“The Villain Saga” – Episode 9, Part 1

(Table of contents) (See previous)

FADE IN.

INT. EREWHON PRISON –  AFTERNOON

At the lunchroom. DR. HARE and CRAWFISH are sitting in their own corner, set up specifically for the “higher security” villains, both with bowls of food that probably just barely pass FDA standards. While they were allowed into the main kitchen area for a while, it seems this is being done after the two “escapees”. None of the food has been eaten, and the two just sit facing each other, heads slumping from sleepiness.

DR. HARE finally flops to the table, his ears touching his food, although he doesn’t seem to care.

DR. HARE

*yawn*

What…a weird week…

CUT TO outside the prison. It’s another surprisingly pleasant day. MOREAU and DIRECTOR D. are taking a walk around the perimeter, watching as the waves crash against the spiked rocks surrounding the outcrop the prison is based on.

Near the front, a couple cargo ships are about to leave, having just dropped off a load of food, water, and essential supplies.

CARGO SHIP CAPT.

You’ve sure got a lot this time!

DR. JUPITER

We’re stocking up for a while, the weather may get worse and it will be far more difficult to reach this place than before.

CARGO SHIP CAPT.

Really? I didn’t see anything on the radar…

(con’t)

Still, better to be prepared. Good luck!

He heads back onto the ship, following the last of the crew. As the boats sail away, DR. JUPITER’S friendly expression darkens.

DR. JUPITER

(to himself)

You’ll see it on the radar soon…

DR. JUPITER looks back at the prison, tall and foreboding and dark against the blue sky. His fist clenches, as though he’s deep in thought, and suddenly shadows form around the horizon. Clouds swiftly move in, as raindrops begin to hit the surface of the ocean.

From a distance, DIRECTOR D. and MOREAU are still making their rounds. MOREAU stops, pointing out a red flower growing near the edge of the prison walls. She gently taps the petals, caressing it with a gloved hand.

MOREAU

Look.

(con’t)

This place is too far from land, I wonder how this got here.

DIRECTOR D.

Probably was brought in by someone from the mainland.

(chuckles)

Or just pooped here by a seagull.

MOREAU

Seagulls don’t come out here.

MOREAU smiles gently at the tiny flower.

MOREAU

You don’t belong here.

She pinches the flower from the stem.

As the petals are crushed in her glove, a raindrop appears on the white , laced fabric. More begin to fall, increasing in speed as she and DIRECTOR D. look up at the now gray sky.

DIRECTOR D.

That came in fast.

MOREAU

(Opening her umbrella, brushing the dirt from her glove)

Let’s go back. Our break is almost over, anyway.

CUT TO the lunchroom, back with DR. HARE and CRAWFISH. Both are dozing off now, their food still completely untouched. Lightning flashes from the window, and thunder follows almost immediately after, jolting them awake.

HARE

Aa–! What?

CRAWFISH

They were right next to each other…this storm is right above us.

HARE

Huh, surprised I didn’t hear it coming in…

There’s a pause. Both look at their food, then stare at each other. The silence is awkward.

HARE

Okay WHAT is going on?

CRAWFISH

I’m surprised you don’t have any theories yourself, bunny man.

HARE

Hare.

(con’t)

I mean, it’s not like I miss either of them, but…

CRAWFISH

It makes no sense. This prison throws a fit when someone has to use a toilet.

(con’t)

Two “escaping” at once? My leg.

HARE

(snaps fingers)

Yeah!

CRAWFISH

…they were both with us in that white room up there as well.

HARE

It’s called a “lab”.

(con’t)

But…that makes sense.

CRAWFISH

It means we’re next.

HARE

So, either they figured it out before us and made a run for it, or Jupiter’s decided to take them in for whatever project he has.

(con’t)

You’ve been tired too, haven’t you?

CRAWFISH

Ye.

(con’t)

And before he left, that Bard fellow…he kept dozing off. He never did that.

HARE

Widow, too.

DR. HARE looks down at his food. He takes off his goggles, rubbing his eyes before putting them back on, and taking another look out the window, where the storm continues to rage.

HARE

We need to do something.

CUT TO the outside of the prison. The guards are slowly shutting the doors, and the sound of gears turning and machinery humming starts. In front of the doors, the bricks of the walls around them begin to shift–with more sliding out, a fake wall covering the entrance. Soon, the building looks like a gray tower, with no way in our out.

DR. JUPITER watches on from inside the entryway. His smile remains, but now it’s one of pride and scheming rather than a friendly one. As the doors close, an announcement commences over the speakers, echoing throughout the building.

SPEAKERS

All Erewhon staff to entryway. If you are not on guard duty, all staff to entry immediately.

CUT TO DIRECTOR D. and MOREAU, who are back at their small room for meeting prisoners. They’re setting up the tables and chairs, and a knock is heard from the door. DIRECTOR D. opens it, meeting a GUARD.

GUARD

You’ve got a couple ready outside.

(Lowering her voice)

Jupiter wants you to talk with both of them…as soon as possible.

CRAWFISH and DR. HARE are in the hall, waiting. HARE picks up on the whispered words, a look of concern flashing over his face.

The announcement comes from the speakers above them, and into the psychiatric room.

SPEAKERS

All Erewhon staff to entryway. If you are not on guard duty, all staff to entry immediately.

DIRECTOR D.

Huh, wonder what that’s about.

MOREAU

Should we stay?

GUARD

No, he probably wants you there too if it’s urgent. I’ll stay with the prisoners.

MOREAU and D. head off. The GUARD remains, but she’s still near the room, a bit of a distance from HARE and CRAWFISH, leaving them just enough room to talk without being overheard.

HARE

I’ve got a plan.

CRAWFISH

Go on.

HARE

I dunno how those two could have escaped, and if I can’t think of it, it probably didn’t happen.

(con’t)

So, we can’t get out, but I don’t think a lot of the staff here know what’s going on either. Depending on what Jupiter’s up to, we could make them suspicious.

CRAWFISH

You think none of them are?

(con’t)

And what, you just want to make a big row until someone does something?

DR. HARE

You’ve got any better ideas?

CUT TO the entryway once more. Most of the prison staff have crowded around DR. JUPITER, who is standing on a makeshift podium made from some boxes. He claps for their attention as they all settle into the room.

DR. JUPITER

Thank you for joining me here. Today, we’re marking the beginning of great progress–in many realms. Criminal justice, psychology, and many sciences are about to receive an unprecedented development.

(con’t)

You may have noticed we’ve gone into full lockdown mode. This was not a mistake, and I’ll have you know a secret…

(con’t)

No one escaped, either.

DIRECTOR D. and MOREAU both face each other with “I knew it!” expressions.

DR. JUPITER leaves his podium, and begins pacing while he continues his announcement.

DR. JUPITER

The details of my project will remain confidential as we continue, but I’ve devised a plan to completely reform these criminals. If it is successful, they will never feel the urge to commit evil ever again.

(con’t)

Unfortunately, this will take some time, so I expect you all to remain here to keep this place orderly. If you ever want to return to your homes, I can see that arranged, however…

He stops, facing the crowd with a cold expression. Thunder rumbles once more.

DR. JUPITER

We will have to make sure none of this gets out.

(con’t)

So I hope you all remain here, and I promise you–once you see the results, you will know your work will not have been in vain.

A GUARD next to him pours a drink into a glass (likely alcoholic but it seems some shows don’t like that so it can be juice if you prefer) and hands it to JUPITER. The head of the prison lifts the drink into the air, a symbolic toast with all the staff.

DR. JUPITER

To Erewhon, and the future of this world!

(ALL STAFF)

To Erewhon!

MOREAU turns to DIRECTOR D. As the staff pass around drinks in small, paper coups, keeping her voice low.

MOREAU

…Did you know…?

DIRECTOR D.

I had no idea. And it looks like our time is running short here, if this does work out.

(Con’t)

If this goes on, every single person we planned on recruiting will be gone.

CUT TO HARE and CRAWFISH, back in the hall, waiting for the two doctors to return. The guard is still distracted, and they share a nod.

HARE

Don’t ruin this.

CRAWFISH

…it has to be me?

HARE

I think the other people here will believe you more than the “mad scientist”.

CRAWFISH stands, acting surprisingly casual as he takes a few steps toward the elevator. The GUARD notices after he’s made a bit of distance.

GUARD

Wait—Hey! You! Get back here!

CRAWFISH pushes past the confused guard, making it to the elevator door. He reaches for the button to head down—

—When the doors open right in front of him, revealing MOREAU, DIRECTOR D., and more GUARDS.

CRAWFISH

Done with your little meeting?

DIRECTOR D.

What are you doing? Why are you causing trouble at a time like—

ELEVATOR GUARD #1

We’ll take him.

CRAWFISH

Ah, going to put me with the other troublesome prisoners for a while?

(Con’t)

…how terrible.

He shares a look with DR. HARE, who is still on the bench. HARE smirks.

A figure walks out from behind the others in the elevator. DR. JUPITER smiles, and CRAWFISH and HARE’S smug expressions immediately fall.

DR. JUPITER

Don’t bother with that…

(Con’t)

Bring him with me.

HARE, MOREAU, and DIRECTOR D. all share worried looks.

---

Three down, one to go.

Also, readers feel free to nominate this series for the Poppies! And good luck to all your other writers!

Castori honorem ~ Smart Bubbles