SAFE SOCIETY
episode 4
by CHRIS SHIMOJIMA
© 2023 One Ocean Productions. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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reproduced, sold or distributed by any means or quoted or
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INTRO TITLE SOUNDS: ("Safe Society"
chorus of whispers)
MUSIC: INTRO/OUTRO THEME
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
We're back for a new installment in
this most extraordinary tale of M.
This was already a successful
individual, with everything going
for him... but now, starting to
embrace his full sensitivity, what
new potential would he discover?
As you heard last time:
RECAP SOUND BITES.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 1
Is it just me, or is there some
sudden hopefulness in the air?
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.
W
Where are you... where are you....
MUSIC: optimistic swell
INT. ROOTING4U HEADQUARTERS / RESTROOM
Faucet running. Intense scrubbing.
M
(mumbling to himself)
Happy birthday dear Daddy...
A distant toilet flushing, and the
stall door opening.
M stops scrubbing so hard.
Footsteps -- an employee JEFF
coming close. Starting another
faucet.
JEFF
(through mask)
How's it goin', M?
M
(through mask)
Good, Jeff. Good.
Jeff's faucet already turns off.
The dryer turns on.
Footsteps pan off -- Jeff exits.
Immediately, M scrubs hard again --
SWISH SWISH SWISH SWISH SWISH SWISH
BULLPEN
Employees chatter. They greet M.
M
(through mask)
What's up everyone.
How are you?
How are you?
NARRATOR
M's new potential was already
apparent in his super sharp
posture. And the extra oomph in
his fist bumps: "We will bump
fists."
M
We have new armor in our fight.
The road was fraught with late
nights, but we overcame mental
burn, thanks to your deep concern.
Employees holler, delighted by the
rhyming.
NARRATOR
Noticeably absent was Kenneth, the
employee that, if you recall,
had... much doubt about plants.
Let's just say it was a welcome
change for him to clear his desk
and be escorted out.
M
Introducing Enhanced Immune System
Support, from High Vibration
Vegetation. And... every morning,
I'm gonna give out free breakfast
with it..... of course,
personalized to each of you.
The employees cheer. Excited
chatter.
YANN
(through mask)
Hey, B!
Patting on the back.
B
(through mask)
Hey, Yann.
YANN
How's the inflammation?
B
You mean my knee? Or my foot?
YANN
Your stomach. From the meals?
B
Oh. I mean... y'know....
(sincere)
It's worth it.
YANN
Yes!
INT. M'S HOUSE / KITCHEN - NIGHT
Home kitchen prep sounds.
NARRATOR
When someone has entered a flow
state, he, she, or they immediately
know what must happen next.
Trusting instinct, M raced home to
gift each of his family members the
new protection -- a personalized
vial of the Enhanced Immune System
Support, from High Vibration
Vegetation.
Exaggerated sound of drops plopping
out of vial.
M
Lucia, move. Okay, now for Daniel.
And now for you.
LUCIA
Ew what is it? It's like a blob.
M
It makes your insides stronger so
you can be like Wonder Woman.
Door opens. Footsteps. Shopping
bag rustling. Sofia small-talking.
Then:
SOFIA
Oh thank God! I feel better just
looking at them!
Coming closer and
reaching/touching/grabbing, sighing
with relief.
SOFIA (CONT'D)
They're free?
M
What do you think? They're
unlimited for me.
She scoffs/chortles -- we can
imagine an eye-roll
M (CONT'D)
(fake British accent)
Have I won the prima donna's
appreciation now?
SOFIA
No, just redeeming yourself
slightly. Do you like these?
Handing over something in plastic
wrapping.
M
No.... ah crap.
SOFIA
Smell them, I love them!
M
I said eucalyptus mixed with clove.
That list came directly from my
research lab.
SOFIA
Well, then you'll have to wait
until tomorrow.
M
... Well, why didn't you just grab
the right ones today?
Beat. Then he sighs, loud.
Shoving some items.
MUSIC: tense, peculiar
SOFIA
This was more fragrant. You didn't
say it had to be --
M (CONT'D)
Yes I did. Can you go back now
please?
SOFIA
You would make me do that? I'm
tired, I'm literally collapsing.
NARRATOR
The thing is, following instinct
will put you ahead of your time.
It will be hard to explain why
every potential remedy must be
taken up right that instant, aside
from: you just know you must do
anything for your family.
M mutters under his breath.
Grabbing keys. Footsteps.
SOFIA
What are you doing? They're closed
now.
M stops. Beat. His breathing...
as he tries to calm it....
MUSIC: increasingly disturbing
M
(head in hands)
Then I can't eat.
SOFIA
What?... We're eating.
Her footsteps. Picking up plates.
Putting them on a table.
SOFIA (CONT'D)
Come here! Are you serious?
(beat)
Okay, Daniel, Lucia, dinner, let's
sit...
The kids' footsteps -- running
over. They talk about random
stuff. Chairs being moved and sat
in. Utensils clinking.
M
Ah! Look! The one downtown is
open!
His footsteps, suddenly moving
loudly, fading away. Door opening
and closing.....
MUSIC: swell
CUT TO
Kitchen clean-up sounds. And
Daniel and Lucia asking tons of
random questions.
Distant sound of a car pulling up
and turning off.
SOFIA
Alright, daddy's back. Go bother
him please.
BEDROOM
Footsteps -- rushing in. Keys
down. Closing the door. M is
breathing frantically, voraciously.
Plastic rustling -- something being
opened.
A drawer pulled open. More
rustling.
A match is lit. The exaggerated
flicker of the flame.
M
(slow, to himself,
reading)
Eucalyptus... and... clove....
Yes.....
A deep inhale. Long. Loud.
Exhale.
YOUTUBE CLIP fading in... poppy
music and YOUTUBER voice
reverberating....
YOUTUBER
So in this video, I will be showing
you how to inhale candles up close,
and go over the main benefits.
M inhales again. This time, it's
animalistic..... ravenous......
He moans quietly, quivering, like
he's being pleasured......
The door has creaked open.
SOFIA
What are you doing?
M unleashes a sudden snarl, like an
animal!
But quickly snaps out of it...
M
Uh... uh...
SOFIA
Why don't you light them out here?
M
I heard it's better like this.
SOFIA
Why can't you eat first?
M
Can you just -- look, I have a
hunch if you do this, it preps you
to be ready for the nutrients.
SOFIA
Does it still work after eating?
M
You'll get some benefit, sure.
She freezes / stops moving for a
beat..... then her footsteps --
coming closer.
Picking up something.
Now she herself inhales deeply.
Exhales.
SOFIA
Mhm.... mhm... yes.... I feel the
benefit...
(urgent and emotional,
nearly in tears)
Daniel and Lucia need it too.
M
Uh -- I -- I dunno --
SOFIA
They do! You can't keep
patronizingly assuming they're too
young for complex things! M, they
need to learn as soon as possible
how to become adults that play
their part as conscientious
citizens!
M (CONT'D)
That's not it.
M (CONT'D)
They don't need -- y'know --
they're impressionable at this
age...... it could... shape them...
and... who knows what habits that
means down the road?
SOFIA
I mean, why shouldn't we be excited
to find out?
(beat)
You only want to help yourself.
M sighs -- relents.
M
Just tell them it's for fun. And
decoration.
LIVING ROOM
NARRATOR
Sofia has been a partner in all
things. Not many have someone that
can complement them, filling in the
gaps of their weaknesses. She was
the one to place the lit Eucalyptus
and Clove candles all across the
living room and kitchen -- with
good design sense, if we may add --
while M sat out -- a timidity he
would be first to admit he hadn't
yet conquered.
SOFIA
Even deeper.
DANIEL
Why? -- Like this?
Daniel breathes in very deep.
SOFIA
More more more more push it push!
MORE.
Daniel strains. His breath
trembles. He's almost gagging.
DANIEL
(through straining)
Ma -- ma -- ma....
Patting/hugging him.
SOFIA
Yes.... I know...... you must.....
you must.....
M
(stuttering, unsure)
Sofia... maybe....
Daniel exhales.
SOFIA
Good. Now, Lucia? Come.
INT. W'S HOME - NIGHT
Crickets outside. Clicking/tapping
sounds.
W
Hmmm....
NARRATOR
As this happened, perhaps it was
more than coincidence that W was
stumbling upon news about M. Was M
rippling the space-time continuum?
(smiling)
Or was it just the vibrations of W
shifting in his bed?
Bed creaking. W shifting and
wheezing, trying to curl up.
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
But in all seriousness, to those
eager to shame him (W): need we
remind you he was 30 years wed to a
birthing person with ten times the
beauty and heart of yours.
W
I am sorry, am I bothering you?
W'S WIFE
I accept you for you, love.
Kissing sound. Bed creaking
continues. Wheezing continues.
NARRATOR
She was so adaptable, she didn't
think twice to put in earplugs.
W
Hmmmmm......
Clicking sounds. And in between:
NEWS REPORTS AND ONLINE CLIPS
COMMENTATOR
The company, called Rooting4U, is
continuously innovating new plant
based solutions...
YOUTUBER
...employees apparently getting
free personalized breakfasts that
can better combat each new
variant...
INT. W'S HOME
W
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....
Beat. Then shuffling. Clicking.
And typing.
W (CONT'D)
(verbalizing what he
types)
Ask our Members to post about the
necessity of leaders coming out of
hiding, and sharing their
peculiarities.
MUSIC: dramatic swell
INT. M'S CAR - DAY (DRIVING)
The car engine -- accelerating.
M
(to himself)
One time around.
The car continues.
M (CONT'D)
Two times around.
Radio static -- and a COMMENTATOR
cutting in.
COMMENTATOR
We can do more.
It reverberates.
M
Three times.
COMMENTATOR
We can do more.
M
Four times.
Five times.
Six! Phew.
(sighs, relief)
EXT. ROOTING4U HEADQUARTERS PARKING LOT
The car door shuts. Footsteps and
M's voice cross FROM ONE EAR TO
ANOTHER.
M
200 meters.... 195 meters.... 190
meters... 185 meters...
COMMENTATOR
And what about tight spaces? Well,
those are like a Bahamas vacation
for viruses. We can do more about
tight spaces.
The Commentator's voice echoes into
the next scene:
INT. ROOTING4U HEADQUARTERS / MEETING ROOM
A dozen GUESTS and employees small
talking and greeting each other as
more people walk in -- more
footsteps.
B
(through masks)
Oh good, Charles is here.
CHARLES (50s) muffled in distance:
CHARLES
Renee, good to see ya!
M
(clears throat, through
masks)
Uh... Kamara?
KAMARA
(through masks)
Yes, on it.
Footsteps -- scurrying to the door.
KAMARA (CONT'D)
(in distance)
Hi, excuse me, Charles?
She proceeds to whisper so
politely, we just hear gibberish.
CHARLES
(in distance)
What?? Don't you see I'm wearing
one?
She whispers more.
CHARLES (CONT'D)
6 masks? I don't have 6.
She whispers and points to a mask
stash.
CHARLES (CONT'D)
But who's asking for this?
KAMARA
... new policy... company...
Charles sighs.
Plastic rustling.
KAMARA (CONT'D)
Thank you.
Mask fabric sliding onto
skin/beard. Charles takes a
muffled breath.
M's footsteps -- approaching
Charles.
M
Charles, good to see you, my man.
NARRATOR
Greeting him with a fist-bump.
M
Did you like the meal kits? Did we
get them right for you?
CHARLES
(through masks, terse)
Yeah they were good.
Sitting sounds.
M
(too muffled through
masks)
Alright, thanks for coming, y'all.
I wanna get started running some --
GUEST
(through masks)
What's that?
M
(louder)
I wanna get started running some of
the new colors we're thinking for
the latest line of...
M keeps going -- lots of business
talk.
The guests and employees chime in.
GUESTS AND EMPLOYEES
(gibberish through masks)
Yeah that's great.
Has anyone thought of incorporating
more turmeric?
Love that.
I'm getting feedback from the San
Francisco customers.
Mhm.
But soon, overwhelming the voices
is everyone's labored breathing....
suffocating... getting louder and
louder....
One woman, KATE, is fully wheezing
and groaning, like she's going to
pass out.
Sound of Charles leaning forward.
CHARLES
I'm sorry but --
Sound of mask fabric coming off.
CHARLES (CONT'D)
(unmasked)
I'm sorry, but Kate -- she's --
this is -- losing consciousness --
Kate, take them off.
(looking around)
Who said we had to do this?
(to M)
Sorry, M, I'm being rude.
M
All good. Um.... anyways, what I
love about the new box colors is
um... how they reference the...
Charles' voice reverberates --
clearly in M's head -- with a
ghostly breath -- crescendoing.....
CHARLES
Look at my uncovered mouth. Look
at my uncovered mouth. Look at my
filthy infected spit-launching
mouth.
M suddenly cuts it off --
M
Uh! Um...
The room is quiet, except for M's
leg shuffling........
NARRATOR
(quiet)
It was B that noticed M's foot
shuffling, and his head angled
awkwardly away from Charles.
B'S DESK AREA
Distant employees working and
moving about. B burps.
NARRATOR
Prior to this meeting, B had
coincidentally been scrolling
through his social feed, taking
five from his current tasks to calm
a bloated tummy.....
at which point, he saw a post from
famed pop performer La Pazza:
B
(reading to himself)
True leaders don't hide their
flaws. The peculiarities of
yesterday are the trends of
tomorrow.
B chuckles -- liking the sound of
it.
NARRATOR
B has made quite a transformation
for someone we can admit we found
off-putting at first. He was
really just a lonely child at
heart, aching for somewhere to
belong, and that gave him strong
antennas to pick up the vibrations
of W's efforts. If you recall, W
asked Members to get leaders out of
hiding.
MUSIC: brewing, mystery being
solved
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
And if you looked closely at this
post from La Pazza, you'd see a
blue and green circle emoji. There
can be no more blatant a nod to
Safe Society than that, proving
Members had in fact spread W's
request to the right influencers.
M's footsteps and voice, passing
from ONE EAR TO THE OTHER.
M
15 meters... 10 meters... 5
meters....
He slides a door closed.
NARRATOR
B saw M -- his leader -- keeping
his head down, as if hiding some
peculiarity. The wheels started
spinning...
MEETING ROOM
M, stuttering, trying to stay
focused:
M
The um... red color for example is
nice... yeah... so...
NARRATOR
...and now at the meeting, B
surprisingly -- out of character --
came to the rescue.
B
M, should Charles put on the masks?
M stops.
B (CONT'D)
You told me 6 masks was your idea,
right?
M
I did? Oh... I heard...
B
(to the group)
It was M's idea.
M
B -- no -- uh -- shh....
B
So take a sigh of relief. We all
know he's had amazing foresight.
What he realized is, since the UK
is doing 4 masks, thinking they're
so much better, well, fuck 'em!
(more polite voice)
Sorry, I mean that in the kindest
way. Why should they set the
standard? My team did astounding
work compiling the science on this.
So please be considerate of them...
Layer 1 is.... M, help me explain.
MUSIC: becoming uplifting and
heroic
B (CONT'D)
Yeah, c'mon...
M takes a breath. Sound of him
getting up from his seat.
M
Layers 1 and 2 are for the big and
smaller particles. 3 and 4 are the
same, but shifted on a diagonal to
cover more holes. And we add 5 and
6 to restrict oxygen, simulating
high altitudes to increase lung and
heart function, and leave cleaner
air for the immunocompromised that
need it. Who would argue that,
even if we entitled assholes must
suffer slightly to practice it in
lower-stake spaces like this?
GUESTS AND EMPLOYEES
True.
It's a good point.
Mhm.
NARRATOR
Here it comes. For those of you
just now tuning in, M had the skill
to infuse his voice with true
persuasion.
M continues what's becoming more of
a sermon. His voice changes.
INTENT. Filtered with the EXTRA
DEEP RESONANCE.
MUSIC: climaxing, triumphant,
hypnotic and powerful -- drowning
out most of his words -- but some
peek through:
M
We can do more...
Never half-ass...
Save humanity...
Shatter glass ceiling...
These phrases echo AROUND OUR EARS.
And the guests gasp and jolt --
"oof!" -- as if the phrases are
hitting them.
NARRATOR
If you want to understand the true
power of this voice, know that
several eyes in the room were
rolling back, as if in a trance.
And one pair was in tears.
Applause from everyone.
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
Even Charles was clapping, and
lifting back up his 6 masks.
NEWS REPORTS AND ONLINE CLIPS
ANCHORS AND CHANNEL HOSTS
...pioneering 6 masks in closed
room settings...
...photos of M and other leaders on
the board, responsibly wearing 6
masks....
Rooting4U hits top trending...
INT. W'S COMPANY HQ - DAY
NARRATOR
And W heard about it all.
Employees quietly at work. W'S
COLLEAGUE points out:
W'S COLLEAGUE
6 masks. That's the company you
were looking into?
W
Ha! This CEO had it in him after
all....
(to himself)
The perfect soldier........
It echoes out........ along with
him laughing...
MUSIC: INTRO/OUTRO THEME
NARRATOR
Stay tuned for more of M's buoyant
and thrilling deeds -- and how he
became an emblem for larger
cultural responsibility.
W is still laughing.
It builds into an evil
villain's...... to an uncomfortable
extreme that nearly clips this
recording --