Lonely No More: Episode 8: “The Reckoning”

At Fortress Gatwick, tensions boil over as Nina and Nikesh face the grim realities of the evolving world. With Xavi’s control tightening and shocking revelations about the Lonely No More phenomenon coming to light, the cracks in their sanctuary widen. Haroun, still reeling from Demelza’s transformation, grapples with his own devastating decisions, while Professor Urqhart’s arrival raises hopes—and questions—about humanity’s future.

As the Loiterers close in with devastating force, Nina and Nikesh are thrust into a harrowing final act. The fate of their unborn child hangs in the balance as Nina makes an unthinkable choice, believing that the path to salvation lies not in safety but in the unknown.

In this gripping finale, alliances will shatter, love will be tested, and the line between survival and transformation will blur. Is the end truly the beginning?

Transcript

LONELY NO MORE

by SEBASTIAN BACZKIEWICZ

EPISODE 8

SCENE 1              INT. THE BODY SHOP. GATWICK

                            NIKESH IS WITH NINA AS SHE EXAMINES BLOOD TESTS

1. NIKESH             So?

2. NINA                 Hm?

3. NIKESH             Nina.

4. NINA                 Hold on - just one second, Niko. Yes?

SFX                      NINA TURNS AROUND ON HER CHAIR

5. NIKESH             The result?

6. NINA                 …

7. NIKESH             Of the test.

8. NINA                 Oh. The blood’s good. You’re good.

9. NIKESH             I’m still susceptible?

10. NINA               To what?

11. NIKESH           Disease. Illness. Death.

12. NINA               You’re as lonely as the day you were born, Nikesh. Same as most of the others I tested today.

13. NIKESH           As most of the others? Then...?

14. NINA               Some will evolve and just want to make their way to the sea. Best we can do is leave them be until they do.

15. NIKESH           Anderson seems to want them isolated. Said so at the meeting yesterday.

16. NINA               I’ll be talking to Xavi.

17. NIKESH           He won’t want to hear it.

18. NINA               It’s not really about what Xavi wants.

19. NIKESH           So, we’re no nearer a vaccine.

20. NINA               For the last time how can there be a vaccine when there is no disease?

21. NIKESH           Nina.

22. NINA               Chances are that sooner or later the chromosome’ll activate in all of us and then we’ll all be...

23. NIKESH           Lonely No More.

24. NINA               You. Me. Everyone.

25. NIKESH           Our baby?

26. NINA               (QUIET) Niko.

27. NIKESH           Xavi Anderson doesn’t seem to think so.

28. NINA               Xavi Anderson wants to believe what Xavi Anderson wants to believe. No known vaccine for that either.

                            HAROUN ENTERS AND PUTS DOWN HIS MOTORCYCLE HELMET

29. HAROUN         Here they are. Mr and Mrs.

30. NINA               Please don’t put your helmet there. The samples.

31. HAROUN         Oh, right. Yeh. Sorry.

32. NINA               Don’t know why they gave you a motorbike.

33. HAROUN         Perks of being head of boundary security. 

34. NIKESH           Xavi’s number one. As ever.

35. HAROUN         Yesterday a Body Shop. Today an LNM testing centre. Who’d have believed it?

36. NIKESH           Something we can do for you?

37. HAROUN         Dinner last night: delicious. Our thanks.

38. NINA               Our pleasure.

39. HAROUN         Nice to do something normal. Other night’s raid shook us all up bad.

40. NIKESH           We heard the shooting.

41. HAROUN         The Loiterers came at us in an old bus, didn’t they? Demanding entry to the airport and what not. Xavi Refused. They started shooting. We started shooting. They retreated. See you later masturbator.

42. NINA               We held them off then.

43. HAROUN         Oo yeh, baby.

SFX                      FLASHBACK – SUDDEN SHOOTING – THE ROAR OF A BUS AS IT GOES INTO RETREAT – INCLUDING INCONGRUOUS REVERSE BEEPS – SHOUTS – PEOPLE DYING

44. NIKESH           Where’s everyone getting all these guns from?

45. HAROUN         Plenty kicking around. You’d be surprised just how plenty. Plus there’s still loads of stray army stragglers after Chromo Day.

46. NINA               Chromo Day? Fuck’s Chromo Day?

47. HAROUN         Xavi’s new name for the day you got married. Day the world went radio gaga.

48. NINA               You don’t think we should be talking to them? The Loiterers. Negotiating.

49. HAROUN         Look, I just came in here to thank you for last night’s delicious meal – so, maybe we can please change the subject please.

TINY BEAT

50. NIKESH           Nice to finally meet Demelza properly wasn’t it, Nina?

51. NINA               It was. It really was.

52. HAROUN         Finding love amongst the ruins of the world. Who would have thought?

53. NINA               She’s a lovely, lovely person.

54. HAROUN         You know, she said she’s never had goulash in her life before. Demelza.

55. NIKESH           And I’ve never been to me.

56. HAROUN         Fuck does that mean?

57. NINA               He’s being silly. Delighted she enjoyed it.

58. NIKESH           It was a song. Long time ago.

59. HAROUN         About LNM?

60. NIKESH           What? No. Why would it be a song about LNM?

61. HAROUN         Cos you’ve never been to you?

62. NIKESH           Lonely No More isn’t about any kind of self-fulfilment

63. HAROUN         No, bro. It’s about the exact opposite. It’s all about the worst kind of oneness. Complete assimilation. Like you were warned about in person by my man Xavi Anderson.

64. NIKESH           Your man Xavi Anderson.  King of the Wild Frontier.

65. NINA               Something we can do for you today, Haroun?

66. HAROUN         Xavi wants everyone out on Runway One. Big news brewing.

67. NIKESH           What news?

68. HAROUN         Just wants everyone out there at two.

69. NIKESH           We’re not expecting another raid, are we?

70. NINA               I’ll say it again. Everyone needs to eat, Haroun. Even them.

71. HAROUN         Only it’s not about food, is it? There’s still plenty of food knocking about Sussex. Plus, it’s not as if all them hummers down on the beach need much to sustain them. No, it’s about who controls the airport. Cos who controls the airport controls... anyway. That’s not what I came here to talk about - Xavi asked me to be sure you both attend the meet.

72. NINA               So he can drone on about how great he is.

73. HAROUN         Fuck’s sake, you two. Couldn’t you at least try to be on side. Just once.

74. NIKESH           Does tend to say the same thing over and over.

75. NINA               You can let Xavi know we’ll be there.

                            HAROUN LOOKS AROUND THE SHOP

76. HAROUN         There you go. How hard was that?

77. NINA               Two, you say?

78. HAROUN         Out there on Runway one.

79. NIKESH           Best to Demelza.

                            HAROUN STARTS LAUGHING

80. HAROUN         Y’know what’s funny.

81. NIKESH           I’ve no idea.

82. HAROUN         You in a Body Shop testing our bodies - in a body shop.

83. NIKESH           Oh the irony.

84. HAROUN         Runway one at two, yeh?

SCENE 2              EXT. FORTRESS GATWICK. RUNWAY

SFX                      A HORN SOUNDS – PEOPLE JOSTLE AND CHANT – WIND BLOWS

85. CHANT            Lonely-Lonely-Lonely etc

                            NINA AND NIKESH MOVE THROUGH THE CROWD

86. NIKESH           You’re going to need a chair.

87. NINA               Quite capable of standing for twenty minutes.

88. NIKESH           And what – excuse me, excuse me – if Xavi goes on for hours. Castro style.

89. NINA               Then I’ll get a chair. You need to stop fussing, Niko.

90. NIKESH           And here he comes now.

SFX                      THE CROWD CONTINUES CHANTING, THEN. XAVI ANDERSON BOUNCES ONTO THE STAGE, OVER ABOVE

91. XAVI                (PA) Hey, hey, how are we people?

                            CHEERS AND WHISTLES AND A NEW CHANT

92. CROWD          Xavi- Xavi- Xavi

93. XAVI                (PA) All right. All right. Let’s all dial it down down down shall we?

                            THE CHANTERS QUIETEN

94. XAVI                (PA) So, first things first. Hi.

95. CHANTERS     Hi Xavi.

96. XAVI                (PA) Don’t think I quite caught that.

97. CHANTERS     HI XAVI

98. XAVI                (PA) And a very good afternoon to all of yous. Now, we all know the story don’t we, folks? We’re all acquainted? World as we knew it went and got itself shut down six weeks back on Chromo Day and it’s not looking like it’s in any kind of a hurry to come bouncing back any time soon - and that’s our bad luck, right? Right? Right?

                            MURMURS AND JOSTLING

                            Wrong.

                            SOME CLAPS

                            Wrong and wrong again. And you know why? Cos you know where the reboot of Planet Earth starts? It starts right here. With me. With you. With us.

99. CHANT            Xavi- Xavi- Xavi

100. NIKESH         What’s he talking about – reboot?

101. NINA             Nothing we haven’t heard a hundred times before

102. NIKESH         Nina.

103. NINA             What?

104. NIKESH         Haroun’s right, maybe. We ought to give him and this place a chance.

105. NINA             Fortress Gatwick.

106. NIKESH         If the shoe fits.

107. NINA             You said that to me once before.

108. NIKESH         Did I? I don’t remember.

109. NINA             Seems like years back. Seems like centuries back. But that was a different shoe entirely.

110. NIKESH         Look, there’s Haroun - Demelza too. Y’know I’ve actually got hopes for those two. How about you?

TINY BEAT

111. NINA              Definitely. Yeh.

112. XAVI              (PA) Now, you don’t need to tell me that the other night was a little bit hairy. Obviously, the Loiterers’ attempted raid on us all here at Fortress Gatwick came to the end it was always going to come to, and the would be invaders were not only turned away but had their sorry arses so properly and severely kicked that even the sainted Beckham couldn’t have put his boot in any better than we did. Wherever he may be.

113. VOICE           (OFF) Los Angeles.

114. XAVI              And here’s hoping that David, Victoria and all related sugars and spices are still as lonely today as they ever were, right.

115. CHANTERS    Lonely – Lonely – lonely

116. NINA              “Couldn’t have put his boot in any better”.

117. NIKESH         People are looking, Nina.

118. NINA              Let them look. This whole fiasco is absurd.

119. NIKESH         Shh.

120. XAVI              (PA) Now, I get that an airport isn’t any kind of a have yourself a merry little Christmas for a community to live in – or thrive in – or anything in - and believe me, I see that – I understand that – but there’s an angry and upset world of properly bewildered Loiterers out there.  (CONTINUED..)

120. XAVI              A world of Loiterers who would be just like us were it not for one little difference – they’re not as organised or prepared as we are. Loiterers who don’t have at their disposal the store of provisions which makes us the envy of all the wandering lonely out there. And you know what, people? That’s all they have – envy. Because the one thing we are not – and will never be – are Loiterers. Right? Right?

121. CHANTERS   Yeh!

122. XAVI              (PA) Because who are we? Well, we’re the people who saw the world ending and raised our collective game accordingly.

                            CHEERS

                            HAROUN AND DEMELZA PUSH FORWARD

123. HAROUN       (APPR) You came then?

124. NIKESH         As instructed, Haroun.

125. DEMELZA      (APPR. – ALL SMILES) Hi, everyone

126. NINA             Demelza.

127. NIKESH         Looking very lovely if I may say so. Isn’t she looking lovely, Nina?

128. NINA             Gorgeous.

129. DEMELZA      Stop it.

130. NINA             Let’s not embarrass the poor girl.

131. DEMELZA      Thank you so so much for last night. We loved it didn’t we Haroun? Really loved it.

132. HAROUN       Already told them how good it was.

133. DEMELZA      What do you think today is all about?

134. NINA             Genuinely - I’ve no idea.

135. DEMELZA      He’s pretty great though, isn’t he? Xavi.

136. NINA             As former celebrity conspiracy theorists go, he’s the top.

137. HAROUN       Who made you head snob?

138. DEMELZA      Haroun.

139. HAROUN       That guy up there on that stage ain’t no conspiracy theorist - not anymore. He’s a survivor.  He’s the man who saw the truth and knew exactly what to do with it. 

140. NIKESH         And now he’s the leader of the free world.

141. NINA             Our very own Napoleon.

142. HAROUN       Not thinking you could have done any better do you, sister-in-law?

143. DEMELZA      There’s no need for that, Haroun.

144. HAROUN       I’m just saying.

145. NIKESH         Let’s keep it tranquil people.

146. HAROUN       S’all anybody wants, bro.

147. XAVI              (PA) But you know what I know, peeps?

148. NINA             Oh, Xavi the Great’s not done yet? Great.

149. DEMELZA      You are naughty, Nina.

150. XAVI              (PA) That in amongst all the heart break and confusion there’s you – yes, you - there’s amazing incredible you. I mean back in the day when I was just seeing the signs of our ending, and working out how to survive them, I was never much of a subscriber to the big boss in the sky above - but when I look around at who it was got emptied out of the World Shopping bag of fate, I’ve got to tell you I’m starting to look up at that same amazing sky and count my blessings. Because you, people, are my blessings. What are you?

151. CHANTERS   Your blessings.

152. XAVI              (PA) Sorry, I don’t think I quite caught that. Would you repeat it for me, please, you are my what?

153. CHANTERS   Your blessings!

                            XAVI TURNS TO HIS ASSOCIATES

154. XAVI              (PA) Now where’s Doctor Nina?

155. DEMELZA      (SHOUTS) She’s right here, Xavi!

156. XAVI              (PA) Thanks Demelza, love. Let’s give a great big hand to our leading Fortress Gatwick medic. Join me on the stage, please – the one, the only - Doctor Nina.

157. NINA             The fuck does he want me for?

158. NIKESH         Just go, Nina. Please.

                            CHEERS AND APPLAUSE AS NINA DOES SO (WE MOVE WITH NINA)

159. XAVI              (PA) Here she is. How are we doing today, Doctor Nina?

160. NINA             (PA) We’re all good Xavi.

161. XAVI              (PA) You and the baby?

162. NINA             (PA) Mother, father and baby are all fine, thanks.

163. XAVI              (PA) Now, I know you ran some tests recently.

164. NINA             Some rudimentary - and anonymous - tests.

165. XAVI              Lean in a little closer to the mic, Nina.

166. NINA             Right. Sorry. (ON MIC) Some rudimentary – and anonymous - tests.

167. XAVI              (PA) But tests nonetheless. And the results are in, I believe.

168. NINA             (OFF MIC) Thought we’d agreed to discuss this in private, Xavi.

169. XAVI              (PA) And the results are?

170. NINA             This is ridiculous.

171. XAVI              (PA) And the results are? Let’s not keep these good people waiting.

172. NINA             (PA) That ninety seven percent of those tested –

173. XAVI              (PA) Which was everybody residing in Fortress Gatwick -

174. NINA             (PA) - are presenting a normal level of immunity to common ailments such as colds and coughs. And that those with pre-existing medical conditions are still exhibiting most, or all, of their expected symptoms.

175. XAVI              (PA) Which in English means they’re not actually getting any better, right?

176. NINA             (PA) No, Xavi they’re not getting better.

177. XAVI              (PA) Y’hear that people. They’re not getting better. And if they’re not getting better then they’re still –

178. CHANTERS   Lonely.

179. NINA             (OFF MIC) Are we done here?

180. XAVI              (PA) We’ve got a duty to our people, Nina. I know you understand that. Isn’t that right?

181. CROWD        That’s right.  That’s right.  That’s right

MIX TO HAROUN, DEMELZA, NIKESH

182. HAROUN       That’s right!  That’s right! Wow, Xavi’s really going for it today isn’t he, Demmy?.

183. DEMELZA      …

184. HAROUN       Demelza?

185. DEMELZA      ….

186. HAROUN       I said Xavi’s really going for it to –(day)

SFX                      SUDDENLY DEMALZA EVOLVES – THERE IS THE CLICKING AND HUMMING. THE CROWD PULL BACK IN SHOCK

187. HAROUN       Demmy? Demelza! Help, Nikesh.

188. NIKESH         Don’t get too close to her.

189. HAROUN       (QUIET) No. No, no.

190. NIKESH         There’s nothing you can do for her, Haroun. You know that.

191. HAROUN       But we can’t just let her. Demelza

192. NIKESH         I’m serious Haroun stand back.

193. HAROUN       Xavi! Xavi, mate. Help us.

194. XAVI              (PA) Sorry, Haroun, my brother but you got to let dear Demelza go on her way. Isn’t that right, Nina?

                            NINA IS IN SHOCK AT THE SIGHT

                            Nina.

195. NINA             (PA) Yes, yes that’s right.

196. HAROUN       Demelza.

197. XAVI              (PA) Let’s take care of Haroun people.

                            A CROWD GATHERS AROUND HAROUN.

198. HAROUN       Get off me! Get off me! Demelza!

199. XAVI              (PA) Hold tight to Haroun, people. Now, let’s give Demelza her necessary and rightful space. Security, open a gate and let’s see her safely and lovingly on the road to the sea. Don’t jostle, people. Please.

200. NINA             (CAUGHT ON PA) I should go down and see to her.

201. XAVI              (PA) And do what exactly? Just one second longer, Doctor Nina, please.

                            XAVI TURNS BACK TO THE CROWD

                            She safely on her way?

202. SECURITY     (OFF) Closing the gate behind her now.

203. XAVI              (PA) May she be lonely no more - in peace and with our love. So long Demelza – you’re in our hearts. We’ll not forget you. Just like we’ll never forget anyone who evolves will we. Peeps?

204. CHANTERS   Never. Never. Never

205. XAVI              (PA) That’s the spirit.

206. HAROUN       We can’t just let her go. We can’t.

207. NIKESH         Come here, Haroun.

                            NIKESH HOLDS HAROUN

208. HAROUN       This is this is too much. This is just too much for me.

209. NIKESH         I know it is, bro. I know it is.

210. XAVI              (PA) Now, to somewhat less traumatic business. Boz. Keith – let’s see who we have on the back of the baggage tractor of shame today.

SFX                      A BAGGAGE TRACTOR MAKES THROUGH THE CROWD AND THEY BOO THE MAN ON IT

211. NINA              (PA) You have got to be kidding, Xavi?

212. XAVI              (PA) His name’s Urqhart isn’t it.

213. NINA             (PA) Er, yes. Yes it is. How did you…?

214. XAVI              (PA) Find him, Nina? The good Professor came to us looking for you.

215. NINA             (PA) Then what’s he doing on the back of a baggage tractor?

216. XAVI              (PA) Friends reunited, eh?

217. NINA             (PA) The hell does that mean?

218. XAVI              (PA) That means you both survived, and maybe that’s because of the stuff you discovered at Hazel Hill.

219. NINA             (PA) What?

220. XAVI              (PA) The good professor here told us all about it. (TO CROWD) Let’s not run at the baggage tractor. This gentleman may be our prisoner today but remember in the eyes of the big guy upstairs we’re all still the brethren of the lonely. What are we –

221. CHANTERS   Lonely.

222. XAVI              (PA) I can’t hear you.

223. CHANTERS   Lonely – lonely – lonely

224. XAVI              (PA) And – with a little re-education by us at Fortress Gatwick - this veritable and scientifically inclined gentleman might just be our chance to turn things back how they were before the world went to hell in a squeaky handcart on Chromo Day

SFX                      THE BAGGAGE TRACTOR MOVES FORWARD AND THE CROWD JEERS

SCENE 3              INT. XAVI’S OFFICE. DUTY FREE

SFX                      XAVI IS OPENING A CAN OF BEER

225. XAVI              I was wrong, Nina. I admit it. I do. It was a wrong thing to do.

226. NINA             Then what exactly was this afternoon’s disgusting little spectacle in aid of, Xavi.

227. XAVI              The other night’s raid freaked a lot of us out, Doctor Nina. Last thing we can afford is any dip in our fighting spirit. Beer?

228. NINA             Not for me.

229. XAVI              Oh, yes. Of course. How’s it all going baby-wise?

230. NINA             We’re all muddling through, thanks.

231. XAVI              Cheers to that then Doctor Nina. Cheers to that.

SFX                      XAVI SITS

232. NINA             And just how does parading an eminent professor of genetics to a baying crowd help you achieve that?

233. XAVI              Sorry, but the last time I checked I didn’t answer to you.

234. NINA             Far as I can tell you don’t answer to anyone, Xavi.

235. XAVI              Maybe you missed the memo but there’s been a bit of a global shift in how society goes about things. But, hey, you’re free to wake me up before you go -go - go at anytime.

236. NINA             I’ll bear that in mind. Thanks Xavi.

237. XAVI              I’ll not lie, Nina I was gonna execute your Professor second he came to the gate …

238. NINA             … execute him?

239. XAVI              … but then he said the magic words and - boom - I remembered our conversation back when you first arrived at Fortress Gatwick. How you said something about all these tests you did on dead Hummers at Hazel Hill with some gentleman called Urqhart.

240. NINA             Please don’t call them that.

241. XAVI              Believe you me there are worse names for them.

242. NINA             They’re still human. Demelza’s still human.

243. XAVI              No, Nina she isn’t - and why? Because the second K30 kicks in, all hope is lost and what’s more you know that as well as, if not better, than I.

244. NINA             And Haroun? What’s Haroun supposed to do now?

245. XAVI              You’re not seriously asking me that? Haroun deals with it like everyone else in Fortress Gatwick deals with it. Now - these tests - exactly what can we expect?

246. NINA             What I’ve already told you, Xavi – the tests only reveal if a person is.

247. XAVI              Going full Hummer?

248. NINA             Likely to evolve in the foreseeable future.

249. XAVI              Into an arm-waving tongue-clicking vegetable waiting hopelessly at the water’s edge. Which is going purple - red by the way.

250. NINA             What?

251. XAVI              That’s what we’re hearing.

252. NINA             Look, Xavi, I’m very sorry not to have a solution as to how to turn the dial back on the apocalypse for you.

253. XAVI              And yet there’s still no fucking respite from it is there? If it happened to Demelza Jenkins then it could happen to anyone, couldn’t it.  Did you know about Demelza’s results?

254. NINA             That’s confidential information.

255. XAVI              Oh, it’s confidential information, is it?

256. NINA             Yes, Xavi. It is.

257. XAVI              You don’t think it might have helped Haroun if he’d known that his girlfriend was about to imminently evolve.

258. NINA             And what possible difference would it have made?

259. XAVI              Preparations could have been put in place -

260. NINA             What preparations? –

261. XAVI              - to support Haroun and Demelza and any others like them. Arrangements made.

262. NINA             Segregating them?

263. XAVI              If necessary.

264. NINA             We went through all this at yesterday’s meeting. The result of that would be to divide this already fragile community straight down the middle. I should never have, should really never have agreed to do those tests in the first place.

265. XAVI              You know the difference between you and me, Nina?

266. NINA             Amaze me.

267. XAVI              The difference is I believe, I genuinely believe there’s hope for the world, and you don’t.

268. NINA             Was there anything else you wanted to discuss tonight, Xavi?

269. XAVI              Actually there was. Could you and this Professor Urqhart do something together?

270. NINA             Like what?

271. XAVI              Like build, I don’t know, a lab.

272. NINA             What sort of a lab?

273. XAVI              A lab to change the world with. Duh.

SCENE 4              INT. THE BODY SHOP

274. NIKESH         You want another drink?

275. HAROUN       Shouldn’t be drinking anyway, Nikesh. No way to face a crisis. Didn’t Dad teach us that.

276. NIKESH         Yes, yes he did.

277. HAROUN       She’d have said something wouldn’t she? Nina. She’d have said something if she knew Demelza was on the verge of. You think she’s made it to the sea yet?

278. NIKESH         I’ve no idea.

279. HAROUN       It’s like it was at your wedding, isn’t it?

280. NIKESH         Huh?

281. HAROUN       One second everything’s OK, the next it’s all…I loved her you know. And she me. We loved each other.

282. NIKESH         That was very clear.

283. HAROUN       It was?

284. NIKESH         Absolutely, Haroun. I’m just so sorry, bro. We both are.

285. HAROUN       Me too.

SFX                      THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR 

286. NIKESH         Door’s open Nina.

287. XAVI              Can I come in?

288. NIKESH         Oh, hi Xavi. Of course.

                            XAVI ENTERS. HAROUN STANDS

289. XAVI              Haroun my brother. I’m so sorry.

290. HAROUN       Thank you.

291. XAVI              Today’s fucked us all up a little bit.

293. HAROUN       Yeh. Yeh it has.

294. XAVI              You still up for it?

295. NIKESH         Up for what?

296. XAVI              You’re welcome to come too, Nikesh.

297. NIKESH         And do what?

298. XAVI              Patrol Fortress Gatwick?  Ensure our people’s ongoing safety?  Little things like that.  Fact of the matter is, I wondered if you wouldn’t mind heading up tonight’s patrol, Haroun.

299. HAROUN       Thought we weren’t expecting any more argy-bargy.

300. XAVI              Things as they are you can’t be too careful. But look if you’d rather stay here with your brother and eat – what is that in that pot?

301. NIKESH         Broccoli soup.

302. XAVI              Yowza. (TO HAROUN) Then forget I was even here.

303. HAROUN       I’m up for it.

304. NIKESH         Haroun.

305. HAROUN       Seriously I’m good to go, bro.

306. XAVI              That’s the spirit.

307. NIKESH         Is this really such a good idea, Xavi?

308. XAVI              It’s Haroun’s decision entirely, of course. But I, for one, would like to see him rise above the cruelty of today. I, for one, would, like to see him reclaim his mojo but, as I say, entirely up to Haroun.

309. NIKESH         And if things don’t go to plan?

310. XAVI              Made for each other. Did you know that? You and Nina. Gin and tonic.

311. HAROUN       Lead the way, Xavi.

312. XAVI              There’s the boy.

313. NIKESH         ‘Least wait for Nina.

314. HAROUN       No time like the present, right Xavi?

315. XAVI              Right.

316. NIKESH         Please don’t do this. Not tonight.

                            THEY EMBRACE

317. HAROUN       Stop worrying, bro. Serious. Back in no time.

318. XAVI              Ready?

319. HAROUN       Ready.

SCENE 5              INT. THE HANGER

                            URQHART SITS IN THE CAGE DOZING

320. NINA             Professor? Professor Urqhart.

                            URQHART COMES AWAKE

321. URQHART     Nina.

322. NINA             Are you OK?

323. URQHART     As I can be. I guess.  You look well.

324. NINA             Very well?  Or just well enough?

325. URQHART     Just well enough.  But pregnant?

326. NINA             Yes.

327. URQHART     Oh.  Had a hope you might be here.

328. NINA             Xavi said you arrived at Fortress Gatwick asking for me.

329. URQHART     Originally came to find you in Brighton.

330. NINA             You did?

331. URQHART     Where you said you were getting married. Hoped to warn you that matters were.

332. NINA             Double helix-ing out of control.

333. URQHART     A geneticist’s joke, Nina. Very nice. I’m very glad you managed to survive.  When I couldn’t find you, I must confess to fearing the worst. You see, in my wildest dreams, I could never have imagined …

334. NINA             Chromo day.

335. URQHART     What an utterly horrible way to describe it.

336. NINA             Isn’t it?  And anyway, that was weeks ago. Weeks and weeks.

337. URQHART     That was six weeks ago.

338. NINA             You lied to me.

339. URQHART     More I lied to myself.

340. NINA             I don’t understand.

341. URQHART     For a brief moment at Hazel Hill it did – it really did – look as if we might have actually found a way to neutralise K30. Governments were alerted internationally. Factories put on standby. Only the truth is there wasn’t a way, and never was. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the chromosome was actually toying with us.

342. NINA             And the mysterious tumour-like growths we found in the shoulder blades of the bodies we examined?

343. URQHART     Ah them.

344. NINA             What about them?

345. URQHART     Best guess - they’re wings.

346. NINA             They’re…?

347. URQHART     Fact, I’d say those poor unfortunates we examined together at Hazel Hill weren’t jumping but flying – or attempting to.

348. NINA             They were just the prologue before the end of the world.

349. URQHART     I’m not sure that it is the end. More a kind of uproarious beginning.

350. NINA             You’re not serious.

351. URQHART     From a purely scientific perspective I’d say it’s a privilege to witness.

352. NINA             The end of civilisation, you mean?

353. URQHART     Or its beginning

TINY BEAT

354. NINA             I’m going to do everything I can to get you out of this cage.

355. URQHART     And be some sort of walking pariah to all these poor beleaguered people? No, I don’t think so, Nina.

356. NINA             Anderson says he wants us to work together. Says he’ll fix us up a lab.

357. URQHART     To do what?

358. NINA             Experiments. Find a vaccine.

359. URQHART     There is no disease. Quite the contrary.

360. NINA             Tell Anderson that.

361. URQHART     I know I shouldn’t even think it but It’ll be a lot easier when we’re all….

362. NINA             Evolved?

363. URQHART     …

364. NINA             And in the meantime.

365. URQHART     We sit in our respective cages and do the only thing we can do – wait it out.

366. NINA             May I show you something, Brian.

367. URQHART     Course.

SFX                      NINA HANDS HIM THE SCAN PICS

368. URQHART     Baby scans?

369. NINA             My baby scans.

370. URQHART     Right. Congratulations.

371. NINA             And there just under the fold of his arm. See?

372. URQHART     Not sure what I’m - Oh my God.

SCENE 6              EXT. THE DOWN

                            XAVI AND HAROUN ARE WORKING THEIR WAY CAUTIOUSLY DOWN A HILL

373. HAROUN       Loiterers all in retreat. That’s the word, Xavi. Although Lou Strode swears he saw they had at least one tank but I’ve seen no sign.

374. XAVI              We need to be quiet now, Haroun. Quiet as mice.

375. HAROUN       You bet.

376. XAVI              How are your sights?

377. HAROUN       Good, Xavi, they’re good. Crystal as the maze.

378. XAVI              Soon as I give the word, I want you to fire – understood.

379. HAROUN       Understood. Who or what are we firing at?

380. XAVI              Just there on the cusp of the Downs. Y’see?

SFX                      HAROUN ADJUST HIS SIGHTS, THEN

381. HAROUN       You’re kidding me.

382. XAVI              I wish I were, Haroun. I really wish I were. Fire when ready.

SFX                      HAROUN LOWERS THE RIFLE

383. HAROUN       Fire?

384. XAVI              Believe me, it’s the kindest option.

385. HAROUN       I won’t do it, Xavi. I can’t do it. I... I don’t understand why you’re doing this.

386. XAVI              If Nina had deigned to tell us the truth about poor Demelza’s blood test, then maybe there was something we could have done to prepare her – but -  we are where we are.

387. HAROUN       But I love her.

388. XAVI              No, my dear Haroun you loved her. For her individuality, for her company, for the happiness you found together, not for what she is now. Way I see it, it’s sparing them a fate worse than death.

389. HAROUN       Nina knew? You think she knew Demelza’s time was…

390. XAVI              Just shoot, Haroun, my brother. Believe me you’ll be doing you both a favour.

SCENE 7              INT. THE BODY SHOP

391. NINA             It’s what he wants, he says.

392. NIKESH         Confined in a cage in an aircraft hangar?

393. NINA             Thinks he’ll be safer there. Maybe he’s right.

394. NIKESH         Did, did Xavi say what he wanted to do with him? Urqhart.

395. NINA             Xavi wants us both to set up some sort of a lab.

396. NIKESH         To do what?

397. NINA             Develop a vaccine.

398. NIKESH         So now you think there’s the possibility?

399. NINA             I don’t know what I think. Perhaps with Urqhart here there’s the slightest chance.

                            HAROUN ENTERS – HE’S STILL IN SHOCK

400. HAROUN       Ok if I come in?

401. NIKESH         It’s very late Haroun.

402. HAROUN       It’s too late.

403. NINA             Sorry?

404. HAROUN       I said it’s too late. But I did her a final favour.

405. NIKESH         Did who a final favour? What are you talking about?

406. HAROUN       You know, Nina, you might have said something.

407. NINA             About what?

408. HAROUN       About Demelza. About how close she was to... evolving.

409. NINA             I had no idea about today.

410. HAROUN       No? Really? Xavi says different.

411. NIKESH         That’s enough Haroun.

412. HAROUN       And now she’s dead. Demelza’s dead

413. NIKESH         (GENTLY) But she’s not dead.

414. HAROUN       Isn’t she? 

415. NINA             No.

416. HAROUN       Shot her stone dead tonight on the Downs. Just picked her off.

417. NINA             (QUIET) Oh, no, Haroun.

418. HAROUN       Her and anyone else who goes LNM. Xavi’s orders. And he’s right. He’s absolutely right.

419. NIKESH         About what?

420. HAROUN       That we’re doing them a favour. And we are, aren’t we? Better that than being nothing but a hummer

                            NINA CROSSES TO HER WORKSTATION

421. NINA             Take two of these, honey. They’ll help you sleep.

422. HAROUN       And If I’ve butchered sleep?

423. NIKESH         Come on, Haroun. I’ll take you back to Superdry.

424. HAROUN       Nah, nah you’re all good. You’re all good. You’re all good.

                            HAROUN LEAVES

425. NIKESH         I’ll go after him.

426. NINA             Wait, Niko. Seriously.

427. NIKESH         Nina?

428. NINA             Look.

SFX                      SHE HANDS HIM THE SCAN

429. NIKESH         The scan picture. And?

430. NINA             Here. Just under his shoulder.

431. NIKESH         Is that a smudge?

432. NINA             No. It’s not a smudge.

433. NIKESH         Then what is it?

434. NINA             It’s a wing.

435. NIKESH         It’s a what?

436. NINA             The jumpers had them too only theirs were struggling to develop in an adult body.

437. NIKESH         Are you… What are you saying? 

438. NINA             Which is why I have to leave. And leave tonight.

439. NIKESH         You’re totally confusing me. Two seconds ago, you were about to set up a lab with Urqhart.

440. NINA             He’ll never let us live. Xavi. You see that don’t you? He’ll kill us the second he knows.

441. NIKESH         But where are you going to go?

442. NINA             Back to the beach.

443. NIKESH         This is insane. I can’t hear this. I won’t hear this.

444. NINA             And if they know how to look after our baby. The Lonely No Mores.

445. NIKESH         They don’t know anything. They don’t know anything about anything. Not anymore.

446. NINA             Don’t they? Who says what they are? Or what they can do. What if this isn’t the end of something but the beginning?

SFX                      AN ALARM SOUNDS. A ROCKET LANDS AND EXPLODES

447. NIKESH         The hell is that?

448. NINA             Rockets. They’re shooting rockets.

SFX                      HAROUN RUNS IN

449. HAROUN       (APPR) You two need to get to the safety zone C in the South Terminal now!

450. NIKESH         The hell is happening?

451. HAROUN       The Loiterers is happening. They’ve got rockets. 

452. NINA             Your motorbike.

453. HAROUN       What?

454. NINA             Where’s your motorbike.

455. HAROUN       You’re not going out.

456. NIKESH         Just tell us where it is.

SFX                      ANOTHER ROCKET LANDS

457. NINA             Now!

SFX                      MORE EXPLOSIONS

                            CHAOS – ALARMS, GUNFIRE, EXPLOSIONS, AND – OUT OF IT ALL – A MOTORBIKE ROARING INTO LIFE

SCENE 8              EXT. THE SEA FRONT. BRIGHTON

SFX                      A MOTORCYCLE PULLS UP – IN THE DISTANCE IS THE HUM OF THE LNMS. NIKESH AND NINA DISEMBARK

458. NINA             You hear that?

459. NIKESH         This thing you’re about to do. It’s not necessary.

500. NINA             No?

501. NIKESH         No.

502. NINA             Sun’s coming up.

503. NIKESH         Yes it is.

504. NINA             Take good care, sweetie.

505. NIKESH         I’m coming with you.

506. NINA             No, darling.

507. NIKESH         How many of them are there?

508. NINA             Who knows? Thousands, maybe? Millions elsewhere.

509. NIKESH         Seriously Nina. How can this be the right thing to do?

510. NINA             I don’t know. It just is.

511. NIKESH         (QUIET) Don’t leave me.

512. NINA             Urge Xavi to look after Urqhart. He might just be his only hope. Who knows?

513. NIKESH         And if there’s no more Fortress Gatwick?

514. NINA             You saw the loiterers falling back soon as Xavi counter attacked.

515. NIKESH         And that makes it safe?

516. NINA             Nowhere safer.  Get back there as quick as you can.

517. NIKESH         I love you, Nina

518. NINA             I love you, Niko.

                            THEY EMBRACE

519. NINA             Just watch us. Just watch us until you can’t see us anymore. 

SFX                      NINA WALKS AWAY INTO THE MULTITUDE AS SHE DOES SO SHE IS SWALLOWED BY THE SOUND OF THE HUMMERS.