Difference between revisions of "User:Kibblekip/Sandbox/The Days Have Worn Away/Transcript"

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'''Engineer''': ["I figure they had a '''''reason.'''''] ["Y'all go ahead."]
 
'''Engineer''': ["I figure they had a '''''reason.'''''] ["Y'all go ahead."]
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[''Miss Pauling and the mercs enter and descend a spiral staircase. The surrounding environment now appears cave-like'']
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'''Scout''': Hey, Miss Pauling? There's a good chance we're all going to die down here. So I... I... I need to say somethin'.
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'''Miss Pauling''': Okay. Shoot.
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'''Scout''': When I was talkin' to you back in Siberia— well, not you, a miniature fairy version of you— you told me never to give up. To just keep perseverin' and wearin' you down like drops of water borin' through stone... until I got to wherever your heart is and made you realize you love me. And I been thinkin'— maybe you were wrong. No offense. When we were on the plane just now— I was lookin' down at that tiny world out there, and it hit me... there's like eighty million women in the world, probably, and... ...and there's gotta be '''''one''''' of em I don't gotta wear down. No convincin', no gun show— just, '''''boom.''''' "I get it dummy. You're the best." So yeah, I just wanted to... I just wanted you to know that. That I'm movin' on.
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[''She stops and turns slowly to face him'']
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'''Miss Pauling''': You know what, Scout? Those eighty million other women in the world, statistically speaking... a lot of them are probably '''''way''''' hotter than me.
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'''Scout''': Whoa, really?
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'''Miss Pauling''': It's math, dummy.
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'''Scout''': Yeah, it is.
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[''They fistbump eachother with a '{{font colour|FAF2B4|DAP}}' as they approach the end of the cave; a bulky metallic door'']
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'''Miss Pauling''': Alright, we're here.
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[''Miss Pauling places down the lantern and goes to open the door — but hesitates, her face engulfed in darkness'']
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'''Demoman''': We goin' in?
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'''Miss Pauling''': Yeah, just... after all this... maybe Engie's right. Maybe I '''''don't''''' want to see this.
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[''She looks at the key, but after a brief pause inserts it into the lock with a '{{font colour|FED17A|KLIK}}' sound and begins to open the door as the mercs look on eagerly'']
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'''Miss Pauling''': No. Let's find out once and for all what's back here.
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'''Voice''': ["Sorry to keep you waiting."]
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[''The scene flashes back to the past, the voice revealed to be a [[ginger-haired maid]] answering the door to a woman with purple hair and a long smoking pipe — [[Non-player characters#Elizabeth|Elizabeth]]'']
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'''Maid''': How can I help you?
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'''Elizabeth''': I'm here about the job.
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'''Maid''': That can't— how did— I was just heading to the newspaper to purchase an ad for the position.
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[''Elizabeth walks in uninvited, passing the now bewildered maid'']
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'''Elizabeth''': Well. A stroke of luck for both of us, then. Now you don't have to. Please go get the master of the house.
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'''Maid''': The lady of the house died recently, you see. We're in need of—
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'''Elizabeth''': A governess, yes, thank you, I'm all caught up. Please go get the master of the house.
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[''The scene shifts to a study filled with books, and a lit fireplace. In the center of the room a middle-aged man — [[Non-player characters#Zepheniah Mann|Zepheniah Mann]], on a stepping stool with a hammer and chisel, carving away at a statue of [[w:The Thinker]] with a head shaped similarly to his own head. Sitting to the side of him is an butler holding a feather pen, writing a letter'']
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'''Zepheniah''': ''"Dear The Mayor of Paris." My name is Zepheniah Mann. You will remember I purchased Rodin's The Thinker from you." "I have been chiseling its face to match '''my''' face, but now the head is too small and misshapen." "It doesn't look anything like I'm thinking anymore. It just looks like I'm on the toilet and scared."''
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[''He lowers the chisel to his side, the maid appearing behind him and standing in the hallway'']
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'''Zepheniah''': Meadowes, I '''''do''''' look scared to be on the toilet, don't I?
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'''Meadowes''': Terrified, sir.
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'''Maid''': <small>''Mister Mann? Sir?''</small>
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'''Zepheniah''': ''"I have enclosed another check. Send another statue with a normal sized body but a very large head, ASAP."''
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'''Maid''': <small>''Sir?''</small>
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[''He turns angrily to face the maid'']
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'''Zepheniah''': ''"Yours in etc etc, Zepheniah Mann—"'' '''''WHAT IS IT?'''''
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'''Maid''': There— there's someone at the door for you, sir.
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'''Zepheniah''': I see. Is it that woman standing directly behind you?
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[''Elizabeth enters the room unprompted, as Zepheniah heads back to his desk for a cigar'']
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'''Elizabeth''': It is. I'm here for the governess position.
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'''Zepheniah''': Capital. Let's go for a walk of the grounds. It's too stuffy in here. Cigar?
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[''They make their way out to a snowy courtyard filled with gravestones, almost all with the last name 'Mann' inscribed'']
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'''Zepheniah''': Let me ask you one question... do you know who I am.
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[''Elizabeth exchanges a steely-eyed expression, as they continue up towards a stone mausoleum'']
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'''Elizabeth''': No. Should I?
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'''Zepheniah''': I suppose not. If you are to take this post, you must harden your heart. I expect unflinching, round-the-clock brutality. If that means they '''''hate''''' you, so be it.
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'''Elizabeth''': I will make them despise me.
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'''Zepheniah''': Good. A Mann scion does not need coddling. He needs '''''molding.''''' You will raise my son to be a titan of industry. A self-made man. A stubborn, bloody-minded scoundrel. You must make him into '''''me.'''''
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'''Elizabeth''': You mean sons.
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'''Zepheniah''': I do not. This way.
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[''They enter the building, passing by graves with statues representing members of the Mann family lining the sides'']
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'''Zepheniah''': The '''''Mann Family Mausoleum.''''' Not the riff-raff out there. These are the corpses that '''''paid''''' for everything. My grandfather, '''''Ebenezer Mann.''''' Shipping magnate. Youngest of five sons. Every brother in the ground by the time he bought his first fleet. My father, '''''Ezekiel Mann.''''' Railroad tycoon. Middle child. A house fire claimed his three sisters. He weathered the tragedy and was a millionaire before he turned seventeen. Zepheniah Mann. Me. Munitions magnate. Only son, sadly.
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[''They stop infront of an unmarked, empty grave'']
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'''Zepheniah''': And my '''''son.''''' Heir to the Mann family fortune. Name to be determined. That's where you come in.
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'''Elizabeth''': You want me to '''''kill''''' one of your sons?
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'''Zepheniah''': Quite the opposite. I want you to teach them. Train them. Mold them both into '''''champions.'''''
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[''Both exit the mausoleum, and stop infront of another unmarked grave with a small, blank headstone'']
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'''Zepheniah''': Until their hereditary instincts kick in and the '''''stronger''''' one kills the other. I'll know you succeeded when we've filled this in.
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'''Elizabeth''': Yes. I can do this for you.
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[''They both shake hands. Behind them, Meadowes approaches wearing a desk-harness'']
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'''Zepheniah''': Capital. You're hired. And I don't even know your name.
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'''Elizabeth''': My name is—
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'''Zepheniah''': That was not a question. I would prefer to keep this professional. You start immediately. I will provide you a letter of introduction. Meadowes. A letter.
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'''Meadowes''': Yes sir.
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'''Zepheniah''': ''"Dear baby [[Non-player characters#Blutarch and Redmond Mann|Blutarch]] and baby [[Non-player characters#Blutarch and Redmond Mann|Redmond]]. I hope this letter finds you well. The woman standing before you—"''
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[''The scene cuts to Elizabeth approaching a small manor'']
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'''Elizabeth''': ["That will not be necessary.] ["I can make my '''''own''''' introductions."]
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[''The scene cuts back to a room filled with monitors, each depicting images of locations within ''Team Fortress 2.'' The Administrator stands in the center of the room infront of a chair, and a small desk littered with files, monologuing to a figure suspended infront of her'']
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'''Administrator''': I'd come to '''''kill''''' the boys, obviously. Smother them in their sleep.
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[''Miss Pauling — now holding the Australium rock — enters the room with the mercs, putting a finger to her mouth as a gesture for them to stay quiet. Their expressions change to shock as they approach'']
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'''Administator''': But that wouldn't have '''''worked,''''' would it? You weren't their '''''father''''' then.
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[''The angle changes to reveal the suspended figure as Zepheniah Mann, restrained by a metal box with multiple Australium-stained pipes attached to it and him from all directions. His eyelids are held open by a hook each'']
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'''Administrator''': They were '''''nothing''''' to you. Slabs of stone in need of a sculptor's chisel. You were waiting for your '''''champion.'''''
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[''The scene cuts back in time again to Elizabeth sitting in a room, with two toddlers — Redmond and Blutarch — playing with toys. She watches on as the two begin to fight'']
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'''Administrator''': ["Someone '''''worthy''''' of your time and attention."] ["Your legacy."] ["Your love."] ["If I wanted to '''''destroy''''' you..."] ["...to watch you die cursing my name..."] ["I needed to ensure your champion never emerged."] ["The two little nitwits needed to fight."]
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[''The scene cuts again to Zepheniah Mann in a bed, writing on a parchment paper. He is visibly much older, now wearing his [[Ghastly Gibus|signature top-hat]], while Elizabeth stands at a balcony smoking a cigarette'']
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'''Administrator''': ["Forever."]
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'''Zepheniah''': ''"...damn you all to hell..."'' No, that's not right. ''"...damn you all to hell!"'' Better. Signed... ''"Zepheniah Mann..."'' There. I signed the confounded thing! Elizabeth!
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'''Elizabeth''': I'm coming, Zepheniah.
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'''Zepheniah''': Elizabeth! I signed it!
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[''Outside, it is revealed they are at a building simply named 'Saloon and Inn'. A wooden sign boarded infront of the saloon's entrance reads 'Mercenaries Welcome''']
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[[Teufort (city)|Teufort]], New Mexico. 27 years later.
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'''Elizabeth''': Let me see it.
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[''Back inside, Elizabeth is reading through the parchment paper — [[The Last Will and Testament of Zepheniah Mann|Zepheniah's will]]'']
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'''Zepheniah''': I still don't fully understand all this '''''BLU''''' and '''''RED''''' gravel nonsense. But I have complete faith that making my two stumble-bum sons fight over it will finally result in one of them emerging vic—
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'''Elizabeth''': It won't.
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[''Zepheniah squints in confusion, while Elizabeth returns as smug grin'']
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'''Zepheniah''': ... What?
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'''Elizabeth''': I lied.
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'''Zepheniah''': About what?
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'''Elizabeth''': About everything. All of this— the land, the Americas, all of it. Your sons are going to fight '''''forever,''''' Zepheniah. There will be no end to this. You will never have a worthy heir.
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[''She leans in close, Zepheniah wearing an expression of horrified shock'']
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'''Elizabeth''': I '''''guarantee''''' it I will be right here. Watching them fight until they '''''die.'''''
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'''Zepheniah''': ... But why?
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'''Elizabeth''': Let me tell you.
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[''She leans in closer, whispering into Zepheniah's ear. He turns pale as his eyes widen, before they slowly fade to white. Elizabeth lights a cigarette as she takes the will, packs her belongings and exits, leaving the now-deceased Zepheniah Mann on the bed'']
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Mann Manor. One year later.
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[''Elizabeth awakens with a smile to sunlight coming through the window, a painting of a dramatic interpretation of her final moments with Zepheniah hung above the bed. She is depicted in a blue and white frilly dress with a red cloak while wielding a sword, one of her shoes planted firmly against Zephaniah's face. She exits to a garden shed for gloves and shears, trimming roses from the various graves in the courtyard, then plucking their petals one-by-one. While holding the newly-beheaded roses, she approaches a small grave covered in even more headless roses with the initials 'Z. M.' inscribed, and smiles gleefully'']
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[''Elizabeth awakens to a cloudy day, and exits with a veiled hat and gloves to attend to a beehive. She removes a glove to feel one of the bees, of which promptly stings her. Unphased, she grabs the bee and crushes it, then pulls it away from her now-swollen finger. She removes the gloves and hat as she stands infront of Zepheniah's grave again, now wearing a tired expression'']
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[''Elizabeth sits in bed with messy hair, surrounded by ashtrays as a storm creates a downpour outside. She stares ahead of her at Zepheniah's gravestone, now moved to a desk stationed directly infront of the bed. Outside, a carriage drops off a young man in a gray suit, who walks through the courtyard of Mann family graves, coming across a broken set of beehives and a puddle where Zepheniah's grave once stood. He enters the building, and follows a set of muddy footprints up to an attic'']
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'''Young Man''': Hello.
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[''Infront of him is Elizabeth, standing atop a stepping stool holding the end of a noose while smoking a cigarette. He exchanges a smug grin'']
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'''Young Man''': Have I come at a bad time?
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[''Without responding, she puts the noose around her neck and removes the cigarette from her mouth, then kicks the stepping stool from underneath her. The scene turns black, before she slowly awakens to the young man standing infront of her, holding a pair of shears. She reaches for her cigarette'']
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'''Elizabeth''': You should have let me die.
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'''Young Man''': Oh, I did.
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[''A yellow tube coming from the young man's sleeve is shown to be inserted into Elizabeth's arm, her veins glowing a light yellow. He removes the needle with a '{{font colour|F0D12A|POIK}}' sound, the hole left behind in her wrist now a dim orange'']
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'''Young Man''': Yes. Empty now. But I gave you just enough to get back. Madam, do you know who I am?
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'''Elizabeth''': You're... '''''[[Non-player characters#Gray Mann|Gray.]]''''' Aren't you? Blutarch and Redmond's brother. They told me you were eaten by eagles shortly after birth.
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'''Gray''': Ha ha! My idiot brothers and their fairy tales. No, I was '''''kidnapped''''' by eagles. I escaped. Speaking of fairy tales...
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[''He looks over at Elizabeth, now wearing an annoyed expression, as she faces away'']
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'''Gray''': ...I also know who '''''you''''' are. Or rather, I know who you aren't. Which is [[Administrator#Emily|Emily]] or [[Administrator#Elizabeth|Elizabeth]] or [[Administrator#HER|Helen]] or whatever bogus identity you're using at the moment. More importantly, I know what you did to my father.
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'''"Elizabeth"''': So... what? You're here to avenge him?
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[''She holds the frayed end of the noose out infront of her'']
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'''"Elizabeth"''': If so, help me back up this ladder and let's get to it.
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'''Gray''': Hardly. In truth, I'm not that interested in either one of you.
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[''Gray reaches into his coat and pulls out a small yellow rock, holding it between his fingers'']
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'''Gray''': No, I'm here about the "Miracle Gravel" my father left you. Do you have it?
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'''"Elizabeth"''': I do. It's fool's gold. Worthless.
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'''Gray''': As gold, certainly. Because it's '''''not''''' gold. It is a '''''new element''''' entirely. A '''''transformative''''' element capable of extending the human lifespan up to... ...and as we've just discovered, '''''past''''' the point of death. Obviously not of interest to someone... well. But to those of us with the will to continue '''''living...''''' ...it's '''''priceless.''''' I came here to see if you'd sell it to me. But given present circumstances, could I possibly trouble you to just '''''give''''' it to me?
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[''"Elizabeth" — now facing away — stares through a glass window, processing the revelation she's been presented with'']
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'''Gray''': Madam?
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[''She turns back to face him'']
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'''"Elizabeth"''': Of course. I'll need a few days to secure it. Meet me back here in a week's time.
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'''Gray''': Tremendous. And once I've taken it off your hands, I'll leave you to hang yourself in peace.
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'''"Elizabeth"''': I look forward to it.
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[''As Gray leaves to his carriage, "Elizabeth" stares down through the attic window with a grin. The scene cuts to her pulling various tarps, revealing several bars of Australium piled upon eachother. The scene shifts again to a shed outside, where "Elizabeth" — still wearing the cut noose, but now holding a lantern — acquires a shovel, then makes her way to the burial grounds of Zepheniah. She buries the shovel's head into the ground with a '{{font colour|D8AA50|SCHLK}}' as she begins to dig'']
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'''Administrator''': ["That was the start of everything."]
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[''The scene changes back to the monitor room, with the Administrator sitting in her chair, reading a file. The monitor screens reflect off of Zepheniah's eyes'']
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'''Administrator''': And we've been at this ever since, haven't we?
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[''She gets up and puts her hand on the side of his face, looking at him with glowing yellow eyes as Miss Pauling and the mercs stare in disgust and horror'']
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'''Administrator''': Just you and me.
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'''Miss Pauling''': What... what did he do to you?
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'''Administrator''': Aheh. You know... after all this time... I don't remember.
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[''The Administrator glances back'']
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'''Administrator''': Wait. Why are you here? Did you '''''find''''' some? Did you find '''''more?'''''
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[''She grabs Miss Pauling's shoulders, a manic expression on her face'']
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'''Administrator''': Miss Pauling, listen to me. This could change '''''everything. Did you find us more?'''''
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[''Miss Pauling holds the Australium rock firmly behind her, frozen staring for a moment at the Administrator with a horrified expression'']
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'''Miss Pauling''': No. I didn't.
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[''The Administrator looks at her in dismay, but begins to smile as she turns away, her face and hair beginning to show age. She faces towards Zepheniah once more'']
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'''Administrator''': It's been a hundred years, hasn't it? Making you watch your sons fail. Again and again. All that... ...wasted time.
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[''As she talks, she begins to age more and more, the yellow glow in her eyes fading away. Both her and Zepheniah tear up, as she collapses to the floor. She wipes away her tears with a smile'']
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'''Administrator''': It was worth it.
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[''She leans over on the floor, now holding Zepheniah's body as Miss Pauling and the mercs watch them. One by one, the mercs leave as the Administrator and Zepheniah slowly turn to dust infront of Miss Pauling. The scene cuts back upstairs to the break room as Miss Pauling walks in — dust staining her dress and trailing behind her, as she places the Australium rock and her bag upon the table and sits down, the yellow glow of the Australium lighting up her weary eyes. Engineer places a glass of water on the table infront of her'']
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'''Engineer''': It's yours now. What are you gonna do with it?
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'''Miss Pauling''': I don't know.
 
|}
 
|}

Revision as of 23:04, 28 December 2024

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