DesertVillageTavern

EXT. mountain crest, desert borderlands - sunset

Arin and Lia reach the crest of the mountain. Arin's mouth drops open at the sight of the village hidden between the mountains. Stone structures jut out of the cliff face and a handful of tiny ramshackle mud huts fill the valley floor.

Lia takes off her gun holster and puts it in her pack. Then she pulls Arin's gun out from underneath her jacket and throws that into her pack.

Arin

Think you're armed well enough, or were you planning to add a few more Unity weapons to your collection?

LIA

Seemed only fair. I dropped my favorite rifle when you shot me.

(beat)

Now, if anyone asks, we're . . . cousins, from Caldera, and we left because of the occupation. We're here looking for good honest work, for decent pay.

Arin

What happens if somebody offers us some?

LIA

There isn't any.

int. desert Village Tavern - Evening

Crooked stairs lead down into a large stone room, glowing with warm orange fire light. The tavern is full of people lounging on the low cushions, talking loudly and laughing.

Lia heads straight for a table in the center. Arin sits beside her, eyeing his surroundings.

A BARTENDER wearing a plain dress and apron approaches them.

bartender

Why, you two are new to this village, ain't ya?

LIA

Just arrived. Came from Caldera. Looking for work. 'Course all we need now is a good meal. Two full courses please.

BARTENDER

Two full, eh? I sure hate to be unwelcoming but I got to ask for pay up front, things being what they are these days.

LIA

Well, we don't have much money left on us, but we did manage to leave with a little something.

Lia pulls out a little burlap bag and hands it to the Bartender. Her face lights up as soon she looks inside.

BARTENDER

Two full, coming right up. And the drinks are on the house.

The Bartender scurries off, clutching the bag to her chest.

Arin

Are you carrying gold as well as a full arsenal?

LIA

Money doesn't get you very far in this part of the world. Wheat, on the other hand . . .

Two full plates of food plunk down in front of them, followed by two brimming, frothy steins.

LIA

Thank you much.

The plates have a grayish mush on one side and a few unidentifiable brown chunks on the other. Lia happily digs in. Arin looks at it with disgust.

LIA

(talking with her mouth full)

They don't have fancy processors out here like they do in the city. But they make do. It's still food after all, so eat up.

Arin picks up a brown chunk and sniffs it. He takes a bite and struggles to swallow. Lia tries to contain her smile as she watches.

Arin looks over at the bar and notices the Bartender gesturing toward them. She is talking to a tall GAUNT MAN. The Man suddenly rushes toward Lia and Arin.

Arin instinctively reaches for his missing gun. Lia refrains from moving a muscle.

The Gaunt Man comes up to them and wildly shakes their hands without saying a word. Lia and Arin look at each other, perplexed. The Bartender catches up, out of breath.

BARTENDER

You'll have to forgive Jakes here. He's been waiting for news from Caldera for months now. You're the first people to come through.

(To Jakes)

What did you want to ask them?

Jakes signs vigorously with his hands.

BARTENDER

(To Jakes)

I can't understand if you go so fast, Jakes.

(to Lia and Arin)

I'm sorry. We both just started learning a few weeks ago, so it takes us a minute to figure things out.

LIA

Why did you have to learn so suddenly?

BARTENDER

Oh well, you see, that's why Jakes left. He was a mason in Caldera, and had a little trouble when he talked back to one of the Unity Soldiers, so they . . . took away his ability to talk back.

Jakes opens his mouth to show that his tongue has been sliced out. Lia and Arin are both taken aback.

LIA

(looking at Arin out of the corner of her eye)

Those heartless, hollow excuses for humans!

Jakes waves an angry fist in the air in agreement. He turns back to the Bartender and starts to sign again.

BARTENDER

No! You really think?

LIA

What . . . what is it?

BARTENDER

He wants to know if the assassin has made it into the city, has killed the new leader.

Arin shoots Lia a frightened look, but she is unaffected.

LIA

That's what I heard. Can't say for sure because we had to sneak out in the middle of the night. But they were sure torn up about something. Lots of commotion around the city center. They were looking for somebody for hours. But whoever it was disappeared, completely.

Jakes jumps up and kisses the Bartender on the cheek.

BARTENDER

I can't believe it! All the way out here. We really are getting stronger, aren't we?

Lia

Sure are.

bartender

That calls for another round.

The Bartender and Jakes head off to get more drinks.

Arin

My troops never tortured anyone like that. I never would have allowed it.

LIA

You and your troops are from a shiny, central city full of placid injectees. You never had anyone to torture.

ARIN

It didn't happen in New Caldera either.

LIA

You were in Caldera City for, what, a few weeks? It wouldn't have been much longer before you were ordered to force out everyone who refused injection. With or without torture, your mission would have been to rid the world of these people. Mine is to help them believe that they can fight back . . . and win.

The Bartender and Jakes come back with full steins and Lia invites them to sit at the table.

Later that night

Lia is at the bar with Jakes, talking to a large group of people. They all laugh at her stories, and hang on her every word.

Arin is at the table, many empty glasses in front of him. He watches Lia, his gaze transfixed on her until a FLIRTATIOUS WOMAN sitting next to him turns his face toward her. He is surrounded by YOUNG WOMEN.

FLIRTATIOUS Woman

I was saying, I just don't understand how such a strapping young gentleman as yourself wouldn't have been forced to work on the city walls.

Arin

I left in the middle of the night.

DRUNK Woman

How brave.

SEDUCTIVE Woman

I heard that there are hardly any women left in the city, that they all got out first and headed for the mountains. Must have been terrible lonely.

Arin

Ah . . . yes. Yes it was.

Lia glances over at Arin from across the room, the smile drops from her face.

FLIRTATIOUS WOMAN

Well, you could always stay here. It's a very friendly community.

A pleased smile forms on Arin's face. Lia approaches and tugs at his sleeve.

LIA

We have to go.

ARIN

Lia, hi. Have you met . . .

(glances around the table)

apparently every woman in town?

LIA

(to the table)

Nice to meet you.

(to Arin)

We've got to go.

Arin

Now?

LIA

Now.

ARIN

Why?

DRUNK WOMAN

Yes, why?

LIA

We just do.

Lia tugs harder at Arin's sleeve. He gets up to follow her out as the women whine and complain.

EXT. DESERT VILLAGE - Late NIGHT

Arin and Lia walk through the silent center of the village.

LIA

We have a bed for the night. Actually, it's more of an old camel stall, but the camels died quite some time ago, so the smell ought to be gone by now.

Arin

Bed? The important reason we had to leave was to get some sleep?

LIA

Can't turn down local hospitality when it's offered.

Arin

I don't think I would have.

Lia walks off ahead of Arin. He catches up.

Arin

You were jealous.

LIA

Jealous?

Arin

That's right. Jealous that the heartless, hollow excuse for a human might have actually had a good time tonight.

LIA

Oh, so you suddenly remember what it's like to enjoy yourself? To smile and laugh and talk to other human beings as if you are one?

Arin

(sincerely)

Yes.

Arin and Lia reach the door of the stall. They both sniff the air and make sour faces.

LIA

I was wrong about the smell.

Lia reaches into her pack and pulls out the Pulse Gun. She turns it toward Arin.

Arin

Now, wait a minute.

LIA

Why? If you enjoy having a good time so much, why would I stop you now? Or, did you forget that this was the reason you were experiencing so much sudden joy? I'd say it's been about forty eight hours, wouldn't you?

Arin

You just don't want to admit it.

LIA

Admit what?

ARIN

You wanted me all to yourself.

Arin smiles at Lia. Indignant, she pulls the trigger. The gun pops and Arin drops to the ground.

LIA

Yup. And now I got you. Lucky me.

She sighs, rolls her eyes and drags him into the stall.