SAFE SOCIETY
episode 7
by CHRIS SHIMOJIMA
© 2023 One Ocean Productions. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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INTRO TITLE SOUNDS: ("Safe Society"
chorus of whispers)
NARRATOR
(somber)
When we last touched base, just
after Safe Society Founder Max
Engel's rousing keynote speech,
Rooting4U worker Yann was in dire
need of re-education.
RECAP SOUND BITES.
YANN
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.
B
I'm worried about you..... You're
part of the B and Yann Rooting4U
family..... Be careful.
B (CONT'D)
Morning, bro. Hey. How's your
insanity doing?
MUSIC: heroic, triumphant
YANN
(through masks, strangely
flat)
All better.
MUSIC: sudden turn to worrisome
NARRATOR
But what we're learning -- which
we'll patch into now -- is that
Rooting4U worker B may have caught
Yann's virus. It's not an
emergency yet.
He's made such remarkable progress
in his physical and mental health
this year, as we recounted in our
series. But it is worth
monitoring, to be safe.
(quieting)
Ah -- and here he is now, at night,
after all the other employees have
left. Shh.
INT. ROOTING4U HEADQUARTERS / BULLPEN - DAY
Slow, careful footsteps.
Stopping, starting, stopping.
INTERCOM VOICE
His masks are not on.
Rifling through items.
A drawer is opened.
Rifling through more items.
INTERCOM VOICE (CONT'D)
Reporting that he's found the
package of beef jerky in Yann's
desk. This was a clear violation
of company ethics. But B does not
seem offended. I repeat, B does
not seem offended. He's looking
over his shoulder. He's looking to
the security cams. He's hiding
under the table.
Quiet clatter of B moving.
Opening a plastic package.
A scared breath.
Then chewing. Slow. Hesitant.
INTERCOM VOICE (CONT'D)
Did you hear that?
The chewing picks up speed.
B
(under his breath)
Ohhhhh. That's good.
INTERCOM VOICE
He's tried the jerky.
NARRATOR
We hear it. It could be a passing
phase.
MEETING ROOM - DAY
Employees chatting and walking.
INTERCOM VOICE
The butt-ugly white-skins are
thankfully back in line for a
booster, before a company meeting.
NURSE
It'll just be a prick.
MUSIC: "needle" motif
Puncture sound. Liquid squirting.
Dripping.
INTERCOM VOICE
B is watching. Apprehensive. And
wait, there he goes.
Footsteps.
INTERCOM VOICE (CONT'D)
He's left the line. I repeat, he's
left the line.
B
(through masks)
Hey, I'm not feeling present. I
need a personal health day.
MEETING HOST
(through masks)
Oh no! Yes, please go home!
NARRATOR
Oh my. Personal health days are
not to be shrugged off. Let's be
understanding and wait and hear.
INT. B'S HOME - DAY
Rustling, echoing through the
space.
MOVING IN closer on it, into the
KITCHEN
INTERCOM VOICE
This is his home?
NARRATOR
He's upgraded since he started at
Rooting4U, as most do who get to
work there.
Fridge open. Items being tossed.
INTERCOM VOICE
These appear to be... plant
based... going into the trash.
LIVING AREA
Clicking.
INTERCOM VOICE
There's a pop-up on a page he's
found. It reads, "The following
content has been deemed
misinformation. You can review the
science-based facts instead at S-S
dot-com-backslash-facts"
Beat. Then more clicking.
INTERCOM VOICE (CONT'D)
He's headed to the facts.
More clicking.
INTERCOM VOICE (CONT'D)
No. He's headed to a VPN service.
Motherfucker. Now he's moving
ahead to the misinformation. I
repeat, moving ahead to the
misinformation. We can't see what
he's looking at.
NARRATOR
Is there audio content? Can you
patch us in any closer?
INTERCOM VOICE
Barely.
Whoosh sfx, moving us closer to the
computer noise and clicking.
NEWS REPORTS AND ONLINE CLIPS
Only a few scrambled words peeking
through white noise.
COMMENTATORS
...climate science...
...using...wrong models...
...virus...exploited!....
...fear-mongering.....
....open borders.....
.....immigrants we can't provide
for.....
....manufacturing crisis in order
to control us......
.....injection injuries.....
....mandates hurting more.....
....illness among vaccinated....
.... vegetarian diets not always
more sustainable.......
B
(anxious, out loud)
No. No. I knew this, but I
learned it was a lie.
INTERCOM VOICE
Can you hear? We're maxing the
connection.
NARRATOR
We can infer the rest,
unfortunately. Likely something
about the hidden processing in some
plant-based packages and biased
studies about the higher risk of
stroke from it. Or about cows
being responsible for only a
negligible percent of methane.
Another phrase breaks through
clearly:
COMMENTATOR
... you can believe what you want.
But ask yourself, which side is
silencing open debate, and why?
A loud sigh from B. He lunges up.
Paces. Breathing heavily.
Uncontrollably......
EXT. B'S HOME - DAY
Distant traffic. Dog barking.
Door opening. Plastic rustling.
Items falling to the ground. B's
footsteps -- hustling to pick them
up.
INTERCOM VOICE
The plant-based items have spilled.
A different set of footsteps,
passing ONE OF OUR EARS.
INTERCOM VOICE (CONT'D)
A neighbor sees it. B seems
nervous, for some reason.
EXT. RALLY - DAY
Crowd and stands in an outdoor
ambience. Like a fair.
INTERCOM VOICE
He's still attending the Rally for
Responsibility. With other
Rooting4U workers.
Beep. Beep. A RALLY VOLUNTEER
scanning.
RALLY VOLUNTEER
Digital passport please, so I can
scan. Thank you.
Digital passport, so I can scan.
Thank you.
Digital passport, so I can scan.
Thank you.
INTERCOM VOICE
B is coming up. Everyone's eyes
are so peaceful. All the same. In
unity. But not B's. He's
withdrawn. Keeping to himself.
Beep.
RALLY VOLUNTEER
Hmm....
INTERCOM VOICE
B's phone scan is taking time.
Volunteers and attendees are
looking over. If I'm not mistaken,
he is sweating.
NARRATOR
Could it be the heat?
INTERCOM VOICE
60 Fahrenheit? No. But his scan
just cleared. They let him in.
We follow B's footsteps. Crowd
ambience moves PAST OUR EARS ON
EACH SIDE.
INTERCOM VOICE (CONT'D)
I've alerted an associate to watch
him. A stand owner.
B's footsteps stop.
INTERCOM VOICE (CONT'D)
He sees the stand owner. He looks
nervous again.
MOVING IN on HUM AND CHANT....
coming from a group of ATTENDEES.
NARRATOR
He's participating now. Good.
INTERCOM VOICE
Seemingly. His eyes are open.
He's very very slowly sidestepping
away..........
He stopped. He thinks he's been
seen. He's back to participating.
HUM AND CHANT continues.......
INTERCOM VOICE (CONT'D)
Okay. There he goes again. He's
ducking out. Weaving between
various individuals. Their eyes
are closed. They can't see.
NARRATOR
Put Safe Society on standby. Swift
action may be necessary.
B's footsteps onto gravel.
INTERCOM VOICE
I've been trying, but the signal is
down. He's reached the sidewalk.
CRACK -- stepping on a twig. B's
footsteps stop.
INTERCOM VOICE (CONT'D)
Steps on a twig. But no one hears
it.
B's footsteps start again.
The HUM AND CHANT is distant now.
INT. EVENT BUILDING
Door opens. Then closes. Echoes.
B takes a deep breath, relieved.
HUM AND CHANT, muffled, comes from
outside.
WATCHFUL VOLUNTEER
(through masks)
What are you doing?
B gasps.
WATCHFUL VOLUNTEER's footsteps
approach -- disturbingly fast --
angrily charging forward --
B
Looking for the restroom.
WATCHFUL VOLUNTEER
That's down all the way. Your
masks are down.
B
(lifting masks back up)
Sorry.
B's footsteps start. But he's
immediately forced to stop.
WATCHFUL VOLUNTEER
So why were you waiting here?
B
I had a headache and was --
WATCHFUL VOLUNTEER
Did you not get the Monday booster?
B
I did. They checked it.
WATCHFUL VOLUNTEER
They don't know to click through.
They should do that to go to the
actual code. Show me.
B pulls his phone out. Unlocks.
Taps.
B
(stalling)
Yep, it's... here....
somewhere........ lots of
emails.... scrolling back......
M
(in distance, through
masks)
B?
A swinging door creaks open. Paper
towels wiping hands.
NARRATOR
Oh good. M's a strong mentor. He
can fix this.
B
Hey M. My connection's bad here.
Can you let her know I'm up to date
with the boosters?
M
All my guys are good, don't worry.
Beat.
Watchful Volunteer sighs. Her
footsteps -- MOVING PAST US.... The
door opens, and she continues
outside.
The door closes.
M's footsteps approach.
M (CONT'D)
B, how you feeling?
INTERCOM VOICE
M greets him with a fist-bump.
B
Better.
INTERCOM VOICE
B says that, but he's not liking
what he sees.
A drop, hitting the ground,
exaggerated.
INTERCOM VOICE (CONT'D)
The blood soaking through the
napkin on M's hand.
NARRATOR
What's not to love about persons
like M, enduring pain for the sake
of everyone's health.
B
M... has anyone told you you're
looking... gaunt?
M
No. But by the way, you've been
quiet lately.
INTERCOM VOICE
B's glancing out the glass on the
door. The volunteer that was just
inside -- she, they, theirs -- is
speaking with another. They're
looking inside, suspicious.
B
Just haven't been sleeping. I keep
having to look over my shoulder.
All 'cause I hang with Yann.
M
Yann's fine. Why would you have
something to worry about?
B
I'm getting death threats.
M
For what?
NARRATOR
Not real death threats. Please.
Our rightfully outraged allies are
just overzealous in dishing out
warnings.
B
.... For nonsense...
M
Like what?
B
Nonsense. M, it's me. Doesn't
that count for anything?
M
Let's assume whatever they're
accusing you of, they're wrong. I
can try to get you protection.
B
I don't want that. I..... I just
need to talk to you. Confidential.
M
Of course.
B
(quiets)
I mean, serious -- for real.
M
.... I don't know what you want me
to guarantee.....
B's breath trembles.
B
I have to move on from Rooting4U.
....... Why did we let that happen
to Yann?
M
....... I know he's a brother to
you, so you should know it's for
his good.
Nothing from B.
M (CONT'D)
Where will you go? Every half
decent company is going to listen
to the science.
B
Then none of them are for me.
M
See, B, I can't let you think that.
You'll end up on a dark path.
NARRATOR
Right on, M. Right on. Alert Safe
Society about B. Swift action is
needed.
INTERCOM VOICE
Signal still down.
B
So are you gonna tell on me?
Beat.
M
They'll find you first.
M's footsteps -- MOVING PAST US....
The door opens, and he continues
outside.
The door closes.
NARRATOR
Are doubters becoming this
prevalent?
INTERCOM VOICE
It's always been the case that the
waves come and go. Maybe now the
wave is coming. It should break
just as easily.
INT. SAFE SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS - DAY
Tapping a screen.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 2
(through masks)
I... I dunno about this.
INTERCOM VOICE
We have word that some Members are
doubting.
NARRATOR
Like W?
INTERCOM VOICE
W is here, confirmed. Member
Alexandra is showing an article
about the chaos in the economy.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 2 (ALEXANDRA)
sits back with a sigh.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 2
W, do you ever think... we've done
enough for a while?
W sighs.
W
(through masks)
When we can do... so much.... it's
easy to do... too much at once....
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 2
Mmm.
Beat, as they sit with these
thoughts.
MEETING ROOM
Member voices chatting,
deliberating.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 4
(through masks)
... oh yes, that is so crucial to
promote. Did you see our partners
just changed their temperature
projections? Another 3 degrees
warmer in the next 20 years.
Members gasp and mutter,
distressed.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 2
(through masks)
Can I say something? Yes, the
models show some degrees of rise,
but they don't consider we'll be
better equipped to live with it.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 4
Because of what we do here today.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 2
...... Before we bring these
actions to our boards.... we should
know for certain.... how much are
we proposing primarily because it
sounds nice?
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 4
....... And not for the actual
necessity of it?
Everyone chuckles at Member 2:
"What an idiot!"
INTERCOM VOICE
W is not laughing with them. I
repeat, not laughing with them.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 2
Am I the only one wondering?
Beat.
NARRATOR
But we don't hear W standing up for
her. Only rubbing the cottage
cheese flesh on his butt.
Rubbing fabric sounds.
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
In all seriousness, to all you
listeners that may laugh at him:
wrinkles are wisdom.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 2
I can't be the only one wondering.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 4
It appears so. The only one
wishing ill on future generations.
A disturbing rumble.
INTERCOM VOICE
They're giving a thumbs down to
Alexandra. And stomping their
feet. Waving for the others to
join the fun.
The rumble grows..........
INTERCOM VOICE (CONT'D)
They're all joining. Excited.
Really shaking their thumbs......
Now W has joined in.
NARRATOR
We weren't worried. He knows
there's nothing better than the
community's energy.
Neon light flickering.
NARRATOR (CONT'D)
We feel it activating the blue and
green circle signage.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 4
Tomorrow, Alexandra, all your
confidantes will know who you
really are. And you will see that
they never actually loved you. And
if we were your brother Timo --
Timo, was it? -- we would have
killed ourselves too.
Member 2 starts sobbing.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 4 (CONT'D)
Because you take after your racist
mother. You can't escape bad
blood. How dare you try to hide.
Denounce her now. That antivax
whore.
SAFE SOCIETY MEMBER 2
(through sobs)
I -- I -- I -- de -- de -- denounce
-- her --
She gasps for air. It sounds
excruciating.....
INTERCOM VOICE
Her gut is collapsing in. That
should teach her.
NARRATOR
What can we say? As it's been
throughout history, the informed
majority thankfully renders any
fools irrelevant. Goodness
triumphs in the end.
Her gasping continues
rhythmically.....
INTERCOM VOICE
Wait. More potential doubt. M.
NARRATOR
M?
INTERCOM VOICE
Affirmative.
NARRATOR
Hmmm.... Patch us in.
INTERCOM VOICE
He's arriving to speak with W.
EXT. SAFE SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS - DAY
Birds chirping. In the echo-y
courtyard/field. Two pairs of
footsteps walking through. FADE IN
on W and M's voices:
M
... couldn't believe it. So much
hate. Bam. Just like that. An
innocent man randomly dead. And if
I'd passed that corner 10 seconds
earlier, it might have been me.
This murderer had a record. Why
was he out on bail?
W
That is awful. I was wrong to
suggest we give these criminals the
freedom to turn their lives around
after systemic injustice and the
brutal police caged so many.
M
(sighs)
No, you're right. I guess many of
these criminals were unfairly
pushed to become that way.
NARRATOR
W has not lost a step.
Distant large wind chimes.
Distant laughing/chatting, PASSING
BY ONE EAR.
A TOUR GUIDE bringing GUESTS,
PASSING BY THE OTHER EAR.
TOUR GUIDE
And coming up to the left, you'll
see the right wing and the
building's food hall. Isn't it
majestic and inspiring?
Beat.
INTERCOM VOICE
M seems perplexed. Like being here
is bothering him.
M
By the way... an employee of mine
was getting death threats.
W feigns concern.
W
Oh no. An employee of mine said
the same thing. But it was a lie.
It was ammunition to mobilize
others to help him with subversive
acts. I would never diminish death
threats -- and surely this is one
of your trusted employees -- but
these individuals were among my
best too. I was betrayed, and I do
not want the same happening to you.
NARRATOR
Let's not worry yet. An
intelligent person like M will
usually question the truth, before
coming back to it with greater
conviction. W is spinning him
back.
W taps M's shoulder. Fabric
rustles as the hand closes into a
fist.....
INTERCOM VOICE
Roger that. He's now grabbed M's
shoulder.
W
We cannot lose you to the heartless
that seek to benefit from you.
The hand rubs M's shoulder. Fabric
pulls. Skin is forcefully smudged
like something rubbery.
W (CONT'D)
If we did, our rescue would have to
be more intense than a rescue for
someone of smaller influence. It
would only be fair.
M
I don't follow.
Fabric rustling increases. Rubbery
pulling increases.
M grimaces.
M (CONT'D)
Uh... W...
W
If you were to corrupt others
against us, don't you agree you
would have to be doubly shamed,
especially as a white skin with
basic pronouns? I AM SO HURT THAT
YOU THINK YOUR INDIVIDUAL ISSUES
MATTER MORE THAN THE GREATER GOOD.
The last bit trembles.... doubled
with a DEMONIC GROWL.
RIP! Fabric tearing.
M flinches / gasps.
W calms himself down... easing his
breath.......
M
I'm sorry. I understand.
W
I am sorry. My fear of losing you
got the best of me. But either
way, we will manage fine. Look at
this video.
NARRATOR
Here comes the knockout, listeners.
ON VIDEO: kids' laughter. Fun
music.
INTERCOM VOICE
He's showing a Members gathering.
Kids and grandkids. Obviously
enjoying being part of this
community.
W
Not to diminish your contribution,
but our legacy already seems to be
in place. We'd like you to be a
part of this new prosperity....
NARRATOR
And M would like to as well.
Clearly. What sane upper-class
businessman wouldn't?
M
That's been my plan.
W
I know. We will know if it is not.
MUSIC: suddenly unsettling, atonal
INT. M'S HOUSE / LIVING ROOM - DAY
Daniel and Lucia have random convo.
TV plays -- cartoon sounds.
NARRATOR
If we had to bet, we'd say M is
back on track. And more than ever,
ready with the Members to expand
their vision beyond the present.
Toward inspiring the future
generation of change-makers.
INTERCOM VOICE
M is arriving.
A distant door opens and closes.
We can barely hear M talking to
Sofia in the room over. Words
stick out:
M
... have them... haven't been....
SOFIA
... what I said... they're there...
M's footsteps -- getting closer.
Floor boards creak.....
INTERCOM VOICE
And yes, he's now coming to the
kids. I repeat, now coming to the
kids.
LUCIA
Daddy!
NARRATOR
Ever since M's powerful words
awakened her, Lucia has been much
more accepting.
INTERCOM VOICE
She's smiling as much as her dad.
Something unzipped. Plastic being
tapped. Liquid swirling.
INTERCOM VOICE (CONT'D)
The syringe is out.
NARRATOR
For lack of a non-religious
equivalent, Jesus would be proud.
MUSIC: crescendo, dissonant