Find Another Way to Keep Busy, Okay?CHARACTERSLILLITH: a very active and adventurous person. She is not afraid to speak her mind, which gets he into trouble a lot of times. SECRETARY: Clara’s replacement.DARMEN DROMISKI: Lillith’s father. He is a strong willed man who keeps his secrets close and wants Geneva to do the best she can.MELISSA DROMISKI: Lillith’s mother. She will make sure that Lillith lives as a normal girl, even if they all know that she is anything from normal.MR. VESA: Lillith and Gabe’s civics teacher. He showed up at the beginning of the year when the other teacher moved away, and he became a fast favorite. He is the only teacher who puts up with Lillith, but is often giving her gentle reminders to think before she speaks. GABE: Lillith’s best and only friend. He provides a balance to her craziness and lack of fore thought. All of Gabe’s teachers like him. He is the kid who is just kind of there. He’s not noticed in the way that Lillith is noticed.AMY: the sister of Clara. Amy is a police forensics analyst. She is fiercely protective of her sister and will do her best to keep people safe. POLICE CHEIF WILLIAMS: the head of the police of the city.

TIME AND PLACE: Cumulonimbus, May, 2478

SETTINGS: Classroom, Hallway, Lillith’s living room, Police Headquarters, Forensics Lab.

SCENE ONEAt school. There are desks in a row, with a chalkboard at the front. MR. VESA is standing at the front of the class, writing on the chalkboard about the homework. Sitting near the back is Lillith and GABE.

MR. VESAAll right, class dismissed. And be careful! We passed through a cloud and the streets are icy. Don’t fall! And remember your homework on the anti—gravity boosters is due tomorrow. Don’t just say that they keep the cities floating, be specific. I will be checking!

(There is general acknowledgment and mumbling. Everybody stands up and moves towards stage right. LILLITH stays and waits for GABE, who is packing his

stuff.)

LILLITHGabe, come on!

GABEIn a second!

MR. VESA

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Its ok Gabe, take your time.

GABEThanks Mr. Vesa.

(GABE continues to pack his stuff, while MR VESA does the same thing. Mr. Vesa suddenly turns to Lillith.)

MR VESACan I ask a big favor? I forgot to get the print of tomorrows lesson. Can you get it for me?

LILLITHSure, Mr. Vesa!

(To GABE)You don’t have to wait for me. I’ll see you tomorrow?

GABESure! Bye!

(They quickly hug.)

LILLITHBye!

(Lillith exits with her bookbag. When she is gone, MR VESA turns to GABE. This is not in a threatening way. It is just a teacher talking to a well liked student.)

MR VESAHave you been keeping up with your current events?

GABEYep.

MR VESAWill you be able to make it to the next Consensus?

GABENo! But I really want to. I’ll see if I can get tickets online or something.

MR VESAAs long as its not illegal.

GABERiiiiggghhht…

MR VESA(Jokingly)

I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.

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GABEAre you going?

MR VESAI was lucky enough to get tickets. The only problem I have now is how to get their.

GABEYou can’t take the mag-train?

MR VESA(Shudders)

No. I can’t stand them.

GABE(Shocked and confused)

How do you get around? You talk about traveling all the time, especially to the lower cities, and there are hardly any ways to get there besides the mag- trains!

MR VESA(Suddenly very intense and interested)

Have you ever taken one?(He leans forward a bit, and GABE, clearly disturbed, inches backward)

GABEUmmm… No? I’ve never left the city.

MR VESA(Sitting back and losing all manic energy)

Ok. Good.

GABE(Clearly confused)

Ok… Do you mind me asking why?

MR VESAWell, they are very dangerous. You know about the derailment that happened last month.

GABEBut no one died from that.

MR VESAI know, I know. I just prefer more time trusted and insured methods.

GABE(Awe in voice)

You aren’t serious.

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MR VESAI am.

GABE(Shocked and excited)

You take helicopters?

MR VESAI do.

GABE(Under breath.)

And you say the mag-trains are unsafe.

MR VESAHelicopters were developed by our ancestors, and are truly safer and more trustworthy. They have more control in my opinion.

GABESorry Mr. Vesa, but I’m not sure I agree with you. Where do you even find a place that will take you down to the lower cities? Doesn’t that mess with the propulsion systems on the bottom of the city? Or doesn’t that damage the helicopters rotors?

MR VESA Would you like to see how?

GABEAre you serious!?!

MR VESAOf course! I trust you can keep your balance enough not to fall!

GABEHow long will this take? I need to be home by 18:00.

MR VESAIt’s not far. Do you have your phone so you can tell your parents?

GABEYeah hang on a second.

(GABE pulls his phone out of his bag and taps the scree a few times.)

MR VESAAll good?

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GABEYep.

MR VESAIt’s just down the street. It won’t take that long.

(GABE and MR VESA exit.)

BLACKOUT. END SCENE.

SCENE TWOIt is the same classroom, a different day. The students leave again, but now a pile of homework sits on MR. VESA’s desk. As everyone leaves, LILLITH stays and waits for MR. VESA to be done packing his stuff. When everyone leaves, she approaches his desk.

LILLITHMr. Vesa?

MR. VESAYes Lillith? Did you find the final note?

LILLITHWhat? Oh, no. I didn’t. Still looking though. I was just wondering if Gabe went home after I left? He wasn’t at school or on the train, and he’s not returning my calls or messages.

MR. VESAI was actually about to ask you if you’d seen him.

LILLITHI’m going to try calling him again.

(She walks a short distance away and pulls out her phone. After a few seconds, a ringing is heard in MR. VESA’s desk.)

You heard that, right?

MR. VESA(Opens a desk drawer and pulls out the ringing phone.)

Is this his?

LILLITH (Grabs phone.)

Yeah! Where did you find it?(Pauses.)

Sorry.

MR. VESAIt’s fine. He left it in class yesterday.

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LILLITHReally?

MR. VESAYes. I was looking for him but he never showed up. I was thinking you might had seen him.

LILLITHI didn’t. I’m going to call his dad.

(LILLITH walks away again, and mutters into the phone quietly. After a few moments, she returns looking worried.)

His dad says that he thought he was with me. I think I’m gonna go to the police. Can I have his phone?

MR. VESAI think it would be better if I keep it for right now. Just to make sure it stays safe.

LILLITH(Jokingly)

Don’t you trust me?

MR. VESAOf course I do, but right now I just think I should keep it.

LILLITHOk. I’m going. Bye.

(She exits. MR. VESA looks at GABE’s phone for a long moment, then laughs, taps the screen, and places it back in his desk.)

BLACKOUT. END SCENE.

SCENE THREE Inside the police station. POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS sits at her desk, typing something. It is almost time for the night shift officers to arrive. She is expecting a quiet night. LILLITH is standing in front of POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS’ desk, trying to get her attention.

LILLITH(Shifting nervously)

Excuse me, ma’am?

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS(Without looking up)

Yes? Please make it quick, my shift is almost over.

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LILLITHSorry, I would like to file a missing person case.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS(Startled)

What?

LILLITH(With more confidence)

I would like to file a missing person report. Or are they called something else?

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSNo, thats what their called. Um… may I ask who’s missing?

LILLITHGabriel Smith.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS(Typing on her computer.)

Are you family?

LILLITHUm… well… no.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSHmm. Are you his girlfriend?

LILLITH(Jumps back)

No! No! Eugh, no. I’m just his friend. His concerned friend.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS(Hits a key on her computer)

There we go.

LILLITHDid you file it?

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSI don’t need to. The records here say that he moved to a different city.

LILLITH(Confused with growing panic)

What?

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS

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(Turns computer around for LILLITH to see)See? Right there.

(Points at part of screen)He moved. The paperwork is already filed and everything. Surprisingly fast if I do say so myself.

LILLITH(Panic still growing)

But that doesn’t make any sense! He left his phone. I know Gabe. He wouldn’t move to another city without his phone. He wouldn’t.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSThat’s a good point. I’m going to need his phone for testing. Do you have it?

LILLITH(Covers eyes with hand tiredly)

No. My teacher kept it.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSI’m sorry…?

(Looks at LILLITH questionably)

LILLITHLillith.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSI’m sorry Lillith, but without the phone and the records the way they are, I don’t have enough evidence or reason to launch an investigation.

LILLITHNo! You can’t. I swear, he left his phone. Do you know of any teenager that would willingly leave their city without their phone?

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSHow about this? His dad will probably call the school about the phone. When he comes back to get it, I will contact you and then you and Gabriel can sort this out.

LILLITHGabe and I have been friends since Level One. He wouldn’t leave without at least telling me. He wouldn’t.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSLook. Feelings are hard, but this time passes. Why don’t you call his dad and ask—

LILLITH(Abrupt and angry. As she speaks, her voice takes on a mocking and

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condescending tone.)No. You think that this is me being a stupid little girl, mooning after her crush, only thinking about him and his smile and why hasn’t he returned my calls and oh, oh, oh! Life is so hard for me with my hormones and my parents are so mean and I hate everything and you don’t understand me and what I’m going through, let me now go stalk up to my room and sulk and turn on my angry music while sobbing dramatically on my bed. Right? Thats what you think my mindset is. But no! I can’t be a friend who is just concerned, noooo, because 15 year olds aren’t capable of higher brain function. That's what you think, right?

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS(Trying to interject.)

Lillith—

LILLITHNo, you know what? This was pointless. A stupid idea.

(She whirls around and stalks out.)LILLITH exit, stage left.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSLillith!

(Half rising from her chair.)Lillith, whatever you’re going to do, please think about it first!

(Sinks back into her chair, shakes her head, and begins typing again.)

BLACKOUT. END SCENE.

SCENE FOURAt LILLITH’s house. Both of her parents are sitting on a couch in the living room, waiting for her. They are muttering to each other as the

lights come up, staring at where the door would be stage right.

(LILLITH enters through the “door” and tries to go past her parents, but MELLISA puts out her arm and catches her.)

MELLISANot so fast, young lady.

LILLITH(Steps back.)

Yeah?

MELLISAWhy did you go to the police?

LILLITH

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How did you… never mind.

DARMENPolice Chief Williams contacted us when you stormed out of there, after yelling at her and demanding she set up a missing persons case about…Gabe? Lillith, why would Gabe be missing?

LILLITHBecause he is.

MELLISALillith, we got a call from Gabe’s father, saying that they had moved.

LILLITHBut Gabe left his phone.

(Attempted joking tone.) I find it very unlikely that GABE would move to a totally different city without his phone.

DARMENIs this because he didn’t say goodbye?

LILLITHWhy does everyone keep asking me that—

MELLISALillith!

LILLITHWhat?

DARMENLillith, Gabe’s father called us and told us the news. He said that he got a job and they had to move very quickly.

LILLITHThat’s not how it works and you know it.

DARMENLillith, when you’re older you might understand that when a job opportunity comes up, sometimes it’s worth it to move your life. And I’m sure you can understand why Gabe’s father might want to leave Cumulonimbus.

LILLITHHe left his phone. Why would Gabe leave his phone.

DARMEN

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Lillith, do you need to talk to someone? We can call Ms. Jamison if you think—

LILLITHI don’t need to go to a counselor! I just want to find my friend!

MELLISAFriend?

LILLITH(Sarcastically.)

All the wrong questions.

MELLISAI will have none of that sass, young lady.

LILLITHSorry, mom.

(MELLISA crosses her arm over her chest and sits on the couch.)

DARMENLillith there is no shame—

LILLITHI’m not making this up.

DARMENI know you're not, but sometimes rejection is hard to deal with.

LILLITHI hope you’re joking.

DARMENLillith—

LILLITHYou know what? Fine. Just fine.

(LILLITH throws up her hands and marches to her room, stage left. DARMEN and MELLISA exchange exasperated looks.)

BLACKOUT. END SCENE.

SCENE FIVEBefore the curtain comes up, there is a news announcer who we cannot see. The are announcing the abrupt resignation of Secretary to the Preside Clara Unmöglich. After they have finished, the curtain comes up on the entry before an office. There is a desk where

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SECRETARY sits, tying on her computer.

NEWS ANNOUNCER…the abrupt resignation of Clara Unmöglich, Secretary to the Preside. This is the first time that a Secretary has resigned without turning in a notice in a decade. Secretaries to the Preside usually try for years to get their jobs, and it is highly uncommon that…

(NEWS ANNOUNCER fades out as the curtain comes up on the entry to the PRESIDE’s office. SECRETARY is sitting at the desk, typing, and ignoring AMY,

who stands in front of her trying to get her attention.)

AMYExcuse me.

(SECRETARY continues to ignore her.)Excuse me. Is there some reason I’m not allowed to go in?

(SECRETARY still ignores her, and continues typing.)I’m an officer of the law! You can’t consistently deny me entry!

SECRETARY(Scathing.)

I’m sorry officer, but without a proper reason I can’t allow you to barge in on our Preside.

AMY(Equally scathing.)

But don’t you people always say that the Preside “will always be open should you need our services?”

SECRETARY We also say that the Preside’s office is a place of quite and contemplation, not yelling and threats!

AMYIf I could just see the Preside for 5 minutes—

SECRETARYNo.

AMYBut—

SECRETARYNo. I am sorry your sister moved without telling you, but these things do happen, and family members do leave. Maybe you should learn to accept that, instead of believing in those children’s stories you hold so dear, Amy Unmöglich. I’ve heard all about you, and you do not have enough authority to get an audience, I can assure you.

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AMYOh come on!

(Throws her hands up in exasperation.)Please just look past my reputation for one second. Just one single second, and see the actual problem! Clara did not quit. She loves this job. Why would she leave all of a sudden without telling anyone, becoming the first Secretary in 10 years to do so?!

SECRETARYSometimes people get tired of their jobs, and require a change of pace.

AMYLook, can I please just talk to the Preside? I’m calm now, see?

SECRETARYNo.

AMYI just want to ask him a few questions, thats all.

SECRETARYI can’t let you…

(SECRETARY drifts off and looks behind AMY.)

AMYHello?

(Waves hand in front of SECREATRY’s face.)Hello?

SECRETARY(Calling out.)

Excuse me, if you need something you should come ask, not lurk.(Slowly, LILLITH steps out from back stage.)

LILLITHHey! Sorry to interrupt. I was just wondering if the Preside was available yet?

SECRETARY and AMYNo.

AMYShockingly.

SECRETARYI’m sorry, but the Preside isn’t available.

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LILLITHIsn’t being available kind of his job?

SECRETARY(Exasperated.)

I’m terribly sorry, but unless it is a matter of life and death, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.

LILLITHIt could be.

SECRETARYCould.

LILLITHMy friend has probably been kidnapped and there’s something wrong with his dad. Does that sound like a matter of life and death to you?

SECRETARYWhat do you mean by kidnapped?

LILLITHI mean that he left his phone in class and was gone. I called his dad and he said he thought that Gabe was with me, but then later said that the had moved. Doesn’t that sound just a little weird?

AMYThats the same thing that happened to Clara! She disappeared and everyone said that she moved!

LILLITHLook, clearly there is something going on. You have to let us is.

AMY(Turning to LILLITH.)

Logic would suggest that yes, but this one doesn’t seem to be a fan of logic.

SECRETARYThe Preside is not available.

AMYWell what is it? Is he in and unable to see us or is he out at the current moment and will be back soon?

LILLITHPlease, we just want answers.

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SECRETARYIf I go and see if he’s there, will you leave me alone?

LILLITHWill we be able to speak to him?

SECRETARYI will do my best.

AMYOk.

LILLITHOk.

(SECRETARY exits stage left, behind her desk.)

So.(Turning to AMY.)

The Secretary that left is your sister?

AMYYep.

LILLITH(Nodding towards where SECRETARY has just exited.)

Did they already replace her?

AMYI think they have, like, reserve Secretaries.

LILLITHThat makes… absolutely no sense.

AMY(Smiles at LILLITH)

I like you, kid.

LILLITHUmm… thanks?

AMY(Laughs)

No problem kid.(LILLITH smiles awkwardly, but now AMY and LILLITH stand less awkwardly

together.

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SECRETARY re-enters the stage.)

SECRETARYI’m very sorry but you will have to leave now.

LILLITH What?

SECRETARYYou can’t see the Preside at the moment.

AMYDo we really need to go through this again?

SECRETARYThere is nothing to go through “again.” I talked to the Preside, and he is unable to see both of you at the moment. He suggests that you try to contact your friend and/or loved one, and leave me alone. Good day!

(SECRETARY takes both LILLITH and AMY’s arms and turns them to stage right.)

LILLITHHey!

(She shrugs SECRETARY’s arm off, and AMY does the same.)

AMYWe can walk! Get off.

SECRETARY I’m very sorry but you need to leave. Now.

LILLITHWait. Wait! Just tell me this. Does the Preside believe us?

SECRETARYBelieve you about what?

AMYYou know what.

SECRETARYIt does not matter what I know.

LILLITHThat was not the question asked and you know it.

SECRETARY

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He does not.

AMYWhat?

SECRETARYYou need to leave.

(SECRETARY pushes them towards the door, then turns and exits the stage again.)

LILLITHWhere did she…go?

AMYTo get backup.

LILLITHWhat do we do?

AMYWe leave, but not for long. I’m a police officer, I work in forensics.

LILLITHSo?

AMYSo, if you can get your friends phone, we can dust it for prints and see if there’s anything that doesn’t add up. Your positive that Gabe would have taken his phone home with him?

(LILLITH nods.)Because I bet the same person who took my sister took your friend, and they probably took his phone to so he couldn’t call for help. You said your teacher has it?

(LILLITH nods again.)Can you get it from your teacher?

LILLITHI can try.

AMYThat’s not good enough.

LILLITHI will.

AMYGood. Meet me in 2 nights in the back room of the station. Bring the phone.

(The sound of SECRETARY’s voice is heard, not distinct words, but it sounds loud and authoritative. Both AMY and LILLITH look at each other, nod, and exit

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stage left.)

BLACKOUT. END SCENE.

SCENE SIXIn the forensics lab at the station. AMY stands at table prepping a kit. On the table there is also a computer. She looks up as the door opens, and LILLITH enters, holding a plastic bag with a phone in it.

AMYYou got it. Good job.

LILLITHI said I would.

(LILLITH joins AMY at the table.)You can really date fingerprints?

AMYWell no, it would be very hard to date something that you can’t interact with.

LILLITH(Playfully hits AMY’s shoulder.)

You know what I meant.

AMYHmpf.

(AMY puts on rubber gloves and pulls the phone out of the plastic bag.)Lets see what we have here…

(AMY takes a small brush out of the kit and runs it over the phone a few times. She then takes several pieces of tape and puts them over the phone in many

different places. After about 15 seconds she takes them off and puts them on the computer keyboard, to the side of the touchpad, where the sensor would be if this was in real life. After a few seconds, she looks at the screen with interest.)Aha!

LILLITHWhat?

AMYThis is interesting…

LILLITHWhat is?!?

AMYEvery single fingerprint has a match. But it doesn’t make sense.

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LILLITHTell me what doesn’t make sense or so help me…

AMYYes! Yes. You see, every fingerprint on here could have been put on here with a completely valid and legal reason. Your’s, his, his father’s, your teacher’s—

LILLITHWait. How do you know who’s fingerprints are whose?

AMYI have a very good memory. Now. As I was saying—

LILLITHSorry.

AMY(Ignores LILLITH and continues speaking.)

There aren’t any unknown fingerprints. Every single fingerprint is from a person who could have easily come into contact with Gabriel on the night he disappeared.

LILLITH(Rubs face tiredly.)

So you’re saying its a dead end.

AMYOr something close to it.

LILLITHSo what now?

AMYI have no idea.

(LILLITH sits down on the edge of the table. In doing so, she knocks GABE’s phoneoff the table.)

LILLITHOh come on!

(LILLITH hops off the table and picks up the phone.)

AMYIs it broken?

LILLITH(Sitting on the floor, holding the phone.)

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No… I don’t think so… but it won’t turn on.

AMYWhat?

LILLITHYeah, see?

(LILLITH shows AMY the phones blank screen, and presses the power button several times for emphasis.)

AMYIs it dead?

LILLITHHow would it die? It’s just been sitting in Mr. Vesa’s desk drawer all day. And besides, when I tried to call Gabe a couple of days ago, the phone started ringing just fine.

AMYTry turning it all the way on. Maybe your teacher turned it all the way off.

LILLITHBut what reason would he have to do that?

AMYPlease just try it. We haven’t got much else.

LILLITHAlright, alright!

(LILLITH holds down the power button for a few seconds longer.)It’s working!

AMYI told you.

LILLITHOh shut up.

(The phone turns on, and LILLITH immediately begins to try to unlock it.)Wait a second.

AMYWhat?

LILLITH(Still flipping through the phone, not really paying attention.)

Gabes phone…

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AMYWhat about it?

LILLITHIt’s been reset to factory condition.

AMYWhat?

LILLITHYeah.

AMYBut… that doesn’t make any sense.

LILLITHI know.

AMYWait a second…

(She grabs her computer and stares at it, then types a few things in.)Gabe didn’t set his phone to factory at any time while he was still accounted for, right?

LILLITHNot that I know of, why?

AMYBecause I have a program on my computer that can analyze the placement of fingerprints and what the person was doing by where they are.

LILLITHAnd?

AMYI didn’t really think much of it at the time, but in all the actions that came up…

(Types briefly on her computer.)See for yourself.

(Turns computer towards LILLITH.)

LILLITH(Reading aloud.)

Reset to factory… but who did that?

AMYAnd here’s where it gets really confusing. The fingerprints match those of one Adam Vesa.

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LILLITHYou’re joking.

AMYI’m not. The date matches up, to.

LILLITHBut Mr. Vesa wouldn’t. He likes Gabe, he wouldn’t…do whatever he did.

AMYLillith, when did Mr. Vesa come to Cumulonimbus?

LILLITHLast year, when our old civics teacher moved…away.

(Slow realization dawns on her face.) Oh no. OH NO.

AMYWe need to tell someone.

LILLITHWe already tried that. No one will believe us, remember? And besides, Gabe and Clara and Mr. Sanchez might not have that long.

AMYLillith, there is no way that we can launch a successful rescue mission. Just think for a second! You’re a minor and I’m a nobody police officer who works at the back of everything. There’s a reason no one listens.

LILLITHAmy, they could be in serious trouble right now. We have to do something.

AMYYou think I don’t know that?

(Half in tears.)That’s my baby sister down there! I was supposed to take care of her, and I failed!

LILLITHAmy, this isn’t the end. We can still do something.

AMYLike what.

LILLITHLike…like…like the Consensus! We can go to the Consensus and get an audience with the Presides. We can tell them what happened, and then maybe they can convince each other—

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AMYLillith—

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS(Enters stage left.)

Hands up! I’m warning you, I’m armed!

AMY and LILLITH(Scream of shock.)

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSWhat—

(Rubs eyes)What is going on?

LILLITHI can explain.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS(Ignores LILLITH.)

Officer, what are you doing here?

AMYWe needed the forensics lab.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSFor what?

LILLITHTo dust Gabe’s phone for prints and date them.

AMY(Under her breath.)

Lillith, not now.

LILLITHBut she can help us!

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSHelp you with what?

LILLITH(Charging on ahead, ignoring AMY’s frantic motions to stop.)

You said that if I brought you enough evidence you would start an investigation for Gabe, right? Well, I have the evidence.

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(Grabs GABE’s phone and hands it to POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS.)There’s the phone…

(Shows computer screen.)And there’s the evidence!

(AMY smacks her hand against her forehead.)

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSWell…this is…unexpected.

LILLITHWill you launch the investigation?

AMYLillith—

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS(Warningly.)

If this is false…

LILLITHIt isn’t!

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSOfficer?

AMYTo the best of my knowledge, this information is credible.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS(Points at AMY.)

I’m trusting you.

AMYI understand.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSCome on. Both of you.

(As LILLITH follows POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS, AMY grabs LILLITH’s arm. They share a look, and then they follow POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS.)

BLACKOUT. END SCENE.

SCENE SEVENWaiting in a hallway. POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS, AMY, and LILLITH are all in the hallway. POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS is farther away, talking on a radio. AMY and LILLITH are standing together, going over the plan.

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AMYAre you sure you’re ok with this?

LILLITHYeah.

AMYWon’t he be suspicious that you’re here so early?

LILLITHI’ll tell him that I found the final note. It’ll be fine.

(More to herself.)It’ll be fine.

AMYAre you scared?

LILLITHOf course I’m scared. Terrified, actually, but here we are!

AMYI was…not expecting you to just admit that. Don’t people usually fervently deny that they are scared or experiencing emotion when their about to do something dangerous?

LILLITHI’ve never really been a fan of hiding my emotions.

(Suddenly.)You’re distracting me, aren’t you?

AMYWell, clearly I failed.

POLICE CHIEF WlLLIAMSHe’ll be here in thirty seconds. Officer, if you have anything to say, say it now.

(Turns to LILLITH.)Keep him talking long enough for the sensor to work. As soon as we get all the information that we need, Officer Unmöglich will take you to the car.

LILLITHI still don’t understand why you can’t just arrest him now.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSThe codes prevent us. Without solid proof of guilt, as in, lying about the subject of interrogation, we can’t arrest anyone.

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LILLITH(Barely restraining herself.)

Right.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSOfficer?

AMY(To LILLITH.)

Don’t forget to breathe.(AMY and POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS exit stage right, leaving LILLITH standing in the center of the stage. LILLITH attempts to school her face into a normal expression. 15 seconds pass, and then MR. VESA enters, stage left, carrying a briefcase.)

MR. VESAHello Lillith! You’re here early.

LILLITHHi Mr. Vesa!

(Awkward silence.)I…uh…I found the final note!

MR. VESA(Suspiciously.)

Oh! I’m glad to hear that. We can discuss the story later, but couldn’t this wait until class?

LILLITHRight! Uh…

MR. VESASo… see you later!

(Starts to enter classroom.)LILLITH

Wait!

MR. VESA(Turns around.)

Yes?

LILLITH(Panicking.)

Uh…

MR. VESALillith are you feeling ok?

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LILLITHYes…fine, totally fine!

(MR. VESA reaches into his briefcase.)What are you doing. What are you getting.

MR. VESAJust a mild sedative, nothing to worry about. If you found the final note and are this desperate—

LILLITH(Backing up hurriedly.)

No! I don’t need— ah!(Falls.)

Amy!

MR. VESA(Stops.)

I knew it. It appears I have been found out by other methods. You didn’t find the note, did you?

(AMY and POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS run onto the stage.)

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSAdam Vesa, you are hear-by under arrest for multiple accounts of attempted murder and abduction. You will be—

MR. VESANo.

AMYExcuse me?

MR. VESANo. You’re not going to arrest me.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSYes, we actually are.

MR. VESAYou have no authority to do such a thing.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSYes, I actually do.

(She moves towards MR. VESA with handcuffs.)

MR. VESAI invoke section 8 Clause B of the amnesty contract, the right to a final confession before

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interrogation and incarceration!

AMYHow did he—?

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSHow could you possibly know about that?

MR. VESASimple! I invented it! I was so bored, waiting here, teaching, moving every few decades, one the populace started noticing I wasn’t aging. I don’t think any one figured it out though. Thankfully. The immortality of the Presides is probably our best kept secret.

AMY and POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS and LILLITHNo way.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS(Into radio.)

I need back up! The Preside of the lost city is not a myth. I repeat! Is. Not. A. Myth.(AMY and LILLITH try to run, but MR. VESA grabs AMY.)

LILLITHLet her go.

AMY(Trying to kick him.)

Yes. Let me go.

MR. VESANo thank you.

LILLITHYou can’t keep doing that.

MR. VESAYes I can. I really thought you were the one, Lillith, I thought that you would finally discover my secrets, my story. But NO. You had to go and get law enforcement involved. I trusted you, Lillith. I trusted you.

LILLITHWhy? Why are you taking people?

MR. VESAMy city was lost to the curse of adventure and wanderlust. A Preside without a city is like a ship without a harbor, wandering forever. I need a city to be whole. You understand that, don’t you, Lillith?

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(Steps towards her.)

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSLet her go. Lillith, get back. Vesa, I’m warning you, if you don’t let her go right now—

MR. VESA(Mocking tone.)

Or what? What are you gonna do? You can’t touch me, you can’t hurt me.(POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS steps in front of LILLITH.)

You know no one will believe you if you tell them about this. Let me tell you, the worst thing that’s gonna happen to me is having to move again a few years ahead of schedule, and you’ll most likely lose your job, and be stuck in the back room of everything, like this one!

(He jostles AMY.)Maybe she can give you pointers on how to survive through crushing boredom. I know I could have used some the first fifty years.

(While MR. VESA is distracted by POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS, LILLITH slips away and grabs something on the floor.)

You can’t do anything about this, admit it. Your codes prevent you.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSI already called for backup. They’ll see you, and then you won’t be able to run anymore.

MR. VESAThey won’t get here in time. I’ll be long gone before then. It must kill you, to have me right here but have such a sense of duty that you can’t do anything about it. How does it feel to be powerless?

(LILLITH gets behind MR. VESA with something in her hand.)

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS(Trying to keep her voice steady.)

Where are the missing people?

MR. VESALike I’d ever tell—

(LILLITH stabs down on MR. VESA’s neck with the syringe he was trying to inject her with. He falls down, and AMY breaks free.)

LILLITH(Looking down at MR. VESA’s prone form.)

That was NOT a mild sedative.

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS(Shocked.)

Lillith!

LILLITH

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What?

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS(Draws in breath, then lets it out again.)

Never mind.

AMY(Stands up.)

Well then. That was interesting.

LILLITHThat’s one word for it.

AMY(To POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS.)

What now?

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSTake him back to the station. Use the serum. Send a pickup crew.

LILLITHYou guys have truth serum?

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSSomething like that.

AMYSo.

LILLITHSo what?

AMY(Nudges MR. VESA with toe of shoe.)

What do we do with him in the time being?(Sounds of footsteps are heard.)

POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMSNow they show up.

BLACKOUT. END SCENE.

SCENE EIGHTLILLITH, POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS, and AMY stand center stage, staring into stage left.

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POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS(Looking at watch.)

Any second now.

LILLITHGabe!

(Runs off stage left.)

BLACKOUT. THE END.

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