(Intro Music)

C

Are you going to prom on Saturday?

A

Maybe, if I can find someone…

C

You should ask out that guy in-

A

For the last time, Chrissy, I’m not asking that guy out. I’m not asking out anyone like that.

C

(sigh) Okay, okay. Well, you could always go as friends.

A

Why? I don’t even know him.

C

I just think you’d get along.

A

Seriously, why?

C

Vibes.

A

(Disbelieving) Vibes… Uh huh.

LAURA

Hey Ashley!

A

Oh, hey, Laura! Are you ready for prom?

LAURA

I guess so. I haven’t really found anyone yet…

A

(playfully) Talk to Chrissy, apparently she’s a matchmaker now.

C

I wouldn’t say that.

LAURA

Oh god, who’s she trying to set you up with?

A

That loner guy.

LAURA

Ew, the loser in our fourth period?

A

I mean…

LAURA

You can call him a loser, Ashley, that’s what he is. He never talks to anyone, and he’s covered in weird tattoos, and do you remember that time he asked Angela on a date? Ew!

A

Angela didn’t have to be so rude about rejecting him.

LAURA

Well damn, if you’re this defensive of him, maybe you should ask him out. Just don’t be surprised when your reputation tanks!

A

I don’t care about my reputation.

LAURA

You’re the most popular girl in school. You don’t have to care. Doesn’t change the fact that dating the least popular boy in school would have an impact.

C

Maybe it would be worth it.

LAURA

Ugh. He’s not her soulmate anyway, so what’s the point of going through all that trouble?

C

Hmm.

LAURA

Hey, what’s your soulmate’s name again?

A

Zora. And… Um. Just Zora.

LAURA

Oh yeah, I thought it was something weird like that. Well, even if your soulmate doesn’t go to this school, you should come with me and the girls to prom anyway. We don’t need boys to have fun!

A

(laughs) That’s true. I guess I can go.

LAURA

See you thereeee!

(sounds fade out, sounds of a party fade in)

LAURA

(yelling) Are you having fun!?

A

The music is really loud…

LAURA

What!? (laughs) I can’t hear you, girl!

A

I’m gonna go get a drink.

LAURA

Whatever!

(Ashley walks away)

C

He’s all alone in the corner.

A

(startled) Goodness, Chrissy! You scared me!

C

(laughs) Sorry, Ash. I’m just saying, that Zen kid is all alone.

A

(guiltily) I’m not here for charity work.

C

I know, I know. Just saying, you seem like you could use a break, and he’s in the quieter part of the gym…

A

Drop it, Chrissy. I’m not interested in anyone but Zora and Constance.

C

Right. Sorry.

EXTRA 1 (ANNOUNCER)

And now, votes are in for the prom king and queen! Gather ‘round, we’ll have them come up here and accept their crowns!

A

Oh look, they’re doing the crowning! Come on, let’s get closer.

EXTRA 1 (ANNOUNCER)

Everyone here? Alright, alright… First, for prom queen, we have… Let’s see… Ashley Anderson! Come on up here, Ashley!

A

Oh!

C

(supportive) Go on, Ash. You deserve it.

(Ashley walks on stage)

A

Um… Thank you! You’re all too kind. This school is full of lovely, amazing people and I’m happy to be here!

EXTRA 1 (ANNOUNCER)

How nice! And now, for the prom king, let’s bring up… Zen Zimmerman!

(The crowd goes silent. Zen slowly takes the stage.)

(The crowd bursts into laughter.)

EXTRA 1 (ANNOUNCER)

Oh, okay- Now, let’s not be mean, that’s- Hello Zen, here’s your crown!

LAURA

(laughing hysterically) Zen and Ashley! Ha!

EXTRA 2 (RANDOM KID)

(chanting) Kiss him, kiss him!

LAURA

You won’t get this chance again, Zen!

EXTRA 1 (ANNOUNCER)

Now, the prom king and queen are not required to kiss, that’s really not-

LAURA

That’s fine! She’d never touch him anyway!

(Ashley grabs the mic.)

A

Okay, that’s it! There is no reason for you all to be so mean to this guy. And for what? Because he doesn’t have many friends? Be his friend, then!

Z

(in awe) I… think it’s because of the tattoos.

A

Well, I think the tattoos are cool! And… And… (recognizing him) Wait…

Z

It’s- A?

A

Z. Zen. I-

Z

(accusingly) Why aren’t you my soulmate?

A

(distressed) Why aren’t you mine!?

EXTRA 1 (ANNOUNCER)

Uh, okay, let’s just-

Z

Come on, we need to talk!

EXTRA 1 (ANNOUNCER)

Oh, wait, you haven’t given your speech yet-

EXTRA 2 (RANDOM KID)

Ew, he’s touching her hand!

A

Shut up!

(prom sounds fade out, doors open and close, night ambience starts)

Z

Come on, we can sit on the bleachers.

A

Sure.

(They sit down on the bleachers)

A

(shivering) Ahh, they’re cold!

Z

…Here, you can sit on my jacket.

A

Oh, Z, no, I don’t want you to be cold, I-

Z

Please?

A

(softly) …Okay.

Z

I- I want to know why you aren’t my soulmate. Is Ashley a nickname?

A

No, it’s my given name. Zen isn’t your real name, is it?

Z

Well, not… Not legally…

A

Sorry, I meant- What’s your dead name?

Z

Zadie.

A

My soulmate’s name is Zora.

Z

Mine’s is Amaia. Well…

A

Well?

Z

I actually have… two names.

A

What’s the second?

Z

Constance.

A

That’s my second name too!

Z

Wait, you have a second name!?

A

Yeah, I haven’t told anyone but Chrissy. I’ve never met anyone else with two names before!

Z

Me neither. I guess I’m Zora, and you’re Amaia, but… Who the hell is Constance?

A

I don’t know. God, all this time, you were so close, and I- I didn’t-

Z

It’s fine, A.

A

No, it’s not! I ignored you, I let them bully you, I- I’m sorry, Z.

Z

Really, I don’t mind. We’re okay, babe.

A

…What’s with the tattoos, anyway?

Z

(sheepishly) Well, we talked about getting tattoos, but we never talked about which ones, so I just… got a lot of them…

A

Aw!

Z

Yeah, yeah, laugh it up.

A

I’m not laughing, silly, I’m loving.

Z

Well, that’s okay. But you’re on thin ice!

A

Oh, I love you.

Z

I love you, too.

(White noise overtakes them, drowning out his voice.)

Chapter Six

Constance, Amaia, Extra 1, Extra 2, Zora

(Walking, spaceship ambience)

C

Atlas, are… are you okay? You’ve been really down lately.

A

Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to let it impact my work on the ship-

C

No, no, it hasn’t, don’t worry. I’m just… concerned for your well-being.

A

I’m fine, Cosmo.

C

Are you? Because you haven’t been talking much lately. It’s too quiet without you.

A

Well I’ve never really been loud.

C

You know that’s not what I mean.

A

(sigh) I’m just… I’ve been… waiting for something. But now that we’re in space, it’s pretty much guaranteed that it will never come. That’s all.

C

Atlas…

A

Like I said, I’m fine. I’ll be okay. I just… need to recalibrate. Change my expectations. I… don’t really know what to expect now.

C

Hmm.

(Comms crackle)

EXTRA 1 (DORIAN)

(panicked) Captain! Captain, call for help, send out a distress signal!

C

What? What’s wrong?

EXTRA 1 (DORIAN)

There’s some kind of- of monster in the bowels of the ship. The men are terrified, running for their lives, and this monster is chasing us, and- We don’t know how it got here, or what it is, but it’s going to kill us if we don’t get help!

C

Shit. Alright, I’ll go send out a distress signal and alert the medic. I’m sending Atlas down to help.

A

Uh, what!?

C

You’ve got this, Atlas. Just get the rest of the crew somewhere safe.

A

It’s an unidentified monster, Cosmo! What do you expect me to do!?

C

Like I said, get the crew somewhere safe. Make sure no one’s hurt. Get injured people to the medic station. You can do this.

A

Gahhh, okay…

C

And be quick about it. We don’t have time to waste.

A

Okay, okay!

(Atlas runs down the hallways, down the stairs)

A

Just facing a scary space monster… That’s all… Not a big deal, Atlas, you’ve totally got this…

(Monster roars, echoes down the hall)

A

Oh god.

EXTRA 1 (DORIAN)

Atlas! You have to run, the monster- the monster is coming this way!

A

No, I’m here to help. Why aren’t you running?

EXTRA 1 (DORIAN)

Terrance, he’s hurt. He tried to attack the monster and it scratched him with its claws, we- we can’t leave him behind!

A

Alright, where is he?

EXTRA 1 (DORIAN)

Down… Down there.

A

(alarmed) Down that hallway? Where the monster sounds are coming from?

EXTRA 1 (DORIAN)

(scared) Yes! He could be dead, for all we know!

A

Oh Jesus…. Okay, I- I’ll go after him.

EXTRA 1 (DORIAN)

What!? Atlas-

A

I’ll be careful. Maybe I can sneak around the monster and get Terrance to safety without it noticing me.

EXTRA 1 (DORIAN)

I don’t know…

A

I have to try. You and the others should head to the control room where Captain Cosmo is, xe’s calling for help.

EXTRA 1 (DORIAN)

Okay. Be careful!

A

I will.

(Dorian and the other crew members run away, Atlas begins sneaking down the hallway)

(Beeps and boops echo through the hall, the monster growls in warning and Terrance groans in pain)

(Atlas throws something across the room, the monster growls and walks towards it. Atlas sneaks in the opposite direction, towards Terrance.)

EXTRA 2 (TERRANCE)

(weakly) Whaa- Atlas?

A

Shh! I’m getting you out of here.

EXTRA 2 (TERRANCE)

It’s no use. The monster-

A

The monster doesn’t know I’m here. Now be quiet and-

(The monster growls)

A

Shit.

(Atlas turns around, comes face to face with the monster.)

A

Easy there, I- I- I’m not-

(pause, the growls die down. The monster slowly holds out a hand.)

A

…Z?

Z

(pained growl)

A

Oh, god, Z-

(White noise overtakes them.)

Chapter Seven

Constance, Zora, Extra 1, Amaia

C

Water?

Z

Of course. Gotta stay sharp in case that outlaw from Burbrick comes to town.

C

Oh, don’t tell me you’re worried about her.

Z

The townspeople are real riled up, Clement. If they think it’s a threat, then it’s a goddamn threat.

C

If you say so, Sheriff Zena. What’s this outlaw’s deal, anyway?

Z

The sheriff in Burbrick sent word that she was stealing stuff, but the main problem is that she’s killed a few people. Namely, the deputy.

C

I hear that deputy was a real piece of work.

Z

Hold up now, Clement. Don’t tell me you support this outlaw?

C

I’m not saying I support her. Just that if I was gonna kill someone, I reckon I’d go after someone like the deputy, too.

Z

Careful, you might earn yourself a night in the county jail.

C

You’d never.

Z

Aw, you’re right. You’re too important to this town. But don’t go killing anyone, you hear?

C

Got it.

(Tavern doors swing open)

EXTRA 1 (TOWNSPERSON)

Amelia Sundance is here, in our town! Send help! Send- Sheriff! Sheriff, you gotta do something!

Z

Well, speak of the devil.

C

Good luck, Sheriff.

Z

I’ll need it.

(Tavern doors swing open and shut, people are yelling and running away)

A

Leave me be and no one gets hurt!

Z

I’m afraid I can’t do that.

A

Oh? You the sheriff?

Z

That I am.

A

Tell you what. Let’s do a quick draw.

Z

Oh, now you’re talking.

A

After three? One.

Z

Two.

A

(humming the first line of the song from the band AU)

Z

(gasp) Wait-

A

Three.

(Gun fires, Sheriff Zena falls to the ground)

Z

(gasping in pain) A- Fuck, A-

A

(worriedly) It’s… Amelia, actually, I-

Z

A!

A

Shit. Shit, shit, no!

(Amelia runs over to the sheriff, kneeling beside her)

A

Damn it… Damn it! Why are you a sheriff?

Z

(laughs) Why are you an outlaw?

A

(crying) I-I don’t know! I wanted to switch things up, be more assertive!

Z

(weakly, amused) Is that what you think ‘assertive’ means?

A

I’m so sorry, Z.

Z

Shh, it’s okay. I’ll find you in the next life. (raising her voice) Clement? You can tell the townsfolk not to worry. They’re safe.

A

Wait. Who’s Clement?

(White noise overtakes them.)

Chapter Eight

Amaia, Constance, Extra 1, Extra 2, Zora

A

I- I’ve never died before meeting them before.

C

What do you mean?

A

Gah, stop playing dumb, Conrad! You’re driving me mad.

C

I’m sorry, Alex, I don’t know what you mean.

A

(sigh, cut off by a sound of pain as a pirate hits them)

EXTRA 1 (PIRATE 1)

Hey, no talking.

EXTRA 2 (PIRATE 2)

Yeah, shut the fuck up.

A

S-Sorry.

EXTRA 1 (PIRATE 1)

I said no talking!

A

(yelp of pain as the pirate hits them again)

(Captain Zircon walks out of his quarters.)

Z

Well, well, what do we have here, boys?

EXTRA 1 (PIRATE 1)

Couple of hostages from the trade ship.

EXTRA 2 (PIRATE 2)

Talkative ones, too.

Z

Well, that won’t do.

A

Please, I- I’m waiting for someone, I-

EXTRA 1 (PIRATE 1)

Shut up!

A

(noise of pain as they’re hit again)

Z

W-Wait. Wait, shit-

(Captain Zircon frantically unties Alex and Conrad)

EXTRA 1 (PIRATE 1)

Er, Captain Zircon…?

Z

Shut up. These two are coming with me.

EXTRA 2 (PIRATE 2)

But we were gonna ransom them to the nearest port-

Z

No, not them.

A

Z..?

Z

Yeah, come on. Who’s your friend?

(Walking quickly to the captain’s quarters)

C

Conrad.

Z

You- You’re-

A

I know. He’s always here. Just like you and me.

C

I’m sorry, I just don’t understand you when you get like this, Alex.

(door to the captain’s quarters opens and closes)

Z

Take a seat.

A

Gods, it’s good to see you.

Z

(warmly) I know. I missed you. How’s your face?

A

Oh, they didn’t hit me too hard. I’m okay. …So, pirating, huh?

Z

(playfully) What, so you can be an outlaw but I can’t be a pirate?

A

No, no, it’s fine. You, um. I like your outfit. Suits you.

Z

Don’t make me blush.

C

Why are you flirting with the pirate captain, Alex?

A

(angrily) Why are you pretending you don’t know what’s going on!?

Z

Woah, A, calm down.

A

Sorry, I just- I’m so tired of him playing dumb!

Z

So this is C?

A

Yeah. He’s always here with us, one way or another. But he always says he has no clue what I’m talking about, and-

C

Amai- Alex, I can’t. I’m sorry.

A

So you do remember!

C

We can’t talk about this. I’m so sorry.

Z

Conrad, was it? Please. You have to know something about… all of this! Damn it, we deserve to know.

C

Well… You see, it’s-

(White noise overtakes them.)

(Outro Music)

(Apocalypse Radio Promo)