Childhood's End - Part 1: Child's Play
[This episode starts with the piercing sound of a digital alarm clock. The camera showcases eyes blinking awake - Sally's eyes. Cut to her looking across the room. She sees the digital clock, blinking 6:00 AM.]
Sally: W-what's that sound?
[Sally gets out of her bed. She ends up tripping and falling out of it. Only her silhouette is seen. She determinedly walks over to it, and despite tripping again, makes it to the alarm clock.]
Sally: Shut up, you... thing! It's not even morning yet! You're gonna wake up the whole house!
[Sally smashes the alarm clock until it crushes and sparks. The sparks light up Sally's face and then quickly dissipate. Sally's expression is filled with worry.]
Sally: W-wait. This isn't my room. Where am I!?
[Sally desperately reaches for a light switch on the wall. As she does, the camera has an extreme close up on her eyes. They open wide with fear.]
Sally: (screams)
[Cut to Robert and Autumn jolting awake due to Sally's scream.]
Robert & Autumn: Sally!
[The two of them get up and run through a hallway that's clearly not from the Dunn household. Robert looks around, noticing this, but he doesn't say anything. Both of them focus on following Sally's scream. They meet up with Max in the hallway.]
Max: She's in here.
[The three of them open the door into the room that Sally is in. It's clearly not Sally's typical bedroom, but it does appear to be the bedroom of a typical seven-year-old girl from the real world. Sally is sitting on the ground, her arms folded around her legs, rocking back and forth.]
Sally: [Mumbling] It's not my room. It's not my room. It's not my room...
Autumn: Sally, what's wrong?
Robert: Sally, are you okay?
Sally: Robbie! Autumn! I... where are we?
Max: That's... a good question.
Sally: This is NOT my room.
Max: Actually...
[Max and Sally walk outside of the room. On the door, "Sally's Room" is stenciled in. Sally tries to reach for it, to just touch, to see if it's real. But she's not tall enough.]
Sally: W-wait! Charmichael!
[Sally dashes back into her room, and notices that her bed is devoid of any stuffed animals. She rushes over to it, and panickedly scurries around. She hops up on the bed, and has a sigh of relief as she looks down on the other side. Cut to Charmichael laying dopily on the ground, fallen down on the other side of the bed. Sally scoops him up and hugs him intently while Autumn, Robert, and Max look on with confused expressions.]
Max: I don't know about you, but I want to find out what's going on here.
Robert: Yeah, me too. Maybe we'll find some clues downstairs.
[Sally's eyes pop open wide with fear.]
Sally: G-Gumdrops! Where is he!? [Shouting] Gumdrops!
Autumn: Sally, you've got to calm down.
[Sally gets up and walks over to Autumn, her body language exuding authority.]
Sally: You see, this is why kids are in charge! We're in a strange house! We don't know what's going on! Gumdrops isn't coming when I'm calling, and you want to be calm about this!
[Sally looks intently, her expression growing with fear]
Sally: Gumdrops ALWAYS comes when I call.
Autumn: Maybe he just... got out and took a walk. We've got to stay rational.
Sally: You KNOW that Gumdrops never goes out without a makeover.
Autumn: Sally, I--
[Autumn is about to continue talking, but a doorbell rings, interrupting her. No one moves.]
Robert: I think that it's a doorbell.
Sally: Well I'll go and get it because I'm THE ONLY ONE WHO WANTS TO DO SOMETHING!
[Sally storms out of her bedroom.]
Autumn: So, what do we do?
Robert: Go downstairs and look for clues, I'd guess.
Max: I'll look around up here.
Sally: W-what's that sound?
[Sally gets out of her bed. She ends up tripping and falling out of it. Only her silhouette is seen. She determinedly walks over to it, and despite tripping again, makes it to the alarm clock.]
Sally: Shut up, you... thing! It's not even morning yet! You're gonna wake up the whole house!
[Sally smashes the alarm clock until it crushes and sparks. The sparks light up Sally's face and then quickly dissipate. Sally's expression is filled with worry.]
Sally: W-wait. This isn't my room. Where am I!?
[Sally desperately reaches for a light switch on the wall. As she does, the camera has an extreme close up on her eyes. They open wide with fear.]
Sally: (screams)
[Cut to Robert and Autumn jolting awake due to Sally's scream.]
Robert & Autumn: Sally!
[The two of them get up and run through a hallway that's clearly not from the Dunn household. Robert looks around, noticing this, but he doesn't say anything. Both of them focus on following Sally's scream. They meet up with Max in the hallway.]
Max: She's in here.
[The three of them open the door into the room that Sally is in. It's clearly not Sally's typical bedroom, but it does appear to be the bedroom of a typical seven-year-old girl from the real world. Sally is sitting on the ground, her arms folded around her legs, rocking back and forth.]
Sally: [Mumbling] It's not my room. It's not my room. It's not my room...
Autumn: Sally, what's wrong?
Robert: Sally, are you okay?
Sally: Robbie! Autumn! I... where are we?
Max: That's... a good question.
Sally: This is NOT my room.
Max: Actually...
[Max and Sally walk outside of the room. On the door, "Sally's Room" is stenciled in. Sally tries to reach for it, to just touch, to see if it's real. But she's not tall enough.]
Sally: W-wait! Charmichael!
[Sally dashes back into her room, and notices that her bed is devoid of any stuffed animals. She rushes over to it, and panickedly scurries around. She hops up on the bed, and has a sigh of relief as she looks down on the other side. Cut to Charmichael laying dopily on the ground, fallen down on the other side of the bed. Sally scoops him up and hugs him intently while Autumn, Robert, and Max look on with confused expressions.]
Max: I don't know about you, but I want to find out what's going on here.
Robert: Yeah, me too. Maybe we'll find some clues downstairs.
[Sally's eyes pop open wide with fear.]
Sally: G-Gumdrops! Where is he!? [Shouting] Gumdrops!
Autumn: Sally, you've got to calm down.
[Sally gets up and walks over to Autumn, her body language exuding authority.]
Sally: You see, this is why kids are in charge! We're in a strange house! We don't know what's going on! Gumdrops isn't coming when I'm calling, and you want to be calm about this!
[Sally looks intently, her expression growing with fear]
Sally: Gumdrops ALWAYS comes when I call.
Autumn: Maybe he just... got out and took a walk. We've got to stay rational.
Sally: You KNOW that Gumdrops never goes out without a makeover.
Autumn: Sally, I--
[Autumn is about to continue talking, but a doorbell rings, interrupting her. No one moves.]
Robert: I think that it's a doorbell.
Sally: Well I'll go and get it because I'm THE ONLY ONE WHO WANTS TO DO SOMETHING!
[Sally storms out of her bedroom.]
Autumn: So, what do we do?
Robert: Go downstairs and look for clues, I'd guess.
Max: I'll look around up here.
[Cut to Sally stomping down the steps into the living room. She angrily opens the first door that she comes to.]
Sally: (shouting) WHAT DO YOU WANT!?
[Sally blinks open her eyes and see that she just shouted into a clothes closet. Sally blushes. The doorbell rings again, drawing Sally's attention to her side. She closes the closet door and opens the front door. Standing there is a strange girl about Sally's age. This girl has blonde, washed down hair, put into braided pigtails. She's wearing a gray and white school uniform. As Sally and the girl talk, their breath can be seen in the air. It's cold outside.]
Sally: Hello? Do I know you?
April: Humorous Sally dear. You're not dressed yet?
Sally: Wait, April!? What happened to you!?
April: I got ready for school, like you should be doing right now.
Sally: Is it... parent-child dress up day or something?
April: No... it's a "put your uniform on" day, like all the others, I suppose.
Sally: April, if this is your kinda idea of a prank, you've gone way too far. It's not funny. WHAT DID YOU DO WITH GUMDROPS!?
April: Sally, I do believe that you've had enough sugar this morning. Molly will be here soon enough.
[Robert and Autumn walk downstairs]
Robert: Um... hello, do we know you?
April: I'm April Morris, Sally's friend, remember? Did I do something different with my fair?
Autumn: Well, kind of.
Sally: IT'S BLONDE.
[April stands there confused]
April: Yes, like it was the day that I first got it. Are you sick or something?
Sally: Not yet, but I think I will be if I keep standing here.
[April is offended]
Autumn: Um... Sally's a little bit stirred. She had a bad dream last night.
[Sally turns to Autumn and strikes an annoyed expression]
Sally: You too, traitor!?
April: Ah, that makes sense. Sally, you know that you shouldn't watch those late night horror movies. Well, perhaps you should get ready.
Sally: I'm not gonna--
Autumn: Maybe it'd be best to play along.
[Sally rolls her eyes and stomps up to her room. She stops and turns to Autumn and she does so.]
Sally: [Growling] When everyone finds their marbles, you are GROUNDED for the REST OF YOUR LIFE.
[Sally stomps to the top of the stairs.]
April: You have my condol-essence, Mr. and Ms. Dunn, for having to put up with such a wild child like her.
Sally (off-screen): I heard that!
Robert: She's just upset because she can't find Gumdrops this morning.
April: Well, children can't have candy for breakfast.
[Robert and Autumn look to each other, visibly nervous.]
April: Speaking of which, what IS for breakfast? My brothers and sisters got it all at home.
Autumn: Whatever Sally decides to make when she gets her head together, I guess.
[Beat as April looks on confused. Then, April bursts into a fake, forced laughter.]
April: That's a good one, Ms. Dunn. Can you imagine Sally making breakfast?
Autumn: Y-yeah (fake laugh).
April: She'd probably make chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream on top or something like that.
[Beat]
April: Oh, before I forget, I took the liberty of taking in your newspaper, Mr. Dunn.
[She pulls out the newspaper from her backpack and hands it to Robert. He looks at it and his expression grows with concern.]
Autumn: [Whispers] Robbie, what's wrong?
Robert: No comics...
Sally: (shouting) WHAT DO YOU WANT!?
[Sally blinks open her eyes and see that she just shouted into a clothes closet. Sally blushes. The doorbell rings again, drawing Sally's attention to her side. She closes the closet door and opens the front door. Standing there is a strange girl about Sally's age. This girl has blonde, washed down hair, put into braided pigtails. She's wearing a gray and white school uniform. As Sally and the girl talk, their breath can be seen in the air. It's cold outside.]
Sally: Hello? Do I know you?
April: Humorous Sally dear. You're not dressed yet?
Sally: Wait, April!? What happened to you!?
April: I got ready for school, like you should be doing right now.
Sally: Is it... parent-child dress up day or something?
April: No... it's a "put your uniform on" day, like all the others, I suppose.
Sally: April, if this is your kinda idea of a prank, you've gone way too far. It's not funny. WHAT DID YOU DO WITH GUMDROPS!?
April: Sally, I do believe that you've had enough sugar this morning. Molly will be here soon enough.
[Robert and Autumn walk downstairs]
Robert: Um... hello, do we know you?
April: I'm April Morris, Sally's friend, remember? Did I do something different with my fair?
Autumn: Well, kind of.
Sally: IT'S BLONDE.
[April stands there confused]
April: Yes, like it was the day that I first got it. Are you sick or something?
Sally: Not yet, but I think I will be if I keep standing here.
[April is offended]
Autumn: Um... Sally's a little bit stirred. She had a bad dream last night.
[Sally turns to Autumn and strikes an annoyed expression]
Sally: You too, traitor!?
April: Ah, that makes sense. Sally, you know that you shouldn't watch those late night horror movies. Well, perhaps you should get ready.
Sally: I'm not gonna--
Autumn: Maybe it'd be best to play along.
[Sally rolls her eyes and stomps up to her room. She stops and turns to Autumn and she does so.]
Sally: [Growling] When everyone finds their marbles, you are GROUNDED for the REST OF YOUR LIFE.
[Sally stomps to the top of the stairs.]
April: You have my condol-essence, Mr. and Ms. Dunn, for having to put up with such a wild child like her.
Sally (off-screen): I heard that!
Robert: She's just upset because she can't find Gumdrops this morning.
April: Well, children can't have candy for breakfast.
[Robert and Autumn look to each other, visibly nervous.]
April: Speaking of which, what IS for breakfast? My brothers and sisters got it all at home.
Autumn: Whatever Sally decides to make when she gets her head together, I guess.
[Beat as April looks on confused. Then, April bursts into a fake, forced laughter.]
April: That's a good one, Ms. Dunn. Can you imagine Sally making breakfast?
Autumn: Y-yeah (fake laugh).
April: She'd probably make chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream on top or something like that.
[Beat]
April: Oh, before I forget, I took the liberty of taking in your newspaper, Mr. Dunn.
[She pulls out the newspaper from her backpack and hands it to Robert. He looks at it and his expression grows with concern.]
Autumn: [Whispers] Robbie, what's wrong?
Robert: No comics...
[Cut to Sally stomping through the hallway before she sits down against the wall. She looks as if she's about to cry, but she stares on forward. Max is there.]
Max: Sally, how are you holding up?
Sally: The world's gone crazy, Max.
Max: I've... noticed.
[Max puts his hand affectionately on the back of Sally's neck.]
Max: We'll find him. I promise you, we won't rest until we do.
Sally: R-right.
Max: If it makes you feel any better, apparently I need to go to school today too. I think a... different one though?
Sally: Why is this happening to us? I don't think I can--
Max: Sally, remember, you're going to be mayor someday. You've got to stay brave, right?
Sally: R-right. I can't go crazy just cuz the world did.
Max: Sally, how are you holding up?
Sally: The world's gone crazy, Max.
Max: I've... noticed.
[Max puts his hand affectionately on the back of Sally's neck.]
Max: We'll find him. I promise you, we won't rest until we do.
Sally: R-right.
Max: If it makes you feel any better, apparently I need to go to school today too. I think a... different one though?
Sally: Why is this happening to us? I don't think I can--
Max: Sally, remember, you're going to be mayor someday. You've got to stay brave, right?
Sally: R-right. I can't go crazy just cuz the world did.
[Cut to Sally at the top of the staircase wearing a bizarre outfit - a tutu skirt, a denim jacket, a hula hoop as a sash, thick snow pants, and winter boots.]
Sally: [Determined] Alright, I'm ready for this school thing.
April: Sally, these jokes are no longer funny. The bus we'll be here. You've got to learn to grow up.
Sally: Grow up? I'm seven. You are too.
April: I refuse to act childishly.
Sally: What's wrong with acting like a child!? You are a child!
[April puts her hand on her face.]
April: Just put on your uniform.
[April lifts up some fabric from her shirt to indicate "uniform" as she says:]
April: UN-I-FORM.
[Sally grumbles and stomps away. Cut to Sally in her room. She looks to see her uniform hanging up. She looks at the skirt and holds the material in her hands.]
Sally: Ugh, this thing looks so ugly and boring. And it's freezing outside. Who would make me wear something like this?
[Sally looks over to some paints lying on the floor in the corner]
Sally: Well, that's nothing some Sally-brand creativity can't fix up.
[Cut to April eating toast downstairs in the kitchen.]
April: This is excellent toast Ms. Dunn. Did you use a secret recipe?
Autumn: It's... toast. I put bread in the toaster.
April: Well then, you kept it in for just the right length of a time, which is a secret recipe in and of itself.
[Sally stomps down the stairs. She stands next to April. Sally is wearing her uniform, but she had painted her heart-paw print symbol in pink on the blouse.]
Sally: Alright, I'm in this stupid uniform. Happy now?
April: Sally, what did you to do your uniform!? Do you know how much this thing cost your parents?
[Sally folds her arms.]
Sally: Yeah, I think I do.
April: Then why did you destroy it?
Sally: I made it pretty. It looked boring.
April: You're going to school, not some fashion show.
Sally: Yeah April, you're one to talk.
April: What are you going on about? I've had perfect uniform and perfect attendance every year since kindergarten. You should take some pride in your appearance.
Ms. Clementine (voice over): And it's going to remain a dull, cloudy February day and this weather pattern is going to continue through the entire week. We won't be seeing the sun for some time, folks.
[As Ms. Clementine talks, Sally looks at the television. Ms. Clementine is reporting in front of a weather sheet. The camera is on Sally's back. The camera pans further back as the realization slowly sinks into Sally. The music rises, building tension.]
Sally: It's not bring-your-mother-to-work day, is it?
Robert: No, Sally, it's not. Far as I can tell, adults rule the world here.
[Sally looks nervously over to Robert. He is holding the newspaper, clearly having scanned it.]
Robert: Everyone of these stories seems to point in that direction.
Sally: B-b-but how does that even work!? Kids do... everything! Run the schools! How are the towns run? How is a grown-up gonna know what Snatchemon would get more kids to vote for them!?
April: That was a really strange dream that you had Sally, wasn't it?
Sally: D-dream! Yeah! That's it! I'm dreaming!
[Sally bashes her head against the kitchen table.]
April: S-Sally! What has gotten into you dear, you're acting very strangely today.
[Sally pauses bashing her head against the table.]
Sally: Then I'm gonna fit right in.
[Sally continues to bash her head against the table.]
[April stops her and Sally's eyes roll around in her head in a cartoonish fashion.]
April: Look Sally, it's gonna be okay.
Sally: Y-yeah.
April: Just put on a clean uniform... not tainted by paint, and you'll forget about this whole dream thing after school today.
Sally: Please let go of my head.
April: Certainly.
[April lets go of Sally bashes her head against the table again, over and over.]
Sally: [Mantra] It's a dream! It's a dream! It's a dream!
Sally: [Determined] Alright, I'm ready for this school thing.
April: Sally, these jokes are no longer funny. The bus we'll be here. You've got to learn to grow up.
Sally: Grow up? I'm seven. You are too.
April: I refuse to act childishly.
Sally: What's wrong with acting like a child!? You are a child!
[April puts her hand on her face.]
April: Just put on your uniform.
[April lifts up some fabric from her shirt to indicate "uniform" as she says:]
April: UN-I-FORM.
[Sally grumbles and stomps away. Cut to Sally in her room. She looks to see her uniform hanging up. She looks at the skirt and holds the material in her hands.]
Sally: Ugh, this thing looks so ugly and boring. And it's freezing outside. Who would make me wear something like this?
[Sally looks over to some paints lying on the floor in the corner]
Sally: Well, that's nothing some Sally-brand creativity can't fix up.
[Cut to April eating toast downstairs in the kitchen.]
April: This is excellent toast Ms. Dunn. Did you use a secret recipe?
Autumn: It's... toast. I put bread in the toaster.
April: Well then, you kept it in for just the right length of a time, which is a secret recipe in and of itself.
[Sally stomps down the stairs. She stands next to April. Sally is wearing her uniform, but she had painted her heart-paw print symbol in pink on the blouse.]
Sally: Alright, I'm in this stupid uniform. Happy now?
April: Sally, what did you to do your uniform!? Do you know how much this thing cost your parents?
[Sally folds her arms.]
Sally: Yeah, I think I do.
April: Then why did you destroy it?
Sally: I made it pretty. It looked boring.
April: You're going to school, not some fashion show.
Sally: Yeah April, you're one to talk.
April: What are you going on about? I've had perfect uniform and perfect attendance every year since kindergarten. You should take some pride in your appearance.
Ms. Clementine (voice over): And it's going to remain a dull, cloudy February day and this weather pattern is going to continue through the entire week. We won't be seeing the sun for some time, folks.
[As Ms. Clementine talks, Sally looks at the television. Ms. Clementine is reporting in front of a weather sheet. The camera is on Sally's back. The camera pans further back as the realization slowly sinks into Sally. The music rises, building tension.]
Sally: It's not bring-your-mother-to-work day, is it?
Robert: No, Sally, it's not. Far as I can tell, adults rule the world here.
[Sally looks nervously over to Robert. He is holding the newspaper, clearly having scanned it.]
Robert: Everyone of these stories seems to point in that direction.
Sally: B-b-but how does that even work!? Kids do... everything! Run the schools! How are the towns run? How is a grown-up gonna know what Snatchemon would get more kids to vote for them!?
April: That was a really strange dream that you had Sally, wasn't it?
Sally: D-dream! Yeah! That's it! I'm dreaming!
[Sally bashes her head against the kitchen table.]
April: S-Sally! What has gotten into you dear, you're acting very strangely today.
[Sally pauses bashing her head against the table.]
Sally: Then I'm gonna fit right in.
[Sally continues to bash her head against the table.]
[April stops her and Sally's eyes roll around in her head in a cartoonish fashion.]
April: Look Sally, it's gonna be okay.
Sally: Y-yeah.
April: Just put on a clean uniform... not tainted by paint, and you'll forget about this whole dream thing after school today.
Sally: Please let go of my head.
April: Certainly.
[April lets go of Sally bashes her head against the table again, over and over.]
Sally: [Mantra] It's a dream! It's a dream! It's a dream!
[Cut to Sally shivering wildly outside. April and Molly stand on either side of her. Neither of them seem to mind the cold.]
Sally: [Shivering/teeth chattering] It's a dream. It's a dream. It's a dream.
April: Now, did both of you do your homework?
Molly: I... uh...
April: Molly dear, you know that you need to get those grades up. And you can't do that if you keep skipping those assignments.
Molly: It's just a little hard for me an' all.
Sally: [Shivering] W-why didn't you ask your dad for help?
Molly: You know he has to work overtime since my--
Sally: [Shivering] W-work overtime?
Sally: [Shivering/teeth chattering] It's a dream. It's a dream. It's a dream.
April: Now, did both of you do your homework?
Molly: I... uh...
April: Molly dear, you know that you need to get those grades up. And you can't do that if you keep skipping those assignments.
Molly: It's just a little hard for me an' all.
Sally: [Shivering] W-why didn't you ask your dad for help?
Molly: You know he has to work overtime since my--
Sally: [Shivering] W-work overtime?
[Cut to Robert and Autumn sitting down at the kitchen table.]
Robert: So apparently the stocks are up this week.
Autumn: What does that even mean?
Robert: I have no clue.
[Robert puts the newspaper down.]
Robert: I suppose we should put on our own uniforms now.
Autumn: Uniforms?
Robert: Well, if the kids are going to have school then we have to go to work.
Autumn: Oh... that makes sense.
Robert: Is there something you're not telling me?
Autumn: No. We just woke up in a strange world that's gone... topsy turvy. I'm just trying to put the pieces together. For instance, how are we supposed to get to work?
Robert: Is the car still there?
Autumn: Robbie, neither of us have used a car in over a decade.
Robert: Well what do you recommend?
Autumn: Fine. You figure out how to get the car working, and I'm going to try to figure out where we actually work.
Robert: So apparently the stocks are up this week.
Autumn: What does that even mean?
Robert: I have no clue.
[Robert puts the newspaper down.]
Robert: I suppose we should put on our own uniforms now.
Autumn: Uniforms?
Robert: Well, if the kids are going to have school then we have to go to work.
Autumn: Oh... that makes sense.
Robert: Is there something you're not telling me?
Autumn: No. We just woke up in a strange world that's gone... topsy turvy. I'm just trying to put the pieces together. For instance, how are we supposed to get to work?
Robert: Is the car still there?
Autumn: Robbie, neither of us have used a car in over a decade.
Robert: Well what do you recommend?
Autumn: Fine. You figure out how to get the car working, and I'm going to try to figure out where we actually work.
[Cut to Autumn upstairs in the adult's bedroom. This one looks no different than it does in Growing Around's "real world." Autumn has put on her uniform. She looks at herself in the mirror. She looks guilty. She puts her hand in her pocket, and gets an expression of surprise. She pulls out a piece of paper.]
Shane (voice over): Dear Autumn, if you're reading this, the machine worked. Congratulations, your wish has come true. Welcome to my virtual paradise. I was surprised when you said yes to this endeavor, but I guess that this idea was a good enough apology for the whole Pixelotchi event. Let loose those worries. It's only going to be a week, and you know you deserve to be in charge for once. You're the adult, and here that's all that matters. The world is just. Shane.]
[Autumn crumples the piece of paper.]
Autumn: I swear, if you go back on your word, old man, I'll hurt you a hundredfold to anything you've done to them.
[Autumn looks to her briefcase. She opens it up, tosses the paper inside, and locks it with a letter combination lock. Autumn looks to herself in the mirror.]
Autumn: It's only for a week.
Robert (voice over): What's only for a week?
[Autumn turns to see Robert standing right outside the door to the room.]
Autumn: Oh, nothing. We work at the same place apparently. 541 Jefferson Street.
Robert: Alright, who gets to drive?
Shane (voice over): Dear Autumn, if you're reading this, the machine worked. Congratulations, your wish has come true. Welcome to my virtual paradise. I was surprised when you said yes to this endeavor, but I guess that this idea was a good enough apology for the whole Pixelotchi event. Let loose those worries. It's only going to be a week, and you know you deserve to be in charge for once. You're the adult, and here that's all that matters. The world is just. Shane.]
[Autumn crumples the piece of paper.]
Autumn: I swear, if you go back on your word, old man, I'll hurt you a hundredfold to anything you've done to them.
[Autumn looks to her briefcase. She opens it up, tosses the paper inside, and locks it with a letter combination lock. Autumn looks to herself in the mirror.]
Autumn: It's only for a week.
Robert (voice over): What's only for a week?
[Autumn turns to see Robert standing right outside the door to the room.]
Autumn: Oh, nothing. We work at the same place apparently. 541 Jefferson Street.
Robert: Alright, who gets to drive?
[Cut to a bus door opening, letting Sally and her friends in. The bus driver is a disgruntled man who seems to hate his life. Sally sees him and is stricken with fear.]
Sally: W-wait, a grown-up is driving us to school!?
[The other students start walking onto the bus.]
Sally: And you're getting on!? Have you all gone insane!?
[Molly, on the bus's stairs, turns around.]
Molly: What's wrong with ya today, Sally?
[April passes by Molly]
April: She had a bad dream last night. It's got her really stirred.
[Molly shrugs, and both her and April walk deeper into the bus. Sally just stands outside of it.]
Bus driver: You just gonna stand there, young lady?
Sally: I... think that I will.
Bus driver: [authoritative] GET ON THE BUS.
Sally: Eep!
[Sally rushes forward onto the bus. Cut to Sally sitting next to April, with Molly sitting on the other side of the aisle]
Sally: I've... I've never had a grown-up talk to me like that before. What's wrong with--
April: Sally, it's "adult", not "grown-up." Come on, you're in the second grade now.
[Sally gives April an angered glance.]
Sally: You know what, I've had enough of you. I'm going to the back of the bus.
[Sally gets up and walks towards the back of the bus.]
Molly: No wait, Sally--
[Molly turns to April.]
Molly: Is she crazy?
April: I'm beginning to have my doubts.
[Sally sits down on the abandoned back seat of the bus. As the bus starts moving, Sally holds the seat so tightly, her knuckles start turning white.]
Sally: He got his license what... twenty years ago? Thirty? There's no way he could still remember how to drive.
Sally: W-wait, a grown-up is driving us to school!?
[The other students start walking onto the bus.]
Sally: And you're getting on!? Have you all gone insane!?
[Molly, on the bus's stairs, turns around.]
Molly: What's wrong with ya today, Sally?
[April passes by Molly]
April: She had a bad dream last night. It's got her really stirred.
[Molly shrugs, and both her and April walk deeper into the bus. Sally just stands outside of it.]
Bus driver: You just gonna stand there, young lady?
Sally: I... think that I will.
Bus driver: [authoritative] GET ON THE BUS.
Sally: Eep!
[Sally rushes forward onto the bus. Cut to Sally sitting next to April, with Molly sitting on the other side of the aisle]
Sally: I've... I've never had a grown-up talk to me like that before. What's wrong with--
April: Sally, it's "adult", not "grown-up." Come on, you're in the second grade now.
[Sally gives April an angered glance.]
Sally: You know what, I've had enough of you. I'm going to the back of the bus.
[Sally gets up and walks towards the back of the bus.]
Molly: No wait, Sally--
[Molly turns to April.]
Molly: Is she crazy?
April: I'm beginning to have my doubts.
[Sally sits down on the abandoned back seat of the bus. As the bus starts moving, Sally holds the seat so tightly, her knuckles start turning white.]
Sally: He got his license what... twenty years ago? Thirty? There's no way he could still remember how to drive.
[Cut to Robert and Autumn in the car. Robert is the one driving, or trying to. Autumn is in the passenger seat. The scene opens with them both screaming.]
Autumn: How is anyone on earth a worse driver than Sally!?
Robert: Hey, I'm doing the best that I can!
Autumn: Then why are we driving on the wrong side of the road!?
[The camera cuts back to show that Robert and Autumn are literally on the right side of the road, dodging oncoming traffic.]
Robert: You said to drive on the right side of the road. I'm driving on the right side of the road.
Autumn: Apparently, the right side is the left.
Robert: Before we crash, what else is switched up? Is this the horn?
[Robert rolls down the window. A car passes them by, pausing briefly to say:]
Car driver #1: Hey, watch where you're driving you--
[Autumn hits the horn to cut off the curse. Both Robert and Autumn blink in surprise at the language.]
Robert: Well... that's language you don't hear everyday.
Autumn: How is anyone on earth a worse driver than Sally!?
Robert: Hey, I'm doing the best that I can!
Autumn: Then why are we driving on the wrong side of the road!?
[The camera cuts back to show that Robert and Autumn are literally on the right side of the road, dodging oncoming traffic.]
Robert: You said to drive on the right side of the road. I'm driving on the right side of the road.
Autumn: Apparently, the right side is the left.
Robert: Before we crash, what else is switched up? Is this the horn?
[Robert rolls down the window. A car passes them by, pausing briefly to say:]
Car driver #1: Hey, watch where you're driving you--
[Autumn hits the horn to cut off the curse. Both Robert and Autumn blink in surprise at the language.]
Robert: Well... that's language you don't hear everyday.
[Cut to Sally on the bus. It comes to a stop at the next station. Sally looks through the window to see Anna and Neven standing there. Both of them are wearing school uniforms, but Neven looks extremely brow-beaten. Anna appears to be angry. While she still has her single sidetail, her hair is unkept. Her expression is filled with disgust. The cinematography and minimal sound effects convey an uncomfortable air. Just looking at Anna should feel uncomfortable. Sally presses her face against the glass.]
Sally: Anna and Neven! Some kids I recognize! May-maybe they won't be crazy!
[Anna and Neven step onto the bus. Neven sits down near the front, while Anna marches towards the back of the bus. Her feet clank on the metal, but the scene is otherwise silent. Kids look on nervously. April and Molly look to each other, and then look forward, already cringing. Anna stops in front of Sally.]
Anna: What are you doing in my seat, you little punk? This isn't a new arrangement. I sit here every single day.
Sally: W-what? An-Anna. You know me. I'm Max's little sister, remember?
Anna: Who? I don't know any Max. Get out of my seat or I'll punch you right in the face.
Sally: F-funny joke, Anna, but you're scaring me.
Anna: Oh I'm scaring you, huh? Wait until you see what happens when I get to the count of three.
Sally: C-come'on Anna. Let's settle this like kids.
Anna: Oh, I plan to. One... two... three--
Sally: Eep!
[Sally ducks and Anna hits her hand on the metal of the back of the bus.]
Anna: Ah! My hand! You broke it!
[Sally runs to the front of the bus as Anna checks up on her hand. She opens and closes it gently to showcase that it's not really broken. Sally comes to the bus's door, but it closes before Sally can escape.]
Sally: I gotta get out of here!
Bus driver: What did I say!? Sit down!
Sally: That girl threw a punch at me! Are you gonna do anything?
Bus driver: If I didn't see it, it didn't happen.
Sally: But--
Bus driver: SIT DOWN!
[Sally sits down before even thinking. She ends up sitting down next to Neven. Anna starts walking towards the front of the bus.]
Bus driver: I said SIT DOWN. That means all of you.
Anna: After school, "Max's little sister."
[Cut to April looking to Molly]
April: Oh, she is so dead.
[Cut to Sally trying to catch her breath. She peeks around the edge of the seat. Anna's eyes look over to Sally, and Anna's eyes widen with anger. Sally ducks, hidden behind the seat, and clutches her heart. She's tired with fear. She looks to Neven.]
Sally: H-hey, you're Neven.
Neven: Oh... whatever problem you have with my sister, I don't want to get involved.
Sally: What happened to her!? This isn't anything like Anna. She's supposed to be happy and bubbly and friendly!
Neven: It's been... a long time since she's been like that.
[Sally reaches into her backpack and pulls out Charmichael for comfort. She hugs him tightly.]
Bus kid #1: Hey that kid still has a stuffed animal!
[Sally blushes as laughter erupts among most of the kids, except Neven.] [Cut to April and Molly.]
Molly: You sure that Sally didn't have a death wish?
[Cut back to Sally, holding Charmichael even tighter, blushing. She looks to the bus driver.]
Sally: Well... you see this, don't you? If grown-ups are in charge, you should do something!
Bus driver: Look kid. My job is ta get you to school and get you back. That's it. I don't care about your little games.
Sally: Anna and Neven! Some kids I recognize! May-maybe they won't be crazy!
[Anna and Neven step onto the bus. Neven sits down near the front, while Anna marches towards the back of the bus. Her feet clank on the metal, but the scene is otherwise silent. Kids look on nervously. April and Molly look to each other, and then look forward, already cringing. Anna stops in front of Sally.]
Anna: What are you doing in my seat, you little punk? This isn't a new arrangement. I sit here every single day.
Sally: W-what? An-Anna. You know me. I'm Max's little sister, remember?
Anna: Who? I don't know any Max. Get out of my seat or I'll punch you right in the face.
Sally: F-funny joke, Anna, but you're scaring me.
Anna: Oh I'm scaring you, huh? Wait until you see what happens when I get to the count of three.
Sally: C-come'on Anna. Let's settle this like kids.
Anna: Oh, I plan to. One... two... three--
Sally: Eep!
[Sally ducks and Anna hits her hand on the metal of the back of the bus.]
Anna: Ah! My hand! You broke it!
[Sally runs to the front of the bus as Anna checks up on her hand. She opens and closes it gently to showcase that it's not really broken. Sally comes to the bus's door, but it closes before Sally can escape.]
Sally: I gotta get out of here!
Bus driver: What did I say!? Sit down!
Sally: That girl threw a punch at me! Are you gonna do anything?
Bus driver: If I didn't see it, it didn't happen.
Sally: But--
Bus driver: SIT DOWN!
[Sally sits down before even thinking. She ends up sitting down next to Neven. Anna starts walking towards the front of the bus.]
Bus driver: I said SIT DOWN. That means all of you.
Anna: After school, "Max's little sister."
[Cut to April looking to Molly]
April: Oh, she is so dead.
[Cut to Sally trying to catch her breath. She peeks around the edge of the seat. Anna's eyes look over to Sally, and Anna's eyes widen with anger. Sally ducks, hidden behind the seat, and clutches her heart. She's tired with fear. She looks to Neven.]
Sally: H-hey, you're Neven.
Neven: Oh... whatever problem you have with my sister, I don't want to get involved.
Sally: What happened to her!? This isn't anything like Anna. She's supposed to be happy and bubbly and friendly!
Neven: It's been... a long time since she's been like that.
[Sally reaches into her backpack and pulls out Charmichael for comfort. She hugs him tightly.]
Bus kid #1: Hey that kid still has a stuffed animal!
[Sally blushes as laughter erupts among most of the kids, except Neven.] [Cut to April and Molly.]
Molly: You sure that Sally didn't have a death wish?
[Cut back to Sally, holding Charmichael even tighter, blushing. She looks to the bus driver.]
Sally: Well... you see this, don't you? If grown-ups are in charge, you should do something!
Bus driver: Look kid. My job is ta get you to school and get you back. That's it. I don't care about your little games.
[Cut to Autumn and Robert parking at a parking lot. Much debris is lodged in the fender of their car. They get out of the car and look up to a huge skyscraper, dubbed "Andercorp." It appears as if it's straight out of a science fiction dystopia novel.]
Autumn: Would you look at a place like this?
Robert: Honestly, the town hall tree was more impressive. Andercorp... why does that sound familiar?
Autumn: Does it exist in our world?
Robert: Not that I remember, anyway. Wait a minute--
[On the sign that says "Andercorp" a rabbit appears to be the logo.]
Robert: Andercorp. They made those Legend of Chain games.
Autumn: So... we make video games?
Autumn: Would you look at a place like this?
Robert: Honestly, the town hall tree was more impressive. Andercorp... why does that sound familiar?
Autumn: Does it exist in our world?
Robert: Not that I remember, anyway. Wait a minute--
[On the sign that says "Andercorp" a rabbit appears to be the logo.]
Robert: Andercorp. They made those Legend of Chain games.
Autumn: So... we make video games?
[Gilligan cut to an old lady sitting at a receptionist desk. Robert and Autumn are on the other side.]
Old Lady: You--
[Points at Autumn]
Old Lady: Fill out Form 221B, and you--
[Points at Robert]
Old Lady: fill out Form 335C.
Robert: And why exactly are doing this?
Old Lady: So the department downstairs can move forward with Form 578D, subsection J.
Autumn: Yeah, but... what are we making ultimately?
Old Lady: Novelty china tea cups.
Robert: This seems like a lot of unnecessary overwork to make something so simple.
Old Lady: That's why me made Form 423C. It streamlines everything.
Robert: Wouldn't it be simpler if we just made the teacups ourselves?
Old Lady: Considering that the factory is on the other side of the globe, I don't think so. But if you want to save up for plane tickets to earn a wage below living standards, that's your prerogative.
Autumn: How much... do we get paid?
Old Lady: (sigh) New hires. Payment isn't my department. You'll need to go down to department K. They deal with finances. All I know is pay day in Thursday. And that you--
[The Old Lady points to Autumn]
Old Lady: Get an intern.
Autumn: Intern?
[Cut to Cecelia walking by, holding a large stack of papers. She's another one who this world seems to have dulled. She doesn't have an energetic spark here.]
Robert & Autumn: Cecelia!?
Cecelia: Uh... did I do something wrong.
[Cut to Autumn and Robert in neighboring cubicles. Cecelia is in Autumn's, pouring her a cup of coffee.]
Autumn: Let me get this straight, you're working here and you're not getting paid for it?
Cecelia: I'm getting paid in experience.
Autumn: That doesn't... sound logical.
Cecelia: Seems logical to me. Every job nowadays needs experience. Gotta grow up, I guess. Now I've got to get some other people their coffee.
[Cecelia walks off.]
Autumn: Kids wouldn't pull that kind of stuff. At the very least, they wouldn't accept it. "Paid in experience." Reminds me of the time I was paid in invisible magical unicorns.
[Robert walks to the opening of Autumn's cubicle.]
Robert: Hey, can we talk? Or do you think I'm too stupid to catch on to what you're talking about?
Autumn: W-what?
Robert: You know... that Andercorp was a funny one. They put this special code in each of their video games that would do something. In Quest for Eternity it gave you infinite lives. In Boing-Boing it gave you a special weapon. When you type it on your computer here, it gives you a special message.
[Cut to Robert's computer flashing with the message "Congrats! You knew the secret code" with animated dancing bunnies.]
Robert: And Andercorp, reminds me of Shane Anderson... the former programmer in our class. The one who made a Pixelotchi toy that emotionally controlled our daughter--
Autumn: He's... changed.
Robert: That doesn't mean you should forgive him after what he did.
Autumn: I forgave you after what you did, back when we first met.
[The camera cuts to Robert giving an angered, stressed expression, out in the halls of the cubicles.]
Autumn: Look, I can outplay Shane. Janet and Damien know that--
Robert: Sally doesn't know. Max doesn't.
Autumn: I didn't know that Mr. Master programmer would leave Gumdrops out of this. We're in a time crunch in this place. We could spend weeks and weeks in here and only an afternoon will pass in the real world. The kids aren't going to lose any time.
Robert: In that case, weeks and weeks can be a single afternoon. It's all up to Shane. Do you really want to give him so much power?
Autumn: I told you, he's changed. And you of all people know that Sally's been... especially high strung as of late with this mayor thing. This experience could be good for her. Give her some time to take her mind off of heavy duty worries like that. How bad could school be?
Old Lady: You--
[Points at Autumn]
Old Lady: Fill out Form 221B, and you--
[Points at Robert]
Old Lady: fill out Form 335C.
Robert: And why exactly are doing this?
Old Lady: So the department downstairs can move forward with Form 578D, subsection J.
Autumn: Yeah, but... what are we making ultimately?
Old Lady: Novelty china tea cups.
Robert: This seems like a lot of unnecessary overwork to make something so simple.
Old Lady: That's why me made Form 423C. It streamlines everything.
Robert: Wouldn't it be simpler if we just made the teacups ourselves?
Old Lady: Considering that the factory is on the other side of the globe, I don't think so. But if you want to save up for plane tickets to earn a wage below living standards, that's your prerogative.
Autumn: How much... do we get paid?
Old Lady: (sigh) New hires. Payment isn't my department. You'll need to go down to department K. They deal with finances. All I know is pay day in Thursday. And that you--
[The Old Lady points to Autumn]
Old Lady: Get an intern.
Autumn: Intern?
[Cut to Cecelia walking by, holding a large stack of papers. She's another one who this world seems to have dulled. She doesn't have an energetic spark here.]
Robert & Autumn: Cecelia!?
Cecelia: Uh... did I do something wrong.
[Cut to Autumn and Robert in neighboring cubicles. Cecelia is in Autumn's, pouring her a cup of coffee.]
Autumn: Let me get this straight, you're working here and you're not getting paid for it?
Cecelia: I'm getting paid in experience.
Autumn: That doesn't... sound logical.
Cecelia: Seems logical to me. Every job nowadays needs experience. Gotta grow up, I guess. Now I've got to get some other people their coffee.
[Cecelia walks off.]
Autumn: Kids wouldn't pull that kind of stuff. At the very least, they wouldn't accept it. "Paid in experience." Reminds me of the time I was paid in invisible magical unicorns.
[Robert walks to the opening of Autumn's cubicle.]
Robert: Hey, can we talk? Or do you think I'm too stupid to catch on to what you're talking about?
Autumn: W-what?
Robert: You know... that Andercorp was a funny one. They put this special code in each of their video games that would do something. In Quest for Eternity it gave you infinite lives. In Boing-Boing it gave you a special weapon. When you type it on your computer here, it gives you a special message.
[Cut to Robert's computer flashing with the message "Congrats! You knew the secret code" with animated dancing bunnies.]
Robert: And Andercorp, reminds me of Shane Anderson... the former programmer in our class. The one who made a Pixelotchi toy that emotionally controlled our daughter--
Autumn: He's... changed.
Robert: That doesn't mean you should forgive him after what he did.
Autumn: I forgave you after what you did, back when we first met.
[The camera cuts to Robert giving an angered, stressed expression, out in the halls of the cubicles.]
Autumn: Look, I can outplay Shane. Janet and Damien know that--
Robert: Sally doesn't know. Max doesn't.
Autumn: I didn't know that Mr. Master programmer would leave Gumdrops out of this. We're in a time crunch in this place. We could spend weeks and weeks in here and only an afternoon will pass in the real world. The kids aren't going to lose any time.
Robert: In that case, weeks and weeks can be a single afternoon. It's all up to Shane. Do you really want to give him so much power?
Autumn: I told you, he's changed. And you of all people know that Sally's been... especially high strung as of late with this mayor thing. This experience could be good for her. Give her some time to take her mind off of heavy duty worries like that. How bad could school be?
[Cut to Sally running from the bus towards the school building. Anna is chasing her down.]
Anna: You're going to pay for what you did.
[Sally makes a mad dash into the entrance of the school. She slips onto the floor. Anna appears to be repelled from coming inside.]
Anna: I'll get you after school. Mark my words.
[Anna walks off.]
Sally: Wait, she gets to leave school!? Why don't I?
Damien (off-screen): You don't want to be anything like her. More counts of truancy than any other child in the district.
Sally: D-Damien?
[The camera shows Damien standing next to Sally, wearing a fancy dark navy blue suit and a tie.]
Damien: That's Mr. Kelly to you, Ms. Dunn. I am your principal and you shall treat me with the respect that I treat you.
[April and Molly enter the school building and help Sally to her feet.]
April: Sorry Mr. Kelly. Sally's been acting... strangely. All morning. We'll try to keep a better eye on her.
Damien: For the best, Ms. Morris. I expect nothing else from our star student.
[Damien walks off.]
Molly: Come'on Sally, we need to talk.
Sally: No! Why should I listen to either of you?
[April rolls her eyes and pulls Sally into the bathroom. April looks Sally intently in the eyes.]
April: Sally, I'm your friend. Your best friend. You can tell me exactly what's wrong, and I promise I'll understand.
[Beat. Sally thinks. Then Sally nods.]
Sally: None of this is right.
Molly: What'dya mean?
Sally: For all my life, I've been in a world where kids were in charge--
[Molly snickers]
April: A world where kids are in charge? That's lud-i-rust, Sally. Imagine kids say... running a restaurant.
Sally: That's what my brother did!
Molly: Or imagine them being a mechanic.
Sally: That was your job! And you were a good mechanic, but you didn't like it because--
Molly: Sally, I never held a hammer in my life. Why would I do somethin' like that? Does it sound like anything I'd do?
[Molly points to her pink hair-ties holding her pigtails in place.]
Sally: Well, no... but that's why you stopped.
April: Sally dear, society couldn't function properly if it was run by kids. This fantasy of yours is just silly.
Molly: Maybe we should take her to the school counselor.
April: Brilliant idea.
Anna: You're going to pay for what you did.
[Sally makes a mad dash into the entrance of the school. She slips onto the floor. Anna appears to be repelled from coming inside.]
Anna: I'll get you after school. Mark my words.
[Anna walks off.]
Sally: Wait, she gets to leave school!? Why don't I?
Damien (off-screen): You don't want to be anything like her. More counts of truancy than any other child in the district.
Sally: D-Damien?
[The camera shows Damien standing next to Sally, wearing a fancy dark navy blue suit and a tie.]
Damien: That's Mr. Kelly to you, Ms. Dunn. I am your principal and you shall treat me with the respect that I treat you.
[April and Molly enter the school building and help Sally to her feet.]
April: Sorry Mr. Kelly. Sally's been acting... strangely. All morning. We'll try to keep a better eye on her.
Damien: For the best, Ms. Morris. I expect nothing else from our star student.
[Damien walks off.]
Molly: Come'on Sally, we need to talk.
Sally: No! Why should I listen to either of you?
[April rolls her eyes and pulls Sally into the bathroom. April looks Sally intently in the eyes.]
April: Sally, I'm your friend. Your best friend. You can tell me exactly what's wrong, and I promise I'll understand.
[Beat. Sally thinks. Then Sally nods.]
Sally: None of this is right.
Molly: What'dya mean?
Sally: For all my life, I've been in a world where kids were in charge--
[Molly snickers]
April: A world where kids are in charge? That's lud-i-rust, Sally. Imagine kids say... running a restaurant.
Sally: That's what my brother did!
Molly: Or imagine them being a mechanic.
Sally: That was your job! And you were a good mechanic, but you didn't like it because--
Molly: Sally, I never held a hammer in my life. Why would I do somethin' like that? Does it sound like anything I'd do?
[Molly points to her pink hair-ties holding her pigtails in place.]
Sally: Well, no... but that's why you stopped.
April: Sally dear, society couldn't function properly if it was run by kids. This fantasy of yours is just silly.
Molly: Maybe we should take her to the school counselor.
April: Brilliant idea.
[Cut to Sally sitting on a therapist's chair in the school counselor's office.]
Sally: And when I woke up, I didn't know where I was, or where my pony had gotten to.
School Counselor: That's nice dear. Have you considered which college you're going to?
Sally: What are you talking about?
School Counselor: It's never too early to consider your educational pathway in life. There are a myriad of options--
Sally: Why would I care about this?
School Counselor: Don't you care about your future?
Sally: Yes! That's why I want to get back to my world! Things aren't crazy there! Haven't you been listening to anything I've said!?
School Counselor: Did you mention the college you wanted to go to?
Sally: No.
School Counselor: It's important to your education.
Sally: I don't need no education!
School Counselor: Well until you've decided what direction in life you want to go, I really can't help you any.
Sally: And when I woke up, I didn't know where I was, or where my pony had gotten to.
School Counselor: That's nice dear. Have you considered which college you're going to?
Sally: What are you talking about?
School Counselor: It's never too early to consider your educational pathway in life. There are a myriad of options--
Sally: Why would I care about this?
School Counselor: Don't you care about your future?
Sally: Yes! That's why I want to get back to my world! Things aren't crazy there! Haven't you been listening to anything I've said!?
School Counselor: Did you mention the college you wanted to go to?
Sally: No.
School Counselor: It's important to your education.
Sally: I don't need no education!
School Counselor: Well until you've decided what direction in life you want to go, I really can't help you any.
[Cut to Sally walking through the hallways, looking upset. April and Molly meet up with her.]
April: So, did the counselor help you?
Sally: No. He just wanted to talk about some "college" thing. I don't even know what that is!
April: You haven't decided yet!? Sally, it's never too early to start thinking about--
[Sally closes April's mouth forcefully.]
Sally: Not another word. Not for the rest of the day. Not for the rest of my life.
Molly: With all those details you're comin' up with Sally, maybe you should be a writer or somethin'.
April: Molly dear, you shouldn't give such harmful advice to your friends. There's no money in a creative field, and Sally is going to do something successful with her life.
[Sally slowly turns to April and gives her an outraged expression]
Sally: [Seething] What. Did. I. Say?
April: Molly spoke too!
Sally: She's not a COCONUT!
[As Sally shouts, she gives an over-the-top expression of anger. Then she notices her reflection in the water of a broken water fountain. Sally sees how angry she's gotten. Her expression immediately falters.]
Sally: W-what am I doing?
April: Sally, are you okay?
Molly: I thought we already established she isn't.
Sally: I've only been in this world for a few hours and I already shouted at my best friend. How long until I end up like Anna?
April: Dear, you're never going to end up like Anna. She's bad to the bone.
Sally: [Mantra] No, no, no.
[Sally turns towards April.]
Sally: That's the thing. In my world, Anna was the sweetest person you could ever meet. She was nice and kind and... just the bestest person in the world.
April: "Bestest isn't a word. You've got to stop these childisms dear.
Sally: [Shouting] "Childisms" isn't a word either!
Sally: Oh no! I'm doing it again! April, I am so... so sorry!
April: Either way, it's time for class.
April: So, did the counselor help you?
Sally: No. He just wanted to talk about some "college" thing. I don't even know what that is!
April: You haven't decided yet!? Sally, it's never too early to start thinking about--
[Sally closes April's mouth forcefully.]
Sally: Not another word. Not for the rest of the day. Not for the rest of my life.
Molly: With all those details you're comin' up with Sally, maybe you should be a writer or somethin'.
April: Molly dear, you shouldn't give such harmful advice to your friends. There's no money in a creative field, and Sally is going to do something successful with her life.
[Sally slowly turns to April and gives her an outraged expression]
Sally: [Seething] What. Did. I. Say?
April: Molly spoke too!
Sally: She's not a COCONUT!
[As Sally shouts, she gives an over-the-top expression of anger. Then she notices her reflection in the water of a broken water fountain. Sally sees how angry she's gotten. Her expression immediately falters.]
Sally: W-what am I doing?
April: Sally, are you okay?
Molly: I thought we already established she isn't.
Sally: I've only been in this world for a few hours and I already shouted at my best friend. How long until I end up like Anna?
April: Dear, you're never going to end up like Anna. She's bad to the bone.
Sally: [Mantra] No, no, no.
[Sally turns towards April.]
Sally: That's the thing. In my world, Anna was the sweetest person you could ever meet. She was nice and kind and... just the bestest person in the world.
April: "Bestest isn't a word. You've got to stop these childisms dear.
Sally: [Shouting] "Childisms" isn't a word either!
Sally: Oh no! I'm doing it again! April, I am so... so sorry!
April: Either way, it's time for class.
[Cut to Robert at the door of a "Mr. Shane Anderson." Robert opens it to find someone in a large CEO chair, petting a rabbit statue on his desk.]
Robert: Shane!
Shane: It's Mr. Anderson to you.
[Cut to Shane smiling in his chair]
Robert: Cut it out. I know what you've done. I swear, if you hurt my kids--
Shane: Relax, they're not going to sustain any physical damage.
Robert: But they're still going to feel any pain you decide to inflict on them.
Shane: Why would I do anything like that? I'm a changed man, Robert.
Robert: No, you haven't changed.
Shane: Does it matter? You're trapped in here for a week either way. There's no way out, no matter how many codes you type in. You should enjoy this, you get to call the shots for once.
[Robert sucker punches Shane, however, his fist phases through Shane as he briefly turns into a stream of binary.]
Shane: I don't know why Autumn would marry someone as idiotic as you. Listen Mr. Dunn. You're in my game. I control your world. I control all of their worlds.
[As Shane talks, the windows behind him become monitors of Sally, Max, and Autumn.]
Robert: Y-you wouldn't--
Shane: Maybe I would. After all, I haven't changed a bit, have I?
[Beat. Robert backs up a step.]
Shane: I know what you're thinking. Go ahead. Tell someone that nice old Mr. Anderson is evil.
[The windows change. The center one shows Robert punching Shane to the floor and Shane cowering. The one on the right shows Robert smiling after setting a house on fire. The one on the left shows Robert smashing a car with a baseball bat.]
Shane: But considering what kind of person you are, who is everyone else going to believe?
Robert: I haven't done any of that. This isn't me!
Shane: It's my world, Mr. Dunn.
Robert: You're sick.
Shane: No, I'm a man on a mission. I said one week in here and that's all I need. Then you'll all be as free as birds.
[The window footage changes back to Robert's family. Sally sitting in class is in the center. Shane stands up and looks at her.]
Shane: Nice daughter you've got, by the way. There's no way she could lose this election. For what it's worth, I think she'll make a great mayor. You know, after I break you.
Robert: I don't know how you convinced my wife, but--
Shane: [Nicely] I'm a changed man, Mr. Dunn. I pet bunnies in my spare time. How bad could I really be?
Robert: I'll stop you. I'll stop you, one way or another.
Shane: Game's on, Mr. Dunn. Maybe you can actually beat this on your own. It's mere child's play after all.
[Shane gives an evil smile, and a "to be continued" appears at the bottom of the screen.]
Robert: Shane!
Shane: It's Mr. Anderson to you.
[Cut to Shane smiling in his chair]
Robert: Cut it out. I know what you've done. I swear, if you hurt my kids--
Shane: Relax, they're not going to sustain any physical damage.
Robert: But they're still going to feel any pain you decide to inflict on them.
Shane: Why would I do anything like that? I'm a changed man, Robert.
Robert: No, you haven't changed.
Shane: Does it matter? You're trapped in here for a week either way. There's no way out, no matter how many codes you type in. You should enjoy this, you get to call the shots for once.
[Robert sucker punches Shane, however, his fist phases through Shane as he briefly turns into a stream of binary.]
Shane: I don't know why Autumn would marry someone as idiotic as you. Listen Mr. Dunn. You're in my game. I control your world. I control all of their worlds.
[As Shane talks, the windows behind him become monitors of Sally, Max, and Autumn.]
Robert: Y-you wouldn't--
Shane: Maybe I would. After all, I haven't changed a bit, have I?
[Beat. Robert backs up a step.]
Shane: I know what you're thinking. Go ahead. Tell someone that nice old Mr. Anderson is evil.
[The windows change. The center one shows Robert punching Shane to the floor and Shane cowering. The one on the right shows Robert smiling after setting a house on fire. The one on the left shows Robert smashing a car with a baseball bat.]
Shane: But considering what kind of person you are, who is everyone else going to believe?
Robert: I haven't done any of that. This isn't me!
Shane: It's my world, Mr. Dunn.
Robert: You're sick.
Shane: No, I'm a man on a mission. I said one week in here and that's all I need. Then you'll all be as free as birds.
[The window footage changes back to Robert's family. Sally sitting in class is in the center. Shane stands up and looks at her.]
Shane: Nice daughter you've got, by the way. There's no way she could lose this election. For what it's worth, I think she'll make a great mayor. You know, after I break you.
Robert: I don't know how you convinced my wife, but--
Shane: [Nicely] I'm a changed man, Mr. Dunn. I pet bunnies in my spare time. How bad could I really be?
Robert: I'll stop you. I'll stop you, one way or another.
Shane: Game's on, Mr. Dunn. Maybe you can actually beat this on your own. It's mere child's play after all.
[Shane gives an evil smile, and a "to be continued" appears at the bottom of the screen.]
Part 2: Click here
