daniel and Lucia
are moaning in protest.
M
What are you doing? How was
school?
A kiss on forehead. Then ruffling
hair.
NARRATOR
Aw, that was sweet. If you want to
connect the dots, M picked up the
hair ruffling from his father. His
kids Daniel and Lucia thought it
made him cool, because old school
was cool.
His wife Sofia -- pronouns she,
her, hers, proudly mixed race, and
on the spectrum, all qualities M
deeply respected -- was the
recipient of hair stroking instead
of ruffling, and most of the time
she was indifferent.
The kids have continued to complain
in the background.
Splashing stops.
SOFIA
Okay -- Daniel! You now.
NARRATOR
She's totally enamored with him!
She just knows it's important to
focus her attention on the
existential issues all around, and
there have been too many. Wearing
glasses that are proud to be
glasses, intensifying her laser
focus. Phone -- and the news on it
--
SOFIA
Shit. Oh my God.
NARRATOR
-- always within striking distance,
in case it required her comment.
Splashing has started back up --
hand washing...
SOFIA
Happy Birthday to you. Happy
Birthday to you. Happy Birthday
dear --
DANIEL
Why do we have to sing Happy
Birthday 3 times?
M
You don't have to. Just 2 times.
Sofia's voice is mostly always
frazzled, staccato, anxious:
SOFIA
Absolutely not. Didn't you hear?
This week's variant is not just
airborne. It's on surfaces, so 30
seconds, so 3 times.
M
I'm sure 20 seconds is still ok.
SOFIA
I'm just the messenger. This one's
affecting the nerves. It can --
M
Yeah yeah yeah. I got some
Pavlicin, and a whole box of wipes.
SOFIA
Well, everyone in this household is
doing this too, because 10 extra
seconds never hurt anyone. Just
spend less time screaming, more
time washing, right, kids?
The kids scream random shit
M
It's fine. Really.
SOFIA
If it's affecting the nerves --
NARRATOR
M twitched, hearing that.
M
It's fine, we don't need --
Stop.
SOFIA
No, listen. If it's affecting the
nerves --
SOFIA (CONT'D)
Literally it can damage your nerves
meaning no more sensation in
specific areas and it can worsen
over many years so I'm not risking
that with these munchkins.
All sounds pause
NARRATOR
Remember M's father telling him to
listen, and be more responsive?
The more we commit, the more
daunting it can be, like staring
into a dark abyss. M knew there
was a cliff ahead, and he kept
backing away for that reason......
(sighs, but with a smile)
At the same time, good people can't
help themselves... And that is what
started opening him up to a higher
vibration....
Sounds start back up
SOFIA
So everyone's acknowledging that
Happy Birthday 3 times is best.
Beat.... then M sighs.
SPPPPSSSSHHHHH
Squirting soap, then scrubbing.
M
Happy birthday to you. Okay, see,
kids? Everyone needs to do it when
they come inside.
The kids whine.
M (CONT'D)
Happy birthday to you. Happy
birthday dear... Daddy.... Happy
birthday to you.
A strange flicker of sound design
cuts in!
MUSIC: something quiet and
mysterious starts building...
M (CONT'D (CONT'D)
Happy birthday to you. Happy
birthday to you. Happy birthday,
dear Daddy. Happy birthday to you.
The sound of the drain is becoming
more and more present, as if
opening up.
Another flicker!
M (CONT'D)
(to himself)
Huh?
A mysterious HUMMING TONE starts
pulsing.
Under it, we can make barely out
Narrator's voice, coming from far
down a tunnel.
NARRATOR
To you...
M
Happy Birthday to you.
NARRATOR
(increasingly loud and
clear)
To you...
M
Happy Birthday to you.
NARRATOR
To you...
M
Happy birthday, dear Daddy.
NARRATOR
Dear Daddy...
M
Hap -- okay.
He cuts himself off. Turns off the
faucet. HUMMING cuts off.
M (CONT'D)
Seems like 2 times is fine, kids.
We FOLLOW M's footsteps out. Sofia
calls after us, her voice getting
distant as we MOVE AWAY.
SOFIA
No, what are you doing? M? M,
that's not enough, come back, you
were almost done, don't touch
anything until you...
INT. ROOTING4U HEADQUARTERS - DAY
Rooting4U Employees chattering and
eating. Chewing sounds.
Footsteps lead us to a
conversation. KENNETH and
DEFENSIVE EMPLOYEE fade in.
KENNETH
Plants aren't going to save us.
DEFENSIVE EMPLOYEE
They put us in a much better
position.
KENNETH
I think that's debatable.
M
(through mask)
What's going on, guys?
NARRATOR
Always considerate, M greeted them
with a fist-bump.
M
You don't like the mock duck today?
You sound like a jilted lover.
They laugh.
M (CONT'D)
Masks, please.
DEFENSIVE EMPLOYEE
Sorry.
(through mask)
We got a debbie downer here.
KENNETH
(through mask)
All I mean is, so what if you have
a healthy diet, if that can only do
so much?
M
Kenneth, you're looking at it from:
what it does. There's also what it
helps not do.
KENNETH
For sure. It's helped me cut most
sugars, and my immune system is
happy. But that's not bullet
proof. Last week's variant is
nothing compared to how fast this
one spreads.
The flicker sound effect again!
Followed by the HUM. And a breath
coming from narrator.
M
(whispers)
Stop. Stop --
The HUM and breath cut off.
KENNETH
And -- I'm just saying -- some
voices out there claim being vegan
might mean missing out on --
M
That's old news. Actually, you may
have the outdated supplement
guideline. Lemme get Dakota to
send you the latest. We have a new
deal with Elentrix, so you'll be
able to get dirt cheap essentials.
KENNETH
Is that as good as the real thing?
I just wonder if plant-based is too
simple. Like big business just saw
it's cheaper and more profitable.
Quiet for a beat. Nearby employees
are quieting down too -- a few
whispers.
M
Well, that is a benefit. But it's
a natural byproduct of the other
benefits. It's funny. You have
this way of talking that's very
much about what do you get. What
about third world --
KENNETH
But nothing's bullet-proof, so
maybe we should always be, I dunno,
more tuned in.
M
No diet is magical. But we are in
the most protective situation with
it. That's what --
KENNETH (CONT'D)
Right. You're right. All good.
Beat.
M
Alright, whatevs... Enjoy, guys.
His footsteps -- walking off.
Brisk breathing sounds, as he picks
up speed....
KENNETH
(reverberating)
Nothing's bullet-proof, so maybe we
should always be tuned in...
Nothing's bullet-proof, so maybe we
should always be tuned in...
Last week's variant is nothing
compared to how fast this one
spreads.........
M'S OFFICE
Sliding a door shut. Sitting into
an office chair. Leg shaking.
Anxious typing. And clicking.
M
(gasping)
Shit... my God....
More clicking. And in between:
NEWS REPORTS AND ONLINE CLIPS
ANCHORS AND CHANNEL HOSTS
...what if it damages the nervous
system...
...spreads three times as fast...
...says it can spread four times as
fast...
M'S OFFICE
Leg shaking is louder now. An
ominous rumbling is growing.
Clock ticking. Time passing.
ROOTING4U EMPLOYEES
(outside office)
Goodnight, guys.
Goodnight, guys.
(opening M's door, through
mask)
Goodnight, M.
M
(through mask)
Night.
Clock ticking. More time passing.
MUSIC: tense, dissonant, something
brewing
More clicking. And in between:
NEWS REPORTS AND ONLINE CLIPS
ANCHORS AND CHANNEL HOSTS
...surpasses 2 million dead...
(echoing)
...surpasses 2 million dead...
...You need to stay 6 feet apart...
...You need to stay 6 feet apart...
M's breathing is loud.
Distant screams, echoing. Cries of
pain. Sudden jarring sound fx.
M
(jumping in shock at)
Ah!
(as if closing eyes)
Ple-ple-ple-ple-please-please
please no-no-no-no......
The cries echo all around the room.
Paired with the HUMMING tone again,
subtle, almost imperceptible.....
2 muffled voices chatting/laughing
cut through.
M gets up. His footsteps -- fast.
He opens window blinds.
The voices continue, next to a
muffled car motor running... one
person starts coughing....
M gasps.
Then the voices and coughing
suddenly stop -- like they see him!
M gasps again. Closes the window
blinds.
MUSIC: ominous pulsing and swell
INT. M'S HOUSE - NIGHT
M breathing. His footsteps.
His kids in the distance, yelling
and running around.
PASSING BY OUR EAR, another NEWS
REPORT
COMMENTATOR
... so if you don't want it harming
the vulnerable, contain the
spread...
INT. M'S CAR - DAY (TRAVELING)
Car driving sounds. Muffled cars
passing outside.
A NEWS REPORT on the radio:
COMMENTATOR
...6 feet apart...
...and masks help prevent...
Slamming the radio button, turning
it off.
But the words continue to echo,
becoming a menacing growl, like the
voices in Young M's head at the end
of Episode 1.
COMMENTATOR (CONT'D)
...6 FEET APART...
...AND MASKS HELP PREVENT...
EXT. ROOTING4U HEADQUARTERS PARKING LOT
Birds chirping. Distant
highway/road sounds.
A car coming to an abrupt stop.
INT. M'S CAR - DAY
The car idling....
COMMENTATOR
6 feet... 6 feet... 6 feet... 6
feet...
M takes a breath...
Suddenly, his foot slamming the
pedal. His hands spinning the
steering wheel.
The car accelerates.
NARRATOR
One time around the parking lot.
The car continues.....
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
Two times around...
The car continues.....
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
Three times around...
The flicker sound effect again!
Followed by the HUM.
The car continues...
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
Four times... To look around the
modern world is, perhaps, to become
a little sad at our loss of
community.
But the bold among us will try to
find new rituals. Those can bind
us back together.
Another flicker!
The HUM grows. Now sounding like a
CHANT.
The radio button is hit, back on.
COMMENTATOR
...importance of staying 6 feet
apart, because even though it
doesn't look that way when you step
out, I assure you that 6 million
died, and they had the variant, so
it had to be from that!
Thump! The car bobbles.
EXT. ROOTING4U HEADQUARTERS PARKING LOT
An animal shriek. Bones cracking.
NARRATOR
Unfortunately, he flattened a
squirrel, but we've all been
there... Five times around....
The car zooming away.
Another flicker!
The HUM and CHANT growing, with
deep rumbling under it now.
INT. M'S CAR - DAY
COMMENTATOR
Even your electric vehicle can
strain the power grid, so if you
drive too much sometimes, then
compensate at other times.
Remember lockdown? It meant
driving less. Walking more. The
air improved. The ozone healed.
NARRATOR
And finally... six times around...
EXT. ROOTING4U HEADQUARTERS PARKING LOT
The car parks. The engine turns
off. Door opening and closing.
NARRATOR
The good citizen even parked on the
street outside the lot, so he could
walk the long way to the office.
Footsteps.
COMMENTOR
Driving less... walking more...
NARRATOR
Six full times. Six circles. And
not to get too mystical here, but
it did resemble this very...
The HUM AND CHANT REACHES A
CRESCENDO.............
A large clock hand clicking into
place somewhere. DONG!
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
... clock.
DONG! DONG!
EXT. SAFE SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS - DAY
The DONG! now in the distance.
Birds chirp. Grass and trees
blowing gently. Peaceful, quiet
air.
The muffled voices of a dozen SAFE
SOCIETY MEMBERS (mid-age and older)
in the distance, starting to wrap
up their meeting.
DONG!
The voices thin out.
MUSIC: sparse, peculiar
We MOVE CLOSER to the voices, and
they become clear. Global.
Different accents.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 1
Is it just me, or is there some
sudden hopefulness in the air?
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 2
I know. Is it the weather?
Beat.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 3
The world is ready for more glass
ceilings to shatter. There must be
a new ally, a powerful one, open to
us, so let's hit the pavement
harder. How are your afternoons?
Should we do breakout groups?
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBERS
Yes.
Let's do it.
Mhm.
Sounds good.
Sounds of them getting up. Their
footsteps, across grass... then
across concrete...
NARRATOR
Where does one start with the
Members? Perhaps their altruism,
beyond what's expected of global
thought and business leaders?
Their insistence on dissolving
national and racial boundaries?
Squirting and rubbing liquid. Over
and over.
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
Their love of hand sanitizer? They
in fact claim to be the ones that
instigated the trend. But apart
from their businesswear, these are
unassuming folk. Ruled by routine
and diligence. Like the giant
clock they were passing that marked
their headquarters.
Tick.... tick.... tick....
INT. SAFE SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS / LOUNGE AREAS
SAFE SOCIETY EMPLOYEES pass by our
ears, and those in the distance
reverberate throughout a seemingly
large space.
NARRATOR
And their breakout sessions were
sacrosanct. No, not closed off in
a clinical room, but spread
throughout the large lobby, where
they could be inspired by the
sunlight coming through three-story
windows, and the inquisitive
employees passing by, nurturing
smiles inside their masks, as
videos playing on screens reminded
them of their hard work.
CASE STUDY VIDEO snippets pass by
our ears.
CASE STUDY VOICES
... fully insect-based Michelin
star restaurant completely a
success through Safe Society
members...
... Safe Society members debut a
successful disinformation app...
MUSIC: still sparse, but now also a
dissonant plucking...
MOVING IN on several pairs
brainstorming through their masks --
quietly, like in a library -- the
breakout sessions. Scribbling on
paper. Flipping pages. Typing.
Clicking.
NARRATOR
All the members at this think tank
were searching so thoughtfully, but
the one we'll focus on -- who we
know you've been dying for us to
get to -- is W -- pronouns he, him,
his, and black. His weight would
give him trouble sitting down...
W (50s) grumbles, breathes hard.
Squeezes into a chair.
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
... but in all earnestness, to
those eager to shame, take note of
his constant happy squint, like
he'd wink at you at any moment.
That is someone comfortable in his
own skin.
Hands rubbing up and down pants
fabric. Stomach gurgling.
Shuffling in the seat -- which
sounds like disgusting rubber.
Footsteps of a passing employee, YU
LENG.
W's voice, a bit of a foreign
accent:
W
(through mask)
How is the mom, Yu Leng?
YU LENG
(through mask)
Thank you so much, W! She grew
back her tummy fat, and she has so
many followers now! You're
looking great today too.
W
(tapping chest/heart)
Oh, thank you.
Clicking. More clicking.
NARRATOR
This is a man so enveloped in his
research, especially during a
breakout session, that if you
didn't know him, you'd think he was
constipated.
(smiles)
But Safe Society members do really
(feel they) know each other. They
would say W was simply on the brink
of finding their new hope.
W
Where are you... where are you...
MUSIC: suspenseful swell into
MUSIC: INTRO/OUTRO THEME
NARRATOR
Stay tuned next time to hear how
M's road and their road... merged
to a super highway.