I can has next installment, pls? kthxbai!
Excellent!
OoooH! I’m a sucker for a story, and you’ve sucked me in! Like all the rest, I’m pining for more!
EXT. VALKYRIE STREET - NIGHT
Seth runs downs a street spanning a small creek. Long and straight, the view stretches pretty far in either direction.
Goose’s BARKING sounds like he’s miles away now. Seth slows down to a tired walk.
Down the street, a short, staggering figure approaches. He’s in shadow and too far away to get a good look at yet.
SETH
Hello?
No answer. Seth keeps walking towards him.
SETH
Hey, have you seen a dog around
here?
The stranger–call him JOE–notices Seth and stops.
JOE
Stay away from me!
SETH
I’m just looking for my dog!
JOE
Stop where you are or I’ll shoot
you!
Joe holds his hands up together as if aiming a gun. He’s still in shadow, so it’s hard to tell for sure, but it looks like–
SETH
You don’t have a gun.
JOE
Yes I do. Don’t touch me.
SETH
I’m not gonna touch you. I just
wanna know if you’ve seen a dog.
JOE
No, I haven’t.
SETH
All right. Fine. Sorry to bother
you.
Seth turns and walks away.
JOE
Wait! Are you going home?
SETH
Maybe. Why?
JOE
Is this South Jude County?
SETH
Yeah.
JOE
I’m kinda lost. Can you help me?
SETH
Where do you live?
JOE
Westfield.
SETH
Then walk west.
JOE
Which way’s west?
SETH
(checks his compass, points)
That way.
JOE
Thanks.
SETH
It’s gonna be a long
walk. Westfield’s a twenty minute
drive from here.
JOE
I can handle it. I’ve been walking
a while.
SETH
Yeah, me too. You sure you can
find your way?
JOE
No, not really.
SETH
(steps toward Joe)
Look, it’s real simple. You see
the Big Dip–?
JOE
(wields the gun)
Stay back! Don’t touch me!
SETH
(hands up)
Okay, I won’t touch you. Put the
gun down.
JOE
Just please don’t come close to me!
SETH
I promise I’m not gonna come close
to you.
Seth crosses the street, away from Joe, and stands on the opposite side.
SETH
See? Far away. Now put the gun
down.
JOE
(sheepish)
I don’t have a gun.
Joe hangs his empty hands and steps into the light. We see a short 15-year-old kid wearing nice jeans and a polo shirt.
JOE
I’m sorry…It’s just that every
time someone gets near me…how
long have you been out here?
SETH
About half an hour. My dog’s got
me running in circles.
JOE
I feel like I’ve been out here for
hours. Have you seen anyone
besides me?
SETH
Just my dog, once. Then he got
away again.
JOE
You’re going to think I’m crazy…
SETH
I already know you’re crazy.
JOE
I can’t find my way out of this
place. There was this girl,
walking home from work, that I
almost bumped into. I tried to ask
her for directions, but as soon as
we got close…I don’t know…it
was like I fell asleep, but it was
sudden, you know, like someone
knocked me out…and the next thing
I knew I was lying on the street
somewhere else in the
neighborhood. It’s happened to me
three times now. There’s something
really weird going on tonight.
SETH
It’s happening to me, too. I can’t
find my way home, and I live here.
JOE
What do you think’s going on?
SETH
I don’t know. I know I’m not
drunk.
JOE
I was…a little. But I’m not now.
SETH
Hey, maybe I should walk with
you. I’m a pretty good guide. We
can follow my compass and keep
walking all the way to Westfield.
JOE
You shouldn’t. We might disappear
if we get too close together.
SETH
You stay on your side of the
street, and I’ll stay on mine, and
we’ll be okay.
JOE
Yeah, maybe that’ll work.
Seth checks his compass again.
SETH
This way.
They start walking.
They cross the culvert over the creek.
JOE
What’s your name?
SETH
Seth. Who are you?
JOE
Joe. What’s your dog’s name?
SETH
Goose.
JOE
Goose? Like the guy in Top Gun?
SETH
Top what?
JOE
The movie.
SETH
I don’t watch movies.
JOE
You’d like that one. I think. So
before you found me, you were kinda
on a wild Goose chase, huh?
Seth gets the joke, but chooses to ignore it.
SETH
My grandpa named him. ’Cause he
used to start eating the geese we
shot instead of retrieving them.
JOE
He’s a hunting dog?
SETH
Not a very good one. But since my
grandpa died, he’s the only one in
the family who’ll go camping with
me.
JOE
Sorry.
SETH
For what?
JOE
That your grandpa died.
SETH
Oh.
JOE
The compass still pointing west?
SETH
Yeah.
JOE
Good.
SETH
How did you end up lost in South
Jude?
JOE
Party.
SETH
At Kimberly’s house?
JOE
Yeah, you heard about it?
SETH
I wasn’t invited.
JOE
You didn’t miss much. My friends
and I left early, but we couldn’t
find our way out of here. And then
we started fighting about it. I
got out of the Jeep and started
walking. I was a little drunk…
SETH
You were in a Jeep?
JOE
Yeah.
SETH
A green one?
JOE
Yeah, it’s my buddy Jason’s.
SETH
I think you passed me earlier.
JOE
Oh. That was you. Sorry. You’ve
been out here for longer than half
an hour, man. That was at least a
couple hours ago.
SETH
I’ve only been out here half an
hour. I can tell time without a
watch.
JOE
Whatever. I’m pretty sure I’ve
been out here for a couple hours,
and I don’t have a watch either.
SETH
It’s the moon. It hasn’t moved
that much. If I’d been out here
for two hours, it would have moved
farther.
JOE
Are you like, a Native American or
something?
SETH
I just know how to take care of
myself outdoors.
JOE
Lucky I ran into you I guess.
SETH
Very lucky.
Up ahead, two strangers are jogging towards Seth and Joe, one on either side of the steet. At this distance, the two JOGGERS are just silhouettes.
SETH
Those your friends?
JOE
No. What are those guys doing,
going for a midnight jog?
SETH
(waving his arms)
Hey! Stay back! Go the other way!
JOE
Don’t come any closer! Don’t touch
us!
The Joggers keep coming. Either they don’t hear, or don’t care.
SETH
Joe, put your gun down.
Joe’s pointing his hands out again. He obeys Seth and lowers them.
JOE
We gotta run.
SETH
We’re not going backwards. Just
let them pass and maybe nothing
will happen.
JOE
Something always happens. I don’t
want to get lost again.
SETH
It’s going to be fine.
JOE
No, it’s not!
Joe turns and runs.
SETH
Joe, come back!
Seth runs after him, keeping to his side of the road. Behind them, the Joggers give chase.
As they pass in and out of pools of streetlight, the boys get glimpses of the Joggers, dressed completely in flat, dark gray. Even their faces are blank, leaving them featureless from head to toe.
They run with an athletic yet mechanical grace, like too-perfect facsimiles of real human movement.
As the boys cross the culvert bridge, the Joggers trail only a few yards behind. Joe hops onto the bridge railing.
SETH
Joe, don’t!
Joe jumps off the bridge to the creek below. We hear him scream on descent, but not another sound after that. The Jogger in pursuit of him stops. Seth’s Jogger, too, stops and crosses the street to its companion.
Seth stands on his side of the street, catching his breath and watching the Joggers. They peer over the railing, bending over it in unison. They look to the left, then to the right. Apparently, they see no trace of Joe.
They turn, again in unison, and look at Seth.
Seth bolts. The Joggers sprint after him.
Seth flies down the street, but the Joggers narrow the gap.
Up ahead, the Big Black Truck squeals around the corner and fishtails to a stop in the middle of the street. Its tailgate flips down, and Seth, unable to stop his momentum, dives into the bed.
The Truck squeals off, and Seth holds tight to keep from sliding out. He pulls the tailgate shut.
The Joggers, still running, recede into the distance.
EXT. TRUCK BED - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
Seth turns to the rear window of the Truck. It’s tinted black, as are all the windows, including the front windshield. He taps on the rear window.
SETH
Hello? Anyone in there?
(no answer)
Are you a good Truck or a bad
Truck?
The Truck keeps driving down the road, unresponsive to Seth.
SETH
I have a friend back there who
might be hurt. I have to go back
for him.
Still no change in the Truck’s course.
SETH
Thanks for the rescue, but I’m
going back for my friend.
Seth starts to climb out one side of the Truck. The Truck turns sharply, throwing Seth back into the bed. He sprawls face-up like a bug.
POV - SETH
Criss-crossing power lines overhead shift position against a moonlit sky as the Truck executes a three-point turn.
EXT. TRUCK BED - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
The Truck drives on in what appears to be the direction it came from. Seth sits up. He looks around. They’re not on the culvert road anymore.
SETH
Where are you taking me?
EXT. PIKE STREET - NIGHT
They’re headed down a dark, uninhabited road with only one streetlamp to light it. As the Truck approaches the streetlamp, a body becomes visible lying crumpled in the pool of light.
The Truck passes the body, then stops. Its tailgate pops down, as if inviting Seth to step off and investigate.
SETH
Is this our stop?
No response from the Truck. Seth gets out and goes to the driver’s side door. He tries to open it, but it’s locked. He bangs on the window.
SETH
Hey, who are you in there? Can you
hear me? Listen, we need to work
out a system. How about when I ask
a question, you blink once for yes
and twice for no?
(nothing)
Or use your horn for Morse Code.
(nada)
You probably don’t even know Morse
Code.
Seth turns from the Truck and walks toward the body. As he approaches, he leans forward to look, trying not to get too close.
It’s Joe. He’s dirty and disheveled and out cold. Seth calls to him.
SETH
Joe? Joe, are you all right? Wake
up, buddy.
(to the Truck)
What am I supposed to do?
The Truck still isn’t talking. Seth takes a step closer.
SETH
Hey, Joe, it’s me, Seth. Get up,
man. I’ve got help. Get up, Joe!
Seth keeps inching closer to Joe.
SETH
Joe, get up! I know you’re not
dead. Get up and I’ll take you
home. Get up, Joe.
The Truck HONKS. Seth nearly jumps out of his skin.
SETH
NOW you honk?!
But then he sees something in the Truck bed that wasn’t there before. A toolbox.
Seth hops back into the Truck and opens the toolbox.
INSERT - TOOLBOX
Inside the toolbox is a pair of work gloves.
BACK TO SCENE
Seth pulls on the gloves and flexes his hands inside them. He leaves the Truck and returns to Joe. He approaches carefully, taking slow, cautious steps as if he’s walking a tightrope. He bends down, reaches out, and touches Joe’s arm.
Nothing bad happens.
Seth slips his gloved hands under Joe and picks him up.
EXT. TRUCK BED - NIGHT
Seth sets Joe down in the bed and climbs in.
Joe wakes up, slowly, then sits up suddenly. He scrambles to the far end of the Truck bed, trying to put distance between him and Seth.
SETH
It’s okay! You’re safe!
(holds up his hands with the
gloves on)
I have these on. They’re…
(struggles for a description)
They’re magic gloves.
Seth reaches towards Joe. Joe reaches out, tentatively. He touches Seth’s gloved fingers. They clasp hands.
SETH
You’re safe.
Joe relaxes and lets go of Seth’s hand.
JOE
Get me out of here.
SETH
(to the Truck)
Can you get us to my house?
(the Truck doesn’t move)
Fine. Drive west.
Still no response from the Truck. Seth stands up and takes out his compass.
INSERT - COMPASS
The needle slowly spins, never settling on a direction.
BACK TO SCENE
Seth turns in a circle, but in vain. He slaps the compass closed, looks up into the sky.
POV - SETH
The moon lolls above the neighborhood.
BACK TO SCENE
After examining the sky, Seth points.
SETH
Go that way. Stop if you see a
dog.
The Truck starts moving, and Seth sits down by Joe.
SETH
How did you get out here?
JOE
I keep disappearing…
SETH
Tell me what happened after you
jumped off the bridge.
JOE
I watched the moon. Like you told
me. It moved across the sky and
went down. Morning was
coming. But just as it was getting
brighter, I fell asleep. When I
woke up, it was night again. I got
up and started walking, but I still
couldn’t find home. I couldn’t get
out of here. The moon set again,
and I fell asleep again. I try to
stay awake, but I always fall
asleep. Every morning I fall
asleep, and every night I walk the
streets…
SETH
Joe, I just lost you a few minutes
ago.
JOE
The night passes differently for
everyone. But it’s always the same
night. Always the same moon.
SETH
There are other people out here?
JOE
(nods)
No one can get home.
SETH
So we’re in some kind of time
warp? That’s crazy.
JOE
You’re the one with the magic
gloves.
(sits up, slowly but surely
alert; an idea is coming)
And you’ve only been out here one
night, right?
SETH
I’ve only been out here an hour, at
the most.
JOE
And in that time you’ve made
friends with the Truck and found
those gloves.
SETH
I’m not friends with the Truck,
Joe.
JOE
You’re not as lost as the rest of
us. Maybe you can help us get
home. Maybe that’s why you’re out
here, why the Truck found you.
SETH
The Truck’s not too bright,
then. It found me, and it found
you, but it can’t seem to find
anything else.
JOE
Maybe it can only find people.
SETH
How do you know that, Joe? Are you
its friend now?
JOE
I’ve been out here a long
time. I’ve seen scary shit. Those
Joggers? They’re hunting us. No
one knows why, but as soon as one
grabs you, you disappear, and all
you leave behind is a
scream. We run to get away from
them, and then we run to get away
from each other before we get too
close and spin away to God knows
where. We’re alone and lost and
hunted and afraid. You’re the
first person I’ve met who isn’t
scared. And somehow that’s changed
things.
Seth glares at Joe for a long time.
SETH
You say the Truck can find people.
Joe nods.
SETH
Then if I ask it to, it’ll find
other people wandering around out
here.
Joe doesn’t nod, but his constant expression says yes.
SETH
And if I ask it to find the people
in my house, it would be able to do
that. So if we find everyone who’s
lost, round ’em up, and get them on
the Truck, we can tell it to take
them to their families, one by one,
and everyone will get home.
JOE
That’s a good idea.
SETH
I know.
Seth stares ahead like Washington on his rowboat as the Truck barrels along.
That’s part two. Thanks to those who’ve read and commented so far. Feel free to throw in your two cents if you’ve checked it out.
All I care about is 1) Did you like it? 2) Did it make sense to you? And eventually, as the story reaches the end 3) Does it mean anything to you? No literary or professional screenwriting credentials are necessary to make those judgments (and if the answer to any of those questions is “No,” that’s fine too; tell me why, that’s all I need).
I probably won’t reply back to most of the comments, since I have a strict no-editorializing policy when presenting my work. If something simply doesn’t work for you in the script, I don’t want to trivialize your concern by sounding like I’m trying to explain it away. I may ask you a clarifying question, and that’s it. My job is to collect your thots and make the work better as a result. And in some cases, hopefully, things that don’t quite make sense yet will straighten themselves out as the story unfolds.
And for karmic balance, if you say you absolutely love some aspect of the script, I’ll just sit here quietly at my keyboard and glow.
Look for part three on Friday, when Seth and Joe start tooling around collecting Wanderlings. Thanks again, everyone!
I like it. It takes inspiration (or at least it seems to) from a lot of other work without being derivative. I definitely feel hints of Donnie Darko, Dark City, and even The Langoliers – although, that could all just be myself attempting to frame a complex narrative with familiar material.
As for your second question…no, it doesn’t make sense. At this point, though, I’m pretty sure that’s the exactly the feeling that you want the audience to have. I feel slightly confused about what’s going on and totally uneasy about what the characters are going through, which means you’ve effectively tunneled the angst of the characters into the audience.
One last thing for now: I really like your dialog (which, along with the early family dynamic stuff, is why I draw the D.D. comparison). It feels very naturalistic and honest, which already sets you apart from the forced, expository nature of dialogue in a lot of other work. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Glowing…
Oops, sorry. I’ll keep that to myself. 
SETH
So we’re in some kind of time
warp? That’s crazy.
So is Seth a geek that would think of time warps, or are time warps real in this universe? This line stuck out at me as somehow off. I dunno. Otherwise, keep it coming! The3 is right about your dialogue.
- Did you like it?
Yes. I like it.
- Did it make sense to you?
As much as it’s making sense to Joe and Seth. That’s a good thing.
And eventually, as the story reaches the end 3) Does it mean anything to you?
After reading the first installment, I thot about being Seth’s age and wanting to get as far away from family as possible, to be alone. At that age, I was filled with wanting to be a part of the world and yet feeling so removed from it. Those memories and feelings only intensified with the second installment.
Maybe it’s just me, but this line pulled me right out of the story. My first thot was: “The compass is pointing west? No wonder they’re lost.” I get the point, but a slight rewording might be warranted.
Oh, and to echo 'Talos, some additional exposition on why a kid in the 'burbs is carrying a compass in the first place would be helpful, too.
Up ahead, two strangers are jogging towards Seth and Joe, one on either side of the steet. At this distance, the two JOGGERS are just silhouettes.
This I love. The joggers are vaguely unsettling right from the start and only get worse. The descriptions are vivid and really set them apart as something unreal and unnatural.
Keep 'em coming! 
-
Yes I like it…really, really like it.
-
Made sense until Seth said the compass was pointing West. Earth’s magnetic poles are flipping in this story? Or are we in an alternate universe and their compasses point West instead of North?
-
I can safely say that I’m now invested in Seth’s character and am looking forward for the next installment.
Me too. Very intriguing and only seems to be getting better.
- Made sense until Seth said the compass was pointing West. Earth’s magnetic poles are flipping in this story? Or are we in an alternate universe and their compasses point West instead of North?
You know, that didn’t even occur to me.
- I can safely say that I’m now invested in Seth’s character and am looking forward for the next installment.
Ditto. Getting the story in this piecemeal fashion is really maddening. 
I like it, Glim. The at home scene in part one felt pretty true, and I like that there’s some mystery with old gramps perhaps that might pay off later. I’m also enjoying visualizing the scenes as written. There’s a great underlying tension going on now, like blowing up a balloon past it’s limits and knowing it’s going to pop. Can’t wait for part three.
It makes sense within what we’ve been given so far. Obviously we, like the Seth and Joe, don’t know much. But the details of this world seem to be starting to come out in part two: the grey men, the truck, etc. And I’m starting to wonder if the compass is being attracted by something other than simple magnetism. btw I carried a compass all the time as a kid! The cool kind with the flip up top and the aiming device for sighting your direction.
I’ll be watching for part three. Enjoying. 
Wow, that compass has become a sore thumb! :rolleyes:
This is probably due to the fact that, unlike my lead character, I am not an experienced outdoorsy type. Joe isn’t either, thus I suppose his understandable flub. Better yet, I should rewrite the line to read “The compass still pointing us west?” I can also see fit to insert a bit of business demonstrating that Seth, like the young Topgun, always carries a compass in his pocket, as well as a grabbag of other random junk he think he always needs.
There will be more outdoorsy stuff coming, so I look forward to a good schooling from everyone to continue to set me straight.
Here’s the latest installment. Sorry for the wait today, but it’s an extra long one to hold you over the weekend. Also, check out the Music From South Jude thread for tracks to listen to while reading.
Many thanks, and enjoy!
EXT. TALOS COURT - NIGHT
Seth and Joe ride in the Truck bed down one of the nicer streets in the neighborhood, lined with picket fences and square-trimmed shrubs.
Seth peers out into the streets, keeping watch for anyone who might be lost. Suddenly, a PING! startles them both.
SETH
Get down!
A small rock nails Joe in the forehead, and he goes down. Seth hits the deck while more rocks ricochet off the Truck around them.
The Truck comes to a stop.
SETH
What are you doing? Get us out of
here!
But the Truck doesn’t move. Seth peeks over the edge of the bed. He sees movement in the shrubs.
SETH
Who’s there? Come on out!
A rock wings off the Truck by his face.
SETH
I’m coming after you!
He leaps from the Truck.
Seth chases his assailant as the sniper hurries through the shrubs. Seth dives in.
A grunting and scuffling and a loud scream, and then Seth drags the sniper out into the open.
EMILY’s a surly nine-year old blonde-haired girl wearing a lime green backpack, and kicking and squirming in Seth’s grip. She bites his wrist, and he drops her.
Emily flings a rock. It nails Seth in the sternum. He gasps and staggers. She throws her last rock, and Seth dodges–it flies past his crotch.
Emily runs, but Seth chases and scoops her up. She screams as he throws her over his shoulder.
SETH
Joe! Open the tailgate!
Joe does it, and Seth climbs into the Truck still carrying the girl. He stands in the bed holding her over his shoulders while she twists and kicks and punches.
SETH
I’m going to put you down right
now, but you have to promise not to
run away!
EMILY
Let me go! I don’t know you!
SETH
My name is Seth, and this is my
friend Joe. We’re both lost, and I
bet you are too. We’re all gonna
help each other find our way home,
but we can’t be throwing rocks at
each other. Got it?
From her perch on his shoulder, Emily kicks Seth in the gut. He doubles over grunting, grits his teeth, then stands back up, still carrying her.
SETH
That was real mean, little
girl. But we can be meaner. You
see Joe over there? You hit him
with a rock, and he’s real angry.
Joe, who’s barely been fully conscious for more than a few minutes now, looks nothing of the kind.
SETH
He wanted to throw you under the
Truck and run you over, but I
stopped him. Ain’t that right,
Joe?
Joe catches on at the last second and plays along, baring his teeth and growling. With his disheveled appearance and blood trickling down his face, he looks pretty crazed. Emily flinches.
SETH
Now, I’m gonna put you down, and if
you run, I’m gonna let Joe chase
you. But if you stay here, I’ll
sit between the two of you and keep
you safe.
Emily falls quiet. Seth bends down and slides her off his shoulder, and she settles in a corner of the truck bed. Joe leaps after her, snarling.
SETH
Back off, Joe! I said I’d keep her
safe!
(whispers to Joe)
Don’t bury yourself in the part.
Suddenly, Emily leaps up and tackles Joe. He falls with a cry, and she beats on him two-fisted. Seth pulls her off, and Joe retreats to a corner of the Truck.
Seth puts Emily down in the other corner.
SETH
(to the Truck)
Hey, let’s get moving!
The Truck moves down the road while Seth turns to Emily.
SETH
Joe’s my friend, little girl. You
pick on him, you pick on me. Got
it?
EMILY
Why don’t you disappear?
SETH
I’m not going anywhere.
EMILY
Everyone else disappears. Whenever
I touch them, they disappear.
SETH
See these gloves? These are magic
gloves. I can touch people without
disappearing.
He holds out his hand, offering it to her in a handshake. She takes it.
SETH
My name’s Seth. What’s yours?
EMILY
Emily.
SETH
Emily, what are you doing out here
all by yourself?
EMILY
I ran away.
SETH
What did you run away for?
EMILY
I didn’t want to be at home
anymore.
SETH
Right.
EXT. RANGER STREET, LONG SHOT - NIGHT
The Truck rumbles down a long street with a bus stop at the end. Emily stands like a lookout in the Truck bed. She points down the street.
A 16-year-old black girl, wearing an ugly blue-and-white waitress outfit, trudges along the side of the road.
The Truck slows down, and Seth hops out, spooking the girl. She draws back. Seth holds out his hand. She tries it. He helps her up onto the Truck.
EXT. TRUCK BED - NIGHT
CLOSE ON a nametag reading “SHAREENA.”
It’s attached to the girl’s waitress uniform. Shareena sits with her eyes squeezed shut, concentrating.
Meanwhile, Seth tears a sleeve off and dabs at Joe’s forehead to Joe. Emily still stands watch.
JOE
(to Shareena)
I ran into you once.
SHAREENA
(eyes pop open; recognizes
him)
Drunk kid.
JOE
I’m okay now. What’s your story,
Shareena?
SHAREENA
I thought I was walking home from
work. But I must’ve fallen asleep
somehow.
(to Seth)
That’s a filthy rag you’re cleaning
him with.
SETH
Sorry, I didn’t think to pack
rubbing alcohol.
SHAREENA
You just wanted to tear your sleeve
off. You want a wet nap?
She takes one out of her apron and hands it to him. He puts it to use, and she goes back to squeezing her eyes shut.
JOE
You have a headache?
SHAREENA
I’m having a bad dream. I don’t
know what parts of me you all are
supposed to be, but now that I’ve
found you, maybe I can wake up.
JOE
I’ve tried that. Doesn’t
work. We’re all real.
SHAREENA
(eyes open)
You give up too easy. You must
represent my impatient side.
Seth finishes cleaning Joe and tears his other sleeve off. Shareena rolls her eyes. He folds up the sleeve and presses it to Joe’s forehead.
SETH
Hold that.
Joe does, while Seth takes a blue bandanna from one of his pockets and ties it around Joe’s head.
JOE
(to Shareena)
Have you ever had a dream that felt
this real before?
SHAREENA
You call not being able to find
your way home in your own
neighborhood real? I can taste,
touch, and hear everything, for
sure, but the real world don’t work
like this.
JOE
Maybe our world don’t…
SETH
There.
Seth’s finished tying the bandanna. Joe looks at his reflection in the back window of the Truck.
JOE
I look like Rambo’s nerdy little
brother.
SHAREENA
I wasn’t gonna say anything.
EMILY
Joggers, six o’clock!
They turn to look. Coming up behind them are two running figures.
SETH
Sit tight, they’re not gonna catch
up.
And then the Truck slows down.
SHAREENA
What’s it doing?
SETH
(bangs on the Truck window)
Get moving!
The Truck stops. The four kids huddle, with Seth in front.