The Tribe, Season 2

Ebony:
This is why I never let myself get close to anyone. You only end up getting hurt.

Tai-San:
We’ve lost two special friends. Two fellow Mall Rats. Amber, so focus, so intelligent, was someone we could look up to, a natural leader. Zandra lived for pleasure and beauty, and for fun. These are also good qualities in a person. We’ve learned so much from both of them and we have to carry this forward into the future.

Ebony:
So what are we waiting for?

Ryan:
What do you mean? We? You’re not even a Mall Rat.

Ebony:
Why do you call yourselves rats? Because you’re the first to leave the sinking ship?

Tai-San:
Are you alright Lex?

Lex:
Why? You got a magic potion for me, Tai-San? Some kind of herbal remedy?

Tai-San:
That’s cruel.

Lex:
It’s a cruel world. Or hadn’t you noticed?

Tai-San:
It’s okay to feel bad, you know? It’s okay to cry.

Lex:
Not in my book.

Tai-San:
Why can’t you admit you need us now?

Lex:
I don’t “need” anybody.

Tai-San:
Then why are you coming with us?

Bray:
Lex. You go with Tai-San.

Ebony:
Why can’t I go with Lex. I think we’d make a good team.

Bray:
Lex?

Lex:
Whatever. [he leaves with Ebony]

Tai-San:
Taking a risk?

Bray:
She’ll be safe enough with Lex. Won’t she? [pause] You’re right. You go with them.

Tai-San:
I was following the map.

Ebony:
The map? Why? Did your spirit guide take the day off?

Tai-San:
I wish your mouth had taken the day off.

Ebony:
Control the antidote and we control the City. Maybe even the world. You and me.

Lex:
I’d rather take a bath with a shark!

Dal:
[talking about the antidote] There isn’t enough to go around the whole City anyway.

Jack:
Well, that’s not a problem. I mean, if we have the formula, we can just cook up some more. [everyone is quiet] We do have the formula right? [pause] Somebody please tell me you’ve brought back the formula! Tai-San?

Tai-San:
Sorry!

Jack:
I’m surrounded by idiots!!

Dal:
How could you come back without the formula?

Ebony:
I guess we don’t all have your razor-sharp brain power.

Jack:
Well, Dal. Let’s go get it ourselves. At least WE know what to look for!!

Dal:
Right. [to Ebony] Dumb, dumb.

Bray:
[talking about the antidote] Maybe we can make some more?

Danni:
All we gotta do is analyse it.

Jack:
Oh, no, no, no! You see, I’m not a chemist.

Bray:
You’re the nearest thing we’ve got to one. Apart from Tai-San, of course.

Jack:
No. Tai-San is NOT a scientist!

KC:
Listen, I’ve been thinking.

Dal:
That’s something new!

Lex:
[takes the last dose of antidote from Bray] Where did you get this? And why didn’t you tell me?

Bray:
We had to keep it for Jack to analyse.

Lex:
You mean you had this all along?

Bray:
Yeah, but…

Lex:
You had this and you were gonna let me die?

Bray:
If Jack can find out what’s in it …

Lex:
I don’t believe this. I know you hated my guts.

Bray:
It’s not like that!!

Lex:
This ..

Bray:
That’s our last chance of saving everybody and that’s all we’ve got!

Lex:
.. is all I need.

Bray:
Lex. DON’T! [Lex drinks the antidote] You selfish idiot!

Alice:
[sees Lex] Lexy! Lexy baby!

The Guardian:
Oh mighty Zoot! We are now on the journey for justice. Those responsible will pay!!

[After Lex has drunk the last dose of antidote, the Mall Rats have to flee the Mall]

Bray:
Once we’re out of the City, I don’t wanna set eyes on you again.

Lex:
Jee! Thanks Bray. I love you too!

Dal :
[Tai-San has found the formula for the antidote] Can you imagine what the Demon Dogs would do to get that formula?

Salene:
But what’s to stop the Demon Dogs from thinking we all know what the formula is?

Tai-San:
We make it known that no one else knows. Except me.

Bray:
But that makes you a target.

Lex:
And it makes – us – her bodyguards. Nice one, Tai-San! Free of chores for life, heh?

Ebony:
Remember the eleventh commandment? Thou shalt not shoot thyself in the foot?

Ebony:
Lex, I don’t think you’d recognize a stroke of luck if it jumped up and hit you in the face!

Tai-San:
Those will need sorting. [she leaves]

KC:
Who does she think she is?

Jack:
She’s been like that all day. Someone ought to tell her that slavery has been ABOLISHED!

[Spike and other ex-Locos have invaded the Mall]

Dal:
How did they get in here?

Bray:
[looks at Lex] Ask the Head of Security.

Bray:
Ebony, we’re a Tribe, not a stopping refuge!

Danni:
[talking about Ebony] I don’t trust her.

Bray:
Join the club!

Lex:
[to Ebony and Danni, about rescuing Tai-San from Alice] Look. You two can stand here arguing the toss all day, but I’m going in, strategy or no strategy.

Ellie:
Alice has decided to be Tai-San’s bodyguard.

Ebony:
We’ve already got guards.

Ellie:
And look what a great job they did. Our future depends on this girl and you let her be snatched from under your noses!

Lex:
We’re not gonna let it happen again.

Alice:
It’s right it won’t happen again, because I’ll be guarding her.

Ebony:
Look, Alice. We really appreciate the offer, but …

Tai-San:
I think it’s a great idea. Alice, you’re hired!

Alice:
Get the cart, Lex. I’m guarding the lady.

Ellie:
[enters Jack’s room] You must be Jack and Dal, the computer nerds?

Jack:
Yeah, right. We’re computer technicians actually. Who are you??

Ellie:
Ellie. I’ve heard a lot about you.

Jack:
Yeah, and?

Ellie:
And what?

Dal:
Who are you?

Ellie:
I just told you! Ellie. Alice’s sister.

Jack:
You just make it a habit of walking in as if you own the place, don’t you?

Ellie:
Yes. This is our new home. Both of you .. [she closes Jack’s laptop] .. out! There’s a party planned and you shouldn’t be late. [she leaves]

[At the party]

Bray:
[making a toast] To the end of our nightmares and the beginning of a new future. May the banquet last forever!

Everyone:
Cheers!

Danni:
And to quality and caring for each other.

KC:
Hey! Can we have some fun as well?

Everyone:
[laughter]

Danni:
Okay, okay. To quality, caring for each other AND fun.

Everyone:
Cheers!

Tai-San:
And I drink to inner peace and my new bodyguard.

Everyone:
Cheers!

Jack:
And to computer buffs ruling the world!

Everyone:
[laughter]

Dal:
Together with their handymen!

Ryan:
To families. Our Mall Rat family!

Everyone:
Yeah!

Patsy:
And here’s to little guys being taken as much notice as big guys.

Trudy:
Sorry, what did you say?

Everyone:
[laughter]

Bray:
I’ve got one more thing though. To peace and Mall Rats. Mall Rats!

Everyone:
Mall Rats! Cheers!

[Ellie enters Jack’s room and starts looking into his computer]

Jack:
I hope we’re not interrupting you!

Ellie:
No, it’s fine, you’re not! Interesting stuff you have here. [exasperated, Jack leaves the room] What’s his problem?

Tai-San:
[to Danni] Remember. One person’s dream may be another’s nightmare.

[Ellie is working on Jack’s computer]

Jack:
How did you learn all this on a farm?

Ellie:
I used to go to school, you know? Before the Virus hit. I got an A in computer studies.

Jack:
No kidding!

Ellie:
Why does that surprise you? Because I’m a girl?

Jack:
Hum, no!

Ellie:
I didn’t suspect you as an MCP, Jack, like Lex.

Jack:
MCP??

Ellie:
Male chauvinist pig.

Jack:
I’m not a ..

Ellie:
No??

Jack:
No! I guess I just don’t know .. any girls.

Ellie:
Well, maybe I’ll have to teach you!

KC:
It’s a camera!

Lex:
Yeah, and if you try to take my picture I’ll break it over your head!

Ryan:
[working at the farm] Come to the country, he said! Fresh air, blue skies, birds singing, he said! Get up in the middle of the night, he said! Come and breathe that sweet, clean, country air!

Dal:
Ryan, you’ve been complaining ever since we got here. I never thought you were a city boy.

Ryan:
Yeah! And I suddenly understand how Alice was able to leave!

Dal:
Well I still don’t.

Ryan:
What do you mean?

Dal:
She loves it here. Why would she wanna live in the City? All this Tai-San’s stuff, don’t you think it’s a little weird?

Ryan:
Tai-San’s weird, full stop! She spooks me sometimes.

Salene:
Alice just seems like a big honey to me.

Farm Girl:
Tai-San is from the moon. Alice will be drawn back. The rhythms of the earth will call her. [she leaves]

Salene:
Now, that chick is really weird!

Ryan:
Yeah! Moon, earth? What is she, some kind of witch or something?

Salene:
Could be. Better be careful what you say around her, Ryan.

Patsy:
[wakes Bray up with coffee] Coffee?

Bray:
Coffee in bed?

Patsy:
Not my idea! Ebony’s. She says leaders should have special privileges. And guess who’s being picked to be the waitress? Patsy do this! Patsy do that! Enjoy! Oh, if you need me, ask for the slave. I’m the one taking orders from everyone. [as she leaves] I need a real job!

KC:
A little cuddle with Alice isn’t worth power ever after?

Lex:
Yeah. But, if I live!

[Brady has just been kidnapped while Patsy was babysitting her]

Patsy:
Trudy. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Trudy?

Trudy:
[crying] I left my baby in your care! Where were you?

Patsy:
[starts crying] I was right there.

Trudy:
You weren’t! You weren’t. You weren’t.

Patsy:
Trudy, please! I don’t know what to do!

Trudy:
I don’t care what you do! Just get out of my sight! I hate you!!! [Patsy leaves, crying] I don’t want you to ever be anywhere near me again!!

KC:
[talking to Alice about the explosion in Tai-San’s lab] You’ve got it wrong! I’m innocent! I always get blamed for everything!

Salene:
Do you ever wonder what your parents would think if they could see us now?

Ryan:
I’m sure yours would be proud of you.

Salene:
You know something? I don’t deserve you.

Ryan:
That’s crazy!

Salene:
No, it’s outside that’s crazy. It’s all around us so much, it doesn’t seem right that we’re so safe in here, with each other! But I’m glad we are.

Alice:
[Tai-San is regaining consciousness] Tai-San?

Tai-San:
[to Alice] You have a lovely smile. [to Ellie] And you. [to Danni] And you. But who are you?

Jack:
Lex! [sits with him at the table] So are you still interested in those game boys?

Lex:
What’s it to you?

Jack:
Well, I need some batteries and you always seem to have a stash.

Lex:
Are you trading?

Jack:
Don’t worry! It’ll all be worthwhile. I mean, I might even throw a little extra in.

Lex:
[pause] You really want those batteries, don’t you?

Jack:
Well, yeah, batteries … and advice.

Lex:
On what?

Jack:
Women.

Lex:
[laughs]

Jack:
Don’t look at me like that because … because this is difficult enough as it is!

Lex:
Well, what do you wanna know?

Jack:
How …? I wish they were like computers!

Lex:
You mean, came with an off switch?

Jack:
Yeah! I mean I don’t understand!

Lex:
What??

Jack:
Well, how do you know, if a girl likes you or not?

Lex:
I don’t know.

Jack:
You must!

Lex:
Well I have to admit, it happens to me all the time.

Jack:
Okay, so, you automatically expect a girl to be attracted to you?

Lex:
I couldn’t have put it better myself!

Jack:
Okay! So if I think this girl likes me, not that there’s any particular girl, then, she will … like me?

Lex:
No. No, because you look the way you do and I look the way I do. And that’s the difference between a lover and a nerd! [he leaves]

Cloe:
I’m your friend.

Patsy:
Even after what I did?

Cloe:
You couldn’t help it.

Patsy:
Trudy hates me.

Cloe:
She doesn’t really. She’s just upset that’s all.

Patsy:
If they don’t find Brady, she’ll never forgive. I’ll never forgive myself.

Cloe:
Brady’s gonna be alright. She’s a Mall Rat and Mall Rats always make it. Especially Brady, she was born here.

Patsy:
So what?

Cloe:
She’s special, our mascot, sort of a lucky charm. No one can hurt her.

Patsy:
Do you really believe in that?

Cloe:
Kind of. I’m trying to cheer you up.

Patsy:
Thanks.

Danni:
[about Bray] He might find someone. One day. I mean, he still really seems to miss Amber.

Salene:
No one could ever replace Amber, Danni. Even if they tried.

Ryan:
Are you alright?

Jack:
Yeah.

Ryan:
You seem like the sky is about to fall on your head.

Jack:
I think it already has.

Ellie:
[enters] So this is where you’re hiding?

Jack:
I’m not hiding!

Ellie:
Well, I should hope not. We’ve got to find out more about the comet.

Jack:
I’ll be with you in one minute.

Ellie:
[as she leaves] One, two …

Ryan:
You’re not down about her, are you?

Jack:
How do you know? No. No, don’t be ridiculous. I wouldn’t let a girl affect me.

Ryan:
Well, they can have an effect.

Jack:
You and Salene are having problems?

Ryan:
I don’t know about Salene, but yeah.

Jack:
Is there anything I can help you with? I mean, not that I’m an expert on that field, of course.

Ryan:
I’ll deal with it myself. Thanks anyway.

[Dal wants to stay at the farm overnight]

Patsy:
Won’t you be scared?

Dal:
What’s there to be scared of? I’m a Mall Rat. We’re a protected species.

Ebony:
Sometimes I get the feeling that, no matter what I do, you’ll never change your opinion of me.

Bray:
You know, never is a long time, Ebony.

Ebony:
Yeah, I hope it’s not that long.

[Lex asks KC where he’s going]

KC:
Fishing!

Lex:
Not bad. Got any bait?

KC:
What?

Lex:
You need bait if you’re gonna catch fish.

KC:
Oh, right. Where do I get that?

Lex:
You dig it up, doofus. Worms and grubs and stuff.

KC:
Right. Worms.

Lex:
Look. You get some worms and I’ll come with you. Show you how it’s done.

KC:
You will? Wicked, man. [starts to leave]

Lex:
Hey, KC.

KC:
Yeah?

Lex:
No going out on your own.

KC:
But, how am I supposed to ..?

Lex:
That’s your problem.

Lex:
Hey girls! You wanna make some breakfast for your uncle Lex?

Patsy:
Why don’t you make ours?

Lex:
Because men don’t make breakfast for women.

Cloe:
Ryan does for Salene.

Lex:
Is that so?

Patsy:
Yeah, he was in just now. He took Salene’s breakfast on a trail.

Cloe:
With a flower on it.

Lex:
He’s just grateful, poor mud.

Cloe:
What for?

Lex:
Well, you know, Ryan’s never ..

Cloe:
Never what?

Lex:
[Ryan comes in] Never mind!

The Guardian:
Who am I?

Chosen:
You are The Guardian of Zoot’s word.

The Guardian:
Who are you?

Chosen:
We are the Chosen of Zoot.

The Guardian:
What shall a Chosen inherit?

Chosen:
Power and Chaos! Power and Chaos! Power and Chaos!

The Guardian:
Zoot lives!

Chosen:
Zoot lives! Zoot lives! Zoot lives!

The Guardian:
Chosen ones! I give you the daughter of Zoot! [shows Brady]

Lex:
[to Danni] Hail to the leader!

Danni:
I’m not in the mood Lex!

Lex:
Oh, what’s wrong? Stuck on your Bill of Rights? I could help.

Danni:
Yeah, I can imagine!

Lex:
Straight up! I believe in rules and all that. I’d be good at it.

Danni:
I can see it now. A Chart for the thieves, liars and con men.

Lex:
[to Jack] Problem, Einstein?

Jack:
Yeah. Have you seen a videotape? It’s missing from my room.

Lex:
[shouts] Why does everybody think I’m a thief??

Lex:
He's not bluffing, he's a fruitcake!

[Ellie and Jack are talking on the talkie-walkie]

Ellie:
Good night, then.

Jack:
Good night. [pause] Are you still there?

Ellie:
Yes!

Jack:
You gotta go! You need your beauty sleep. No, I didn’t mean that you .. You’re beautiful. You’re very beautiful.

Ellie:
Well that’s alright then. So are you actually.

Jack:
You don’t mean that.

Ellie:
Of course, I do! Look, I’ve gotta go. I’m gonna hang up. I don’t want to, you first.

Jack:
Okay, I’m going now, it’s getting late. So, good night.

Ellie:
Good night. [pause] Jack, are you still there?

Jack:
Yes!

Ellie:
I gotta go. I mean it this time. I’m gonna hang up. Good night!

[Ryan enters the room when the children are making much noise]

Ryan:
Quiet!! [the children stop] It’s better. My name’s Ryan but you can call me Sir. These lessons are free. They’ve been organized for your benefit, so you can have some kind of future. So anyone who doesn’t want a future, can leave now. There’s the door. [everyone stays] Alright, then will you please sit at the table?

[Tai-San comes to Alice's room in the middle of the night.]

Tai-San:
Alice! Wake up! Wake up!

Alice:
Hey?

Tai-San:
It’s Ebony. She needs our help!

Alice:
What? Where?

Tai-San:
I saw her in a dream and she’s in trouble. Come on!

Alice:
In a dream!?

Tai-San:
I know it’s happening and it’s very, very bad!

Alice:
Sure, sure. Go back to bed and we’ll talk about it in the morning. [Alice goes back to sleep]

[A little bit later, Tai-San has woken up all the Mall Rats.]

Tai-San:
We have to find Ebony, she's in terrible danger!

Danni:
How do you know?

Jack [exasperated]:
Don't tell me. She had a dream.

[After all the Mall Rats have gone back to sleep, still refusing to believe Tai-San about Ebony.]

Alice:
I think maybe all that essence is finally getting to you.

[Ebony is trying to calm down a mob of people who have come to trash the Mall.]

Ebony:
So, what are you all doing here?

Jet:
They cheated us! The Mall Rats ripped us off!

Ebony:
Ripped you off! Cheated you? Would that be before or after they saved your lives? Well? Think about it. And while you’re thinking, ask yourselves this. Who crawled through a minefield to search for the answer to the virus? The Mall Rats. Who trekked all the way up to the satellite station to get the message and lost two of their dearest ones in the process? The Mall Rats. Who found the formula then worked out how to make it? The Mall Rats. Who gave the antidote to everybody in the entire city for free? The Mall Rats. [pause] Now ask yourselves this. If the Mall Rats hadn’t done that, how many of you would be alive today? And this is how you say thank you? [pause] So, what’s your problem! That for the last few weeks they’ve been giving you for free, antidote which you didn’t need? Nobody was sure you didn’t need it anymore, until they tried doing without it. That’s what they’ve been doing. Experimenting on themselves to save you. But yet, yet they’ve ripped you off, right?! [pause] I tell you. I did some bad things to the Mall Rats. They forgave me and they took me in. And I am so proud to call myself a Mall Rat. [pause] So? Are you still going to come in here and smash us and trash the Mall? Or are you going to show your gratitude and get on with building a new life for us all? [the crowd starts cheering]

Bray:
Boy, can she handle a mob!

Danni:
God help us if she ever turns against us.

[Ebony isn't feeling well after her abduction by Spike and Tai-San offers her an infusion of herbs to soothe her. Ebony doesn't want to drink it.]

Tai-San:
It will make you feel better. Try it.

Ebony:
Look, I told you, I don't want ... [Tai-San interrupts her]

Tai-San:
Have you had breakfast? [Ebony shakes her head] Then you need something!

Ebony:
Yeah. [Ebony drinks the infusion]

Tai-San:
Is it good?

Ebony [sincerely]:
Yeah, not bad.

Tai-San:
See? You have to learn to trust people.

Ebony:
Everytime I've trusted anybody they've ratted on me.

Tai-San:
Have I?

Ebony:
Not yet.

Tai-San:
What about the rest of the tribe?

Ebony:
Yeah! Lex for a start.

[Ellie is writing a new article and intends to tell the whole truth about what the Mall Rats know about the virus.]

Ellie:
The truth never hurt anybody.

Jack:
I'm not so sure about that.

[Salene and Ryan are talking about Patsy and Cloe’s crush on Dal.]

Salene:
They’re growing up. They’re getting interested in boys and their appearance and all of that.

Ryan:
Oh yeah. But, Dal?

Salene:
Well, he’s the only available guy around here.

Ryan:
Dal! Does he know this yet?

Salene:
I think he’s starting to get the picture

Ryan:
Hey, I just thought of something!

Salene:
What?

Ryan:
There’s two of them and only one of him.

Salene:
Yeah, I don’t think they’ve quite worked that one yet.

Ryan:
Ah, I see trouble ahead! [they both laugh.]

[Danni and Bray wake up Lex.]

Lex:
Listen, Danni, Bray! Normally I would be overjoyed to discuss something like this with you in the middle of the night, but ...

Bray:
It's not the middle of the night, Lex, it's the beginning of the day and you need to get to work like the rest of us.

Lex:
Nag, nag, nag!