SAFE SOCIETY
episode 6
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)
Welcome back to this year's
celebratory series, in which our
hero M was last seen using his
influence to take down one of the
most despicably racist human beings
to ever walk the planet.
RECAP SOUND BITES.
M
We, the protectors.
Cyberpeace.
FOLLOWERS AND BUSINESSPEOPLE
We, the protectors.
Cyberpeace.
NIKOLAI VOLKOV
Stop -- why are you touching me!?
(face getting smooshed)
Why are you -- squeezing -- my
mouth?
Why am I... on the ground?
Stop -- stop prying my eyes --
M
Sofia! Sofia!! Look -- what --
what did I do to my skin -- I --
ripped it --
SOFIA
Awww..... I love you so much.... my
activist.... my martyr... it's
beautiful.....
MUSIC: upbeat hopeful swell
INT. SAFE SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS / MEETING ROOM - DAY
Clicking.
NARRATOR
M's rise to one of Safe Society's
most trusted allies couldn't have
come at a better time. His energy
fit perfectly with the collective
passion needed for the arising
opportunities.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 4
Nope...
(click)
Next...
(click)
Next.... You know, many of these
conflicts are awful -- bombings,
genocide, yadayadayada -- but they
still don't quite have the "it
factor" to make me want to speak
about. W, do you have thoughts?
W
(click)
How about this one? Good Nation
vs. Rogue Nation.
"Ooo"s from other Safe Society
Members.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 4
Hmm. Hmmmmm. Yes. We have
invested so much to help Good
Nation be a beneficiary of our
light. And Rogue Nation has always
been an obstacle. They must not
sign a peace agreement. If we can
anger Rogue Nation enough that it
invades, and starts killing
innocents.....
(taking this to heart,
crying, nearly sobbing)
What is the phrase? The silver
lining. We will have our excuse.
MUSIC: driving, but also menacing,
funeral-like -- a tragic ascension.
NARRATOR
Though most of you are undoubtedly
pacifists, where there is evil,
there must be a fight.
Senator Nawali (Liu) joined in, and
was so supportive she couldn't bear
not wearing a blue-green circle
pin.
EXT. PARK
SENATOR NAWALI speaking into a mic:
SENATOR NAWALI
We will give to Good Nation. And
cripple Rogue Nation with
sanctions. Such wars are good.
There will be costs, but if you
can't rise to selflessness with us,
you'll be a Rogue sympathizer
responsible for the death of
innocents.
AUDIO MONTAGE
POLITICIANS and MEDIA PERSONALITIES
on various CHANNELS.
POLITICIANS AND MEDIA PERSONALITIES
If you can't rise to selflessness
with all the model citizens, you're
a Rogue sympathizer responsible for
the death of innocents.
A Rogue sympathizer responsible for
the death of innocents.
If you can't rise to selflessness,
you're a Rogue sympathizer
responsible for the death of
innocents.
Responsible for the death of
innocents.
NARRATOR
Such advocacy from our politicians
and media infantry could yield only
one reaction: tears in the eyes of
every compassionate civilian.
Various CIVILIANS crying.
Typing, rapid, coked up --
tktktktktktktktk!
CIVILIANS
(verbalizing as they type)
Don't be responsible for the death
of innocents.
Don't be a Rogue sympathizer.
Hashtag Support Good Nation.
Support Good Nation!
Crush Rogue Nation!
INT. TEEN'S ROOM
A TEEN, listening to an ONLINE
CLIP:
COMMENTATOR
Don't be a Rogue sympathizer.
Can't you see the deaths of
innocents?
TEEN
Fuck. The death of innocents?
NARRATOR
And such unsettling media bites
could yield only one reaction among
some teens and young adults:
involuntary Tourette-like ticks.
TEEN
(head ticking tick, with
verbal sound)
Ick! Ick! Ick!
NARRATOR
A quote unquote "stress condition"
according to some quote unquote
"medical professionals," but you
know deep in your hearts that your
quirks must be celebrated.
TEEN
(recording himself)
Hey everyone, coming to you live.
Check out what's happening to me.
Ick! Ick! Ick!
Voices of OTHER TEENS, excited.
TEENS
Wow! So weird!
That's kinda cool!
What if it happens to me? Ick!
Wait, I can do that! Ick! Ick!
Look, it's happening to me, sick!
Ick! Ick! Ick!
Becoming a whole chorus of ticking.
OVERLAY the sound of the large Safe
Society clock, itself
ticking........
AUDIO MONTAGE
POLITICIANS and ACTIVISTS on
various CHANNELS.
POLITICIANS AND ACTIVISTS
Our quirks must be celebrated.
Our quirks must be celebrated.
Our quirks must be celebrated.
Our quirks must be celebrated.
INT. AUDITORIUM
Tick-ing sounds -- Ick! Ick! Ick! --
from YOUNG STUDENTS.
VICE PRINCIPAL clears her throat.
VICE PRINCIPAL
(through masks)
Students, I appreciate your
ticking. But let's also pay
attention to the video.
MUSIC ON VIDEO: Patriotic cheese
SENATOR NAWALI (ON VIDEO)
Today is a day to celebrate the
many folks in our government whose
job it is to defend your quirks.
We've always been here for you.
YOUNG STUDENT
(through masks)
Where's Mrs. Klementz?
VICE PRINCIPAL
(through masks)
Mrs. Klementz was angrily
criticizing things, so it's not
good for her to be here anymore.
As Senator Nawali continues on the
video...
LUCIA
(whispering, through
masks)
Daniel. Psst!
DANIEL
(whispering, through
masks)
Lucia! Go back to your class!
LUCIA
I know, but I don't like this.
DANIEL
Me too.
AUDIO MONTAGE
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS on various
CHANNELS.
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
Our critics are compromised. The
worst attack we've seen since 9/11.
They are everywhere!
The worst attack we've seen since
9/11. They are everywhere!
The worst attack we've seen since
9/11. They are everywhere!
The worst attack we've seen since
9/11. They are everywhere!
The worst attack we've seen since
9/11. They are everywhere!
MUSIC: swell, leading into a
climactic dramatic section...
EXT. PUBLIC SQUARE - NIGHT
Distant urban traffic.
Indecipherable whispered and
muttered words come from
Politicians, Civilians, and Safe
Society Members.
NARRATOR
And all of that could yield only
one response from the cultural
tastemakers and Safe Society
Members: a vigil with dozens of
somberly beautiful burning candles.
Taking the lead from M, of course,
they were Eucalyptus and Clove.
MUSIC: menacing beat reaching a
feverish volume
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 4
(through masks, loud
enough for gathering to
hear)
Please everyone, let us hold hands.
And open your eyes and face the
blue and green sphere.
HUM AND CHANT starts. And the
slimy, rumbling, peeling, dripping
sounds from the end of the previous
episode.
NARRATOR
(heartfelt)
Facing us and reciting with such
hopeful faces? It was a gesture we
weren't even demanding. We're so
grateful to all of you that
participated, both in person...
ALL OVER
NARRATOR
...and virtually...
Typing.
TKTKTKTKTKTKTKTKTKTKTKTKTKTKTKTK!
Civilian voices, in a robotic
trance.
CIVILIANS
We the protectors avenge! Critics
are everywhere! They must be
destroyed!
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
A pair of footsteps.
Distant cars. Distant sirens.
Distant wolves.
Civilian voices echoing.
The footsteps pick up speed --
belonging to a CRITIC, whose
breathing also picks up.
HUM AND CHANT seems to follow,
approaching, SWIMMING PAST,
CIRCLING BACK...
MUSIC: menacing beat continues,
drums pounding.
Hellish sounds.
Critic's footsteps -- now running.
Then stopping. Tree rustling.
Like he's hiding.
A lamp flickering.
He jumps with a sudden gasp!
Starts running again.
Distant cries for help from OTHER
CRITICS.
VARIOUS SPOTS
The cries are now right next to us.
Along with the Civilian voices:
CIVILIANS
Critics are everywhere! They must
be destroyed!
Critics are everywhere! They must
be destroyed!
OTHER CRITICS
Stop! Stop holding hands!
Stop circling!
Why'm I on the ground?
Stop squeezing!
Stop prying my eyes open!
Their screams...............
.... end in drooling. And long
throaty grumbles.
OTHER CRITICS (CONT'D)
Ehhhhhhhhhhhh......
Suddenly: 2 pairs of footsteps in
formal shoes, walking in unison, at
a constant beat..... The men in
suits.
They stop. And start dragging
bodies. The shoes squeal.
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
Initial Critic's footsteps slow.
His breathing calms.
MUSIC: fading down for a moment
Distant shouting voices of RIOTERS.
Critic takes a sudden breath,
turning......
..... and the rioters' voices are
now STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE, their
footsteps racing at us.
RIOTERS
Get' em! Get 'em all!
Collision sounds.
CRITIC
Oof! Ah! Ugh! Help! Help!
Help!
RIOTERS
Burn everything! YEAH! Break the
windows! Steal! Burn the church!
Windows shattering. Flames
roaring. Spreading.
RIOTER
ENEMIES ARE EVERYWHERE. I HAVE A
DREAM, AND ITS NAME IS VENGEANCE.
CRITIC
Help, help, help --
BANG BANG!
CRITIC (CONT'D)
Bleh -- ugghhhhhhh --
Sound of collapsing. And liquid
(blood) spewing and collecting into
a puddle........
The flames crescendo and
overwhelm...............
MUSIC: cuts off
INT. M'S HOUSE - DAY
Lucia humming. And the sound of M
doing laundry, cleaning, or
organizing stuff.
A MEDIA CHANNEL INTERVIEW starts
playing.
M
Hey, turn that off.
She playfully mimics his
professional voice heard in the
interview:
M (ON VIDEO) (CONT'D)
The Rogue sanctions are cutting our
supply of imported energy, sending
prices up, but take it as a sign to
switch to green.
LUCIA
(mimicking M's
professional voice)
ARE cutting our supply of imported
energy... a sign to switch to
green.
M (ON VIDEO)
My pal W -- his new app tracks my
carbon footprint from my
activities. Mine is high, and I
need to fix it to get good credit.
If you don't, you're a Rogue
sympathizer, responsible for the
death of innocents.
LUCIA
So what about innocents!?
M stops his activity. Footsteps --
walking to her.
Then a slap!
Lucia gasps and yelps.
LUCIA (CONT'D)
But you said don't listen.
M
These are still right and wrong
things! Mom and I always raised
you to believe in -- in -- in
having a heart!
A deep breath. His voice changes.
INTENT. And the EXTRA DEEP
RESONANCE.
M (CONT'D)
You do not support evil. Support
Good Nation.
LUCIA
Support Good Nation.
M slows his words even more.....
lowers his pitch..... and with
emotion -- probably in tears:
M
Support. Good. Nation.
Lucia sounds tear-y eyed now too.
But in a trance:
LUCIA
Support Good Nation.
M sighs, relaxes. Kisses her
forehead. Ruffles her hair.
M
Good Lucia.
Then, as in the previous episode,
static.......... just a flicker,
then more and more, until a full
wave of it.......
INTERCOM VOICES, saying
gibberish.... something stands out:
INTERCOM VOICES
51 percent complete...
52 percent complete...
Static, leading us to another
frequency, to a
1950S BROADCAST
As before, severely damaged, but we
can hear the Narrator:
1950S NARRATOR
.......many many decades from now,
our future generations will finally
see this blissful world unity
complete.... shared... resources...
1950s style sound effects.
Then static again, transitioning to
LARGE AUDITORIUM
Applause.
NARRATOR
And that just about catches us up
to this present moment -- our
magnificent celebration of the past
year, with activists and
politicians, multi-racial, in
masks, involuntarily ticking...
Applause fades... allowing us to
hear a chorus of "Ick! Ick! Ick!"
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
...gathered to hear Safe Society
Founder Madge Engel, who has just
stepped up to the podium. Let's
listen in:
MADGE ENGEL (70s), German, speaking
INTO A MIC, echoing in the large
space:
MADGE ENGEL
Soon, no country -- looking at you,
USA --
Audience laughter.
MADGE ENGEL (CONT'D)
-- please shrink back. No country
is to be more respected or
influential than another. We can
avoid such dangers of inequality.
Cheers erupt.
NARRATOR
A commanding presence, wouldn't you
say? You'd be forgiven for not
knowing his mouth moves in tandem
with ours...
(clears throat, as if
starting a performance)
Yes, enormous dangers are out
there.
MADGE ENGEL
Yes, enormous dangers are out
there.
NARRATOR
(mocking)
I am not talking about the
involuntary ticking.
MADGE ENGEL
(mocking)
I am not talking about the
involuntary ticking.
Audience laughter.
MADGE ENGEL (CONT'D (CONT'D)
Or the rising number of mentally
distressed individuals needing
personal health days.
We hear texture of MENTALLY ILL
EMPLOYEE, fading in in background.
MENTALLY ILL EMPLOYEE
... can't work today... ick...
ick... ick... need a personal
health day....
Audience laughter.
MADGE ENGEL
Or gym patrons fainting from
running on treadmills in 6 layers
of masks.
Labored breathing/wheezing.
Audience laughter.
MADGE ENGEL (CONT'D)
Or having cardiac arrests from
vaccinations. What a minor number.
Screams and flatlines. "Clear!"
THUMP!
Audience laughter.
MADGE ENGEL (CONT'D)
Or the occasional beheading of a
random person on the street.
Misunderstood criminals are people
too.
Knife slicing. Gagging. Liquid
squirting. Something falling to
the ground. Screams.
Audience laughter.
MADGE ENGEL (CONT'D)
I am not talking about our
regulations that supposedly destroy
business output and customer
satisfaction. You don't need such
business. Or your fossil fuel
refineries. Give those to China.
We will support you with what you
really need. It's time to rethink
horrible capitalism.
Protest / rally cries.
Audience laughter.
MADGE ENGEL (CONT'D)
I am not talking about traffic
lights shutting off due to low
reserves. We must live simpler
anyways.
Cars honking.
Audience laughter.
MADGE ENGEL (CONT'D)
Or the focus on renewable energy,
instead of maintaining power lines,
supposedly leading to large fires.
Audience laughter.
MADGE ENGEL (CONT'D)
No, fire is from climate change.
Audience heartfelt sighs.
MADGE ENGEL (CONT'D)
I am not talking about the surge in
price for food and petroleum.
Audience laughter.
Texture of M arguing with his
FRIEND:
FRIEND
It's higher again, M! See the
price out there? M, see that?
Don't you realize? What the fuck!
M
Fine, I see it, but..... why do you
have a gas car?
FRIEND
Pfft, even if every single person
goes full electric, you cut global
temperatures by virtually nothing.
And to produce the batteries, you
still need fossil --
Friend cuts himself off, realizing
he's gone too far.
FRIEND (CONT'D)
I -- I dunno where I heard any of
that. My problem is simple: I
don't wanna pay electric, or all
the electricity rate hikes that
come with more charging stations on
the ground. You're not gonna get
more people caring about the
environment when they're poor.
M
Selfish cunt. You're the problem.
Fuck this gas car.
Car door opening.
MADGE ENGEL
These are all good chaos. Do not
mind it, for it is needed to
rebuild better. We have the
answers to solve the real dangers
of Climate Catastrophe. And
Inequality. Answers to help those
suffering.
Doubling his voice is Narrator's,
morphing into something monstrous.
And complemented by the HUM AND
CHANT.
NARRATOR
So please suffer. And grant us
power, so we can help you.
Something slimy, peeling, dripping,
and rumbling louder and
louder........
Then it all stops. An intercom
voice has cut in -- gibberish we
can't understand.
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
(returning to normal)
Yes? We are busy here.
INTERCOM VOICE
... picking up on a... signal.....
potential disturbance....
NARRATOR
Oh? By who?
INTERCOM VOICE
Workers from the company Rooting4U.
Would you like to be patched in to
listen?
NARRATOR
Of course we would. Thank you.
Static and tuning sounds, leading
us to:
INT. CAFE - DAY
Dishes clanging. Cafe patrons all
around. Fading in on B and Yann
chewing, and chatting:
B
I don't think she's gonna go for
it, dude. Little too posh from
everything I know about her --
YANN
Fuck you. I told you months ago
and you said it was solid. Yo.
Pay attention. Teacher's pet.
Take a break from it.
B is tapping/typing stuff on his
phone
B
It's not work if you love it. Oh,
the guys wanna hire Quincy, and
give him a chance.
YANN
No. You're not gonna complain?
B
It's fine. I wanted them to own
this, and it's what they want.
YANN
(disbelief at B)
.... but Quincy uses a wheelchair.
B
"Mobility Tool"! Yann, please
weigh your words a little more. I
know we're not on company grounds,
but these are principles we can
take everywhere.
YANN
Quincy is slow.
B chortles -- shocked by Yann's
bluntness.
YANN (CONT'D)
I guarantee you it means an extra 2
days.
As if businesses aren't strapped
enough. Whatever... we're all
headed for welfare servitude
anyways.
B scoffs.
YANN (CONT'D)
Look around. Shit's happening.
B
Little things, but if we're all in
the same boat going through it
together, it's not as hard to adapt
to.
YANN
Remember Louie? My brother-in-law?
I found out the other week he was
Silenced. When it's someone you
know.....
B
You feel for it. It sucks for him.
YANN
It's....
Beat. Utensils placed down.
Yann's voice lowers:
YANN (CONT'D)
See, I feel I can tell you this.
B
Too close. Your masks, please.
Fabric shuffle.
YANN
(through masks)
Keep your eyes peeled for the
government using inflation -- which
they caused -- as justification to
seize control and set government
mandated lower prices like they're
heroes. Boom. Widespread
corruption. Crooks take advantage
of the low price, knowing they'll
be able to sell higher 'cause
demand is high, and they bribe the
government to let them.
Every country that has done this --
the Soviet Union, Venezuela -- has
crumbled, with people like you and
I falling into poverty and despair.
All because those in power -- maybe
not aware of history -- have
decided for us what the Truth is,
twisting facts to serve a purpose.
B
If it's a big deal, why is no one
hearing about it?
YANN
The media is part of them! They
won't report it! And everyone else
is too A-D-H-D to deal with the
headache of their own research.
B
Because it's mumbo-jumbo that
doesn't affect us.
YANN
It's all connected. Everything
happening -- it's all the same
goal. To spin everything to their
benefit -- a society they can
easily segment and manage -- which
unfortunately, most of the times,
means stripping our liberties, and
making us idiots. C'mon. It used
to be that was bad enough.
B is chewing and now slows down,
suspicious.
B
.... You're sounding... like you're
trying to blow something up.... You
know that doesn't jive with our
unity, which is what's allowing M
to achieve everything he's been
doing.
YANN
How's your inflammation? After all
this time?
NARRATOR
This worker, Yann.... hmm.... If
you recall, he asked B the same
thing at the beginning of our
series. Maybe he's been straying
for some time.
B
I happen to be one that bloats from
lots of plants. It's manageable.
YANN
Your body's saying something.
B breathes louder, fuming, trying
to keep it together....
B
...... that we can all sacrifice,
to be part of something bigger than
us.
YANN
What if it's the wrong something?
B
Yann, haven't you learned? That's
a matter of perspective.........
I'm worried about you..... You're
part of the B and Yann Rooting4U
family..... Be careful.
NARRATOR
Strong with his syllables. Sending
a clear warning. But much too
late. This worker Yann is no
longer humbly self-censoring. Too
much critical thinking. (Rest
assured, we will ask for swift
action from Safe Society.) Swift
action from Safe Society would be
appreciated.
INTERCOM VOICE
... copy...
Yann has picked back up utensils.
Back to chewing. But this time
harshly picking at the food.
YANN
I hate plants.
Static, transitioning us to:
INT. ROOTING4U HEADQUARTERS / BULLPEN - DAY
Sipping coffee. B walking.
Stopping. Starting up again, this
time MOVING IN on typing sounds.
B
(through masks)
Hey. You're here early.
TKTKTKTKTKTKTKTK -- growing in
volume.
B (CONT'D)
Hello Morning, bro. How's your
insanity doing?
YANN
(through masks, strangely
flat)
All better.
Beat.
B
(concerned)
Yann?
B's footsteps -- now backing up.
He lets out a frightened breath.
MUSIC: horrifying sting
B's footsteps get faster. Then he
sits.
An OBLIVIOUS EMPLOYEE chats merrily
away. B interrupts:
B (CONT'D)
Is something wrong with Yann?
OBLIVIOUS EMPLOYEE
(through masks)
Shit, man. He's not
procrastinating.
B chuckles, but it quickly fades.
He pulls out a phone. Unlocks it.
Texting sounds.
B
(verbalizing as he texts)
What's up with you?
Beat... then a response: more
texting sounds.
YANN
(verbalizing as he texts)
I didn't tell you I attended a
dangerous protest last week. I'm
sincerely embarrassed and sorry for
my vile and ignorant decisions. I
will grow from this and do better.
More texting sounds.
B
I know you. No way you did actual
bad.
No response.
B (CONT'D)
Hello?
Nothing. Just distant typing --
tktktktktktktktktk
B lets out a breath that
unexpectedly turns into a stifled
sniffle / sob.
OBLIVIOUS EMPLOYEE
Everything good?
B
Uh huh.
Beat.
B (CONT'D)
(whispering to himself)
I know you. No way you did actual
bad. No way you did actual bad.
INTERCOM VOICE
Now this one... he seems to be
troubled...
NARRATOR
Yes. This blindingly white-skin
worker named B..... He may be
compromised....
MUSIC: dramatic swell