Past The Static: A Survival Audio Drama (Scene 5)
Written by Niomi Dylan Sass
Scene Five: Saferoom
Hours later, close to midnight. Dylan is asleep at the radio and a woman is trying to grab his attention on the channel.
101.01
I can hear you breathing. I’m looking for a Dylan. Hello?
The mystery lady places her microphone close to the speaker to cause a loud frequency feedback. Dylan wakes up, but doesn’t say anything.
I know this is the right channel, I saw it. You, breaking into the radio station with a crowbar. You’re pretty good with that thing. Dylaaaaan?
91.1
How do you know my name?
101.01
Well, now, what took you so long to respond?
91.1
I’m not going to ask again.
101.01
I know a lot of things, Dylan. You wouldn’t believe me even if I did tell you.
91.1
Stop saying my name like you know me!
101.01
You’re right. I don’t know you. But, what I do know is there is someone looking for you. What did you do?
91.1
Don’t try to change the subject. You said you saw me. How? I made sure there was no one around before coming into this building.
101.01
I wasn’t around but I did see you. I see all sorts of shit. Stuff I don’t want to see. Horrid images of people being torn limb from limb, turning into something feral, reversing the human race's century-long work to be on top of the food chain. Now, thrown back to the bottom where we all belong. There are only a few images that still flutter through my mind that aren’t the same ravenous monsters ripping through the memories of the people I knew.
91.1
What the hell are you talking about lady?
101.01
I’m a psychic.
91.1
Yeah and Donald Trump wasn’t on the Epstein files.
101.01
I know you don’t believe me. But you will. There’s a latch, a hidden latch, under the desk that you’re sitting at. It opens up to a room big enough for two. When you hear them coming, I suggest you put your stuff there, along with yourself, and hide.
Dylan looks under the desk and sees the latch blending into the floorboard.
91.1
Dude, who the f*ck are you?
101.01
I’m the only person in the f*cking Midwest who is about to help your sorry ass, that’s who. They’re coming, turn off the radio, disconnect the microphone, and take it with you. They won’t know how to work it anyway.
Dylan hears a loud motor and sees headlights in the distance.
I told you they’re coming.
91.1
Who?! WHO IS COMING??
101.01
No time for that right now. Just do what I said and don’t make any fucking noise. They won’t find you, I promise, I saw it. You just have to stay quiet. Once they leave, meet me back on this channel.
91.1
Oh my god. Okay. Okay, f*ck, I’ll do it. I’m going.
101.01
I’ll be here waiting. Good luck, you’re going to need it.
91.1
(Sarcastically)Yeah, thanks, man.
Static. Dylan hears the engine coming to a stop.
I was actually having a good dream and now I’m back to this nightmare. F*ck.
He shuts down the radio, unplugs the mic and puts it in his bag. He opens the latch to the small hideout, throws his bag in, and follows. Just as Dylan closes the latch he hears two car doors close. We hear two people talking outside the building.
VOICE 1
Last we heard from Benji was from this location.
VOICE 2
That was already like 20 hours ago. You think his punk ass just bailed?
VOICE 1
Yeah, sure. And where would he bail too? Tell me where on God’s green earth is there a better place to be than the great state of Ohio?
VOICE 2
Literally, anywhere else. How are we even supposed to get into this place?
VOICE 1
Look, that window already looks open up there. Must be how Benji got inside. Give me a boost bucko?
VOICE 2
I told you to stop calling me that, it’s demeaning.
The two help each other through the window into the building. Dylan can now hear their conversation.
VOICE 1
Demeaning? We’re at the top of the f*cking food chain! What’s da meaning with these dead sons of b*tches trying to pick off the last few appetizers we have left in this county? We had to make the last person we captured last two whole days. I don’t know how I was able to eat more when this shit was illegal.
VOICE 2
I wouldn’t necessarily call it legal now.
VOICE 1
What is with you and your big words: Demeaning, necessarily. Would you like to tell me who the f*ck is going to stop us?
They both laugh.
VOICE 2
Where the hell is Benji? BENJI?! YOU HERE–
VOICE 1
Would you shut your sparkly belt buckle wearing ass up? What if those deadies are here?
VOICE 2
Oh, is the big boy scared? I can’t see dog spit in here.
They switch on their flashlights and start to inspect the place. Shines their light on the dead corpse of the radio station worker.
VOICE 1
Over here, bucko. Look at this, someone got him good. Think Benji did this?
One of them kicks the body over so they can inspect the handy-work. They realize it’s Benji.
Son-of-a… That stupid dummy! How the hell did he let himself turn into one of those things?
VOICE 2
Why is he wearing one of these uniforms? Dammit. His wife isn’t going to be too happy. We’re supposed to come back with him! She’s going to be so pissed.
VOICE 1
Let’s just cook those two we have tied up in the trunk, so at least we can give her something to eat to ease her pain. Can’t just serve her up bad news for the main course.
VOICE 2
One of them is a doctor. Let's leave that one alone for now. Have that poor bastard tend to our hurt ones at the camp, then if we’re still hungry, we can always find another doctor.
VOICE 1
You know, sometimes I really do appri-sha-tate that big ol’ brain of yours.
VOICE 2
Appreciate?
VOICE 1
Who is that?
VOICE 2
Never mind. Should we take Benji’s body with us?
VOICE 1
You wanna carry it?
VOICE 2
You’re right. Let’s just leave it. (sighs) Off we go.
The two of them head back out the same way they came in. Dylan hears the engine turn on and disappear into the distance. He opens the latch up, scurries out and rushes to plug in the microphone. He turns the radio on and dials it back to the station 101.01.
91.1
You still there madam psychic?
101.01
Hello. Who’s this? (beat) Just kidding.
91.1
I don’t think right now is the time to be joking around.
101.01
God forgive a b*tch for trying to lighten up the mood? Duly noted. So did you hear them, or should I spell it out for you?
91.1
Those were the cannibals huh? They were looking for one of their friends. He was dead when I already got here, I just re-killed him. They said they had two people in their car and they were getting ready to eat one of them. They planned on keeping the other one around until they got hungry again.
101.01
The person they are keeping alive is a doctor. Don’t you know a doctor?
91.1
No. It can’t be. I heard him die.
101.01
I have good news and bad news. Good news is, your husband is still alive. Bad news is, your husband won’t be alive much longer unless you follow every single one of my directions.
91.1
The cannibals have Sammie? Anything. I’ll do anything to get him back. Where’s their camp?
101.01
I didn’t see, and quite frankly, I’m absolutely terrified to find out. All I saw was an image of you two together, then you at the broadcast station, and him being thrown into the back of those freaks’ car. I used to work at the broadcast station most of my years. Some nights the only company I would have are the random voices coming through the channels. The stories I would hear–
91.1
Listen, madam psychic. Help me find Sammie and we can all protect each other. You–we can’t be alone in a world like this.
101.01
Honey, the world before this was no place to be alone in either. Look, I don’t need the protection but I will help you find your friend. I literally have nothing else to do today, so consider yourself lucky.
91.1
(smiles)Trying to brighten the mood again?
101.01
Well, look at that you already know me so well. So here’s what we’re going to do okay?
The lights begin to flicker and Dylan hears the rumble of the generator running out of gas. Static. Blackout.
(END OF SCENE)
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