Episode 1: Scene 7

SCENE 7

INT – UTOPIAN: GOVERNMENT FACILITIES SPHERE: PHOSPLEX

Nezwen emerges from his office with a purpose driven posture as he begins his route to the library. His office door closes slowly behind him. As he moves through the foyer, he notices Taryn through a glass wall of another room, where she sits motionless in continuous contemplation.

Regent High Director Nezwen (surprisingly and quietly to himself):

“She’s still here.”

He quietly approaches and stops in the doorway of the large open and mostly empty space with a few tables and chairs. Taryn lingers in deep thought. Light spills into the room from the foyer through the glass walls. As a semi-phlegmatic and measured thinker, Taryn sits unfazed at a simple drafting table, with a single sketch pad and a sling bag, with her back toward Nezwen.

Taryn (holding a gaze on her sketch):

“It’s missing something, Nezwen.”

Taryn slides her sketch pad to the left, revealing a detailed pencil drawing of a ChaiLux Discoid; a mechanism newly revealed to her. Nezwen walks closer and peers down at the sketch.

Taryn (with her pencil hovering over her sketch pad pointing as she speaks):

“I saw this in a dream. I could see how the living light flowed out of this side channel. When I tried to focus in on the surrounding material, everything became blurry. Then I woke up.”

Regent High Director Nezwen (gently guiding her with wisdom):

“You have a keen eye Taryn; yet where you put your focus determines whether you progress or become hindered.”

Taryn (with faint sass and a flip of her hand with her pencil):

“That’s what Lyra said.”

Regent High Director Nezwen (playfully, chuckling):

“Well, I guess some of her wisdom has rubbed off on me.”

Regent High Director Nezwen (sincerely):

“She speaks truth.”

Taryn, with a knowing subtle smirk, nods her head. Nezwen pulls the royal purple sash, folded neatly, and extends it to Taryn. Taryn’s realization sets in and her disappointed expression is clearly seen. She lets out an audible sigh.

Taryn (with subdued acceptance):

“Thank you.”

Nezwen bends forward, catches and holds a gaze with Taryn.

Regent High Director Nezwen (slowly for emphasis):

“It’s missing purpose.”

Nezwen stands back upright.

Taryn (with inquisitive furrowed brows):

“What do you mean, purpose?”

Regent High Director Nezwen (with elevating enthusiasm):

“I’ll explain further. Why don’t you come with me to the library, I’d like to show you something.”

Nezwen turns around to walk toward the exit. Taryn fairly briskly slides her sketch pad close to her and picks it up. Her right hand grabs her sling bag and she proceeds to put the sketch pad in her bag as she begins walking out.

Scene Transition: As Nezwen and Taryn exit out of frame, the camera holds a focus on the flat folding drafting table. The ambient sounds of the Phosplex steadily continue in the quiet space. The peripheral surroundings soften out of focus as the radiant white light dims, smoothly morphing into the concentrated industrial glow of the Earth Engineering Room. The ambient sounds of the Phosplex fade into the faint electrical buzzing of the fluorescent ceiling bulbs. The unblemished drafting table now appears scuffed, bearing signs of use. A faint thud breaks the stillness as Ulin’s arm enters the frame, setting an empty fire extinguisher onto the drafting table. The camera shifts to reveal the room. Residual soot lines the floor along the wall of the Radian system. Tools lay spread out where Onizmo continues his work on the Radian system. The drafting table stool lies on the hard concrete floor and two gym bags sit near the room door. Ulin moves about the room picking up scattered debris off the floor.