Sheltered

“Pilot”

Written by 

Nicholas De Moss

November 30th, 2018

                  Cell Phone: 949-422-8835

                          Email: nicholasdemoss84@gmail.com

COLD OPEN

FADE IN:

INT. KIRKLAND 

TODD [early 40s, suit, glasses, clean cut] appears on a blank screen. He’s reading; while smirking he looks up from the “I have no mouth, and I must scream” at the audience with an exclaim. 

TODD 

Oh hello there, didn’t notice you. You caught me. Who can resist a good comedy? These casual luxuries aren’t afforded anywhere else. We are truly exceptional in that regard. Let me tell you all something: if you have any doubts about your place here, you’re already living to your full potential. You’re all important cogs in this machine. Now remember, our survival is your survival. 

As he says the last sentence, the camera pans to several different mouths repeating the line in a row of smiles.

CUT TO:

INT. KINDERGARTEN

BOBA [19, punk chic, pixie cut, jumpsuit with tied leather jacket and pins, sunglasses] sits up and turns off the TV facing the class.

BOBA 

Alright class and who can tell me what was wrong with that? Yes, Keurig? 

A young boy stands up after being called.

KEURIG

It’s um it’s uh propaganda!

BOBA

That’s correct! Now Lychee! Tell me who could run this sanctuary better than a stupid computer!? 

A girl sighs and says:

LYCHEE

Miss Boba could. 

BOBA

Another right answer! I’m somewhat impressed with your performance class. Some of you might actually survive when I conquer the wasteland.

BOBA

(suppressing chuckle)

Class dismissed.

The kids quickly run out of the classroom. Boba smirks and makes her way out. She almost runs into ACAI [mid 30s, bowtie, sweater vest].

ACAI

I still can’t believe you were assigned as a kindergarten teacher. There has to be a glitch in the system.

BOBA

Why, because I’m making these kids ready for when we have to leave this “paradise”? This place is making you all weak. Do you think you could choke a mutant bear out?

ACAI

No, do you?

BOBA

(flexing)

Hello. Have you seen me?!

TODD (V.O.)

Hope I’m not interrupting any seditious speeches. Miss Boba, would you kindly visit us in the plaza? 

Both look at the speaker above the hallway wall. 

BOBA

Where do you get off telling me where to go?

TODD (V.O. CONT’D)

I’m sorry, just forwarding a request from the elders.

CUT TO:

INT. HYDROPONIC GARDEN

SAMSUNG [20s, clean cut, tie dye shirt under overalls] grabs an energy drink and sits with the group. RITZ [early 40s, overalls, beanie] looks at him quizzically.

RITZ

Wait, I thought you were doing a double shift today? 

SAMSUNG

Nope just the night shift for me, and enjoying a little well deserved break.

RITZ 

(sarcastic)

Right, a regular employee of the month. How many hours? 

CUT TO:

EXT. SANITATION

SPAM [black overalls, purple shirt, pornstache] and a GUARD cart TRUDGE [straight jacket, mask, gray hair, scars] down a hallway. 

GUARD 

I can’t believe we’re taking him out of his cell. 

SPAM

I don’t know what that Todd VI is blabbing about, but if that’s what the elders want we don’t have much of a say.

GUARD 

Still this seems excessive.

SPAM

We should’ve left this raider scum in the wastes. 

GUARD 

Woah, he’s still one of ours! Right?

SPAM

He’s not the man we knew. He’s just an animal now.

GUARD 

Spam I know it was your sister, but…

SPAM

Never sympathize with the prisoner! You think that would stop him from gutting you if it was us out there? 

          GUARD

I’m sorry, I just thought..

          SPAM

Say another word I dare you!

That last sentence was uttered close to the elders. One of which clears their throat. SPAM looks at his feet as he carts trudge in a row with BOBA and SAMSUNG who both had shocked expressions. TODD stands next to ELDER PHILLIPS [feeble, red widows peak] slowly leans forward toward the microphone. 

ELDER PHILLIPS

Now I’m sure we all wonder why we interrupted a productive day. Well we’ve had some surprising news from our caretaker. Todd?

TODD 

Thank you elder. 

ELDER PHILLIPS glares at TODD. 

TODD

My apologies, thank you Supreme Arch-Deacon Revered Elder Phillips first of his name. During my monitoring I came across an anomaly-

BOBA

Okay no. What the hell? How are you here and not just a disembodied voice?

SAMSUNG

Yeah actually for once I agree-

TODD

We’re getting to that! Although it has only been 34 years, we are compelled to expedite this upcoming exile to immediate exile. Which is where you three come to play.

SAMSUNG

Wait there has to be some mistake. You see I pulled my back and been 

depressed so I haven’t been as present at work. 

 

BOBA

(simultaneously)

Who put you in charge? I demand a retrial. I can run this place better than you if I had a lobotomy.

TODD

Research participation request in traditional holistic medicine approved!

ELDER PHILLIPS raises his hand and addresses the issue:

ELDER PHILIPS

Enough! We do not choose who leaves lightly. In here we must look out for the community, but you three only look out for your own self interest. 

BOBA

What a load! You can’t even wipe your wrinkled asses without Todd. So don’t act like you didn’t just listen to Todd’s rigged algorithm. You’re all fascists!

SAMSUNG

You literally want to be a warlord? 

SAMSUNG

Supreme Arch-Deacon Revered Elder Phillips, I just want to say I understand and respect the council’s decision. I have failed you all and I apologize. I vow that regardless of your decision I will change and spread our societies benevolence and become the productive member I am meant to be. 

Elder Phillips 

Todd? We shall take pity on him. He has changed. I can see it in his eyes. 

TODD

Understood your serenity. Truly you are benevolent beyond measure. Forgiving the man who forgot to check on the last known species of strawberries. 

ELDER PHILLIPS

Wait, was that him? The last known source of strawberries on Earth are gone because of him?

SAMSUNG

I can explain, it was a simple misunderstanding Phil.

ELDER PHILLIPS

There will be no mercy for any of you fools. If you return you will be killed. Begone! 

(To Be Continued…)