Categories > Celebrities > My Chemical Romance > When The Lights Go Out
The only hope for me is you
0 reviewsA physically healing Gee needs to catch up emotionally, and back in Battery City Jane starts having visions. Why does everything she sees have to be bad?
0Unrated
INT. BUNKER
Frank, Ray, Mitch, and Jacob enter carrying their loot from the Boneyard.
The entrance is empty.
FRANK
Honey, we're home!
Deanna comes in from the back, stretching.
DEANNA
You're earlier than we were
expecting.
JACOB
Yesterday was very productive.
DEANNA
Mikey! Jane!
Mikey and Jane come out.
Their eyes are bloodshot with dark circles, but their moods
are good.
MIKEY
Gee's fever just broke!
RAY
How's he doing?
JANE
Still pretty weak, but he
recognized Mikey, he recognized me,
and he asked about Grace.
MIKEY
And the fever broke.
Jane smiles at Mikey's enthusiasm on that point.
JANE
Exactly. Not bad at all.
FRANK
Good, because you both look
terrible.
Mikey rolls his eyes, but if Jane was going to respond, it is
interrupted by a yawn.
RAY
Maybe you should get some sleep.
JANE
Soon. Tell us about your trip
first.
FRANK
It was perfect! We got everything
that we needed and check this out.
Frank picks up the tank of nitrous oxide.
MIKEY
Sweet!
Jane is confused.
JANE
Does someone need surgery?
FRANK
No, it's for the car. Or maybe the
van, depending.
Jane remains confused.
RAY
You can add it into gas and it will
make the car run faster. It takes a
lot for just a brief boost, but at
the right time...
JANE
Got it.
MITCH
And we found 24 new toothbrushes.
JANE
Oh really?
DEANNA
That's so cool!
JANE
And that's enough to share quite a
bit.
Mitch winks at Ray and Frank.
MITCH
See, that's how it's done.
JANE
I should have asked you to look for
a shirt.
MIKEY
For Gee? We've got another one.
DEANNA
Spare clothes? How did you manage
that?
RAY
When we were out in the Zones we
found an old theater company with
all kinds of costumes. That's where
the masks and helmets come from,
but we have some shirts too.
MIKEY
They were useless for pants.
Ray and Frank nod.
JANE
You must have been like kids in a
candy store.
FRANK
That happened once too!
DEANNA
The toothbrushes may be too late.
JANE
Oh please no one need dental
extractions.
FRANK
But we have nitrous oxide now.
Jane smiles, but she can barely keep her eyes open.
RAY
Go get some rest. We'll talk later.
Jane nods and heads back.
JACOB
But your-
RAY
A few hours won't matter.
(to Frank)
Let's get these parts sorted out.
Many hours later, Jane comes back out.
Mitch is stretching and twisting, as if trying to work out a
pain. He stops when he sees Jane.
MITCH
You look like you feel better.
JANE
You don't. Is the scar bothering
you?
MITCH
It acts up sometimes.
JANE
I know. I wish we'd found you
sooner.
Mitch sits down, motioning for Jane to do the same.
MITCH
We were lucky to be found at all.
JANE
I just wish I could have done more.
MITCH
I still wonder whether I could have
avoided it or changed it, if Diep
would still be here-
JANE
You know that's not your fault.
MITCH
I know, but I always feel
responsible. You do that too. I
worry about you sometimes.
Mitch looks at Jane, and she realizes there is more than he
is saying.
JANE
Mitch, what's wrong
MITCH
There may be a problem with Ray's
eye.
CUT TO:
INT. BUNKER
Jane is examining Ray's eye.
JANE
How long has this been going on?
RAY
Since you found us, but it's
getting worse.
JANE
Worse as in more noticeable or
happening more often?
RAY
Both. Do you know what it is?
JANE
I think your retina is detaching. A
head injury can trigger it, but it
shouldn't be happening this fast.
RAY
Well, it's not my first head
injury.
JANE
Has anyone in your family had this?
RAY
I don't think so. Is there a
treatment?
Jane looks down, hopeless.
JANE
Laser surgery.
Ray slowly puts his hand up to his eye.
RAY
So, nothing then.
JANE
If we could sneak you into the city
and find someone, maybe-
RAY
You know that's not going to
happen.
JANE
Do you have any symptoms in the
other eye? Anything at all?
RAY
No, it's fine. Really.
JANE
I wish you'd told me sooner.
RAY
Would it have made a difference?
Jane shakes her head in defeat.
JANE
No. This is about a million miles
out of my range.
RAY
How long?
JANE
It can happen over months. Yours
seems to be moving really fast.
RAY
I guess I should have been wearing
my helmet.
JANE
I'm sorry, Ray. I...
Ray sees Jane's concern, and tries to smile for her.
RAY
Don't worry about it.
JANE
Maybe we'll discover some
innovative non-surgical therapy.
RAY
That would be cool.
Ray gets up to leave, but before he exits he turns around
again.
RAY (CONT'D)
It's really okay.
Jane nods, but she has gone back to very tired in a very
short time.
A few days go by.
Jane is sitting cross-legged on a cot. She is sorting medical
supplies, but not really concentrating on the task.
Mikey is a welcome distraction when he comes in.
Jane smiles and pats the cot, and Mikey sits there.
Mikey absentmindedly picks up a roll of medical tape and
starts playing with. Eventually, he speaks.
MIKEY
So, how are you and Gee?
JANE
What do you mean?
MIKEY
Well, are you together again or...
Mikey is embarrassed to be asking, and Jane is not sure how
to answer.
JANE
I don't know.
MIKEY
Really?
JANE
It's just...I guess when I thought
about seeing him again, I always
imagined we'd just run to each
other and never let go-
MIKEY
Across a flowery meadow?
JANE
Obviously. Except he's not ready to
run, and anyway there are no
meadows.
MIKEY
So, what happens instead?
JANE
I don't know. Why is it worrying
you?
MIKEY
He's still not himself. He's moody,
and withdrawn and he barely talks.
JANE
It was a pretty bad injury. He
can't feel very good.
MIKEY
It just reminds me of before, when
he was impossible. You're here now.
I didn't think he could ever have a
bad day again.
JANE
No pressure there.
MIKEY
He always felt better around you.
He must be feeling really awful
now.
JANE
He could be, and with major
injuries sometimes you get
depression.
MIKEY
Do you see that a lot?
Jane sighs and looks down.
JANE
The truth is, I see more fatal
injuries than anything else. I'll
take this.
MIKEY
Whoa. Perspective.
JANE
Yeah.
MIKEY
You're so much more hard-core now.
JANE
We all are. Anyone who isn't is
dead. Actually, a lot of them died
too.
MIKEY
I'm so tired of losing people.
Jane rubs Mikey's shoulder.
JANE
You're not losing your brother. Not
from this.
MIKEY
I hope you're right.
JANE
Maybe I should go check on my
patient.
INT. BUNKER
Gerard is sitting up on the gurney, still recovering, but
much stronger.
Jane is taking Gerard's temperature while listening to his
heartbeat, and smiles at the results.
JANE
I think the infection is finally
out of your system. You'll still
need to build your strength back
up, but it's looking good.
Gerard nods, uninterested.
JANE (CONT'D)
You should probably get outside for
some fresh air today; walk around a
little, see what's going on. Ray's
been upgrading weapons, Frank's
working on vehicles, and Mikey
claims to be teaching Deanna kung
fu.
GERARD
Yeah. They've all got their skills.
Jane feels instinctively that she is talking too much, but
Gerard is so terse. It's a side of him that she is not used
to, and she understands Mikey's concern.
JANE
Well, they say you're a good
driver, and everyone says you're
the best shot next to them, which I
think means you're actually the
best shot.
Gerard shrugs.
Jane frowns, and tries to get at the root of the problem.
JANE (CONT'D)
You need to know, no one is
forgetting about Grace. We're
trying to find out where she is,
and once we know we'll figure out a
way to get her back. Right now, the
others are making the best of it,
and it's helping us a lot, but the
minute we have some information
she's the number one priority for
everyone.
Gerard nods, slightly less tense.
GERARD
Thank you. That means a lot to me.
Jane starts to leave, but then turns back and leans against
the gurney, next to Gerard but not facing him.
JANE
I've been meaning to say, I'm glad
you're alive. I've missed you.
Gerard turns and stares at Jane, but her eyes are downcast.
JANE (CONT'D)
I know you have way too much to
deal with right now. I'm not trying
to start...
Jane is interrupted by Gerard turning her face towards his
and staring intently. She starts to blush.
When Gerard kisses Jane, she is initially startled, but the
man she loves is kissing her! There is nothing to do but kiss
back.
It may be impossible to make up for six years in a single
kiss, but this one tries. There is so much behind it, so much
pain and loss, and so much trying to not feel it.
Even after they are no longer kissing, Gerard and Jane cling
to each other. Finally he is able to speak.
GERARD
Every time I lose someone I shut
down part of me, and I don't know
how to get it back.
Jane nods and just holds him for a moment. Finally, she pulls
back a little and smiles.
JANE
You better figure that out before
we find Grace, or you're going to
hurt her feelings. Because we are
getting her back.
GERARD
Yeah.
They smile at each other, still holding each other close, but
not so close that they can't look and see each other.
Jane touches Gerard's face.
JANE
I haven't seen that smile for so
long.
GERARD
No one has.
The embrace tightens again, and they rest their heads on each
other's shoulders. For that moment it feels like peace.
GERARD (CONT'D)
And I totally am the best shot.
It's suspiciously close to a sob, but Jane does laugh.
JANE
I was pretty sure.
EXT. BUNKER
It is about a week later.
Jane is helping Gerard take a short walk. He is moving
slowly, which is frustrating, but both are in a good mood.
GERARD
I can't believe how hard this is!
The wound isn't even that bad.
JANE
It was. The real issue is the time
you spent lying down. You need to
build your stamina back up now.
We're going to that rock, and then
we'll sit for a minute.
GERARD
I can do it.
They make it to the rock, and sit as promised.
JANE
Take a break. You've earned it.
Take a drink too.
Jane hands Gerard a canteen, and he drinks.
GERARD
So they taught you all of this in a
few months?
JANE
No. After my training I was
assigned to the public hospital.
The real doctors worked at a
private clinic for rich people.
GERARD
Of course.
JANE
Anyway, they taught us things there
too, and I kept on studying anyway.
GERARD
That sounds like you.
JANE
It's not like there was anything
else to do. It took my mind off of
things.
GERARD
You must have been so alone.
JANE
I wasn't exactly happy, but I at
least felt useful. It gave me some
purpose and I could get by.
GERARD
How did you end up out here?
JANE
I just started seeing things. Once
that happened, everything went
really fast.
EXT. BATTERY CITY
It is early 2016. Jane is riding her Vespa to the old city
library.
Jane parks out front, and gingerly tries the door. It opens.
INT. LIBRARY
Jane enters. There is no light other than that coming in
through the windows.
A layer of dust coats the shelves, but the carpet shows some
signs of use.
JANE
Hello? Is there anyone here?
CHUCK, a grizzled looking older man, dressed like a vagrant,
pops up from behind a stack.
CHUCK
What do you want?
JANE
Uh, I was hoping to find some books
on natural medicine.
CHUCK
Why are you telling me?
JANE
I guess I was looking for a
librarian.
CHUCK
There isn't one.
JANE
Is there anyone else living here?
CHUCK
No! That's what I like about it.
JANE
Sorry to bother you. I'll just look
around quietly.
CHUCK
Fourth floor. Rv-Rz.
JANE
That's great. Thank you.
Chuck grunts and sinks back below the stack.
As the year progresses Jane goes through several books.
Chuck continues to feign irritation, but he also remains
helpful.
EXT. HOSPITAL
It is late December 2016.
Jane is leaving the hospital. As she walks into the cold air,
she notices a man fishing around in a garbage can.
JANE
You know, you can get food vouchers
at the clinic. You're just a block
away.
MR. JOHNSON
That's worse garbage than this.
They poison you.
JANE
There's at least some nutrients in
with the meds.
The man looks sharply around at hearing this qualified
agreement, and Jane recognizes her former neighbor.
JANE (CONT'D)
Mr. Johnson?
There is now recognition on his side as well.
MR. JOHNSON
You're the Simpson girl.
JANE
I thought everyone in the building
died.
MR. JOHNSON
They died because they drank the
water. I knew better, but no one
listened.
JANE
What are you talking about?
MR. JOHNSON
We were too calm! Too in control!
They poisoned us for it.
JANE
It was a virus.
MR. JOHNSON
But they put it there! They wanted
control. You can't control people
who don't need you.
JANE
You don't know what you're saying.
MR. JOHNSON
Are you one of them now?
Mr. Johnson sees the BLIND badge on Jane's messenger bag, and
starts tearing at it.
MR. JOHNSON (CONT'D)
It was them! It was them!
JANE
Stop it!
The patch comes off in his hand and Mr. Johnson falls
backwards.
Jane kneels down to help him, but two masked guards have
noticed the commotion.
They begin clubbing Mr. Johnson.
JANE (CONT'D)
Stop! Don't hurt him!
GUARD
Was he bothering you?
JANE
He's just confused. It's not his
fault.
MR. JOHNSON
You're one of them too!
Mr. Johnson runs off into the night.
The guards start to pursue, but Jane stops them.
JANE
Please leave him alone. He's just
having a bad time right now.
The guards look at her, faceless, and walk away.
Jane is suddenly overcome by a vision of guards, possibly the
same ones, but it is impossible to tell, kicking Mr. Johnson
as he struggles to protect himself on the ground.
Jane leans against the wall, scared. This is a new
experience, and she does not like it.
INT. LIBRARY
The next day Jane is poring over various books, frustrated.
Chuck comes along.
CHUCK
What are you looking for?
JANE
Something to tell me how likely it
is that disease will spontaneously
appear in the water system of a
single apartment complex.
Chuck nods and leaves, returning shortly afterwards with a
medical journal.
CHUCK
There's an article in here that's
pretty good.
JANE
I need to get to work. Do you mind
if I take it with me? I'll bring it
back.
CHUCK
It doesn't matter.
JANE
It matters to me!
Jane has snapped at her helper, and is immediately ashamed of
losing her temper.
JANE (CONT'D)
I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that.
I just don't want to forget...I
don't even know what I'm trying to
remember.
CHUCK
It's too late anyway. Those days
are gone.
JANE
Do you really think so?
CHUCK
You already know.
Jane rises, resigned, and starts to leave, taking the journal
with her.
JANE
You're probably right, but that
just makes it more important. If I
lose myself, there's nothing to
pull me back anymore.
INT. HOSPITAL
Jane is on rounds. She looks tired, but smiles as she enters
Pediatrics.
SOPHIE (3), an adorable little blonde girl, is in one bed,
clutching a stuffed rabbit.
JANE
Hi Sophie! How are you feeling
today?
SOPHIE
Jane!
JANE
You look like you feel better.
Let's take a closer look.
Jane grabs her stethoscope, but the rabbit is in the way of
Sophie's chest, so Jane takes the rabbit and puts it to the
side.
JANE (CONT'D)
I'll give it back in a minute.
As Jane begins to check the heartbeat, Sophie reaches for the
rabbit, but it is too far out of reach.
SOPHIE
Mine!
The rabbit flies to Sophie's extended hand.
Jane starts back, frightened.
LIU
Amazing, isn't it?
Now Jane has been startled twice.
Liu goes over and picks up Sophie.
JANE
What was that?
LIU
It's something new we're seeing,
unusual powers developing. It seems
to be strongest in children born
since the flares, but we've seen it
in a few adults too.
Jane is stunned, and though she does carry on the
conversation, it is more like she is speaking to herself.
JANE
That doesn't make any sense.
LIU
Why not? We knew energetic protons
could have an effect on humans.
JANE
But it should have been damage,
unless it's an adaptation to the
damage but-
LIU
You have some interesting thoughts
on this. Are you familiar with any
other cases?
There is a subtext to Liu's interest that chills Jane's
blood.
JANE
This is the first I've heard of it.
How does it start?
LIU
We don't know for sure. It may be
related to stress in the adults.
It's harder to tell with the
children, but her fever may have
brought it on.
JANE
Are they all like Sophie?
LIU
Telekinetic? No, we've seen some
incidences of extra-sensory
perception too. It's a fascinating
new development. Are you
interested?
JANE
What do you mean?
Liu puts Sophie back down, and looks at Jane, appraising her.
LIU
One of my key initiatives will be
learning more about this new
phenomenon, and how it can benefit
us. All of us, of course.
Liu leans in closer to Jane.
LIU (CONT'D)
I believe you're capable of more
than you'll ever achieve here. You
could excel in research.
JANE
I...I'd have to think about it. I
like what I'm doing here.
LIU
Consider it. You could have more.
Perhaps you could help this little
one unlock her full potential.
Liu pats Sophie's cheek.
JANE
I need to think.
LIU
Certainly. Good night.
Jane nods her good night, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.
She still has her job though, so she goes back to checking
the child's vitals.
JANE
It's going to be okay. You're doing
really well, and your mom can take
you home tomorrow or the next day.
It's going to be fine.
Jane is overtaken by another vision, of Korse coming and
grabbing Sophie from her bed, and Sophie crying.
Jane tries to shake it off, but is worried.
Later, towards the end of Jane's shift, she runs into Baker.
BAKER
Hey Simpson, how's it going?
JANE
It's been a long day.
BAKER
It always is when you're confronted
by the society's decay.
JANE
What?
BAKER
Oh I just got back from dropping a
body off at the morgue. Some
homeless guy looks like he was
stomped to death. I thought
everyone was getting mellow by now,
but I guess not.
JANE
Some people are still avoiding the
drugs.
Jane hurries off to the morgue.
As she goes in, she attempts to reassure herself.
JANE (CONT'D)
It's just a coincidence. It's not
him.
Jane enters and finds Mr. Johnson laid out on a slab.
INT. HOSPITAL
It is the next day.
Jane is doing her rounds. She is tired and tense.
As Jane heads towards Pediatrics, she hears crying.
Bursting in through the doors, Jane see Korse holding a teary
Sophie.
JANE
Put her down this instant!
Korse turns on Jane with a cold-blooded stare, and moves one
hand to the gun on his hip.
Jane shivers, but she does not back down.
JANE (CONT'D)
That is my patient.
KORSE
She's being discharged.
JANE
On whose authority?
LIU
Mine.
Jane jumps, and turns, once again surprised by Liu.
JANE
What's going on?
LIU
The child is healthy now, isn't
she?
JANE
She should be released to her
mother.
LIU
You haven't heard. Her mother was
in a tragic accident this morning.
Sophie's an orphan now.
Sophie is still crying in the background, but it has changed
from frightened wails to a subdued whimper.
JANE
What's going to happen to her?
LIU
Good things. We're starting a
school for gifted orphans. She'll
receive excellent care.
JANE
Courtesy of Better Living.
LIU
Of course. The paperwork has
already been completed. I'm sure
this is a shock to you, but it's
really for the best.
Jane knows she has lost this fight, but she has one last try.
JANE
I'm not sure this is the best
person to be transporting children.
Liu gives an icy smile.
LIU
Perhaps. Korse, you may go. I will
take the child.
Korse stares at Jane for a moment, boring holes with his
eyes, but then puts Sophie back down on her bed and departs.
Jane sits down on the bed next to Sophie, and wipes her
tears. Sophie clings to Jane.
LIU (CONT'D)
Have you considered taking a
research position?
JANE
I haven't decided anything.
LIU
That's too bad. You seem to be good
with children.
JANE
Are you sure that you know what to
do with them?
LIU
I admit Korse is a bit, well, I
suppose his name suits him.
JANE
Who is he?
LIU
Ah, he's a security expert. I
suppose child retrieval in a case
like this is below his skill set,
but there will be plenty of other
work for him to do. I should be
going.
Jane nods and hands the rabbit to Sophie.
JANE
Take care, little rabbit.
Liu picks up the child and toy.
JANE (CONT'D)
Maybe I will take that position.
LIU
That would be lovely. Come see me.
Liu carries away Sophie, who does not take her eyes off of
Jane until they have disappeared through the door.
Jane takes the pillow from the bed and holds it close.
Still later that day, Jane is near the admissions desk.
As Jane looks up from her clipboard, she notices a man
dressed as a janitor looking at Natalia as she passes. The
look is sinister.
Jane flashes to Natalia walking into her apartment and being
attacked by this man and another man. Jane freezes.
It smelt so faint, and it smelt so sweet,
It made me creep, and it made me cold!
Like the scent that steals from the crumbling sheet
Where a mummy is half unroll’d.
from Aux Italiens, by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Frank, Ray, Mitch, and Jacob enter carrying their loot from the Boneyard.
The entrance is empty.
FRANK
Honey, we're home!
Deanna comes in from the back, stretching.
DEANNA
You're earlier than we were
expecting.
JACOB
Yesterday was very productive.
DEANNA
Mikey! Jane!
Mikey and Jane come out.
Their eyes are bloodshot with dark circles, but their moods
are good.
MIKEY
Gee's fever just broke!
RAY
How's he doing?
JANE
Still pretty weak, but he
recognized Mikey, he recognized me,
and he asked about Grace.
MIKEY
And the fever broke.
Jane smiles at Mikey's enthusiasm on that point.
JANE
Exactly. Not bad at all.
FRANK
Good, because you both look
terrible.
Mikey rolls his eyes, but if Jane was going to respond, it is
interrupted by a yawn.
RAY
Maybe you should get some sleep.
JANE
Soon. Tell us about your trip
first.
FRANK
It was perfect! We got everything
that we needed and check this out.
Frank picks up the tank of nitrous oxide.
MIKEY
Sweet!
Jane is confused.
JANE
Does someone need surgery?
FRANK
No, it's for the car. Or maybe the
van, depending.
Jane remains confused.
RAY
You can add it into gas and it will
make the car run faster. It takes a
lot for just a brief boost, but at
the right time...
JANE
Got it.
MITCH
And we found 24 new toothbrushes.
JANE
Oh really?
DEANNA
That's so cool!
JANE
And that's enough to share quite a
bit.
Mitch winks at Ray and Frank.
MITCH
See, that's how it's done.
JANE
I should have asked you to look for
a shirt.
MIKEY
For Gee? We've got another one.
DEANNA
Spare clothes? How did you manage
that?
RAY
When we were out in the Zones we
found an old theater company with
all kinds of costumes. That's where
the masks and helmets come from,
but we have some shirts too.
MIKEY
They were useless for pants.
Ray and Frank nod.
JANE
You must have been like kids in a
candy store.
FRANK
That happened once too!
DEANNA
The toothbrushes may be too late.
JANE
Oh please no one need dental
extractions.
FRANK
But we have nitrous oxide now.
Jane smiles, but she can barely keep her eyes open.
RAY
Go get some rest. We'll talk later.
Jane nods and heads back.
JACOB
But your-
RAY
A few hours won't matter.
(to Frank)
Let's get these parts sorted out.
Many hours later, Jane comes back out.
Mitch is stretching and twisting, as if trying to work out a
pain. He stops when he sees Jane.
MITCH
You look like you feel better.
JANE
You don't. Is the scar bothering
you?
MITCH
It acts up sometimes.
JANE
I know. I wish we'd found you
sooner.
Mitch sits down, motioning for Jane to do the same.
MITCH
We were lucky to be found at all.
JANE
I just wish I could have done more.
MITCH
I still wonder whether I could have
avoided it or changed it, if Diep
would still be here-
JANE
You know that's not your fault.
MITCH
I know, but I always feel
responsible. You do that too. I
worry about you sometimes.
Mitch looks at Jane, and she realizes there is more than he
is saying.
JANE
Mitch, what's wrong
MITCH
There may be a problem with Ray's
eye.
CUT TO:
INT. BUNKER
Jane is examining Ray's eye.
JANE
How long has this been going on?
RAY
Since you found us, but it's
getting worse.
JANE
Worse as in more noticeable or
happening more often?
RAY
Both. Do you know what it is?
JANE
I think your retina is detaching. A
head injury can trigger it, but it
shouldn't be happening this fast.
RAY
Well, it's not my first head
injury.
JANE
Has anyone in your family had this?
RAY
I don't think so. Is there a
treatment?
Jane looks down, hopeless.
JANE
Laser surgery.
Ray slowly puts his hand up to his eye.
RAY
So, nothing then.
JANE
If we could sneak you into the city
and find someone, maybe-
RAY
You know that's not going to
happen.
JANE
Do you have any symptoms in the
other eye? Anything at all?
RAY
No, it's fine. Really.
JANE
I wish you'd told me sooner.
RAY
Would it have made a difference?
Jane shakes her head in defeat.
JANE
No. This is about a million miles
out of my range.
RAY
How long?
JANE
It can happen over months. Yours
seems to be moving really fast.
RAY
I guess I should have been wearing
my helmet.
JANE
I'm sorry, Ray. I...
Ray sees Jane's concern, and tries to smile for her.
RAY
Don't worry about it.
JANE
Maybe we'll discover some
innovative non-surgical therapy.
RAY
That would be cool.
Ray gets up to leave, but before he exits he turns around
again.
RAY (CONT'D)
It's really okay.
Jane nods, but she has gone back to very tired in a very
short time.
A few days go by.
Jane is sitting cross-legged on a cot. She is sorting medical
supplies, but not really concentrating on the task.
Mikey is a welcome distraction when he comes in.
Jane smiles and pats the cot, and Mikey sits there.
Mikey absentmindedly picks up a roll of medical tape and
starts playing with. Eventually, he speaks.
MIKEY
So, how are you and Gee?
JANE
What do you mean?
MIKEY
Well, are you together again or...
Mikey is embarrassed to be asking, and Jane is not sure how
to answer.
JANE
I don't know.
MIKEY
Really?
JANE
It's just...I guess when I thought
about seeing him again, I always
imagined we'd just run to each
other and never let go-
MIKEY
Across a flowery meadow?
JANE
Obviously. Except he's not ready to
run, and anyway there are no
meadows.
MIKEY
So, what happens instead?
JANE
I don't know. Why is it worrying
you?
MIKEY
He's still not himself. He's moody,
and withdrawn and he barely talks.
JANE
It was a pretty bad injury. He
can't feel very good.
MIKEY
It just reminds me of before, when
he was impossible. You're here now.
I didn't think he could ever have a
bad day again.
JANE
No pressure there.
MIKEY
He always felt better around you.
He must be feeling really awful
now.
JANE
He could be, and with major
injuries sometimes you get
depression.
MIKEY
Do you see that a lot?
Jane sighs and looks down.
JANE
The truth is, I see more fatal
injuries than anything else. I'll
take this.
MIKEY
Whoa. Perspective.
JANE
Yeah.
MIKEY
You're so much more hard-core now.
JANE
We all are. Anyone who isn't is
dead. Actually, a lot of them died
too.
MIKEY
I'm so tired of losing people.
Jane rubs Mikey's shoulder.
JANE
You're not losing your brother. Not
from this.
MIKEY
I hope you're right.
JANE
Maybe I should go check on my
patient.
INT. BUNKER
Gerard is sitting up on the gurney, still recovering, but
much stronger.
Jane is taking Gerard's temperature while listening to his
heartbeat, and smiles at the results.
JANE
I think the infection is finally
out of your system. You'll still
need to build your strength back
up, but it's looking good.
Gerard nods, uninterested.
JANE (CONT'D)
You should probably get outside for
some fresh air today; walk around a
little, see what's going on. Ray's
been upgrading weapons, Frank's
working on vehicles, and Mikey
claims to be teaching Deanna kung
fu.
GERARD
Yeah. They've all got their skills.
Jane feels instinctively that she is talking too much, but
Gerard is so terse. It's a side of him that she is not used
to, and she understands Mikey's concern.
JANE
Well, they say you're a good
driver, and everyone says you're
the best shot next to them, which I
think means you're actually the
best shot.
Gerard shrugs.
Jane frowns, and tries to get at the root of the problem.
JANE (CONT'D)
You need to know, no one is
forgetting about Grace. We're
trying to find out where she is,
and once we know we'll figure out a
way to get her back. Right now, the
others are making the best of it,
and it's helping us a lot, but the
minute we have some information
she's the number one priority for
everyone.
Gerard nods, slightly less tense.
GERARD
Thank you. That means a lot to me.
Jane starts to leave, but then turns back and leans against
the gurney, next to Gerard but not facing him.
JANE
I've been meaning to say, I'm glad
you're alive. I've missed you.
Gerard turns and stares at Jane, but her eyes are downcast.
JANE (CONT'D)
I know you have way too much to
deal with right now. I'm not trying
to start...
Jane is interrupted by Gerard turning her face towards his
and staring intently. She starts to blush.
When Gerard kisses Jane, she is initially startled, but the
man she loves is kissing her! There is nothing to do but kiss
back.
It may be impossible to make up for six years in a single
kiss, but this one tries. There is so much behind it, so much
pain and loss, and so much trying to not feel it.
Even after they are no longer kissing, Gerard and Jane cling
to each other. Finally he is able to speak.
GERARD
Every time I lose someone I shut
down part of me, and I don't know
how to get it back.
Jane nods and just holds him for a moment. Finally, she pulls
back a little and smiles.
JANE
You better figure that out before
we find Grace, or you're going to
hurt her feelings. Because we are
getting her back.
GERARD
Yeah.
They smile at each other, still holding each other close, but
not so close that they can't look and see each other.
Jane touches Gerard's face.
JANE
I haven't seen that smile for so
long.
GERARD
No one has.
The embrace tightens again, and they rest their heads on each
other's shoulders. For that moment it feels like peace.
GERARD (CONT'D)
And I totally am the best shot.
It's suspiciously close to a sob, but Jane does laugh.
JANE
I was pretty sure.
EXT. BUNKER
It is about a week later.
Jane is helping Gerard take a short walk. He is moving
slowly, which is frustrating, but both are in a good mood.
GERARD
I can't believe how hard this is!
The wound isn't even that bad.
JANE
It was. The real issue is the time
you spent lying down. You need to
build your stamina back up now.
We're going to that rock, and then
we'll sit for a minute.
GERARD
I can do it.
They make it to the rock, and sit as promised.
JANE
Take a break. You've earned it.
Take a drink too.
Jane hands Gerard a canteen, and he drinks.
GERARD
So they taught you all of this in a
few months?
JANE
No. After my training I was
assigned to the public hospital.
The real doctors worked at a
private clinic for rich people.
GERARD
Of course.
JANE
Anyway, they taught us things there
too, and I kept on studying anyway.
GERARD
That sounds like you.
JANE
It's not like there was anything
else to do. It took my mind off of
things.
GERARD
You must have been so alone.
JANE
I wasn't exactly happy, but I at
least felt useful. It gave me some
purpose and I could get by.
GERARD
How did you end up out here?
JANE
I just started seeing things. Once
that happened, everything went
really fast.
EXT. BATTERY CITY
It is early 2016. Jane is riding her Vespa to the old city
library.
Jane parks out front, and gingerly tries the door. It opens.
INT. LIBRARY
Jane enters. There is no light other than that coming in
through the windows.
A layer of dust coats the shelves, but the carpet shows some
signs of use.
JANE
Hello? Is there anyone here?
CHUCK, a grizzled looking older man, dressed like a vagrant,
pops up from behind a stack.
CHUCK
What do you want?
JANE
Uh, I was hoping to find some books
on natural medicine.
CHUCK
Why are you telling me?
JANE
I guess I was looking for a
librarian.
CHUCK
There isn't one.
JANE
Is there anyone else living here?
CHUCK
No! That's what I like about it.
JANE
Sorry to bother you. I'll just look
around quietly.
CHUCK
Fourth floor. Rv-Rz.
JANE
That's great. Thank you.
Chuck grunts and sinks back below the stack.
As the year progresses Jane goes through several books.
Chuck continues to feign irritation, but he also remains
helpful.
EXT. HOSPITAL
It is late December 2016.
Jane is leaving the hospital. As she walks into the cold air,
she notices a man fishing around in a garbage can.
JANE
You know, you can get food vouchers
at the clinic. You're just a block
away.
MR. JOHNSON
That's worse garbage than this.
They poison you.
JANE
There's at least some nutrients in
with the meds.
The man looks sharply around at hearing this qualified
agreement, and Jane recognizes her former neighbor.
JANE (CONT'D)
Mr. Johnson?
There is now recognition on his side as well.
MR. JOHNSON
You're the Simpson girl.
JANE
I thought everyone in the building
died.
MR. JOHNSON
They died because they drank the
water. I knew better, but no one
listened.
JANE
What are you talking about?
MR. JOHNSON
We were too calm! Too in control!
They poisoned us for it.
JANE
It was a virus.
MR. JOHNSON
But they put it there! They wanted
control. You can't control people
who don't need you.
JANE
You don't know what you're saying.
MR. JOHNSON
Are you one of them now?
Mr. Johnson sees the BLIND badge on Jane's messenger bag, and
starts tearing at it.
MR. JOHNSON (CONT'D)
It was them! It was them!
JANE
Stop it!
The patch comes off in his hand and Mr. Johnson falls
backwards.
Jane kneels down to help him, but two masked guards have
noticed the commotion.
They begin clubbing Mr. Johnson.
JANE (CONT'D)
Stop! Don't hurt him!
GUARD
Was he bothering you?
JANE
He's just confused. It's not his
fault.
MR. JOHNSON
You're one of them too!
Mr. Johnson runs off into the night.
The guards start to pursue, but Jane stops them.
JANE
Please leave him alone. He's just
having a bad time right now.
The guards look at her, faceless, and walk away.
Jane is suddenly overcome by a vision of guards, possibly the
same ones, but it is impossible to tell, kicking Mr. Johnson
as he struggles to protect himself on the ground.
Jane leans against the wall, scared. This is a new
experience, and she does not like it.
INT. LIBRARY
The next day Jane is poring over various books, frustrated.
Chuck comes along.
CHUCK
What are you looking for?
JANE
Something to tell me how likely it
is that disease will spontaneously
appear in the water system of a
single apartment complex.
Chuck nods and leaves, returning shortly afterwards with a
medical journal.
CHUCK
There's an article in here that's
pretty good.
JANE
I need to get to work. Do you mind
if I take it with me? I'll bring it
back.
CHUCK
It doesn't matter.
JANE
It matters to me!
Jane has snapped at her helper, and is immediately ashamed of
losing her temper.
JANE (CONT'D)
I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that.
I just don't want to forget...I
don't even know what I'm trying to
remember.
CHUCK
It's too late anyway. Those days
are gone.
JANE
Do you really think so?
CHUCK
You already know.
Jane rises, resigned, and starts to leave, taking the journal
with her.
JANE
You're probably right, but that
just makes it more important. If I
lose myself, there's nothing to
pull me back anymore.
INT. HOSPITAL
Jane is on rounds. She looks tired, but smiles as she enters
Pediatrics.
SOPHIE (3), an adorable little blonde girl, is in one bed,
clutching a stuffed rabbit.
JANE
Hi Sophie! How are you feeling
today?
SOPHIE
Jane!
JANE
You look like you feel better.
Let's take a closer look.
Jane grabs her stethoscope, but the rabbit is in the way of
Sophie's chest, so Jane takes the rabbit and puts it to the
side.
JANE (CONT'D)
I'll give it back in a minute.
As Jane begins to check the heartbeat, Sophie reaches for the
rabbit, but it is too far out of reach.
SOPHIE
Mine!
The rabbit flies to Sophie's extended hand.
Jane starts back, frightened.
LIU
Amazing, isn't it?
Now Jane has been startled twice.
Liu goes over and picks up Sophie.
JANE
What was that?
LIU
It's something new we're seeing,
unusual powers developing. It seems
to be strongest in children born
since the flares, but we've seen it
in a few adults too.
Jane is stunned, and though she does carry on the
conversation, it is more like she is speaking to herself.
JANE
That doesn't make any sense.
LIU
Why not? We knew energetic protons
could have an effect on humans.
JANE
But it should have been damage,
unless it's an adaptation to the
damage but-
LIU
You have some interesting thoughts
on this. Are you familiar with any
other cases?
There is a subtext to Liu's interest that chills Jane's
blood.
JANE
This is the first I've heard of it.
How does it start?
LIU
We don't know for sure. It may be
related to stress in the adults.
It's harder to tell with the
children, but her fever may have
brought it on.
JANE
Are they all like Sophie?
LIU
Telekinetic? No, we've seen some
incidences of extra-sensory
perception too. It's a fascinating
new development. Are you
interested?
JANE
What do you mean?
Liu puts Sophie back down, and looks at Jane, appraising her.
LIU
One of my key initiatives will be
learning more about this new
phenomenon, and how it can benefit
us. All of us, of course.
Liu leans in closer to Jane.
LIU (CONT'D)
I believe you're capable of more
than you'll ever achieve here. You
could excel in research.
JANE
I...I'd have to think about it. I
like what I'm doing here.
LIU
Consider it. You could have more.
Perhaps you could help this little
one unlock her full potential.
Liu pats Sophie's cheek.
JANE
I need to think.
LIU
Certainly. Good night.
Jane nods her good night, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.
She still has her job though, so she goes back to checking
the child's vitals.
JANE
It's going to be okay. You're doing
really well, and your mom can take
you home tomorrow or the next day.
It's going to be fine.
Jane is overtaken by another vision, of Korse coming and
grabbing Sophie from her bed, and Sophie crying.
Jane tries to shake it off, but is worried.
Later, towards the end of Jane's shift, she runs into Baker.
BAKER
Hey Simpson, how's it going?
JANE
It's been a long day.
BAKER
It always is when you're confronted
by the society's decay.
JANE
What?
BAKER
Oh I just got back from dropping a
body off at the morgue. Some
homeless guy looks like he was
stomped to death. I thought
everyone was getting mellow by now,
but I guess not.
JANE
Some people are still avoiding the
drugs.
Jane hurries off to the morgue.
As she goes in, she attempts to reassure herself.
JANE (CONT'D)
It's just a coincidence. It's not
him.
Jane enters and finds Mr. Johnson laid out on a slab.
INT. HOSPITAL
It is the next day.
Jane is doing her rounds. She is tired and tense.
As Jane heads towards Pediatrics, she hears crying.
Bursting in through the doors, Jane see Korse holding a teary
Sophie.
JANE
Put her down this instant!
Korse turns on Jane with a cold-blooded stare, and moves one
hand to the gun on his hip.
Jane shivers, but she does not back down.
JANE (CONT'D)
That is my patient.
KORSE
She's being discharged.
JANE
On whose authority?
LIU
Mine.
Jane jumps, and turns, once again surprised by Liu.
JANE
What's going on?
LIU
The child is healthy now, isn't
she?
JANE
She should be released to her
mother.
LIU
You haven't heard. Her mother was
in a tragic accident this morning.
Sophie's an orphan now.
Sophie is still crying in the background, but it has changed
from frightened wails to a subdued whimper.
JANE
What's going to happen to her?
LIU
Good things. We're starting a
school for gifted orphans. She'll
receive excellent care.
JANE
Courtesy of Better Living.
LIU
Of course. The paperwork has
already been completed. I'm sure
this is a shock to you, but it's
really for the best.
Jane knows she has lost this fight, but she has one last try.
JANE
I'm not sure this is the best
person to be transporting children.
Liu gives an icy smile.
LIU
Perhaps. Korse, you may go. I will
take the child.
Korse stares at Jane for a moment, boring holes with his
eyes, but then puts Sophie back down on her bed and departs.
Jane sits down on the bed next to Sophie, and wipes her
tears. Sophie clings to Jane.
LIU (CONT'D)
Have you considered taking a
research position?
JANE
I haven't decided anything.
LIU
That's too bad. You seem to be good
with children.
JANE
Are you sure that you know what to
do with them?
LIU
I admit Korse is a bit, well, I
suppose his name suits him.
JANE
Who is he?
LIU
Ah, he's a security expert. I
suppose child retrieval in a case
like this is below his skill set,
but there will be plenty of other
work for him to do. I should be
going.
Jane nods and hands the rabbit to Sophie.
JANE
Take care, little rabbit.
Liu picks up the child and toy.
JANE (CONT'D)
Maybe I will take that position.
LIU
That would be lovely. Come see me.
Liu carries away Sophie, who does not take her eyes off of
Jane until they have disappeared through the door.
Jane takes the pillow from the bed and holds it close.
Still later that day, Jane is near the admissions desk.
As Jane looks up from her clipboard, she notices a man
dressed as a janitor looking at Natalia as she passes. The
look is sinister.
Jane flashes to Natalia walking into her apartment and being
attacked by this man and another man. Jane freezes.
It smelt so faint, and it smelt so sweet,
It made me creep, and it made me cold!
Like the scent that steals from the crumbling sheet
Where a mummy is half unroll’d.
from Aux Italiens, by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
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