EXT. WILDERNESS – EARLY MORNING
The trees were still holding the mist, sunlight just breaking through. Eve stood outside, stretching in place, earbuds dangling, breath steady.
EVE
Hey babe—I’m not momming you or anything.
(pauses, softer now)
But wouldn’t you like to go on a run with me?
It just might curb our crazy a bit, huh?
Lisa appeared in pajama shorts and a tank, hair a wild halo, coffee in one hand, bleary-eyed but watching.
LISA
I’m in my PJs.
Go ahead, I’ll catch up.
EVE
(smiling)
I can wait.
Lisa looked back toward the warmth of her blanket. Then at Eve—who looked relaxed, patient, beautiful in her own fierce way.
LISA
(sighs)
Okay… just one minute.
She disappeared inside. When she came back out, they started jogging together—slowly at first, then finding a rhythm.
They made it a habit.
Each day, they ran the trail behind their camp. Not far, not fast—but enough. Enough to let the chaos drain from their chests. Enough to remember what it felt like to move forward together.
Brad eventually joined in—shirtless most mornings, like some forest fitness guru. He’d peel off mid-run to forage berries, wild greens, edible flowers.
Afterward, he blended whatever he found into thick, nutrient-rich smoothies that were half science, half art.
By evening, the trio cooked together—Lisa, Eve, and Brad moving in sync like a small tribe. They prepared fresh dinners every night. Artimus showed up often, shedding his work tension somewhere between bites. Buzz would crash some nights, bringing his wild stories and half-charged gadgets.
And just like that, wilderness life became… normal.
They visited the Oracle more often, though not always together. Sometimes in pairs. Sometimes alone. The frequency kept them aligned—not just with the mission, but with each other.
Lisa, without realizing it, began to stabilize. The daily runs, the structure, the fresh food—Eve’s subtle steadiness. It all worked.
Her chaos quieted.
They had joy. They had routine.
And for the first time in a long time… they actually liked it out there.
INT. TRIO’S BED – NIGHT
The room is warm with low lantern light. Lisa lies stretched across Eve’s lap, her body loose and content. Artimus is propped up against the headboard, reading. A rare stillness blankets them.
EVE
The Oracle made me realize a few days ago….
I’ve created the life I always complained about not having.
These last four months have been healthy. And normal.
ARTIMUS
And are you happy?
EVE
I think so.
But I can see how even lucky, healthy people would want children.
LISA
(knocks gently on the headboard)
Knock on wood. You know how things always shift and change.
EVE
Are you prophesying?
Your birthday’s coming up. Let’s prophesy something nice and peaceful, huh?
LISA
New rule! We stop counting our ages.
We are the age we feel—or emotionally are. That’s it.
ARTIMUS
Oh, and you’re going to let us know what our emotional ages are, huh?
LISA
Eve, you’re a mature 25. Without all the sex.
ARTIMUS
(smirking)
She nailed it.
EVE
Excuse you—I’m having more sex now than I had at 25.
LISA
Exactly. Got it out of your system .
And what would you say I am?
EVE
Hmm… a mature 17.
Some kid trying to run the marathon of life.
ARTIMUS
Ooooh.
Nailed it again. It’s a joy to see you two go at it.
(pause)
Oh, and before you get to me—I know I feel about ten years older.
LISA
Yep.
EVE
That’s just because you’re working a job older people usually have, honey.
But you dig it.
ARTIMUS
Yeah. Somehow I still feel… too domesticated.
LISA
Being a teen, I know exactly how that feels.
EVE
(squints playfully)
What are you two saying?
Oh great—here I go again, Mom, feeling like I should spice your lives up somehow.
ARTIMUS
I actually like you as Mom for that.
LISA
Yeah, me too.
But you’re a young mom, so you’ll probably mess it up.
EVE
Oh really, Lisa?
How about this—
New rule: We bring back the tradition of birthday spankings in this house.
And Brad will do the dispensing. Since your only seventeen, it shouldn’t sting that much and I don’t care to watch.
LISA
(sincerely)
Actually… I miss Mom spanking me.
ARTIMUS
(choking on a laugh)
Our daughter is… painfully honest.
EVE
(squinting at Lisa and takes a breath)
Okay, Missy.
Mommy doesn’t like your your tone or your back talk! I’ve decided. Your getting a spanking.
(she pats her lap)
Put your cute bottom right here, young lady.
After it is finished. Lisa heads for the kitchen.
ARTIMUS. Young mom or not, 10 stars
EVE. I know, right?. I thought so anyway.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN – LATE NIGHT
Lisa opens the fridge in dim light, looking for something to eat. She’s quiet—thoughtful.
A moment later, Eve steps in. She moves behind Lisa and gently rubs her backside.
EVE
Hey.
(sincerely, near a whisper)
Did I do it right?
The way you like it?
Lisa turns and hugs her. The embrace is intense—full of something wordless.
EVE
Hey…
(holds her close, worried)
What’s going on? Why are you emotional?
LISA
(quietly)
I don’t know why.
They stay like that—no need to fix it. Just a shared breath, a quiet kitchen, and two hearts holding each other steady.
INT. SAFEHOUSE – KITCHEN – NIGHT
The room is dim, quiet. A few candles flicker. Lisa sits at the table, cheeks still damp. Her hands are folded, still and heavy. Eve watches her closely from across the table, concerned but not pushing.
Lisa finally speaks—quietly, almost to herself.
LISA
I didn’t know why I was crying.
(she exhales slowly)
But I remember now.
She glances up, eyes shining.
LISA (cont’d)
A month ago, the Oracle told me something.
She said people prefer to believe what they want—even if it’s not true.
And that sometimes the message gets… tweaked.
EVE
By who?
LISA
Didn’t matter. That was the point.
She said I’d only hear truth if I wasn’t attached to a specific answer.
(beat)
Tonight… I tried to reach her.
I couldn’t get through.
Eve sits back, surprised.
EVE
That’s funny.
(she leans forward, a little more serious)
I couldn’t either.
The two stare at each other across the table. A small silence stretches between them. Not panic—but recognition. The current has shifted.
LISA
She warned me.
Said it would happen.
That there’d come a time when it would be harder to hear real truth.
EVE
But she also told you how to keep hearing?
LISA
Yeah.
(softly)
“Ask yourself if you’re willing for it to go either way.”
They sit there in the stillness—two women, no longer just reacting to the world, but realizing they’ve crossed into a new phase.
INT. SAFEHOUSE – COMMON ROOM – EVENING
The group gathers in a loose circle—Lisa, Eve, Artimus, Brad, and Buzz. The table is scattered with tea mugs and leftover dinner plates. A low hum of tension lingers beneath the otherwise quiet evening.
ARTIMUS
So am I right…
None of us have been able to talk to the Oracle in days?
Everyone nods or mutters in agreement. A collective sigh.
BUZZ
No joy here.
BRAD
Crickets.
EVE
Yeah. Nothing but static.
Lisa shifts forward in her chair, hands clasped.
LISA
I think you might be able to change that.
But it takes a shift inside—when you approach her.
(pause)
The days are coming—and honestly, they’re already here—
when people will believe what they want to believe,
and they’ll call that truth.
To counteract that energy…
we have to be willing to hear what our minds don’t want to hear.
We have to accept both sides of a truth before we ask for the answer.
A beat passes. The room stills.
EVE
Guys…
Lisa actually was able to contact her this morning.
Everyone turns.
BUZZ
Way to go, Lisa.
BRAD
(clapping once)
Good job, dork.
LISA
(grinning)
Thanks, nerds.
ARTIMUS
Well, I wanna hear everything she said.
Don’t you guys?
The rest chime in—soft but unanimous:
ALL
Yeah. Absolutely. Let’s hear it.
Lisa draws a breath, steadying herself as they lean in.
INT. ORACLE ROOM – EARLY MORNING
Lisa kneels before the comm crystal. The light is dim. Her voice is calm, steady—anchored in intention.
LISA
My intention is simply to connect with you.
That’s all.
I’m here to accept whatever you wish to share with this mind—
even if that’s silence.
If the answer is nothing for now…
I accept that.
The crystal begins to glow faintly. A soft hum builds. Then—
ORACLE
You found me, Lisa.
I am right here.
LISA
If there’s anything you want to say about all this…
I’m here to listen.
The Oracle’s form flickers into clarity—less radiant than usual, more direct. Her voice is grounded, crystalline.
ORACLE
People will need to shift out of their egos to hear me—
or they won’t hear me at all.
This shift is necessary for those who wish to ascend
to a more enlightened Earth timeline.
LISA
My ego wants to know who in our group will choose that path, but I allow you to speak only what you think is best.
A beat. The Oracle’s eyes soften.
ORACLE
They are still choosing.
Ask yourself instead:
Can you honor their choice—whichever way it goes?
Her form begins to flicker again—unstable, like a transmission fading.
ORACLE (cont’d)
I’m losing you.
But remember—
events have a way of making choices clearer.
And then… she was gone.
INT. SAFEHOUSE – COMMON ROOM – LATER
Lisa finishes recounting the experience. The room is still.
The group sits in silence.
And then… they look at each other.
EVE
(angry, rising)
I can’t believe she just abandoned us.
(louder now)
Would you do that to your kids?!
(she paces, voice rising)
She was my therapist, Lisa!
No one moves.
Eve grabs her hoodie off the chair, yanks open the door.
EVE (cont’d)
(snarling)
So damn unethical!
She slams the door behind her.
The sound echoes.
Lisa stands frozen, eyes wide—like something just cracked open inside her.
She looked like she’s lost her best friend.
The others are stunned. No one knows what to say. They just exchange glances—wordless, uncertain.
EXT. FOREST ROAD – TWILIGHT
Eve runs hard—arms pumping, breath ragged. Her pace is too fast, too forceful, like she’s trying to outrun the betrayal burning in her chest.
She finally stops near the edge of the road, drops to her knees beside a tree, and breaks down—sobbing, loud and shaking.
EVE
(weeping)
How could you leave me?
You hurt me.
You hurt me.
A stillness falls. The wind slows. Her breath catches—and then, softly, unmistakably:
ORACLE (V.O.)
I’m right here, child.
I’m here for the brokenhearted.
You can always hear me…
when you’re broken.
Eve gasps gently. Her sobbing slows—not because the pain has vanished, but because something ancient and warm wraps around her.
She presses her hand to her heart. The connection is real. She feels seen.
Footsteps pound behind her. Lisa stumbles into view, breathless, panting hard.
LISA
Eve—
(seeing her)
Are you okay?
She drops beside her. Without hesitation, they wrap their arms around each other in a fierce, desperate hug.
INT. SAFEHOUSE – EVENING
The table is cluttered with mugs and open books. Lisa, Eve, and Brad sit in a comfortable quiet—until the door swings open.
Artimus enters, eyes dark, energy storming. He throws his bag on the table with a thud.
ARTIMUS
It’s happening again.
He drops into a chair—shoulders sagging, face contorting. He breaks down. Tears hit the table before anyone can speak.
Eve rushes over, kneels beside him.
EVE
What is it, babe?
We all felt something was coming.
Everyone watches—quiet, waiting.
Artimus tries to steady his breathing.
ARTIMUS
Someone infiltrated the team.
And now they’re… blackmailing.
LISA
(softly)
With what? What did they get on you?
ARTIMUS
It’s weird.
They said we have to make a choice.
EVE
What kind of choice, Artimus?
BRAD
Let’s give him a second. Let him explain.
Artimus swallows hard.
ARTIMUS
They’ve fabricated a video—me and a girl from the lab.
It looks like she’s…
(he chokes)
doing something to me. It’s not real.
It didn’t happen.
Eve stands, stunned. A sick silence.
ARTIMUS (cont’d)
They also hacked my phone.
Some pictures—ones you sent, Eve…
They lifted those too.
Eve’s hand flies to her mouth.
EVE
Oh my god.
Why do people want to humiliate us?
ARTIMUS
They said—if I don’t shut down the health project…
they’ll leak everything.
One by one.
And get this—we get to choose which one comes out first.
No one breathes. The air in the room is tight, suffocating.
Lisa’s eyes are wide, filling with tears—but not from shock. From recognition.
INT. SAFEHOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
The weight of what Artimus shared still hangs in the air. The group sits silently until Lisa speaks, steady but impassioned.
LISA
You shouldn’t stop the project.
Everyone deserves that technology—
to live better, without disease or suffering.
ARTIMUS
I’m sure I’m not the first to try this… and get blocked.
I just thought… maybe this time would be different.
BRAD
Maybe it is.
I mean—why now?
Why didn’t they try this months ago?
He glances at Lisa.
BRAD (cont’d)
Wish we could ask the Oracle.
LISA
Yeah.
(sighs)
It’s been hard reaching her lately.
A pause.
EVE
(flatly)
It’s my fault.
Lisa loves me… and she’s struggling to accept certain outcomes.
The room stills. Lisa looks like she wants to speak, but Artimus interrupts gently.
ARTIMUS
What about you, Eve?
Maybe you’re the one who needs to come to terms…
Maybe you could get through.
He rubs his face.
ARTIMUS (cont’d)
We have until tomorrow to decide which photo gets leaked.
It’ll be me first, of course.
LISA
You should say you don’t care.
Say nothing. Let them choke on your
silence.
EVE
(turning sharply)
Oh, thanks a lot, Lisa.
You don’t even know what I sent Artimus.
Lisa’s face tightens.
BRAD
She’s right.
I’m sorry, Eve…
but you shouldn’t bargain with people like this.
Eve’s eyes glisten with fury. She stands.
EVE
I can’t do this right now.
She storms off.
Lisa hesitates, then follows her—quietly, without a word.
INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT
Eve lies curled in the fetal position on the bed, her back to the door. Her phone glows dimly beside her.
Lisa steps in quietly, then climbs onto the bed and wraps herself around Eve—protective, calm.
LISA
You don’t have to show me the pics, babe.
But… I’d like to see.
Eve doesn’t speak. After a long moment, she grabs her phone, scrolls, and hands it over.
Lisa scrolls—and blinks.
LISA
Damn.
EVE
You’re not helping.
Lisa smiles softly and sets the phone down.
LISA
I know what it’s like, remember?
EVE
Yes.
(voice barely a whisper)
Lisa tightens her hold around her.
LISA
You gotta be like me right now, okay?
Eve doesn’t respond, but Lisa continues—calm, steady, like a guided meditation spoken just for her.
LISA (cont’d)
Allow everything to unfold the way it’s going to.
Allow people to choose.
Don’t grip it.
Beat.
LISA (cont’d)
Just observe.
Observe everyone’s decisions… their reactions…
their stories.
Don’t assign meaning. Don’t try to fix it.
She closes her eyes with Eve.
LISA (cont’d)
They’re just thought-forms, spinning in the wind.
They can’t hurt you.
Just watch them whirl around.
Eve’s breathing deepens. Lisa opens her eyes and notices—she’s out. Completely asleep.
Lisa gently pulls the blanket over them both.
ORACLE
You want to clench something?
Clench onto me.
Let’s allow.
Let’s watch it all unfold—together.
Trust.
It will unfold without your action.
Without your fighting.
You will allow everyone to have their experience.
Let them have their thoughts, their feelings—
let them whirl around like leaves in a storm.
Just watch.
You are the allower.
Let a curiosity rise inside you.
If I let people be,
I will see how curious life is.
Me—untouchable.
I don’t assign meaning to anything.
I am.
EXT. WOODED PATH – EARLY MORNING
Eve wakes before the others. The room is still, dim with pre-dawn light. She slips out of bed quietly, laces her shoes, and heads outside.
She begins to run—slow at first, then steady.
The world is hushed and alive.
She breathes in the damp earth, the scent of pine.
She hears the birdsong, distant water, her own rhythmic steps.
The ground gives under her feet—soft, grounding.
As she runs, the Oracle’s words echo through her:
“Clench onto me… Let’s watch it unfold together…”
A slow smile spreads across her face.
EVE (V.O.)
This is real.
The air.
The smells.
The rhythm of my body.
Me.
Nature.
Peace.
Nothing can take that away.
INT. SAFEHOUSE – LIVING ROOM – MORNING
The news plays softly on the screen. Lisa and Artimus sit, watching. The headline flashes:
“Controversial Scientist Caught in Compromising Photo—Project Halted?”
Eve walks in, fresh from her run, glowing with calm.
She catches the headline.
LISA
It came out, Eve.
Eve pauses, reading the screen.
EVE
Oh really?
That’s nice.
(soft smile)
Curious how it all unfolds, huh?
Lisa looks at her, surprised—and proud.
She reaches out and takes Eve’s hand. They sit together on the couch.
Artimus comes over quietly and wraps his arms around Eve from behind.
ARTIMUS
Let’s see where this goes… family.
Just then, Brad walks in—holding a smoothie in one hand, a sandwich in the other. He sees the headline, rolls his eyes.
BRAD
(shaking his head)
Aww, they can all go fuck themselves.
He heads back into the kitchen, singing some off-key melody.
The others burst into laughter—light, easy.
The moment is quiet, but strong.
Together, they sit and watch.
INT. SAFEHOUSE – LIVING ROOM – THE NEXT MORNING
Lisa and Artimus sit in silence, eyes on the screen.
The news anchors speak with forced gravity:
“…portions of the leaked photos have been censored for television. However, uncensored images are circulating widely online…”
“…public reaction is split—some are calling for accountability, others are calling out the obvious smear tactics…”
Lisa closes her eyes. Artimus clenches his jaw.
CUT TO:
INT. EVE’S MIND – DREAM REALM / MEDITATIVE STATE
Eve sits cross-legged in a glowing space. The Oracle stands nearby—not looming, just present.
EVE
I’m telling you what my mind is screaming about those pictures…
how it thinks I’m being treated.
ORACLE
That’s funny, you know.
In the higher worlds, everyone knows everyone’s thoughts.
No secrets. No hiding.
Nothing to be ashamed of—because shame doesn’t exist.
EVE
But here—my mind says people can diminish me with their thoughts.
That I become trash.
Worse—like I have no recourse.
I can’t even fight back.
ORACLE
Do you have anything to be ashamed of?
EVE
No.
My mind says I don’t.
But it still… fights.
ORACLE
Most minds can accept a visceral reaction—disgust, anger, fear.
But you’re still at war, Eve.
With what you call “the depraved.”
The ones your past knows so well.
EVE
You’re honestly asking me to tell my mind to accept even their reactions?
To let it be?
ORACLE
You remember what Lisa told Ben that day.
The day you decided to leave.
EVE
(nods slowly)
I’ve been listening to the recording…
over and over.
ORACLE
Why?
EVE
So I can let it be… as it is.
(beat)
So I can stop trying to control the world’s choices.
And finally be free.
The Oracle doesn’t speak again—but her gaze is soft. A silent affirmation.
INT. SAFEHOUSE – KITCHEN/LIVING ROOM – MORNING
Lisa and Artimus sit at the table, both staring blankly at steaming mugs. The news is off now, but the tension hums in the air.
Enter BRAD, shirtless, toothbrush in his mouth, hairbrush in hand, mid-comb.
He walks in like it’s any other day.
BRAD
(mouth full of toothpaste)
You know they’re not even pretending anymore, right?
Lisa blinks. Artimus looks up, worn but curious.
BRAD
(spits in the sink, brushes once more, keeps talking)
They took a personal moment between two consenting adults, twisted it into workplace scandal, then set the internet on fire with moral panic, soft porn, and conspiracy breadcrumbs. Genius, really. Zero evidence—just enough implication to make it stick. It’s not about Eve. It’s about us. This whole thing’s a warning shot: Don’t get too powerful. Don’t get too clean.
He shrugs and rinses his mouth.
BRAD (CONT’D)
Oh—and they’re seeding rumors about the trio being some covert tantric cult. Which, frankly, if we were, we’d be way more organized.
LISA
How the hell do you know all this already?
BRAD
(smiling as he tosses the hairbrush onto the counter)
I have tabs open.
ARTIMUS
We need a response.
BRAD
Nah. We need a higher frequency.
Enter EVE
She’s just walked in—sweat on her brow, having heard just enough. She stops, a breath catching in her chest.
EVE
I’m with Brad. They can go fuck themselves and die—just another valid response like all the others.
Those pics, my parting gift to the world.
I think that’s all they ever wanted from me anyway.
LISA
Wait—are you saying the Oracle says you dying is okay?
EVE
Oh please, Lisa. That woman doesn’t even believe dying is real.
And maybe she’s right.
But I don’t give a fuck.
That’s the point.
Are you with me, Brad?
BRAD
Oooh baby—we just jumped timelines.
We’re leaving you two in the dust. Let’s go, doll.
EVE AND BRAD storm out for their run.
LISA
What the hell just happened?
ARTIMUS
I think they broke the simulation.
EXT. DEEP WOODS – LATE AFTERNOON
The trees stand tall and quiet as Eve and Brad run, winded and flushed. They stop near a shaded clearing, adrenaline still burning.
Eve turns to him, eyes wild.
EVE
I want to feel something that isn’t this pain.
She pulls him close—rough kiss, all urgency and ache.
Hands pull, shirts lift, her shorts pushed down as they tumble into the tall grass.
There’s heat, grasping, full contact—like trying to outrun the truth by devouring it.
Then—
LISA (O.S.)
Eve.
The moment cracks.
Brad freezes. Eve blinks, stunned.
Lisa steps into view, calm but fierce. Her presence is undeniable.
LISA
(slowly approaching)
Babe.
Please don’t let this be where you land.
Eve sits up, dazed. Her shorts are still around her thighs.
Lisa crouches beside her, saying nothing. She gently pulls the shorts up, brushing away the leaves and grass. Her hands are soft. Reverent.
Eve doesn’t resist. She just breathes.
Lisa rests a hand on her cheek.
LISA
You don’t need to punish yourself like this.
Eve swallows hard, tears in her eyes.
EVE
I didn’t want to think. I didn’t want to feel anything.
Lisa nods.
LISA
I know. But you will feel again.
Let it be something that heals—not something that haunts.
Brad stands a few feet away, silent. Watching.
Lisa looks over at him—not with anger, but with clarity.
She takes Eve’s hand and helps her up.
LISA
Let’s go home.
They walk back through the trees—Eve leaning into Lisa, her body trembling from more than just the run.
Brad lingers behind, unsure of what he just lost—or what he just witnessed.
INT. TRIO’S BEDROOM
Eve lies curled on the bed, still trembling. Lisa kneels beside her.
LISA
Let’s get you out of these clothes. Maybe take a shower?
Eve lets out a wild, hollow laugh.
EVE
And wipe the grime off my fucking body?
LISA
I’m right here. I’ll be waiting when you get out.
INT. LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER
A crash. A heavy thud. Lisa and Eve rush out.
Artimus is pounding Brad—fist after fist—his face twisted in pain and fury. Brad takes it, unmoving, except for a weak hand trying to cover his face.
LISA
Artimus, stop!
EVE
Stop!
Brad spits blood, pushes Artimus off, and staggers to his feet.
BRAD
This group needs a scapegoat and a martyr.
That’s me. Don’t worry I’ll get those guys myself.
So long.
He walks toward the door, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
EXT. FRONT YARD – CONTINUOUS
Brad steps out with a fast paced walk.
Eve.
She bursts from the front door in her robe, hair wild, barefoot, sprinting. She launches herself onto Brad’s back, straddling him, arms locked around his shoulders, pulling him down to the ground.
They collapse into the grass.
Her robe slips. His blood smears her skin.
EVE
I don’t want to live unless you’re here with us.
Please—please—I can’t do this without you.
She clings to him. Her body shaking. Her words raw and pleading.
He doesn’t move. Then—slowly—his arms wrap around her.
They lie there: a naked, bloodied, tangled mess.
Lisa takes in the sight.
LISA
Trio plus one
Clothing optional.
Eve.
As Eve is getting up.
I want the trio plus one plaque Bob.
INT. SAFEHOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
Eve stands barefoot, blood on her legs, robe loose, hands buried in the pockets like a child caught red-handed. She faces Artimus, who hasn’t said a word.
EVE
(quietly, eyes down)
We can talk about this.
Nothing happened—Lisa stopped it.
But… I need to clean off the blood.
And Brad’s eye needs stitches.
Artimus doesn’t answer. His silence fills the room like smoke. Eve gives him a long glance—equal parts apology and defiance—then walks away slowly toward the bathroom.
INT. SAFEHOUSE – SPARE ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Eve reaches the doorway and freezes.
Lisa sits on the edge of the guest bed, turned away, wiping her face. Crying softly.
Eve stands there—soaked in someone else’s blood, her robe slipping, heart now catching up to her body. She feels the weight of it. All of it. The cost. The fallout.
INT. SAFEHOUSE – BATHROOM – NIGHT
Eve finishes the final stitch above Brad’s swollen eye.
BRAD
Ow—ow! Damn.
EVE
Hush. Don’t be a baby.
She wipes the area gently, then leans back with a sigh.
EVE
Okay. That’s it.
I’ll check on you tomorrow, alright?
Brad? Tomorrow?
He doesn’t answer right away.
EVE
(sincerely)
And… I’m sorry. For attacking you.
BRAD
(smirks faintly)
Which time?
EVE
Shhh.
Both times.
Damn it, Brad—I made a mistake.
Aren’t I allowed one? For God’s sake?
BRAD
(quietly)
I’m sorry I didn’t stop it.
I pulled your shorts…
EVE
Shhh.
You were doing what I wanted…
Or maybe doing it for yourself.
I don’t know.
You never let me in enough to find out who you really are.
She leans down and kisses the stitched wound gently.
EVE
Tomorrow.
BRAD
(nods, barely audible)
Okay.
INT. MAIN BEDROOM – NIGHT
Eve walks in slowly. Lisa and Artimus are sitting on opposite sides of the bed, the tension thick.
EVE
(quietly, holding back tears)
I know you two might be hurt. Disappointed.
I’m here to talk about it—if you want.
Silence.
EVE
I can sleep in the other room.
I understand why you wouldn’t want me…
(voice breaking)
near you right now.
Lisa steps forward gently.
LISA
Come on. I’ll help you get situated in the guest room.
As they leave, Eve glances back at Artimus—his expression unreadable.
INT. GUEST ROOM – MOMENTS LATER
Lisa helps fluff a pillow. Eve sits on the edge of the bed, eyes searching Lisa’s.
EVE
Lisa… you still love me, right?
LISA
(tears welling)
Yes.
It’s just… hard.
I feel—traumatized.
I keep seeing it… you with your pants down—
(fighting tears)
Fixing to go all the way with someone else.
Eve stands and steps toward her.
EVE
I’m sorry.
I’ve seen you in compromised places too… you know that.
(gently touches her hair)
But this… it wasn’t me.
Some kind of rage—some storm—I couldn’t stop it.
Please forgive me.
Please… I need you right now.
It’s so hard, Lisa.
Lisa hugs her tightly.
EVE
Please hold me tonight.
I don’t want to be alone.
They lie down together, wrapped in each other’s arms, saying nothing more.
They hold each other through the night.
Early morning.
Eve got up quietly, the air still cool with dawn. She padded to Brad’s room—empty.
Panic fluttered in her chest. She searched the house. Nothing. She stepped outside and called his name. No response.
Her heart began to truly sink.
Then, suddenly—
she woke up and she was back before her mistake happened.
Brad, standing against the tree. Her hands on his chest. Kissing him like it was the last time.
She gasped and stumbled back, breath caught in her throat.
It must have been a flash-forward. A possible future.
Her heart felt an immense relief as if waking up from a nightmare.
She quickly pulled her hands away from Brad. .
Intent on changing the outcome.
Footsteps. Lisa came running toward her, slightly out of breath.
Lisa
Are you okay?
Eve turned to her, then stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her.
Eve
Now I am.
What had once felt tragic had lost its power. In its place—gratitude. For Lisa. For Brad. For all of them. For the chance to choose differently.
Eve and the Oracle
Eve:
So… who was responsible for showing me that flash of the future—the consequences of my actions?
Oracle:
You know who.
Eve:
Me. My future self.
Oracle:
That’s one way to say it.
Eve:
Oh god. Is this your way of hinting that I look like an insect mantis being in some distant timeline?
(Laughter echoes around her—soft, amused, otherworldly.)
Eve:
Wait. What was that? I heard laughter. Who’s laughing?
Oracle:
You’re funny, Eve. Many laugh with you.
Eve:
Can laughter help release this rage? I’ve replaced it with gratitude for now, but it’s still in there.
Oracle:
Laughter can heal rage. But you aren’t ready to heal it yet. Apparently, you are ready for gratitude.
Eve:
You already know what I’m thinking, don’t you?
Oracle:
You mean what you’re planning.
Eve:
I’m thinking about stand-up… or maybe singing my own lyrics. Something loud. Something raw.
Oracle:
Lyrics. Pounding beats. Brazen movement. Yes… a crossroads for you. Whichever road you take, just remember this: Brad loves you. He’s going to follow your emotional lead, whether you know it or not. If you pour rage into the world, he’ll pour rage into his. If you heal, he will heal too. The others—they’re strong enough to make their own choices.
Yes, even Lisa.
Eve:
Yeah… I figured that out when I saw her with another woman. She didn’t seem to have any trouble moving on from me.
(The laughter returns, layered with the rising strain of a Rage Against the Machine song.)
INT. SAFEHOUSE – COMMON ROOM – DAY
The group is gathered, discussing Lisa’s birthday.
Artimus
(quietly)
Maybe we just keep it small this year. With all the press…
Buzz
Yeah, lay low. No need to stir things up.
Suddenly, Eve bursts in like a firecracker, hands on hips, eyes gleaming.
Eve
What? What are you guys talking about? Have you lost your balls?
We’re having a birthday bash out in the wilderness. Full-on. And Brad—Lisa—you’re gonna invite some key network execs. I’m doing a stand-up set it’s going to rock this place and rock this world.
She stands there, electric. The room shifts. Faces lift. Smiles spread. The magic is back.
INT. KITCHEN – LATER THAT NIGHT
Eve and Brad are doing dishes together, the energy calmer, more intimate.
Eve
So… I know we talked about you giving Lisa a birthday spanking.
Brad
(grinning)
Yeah, I figured I’d do it after everyone leaves. Just us. Maybe a card too? Or is that too… traditional?
Eve
(smiling, teasing)
You know, Brad, I think I’m onto you.
(turns, looks him dead in the eyes)
You don’t actually want to give her a spanking, do you?
(slowly)
Look at me. Take your time. Tell me the truth.
Is it something you want, or just something you’re doing because we asked you?
Brad doesn’t move his head—just shifts his eyes, thinking. Then finally locks eyes with Eve.
Brad
(quietly)
No. I don’t want to. Not like that. Not when it’s planned. I don’t like that.
Eve
(smiling, turning back to dishes)
Yeah. Planned… total buzzkill every time.
Suddenly—SMACK—Brad slaps Eve playfully on the behind.
Eve
(startled, letting out a small scream)
Oh!
(She turns around quickly embarrassed)
I can’t believe you did that.
(She pinches his face cheek)
What am I gonna do with you?
She heads out of the kitchen, turning back with a smirk.
Eve
Cop a good feel did you?
Brad
(grinning)
See you in my dreams, doll.
Eve
(to herself, walking away)
I swear to God… I don’t know what that man is into.
INT. TRIO’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Eve steps out of the shower wrapped in a towel, hair damp, radiating sass.
EVE
Lisa, where’s my nighty? Did you put the dry clothes away or just whisper sweet nothings to the laundry robot again?
LISA
(guilty)
Ugh, I forgot. I’ll go grab it.
ARTIMUS
(grinning)
What’s the point? You’re just gonna take it off anyway.
EVE
(flirting)
Oh, is that right? Someone’s feeling a little presumptuous tonight.
She crawls into bed still in the towel, playful and flirtatious. She traces a slow finger down Artimus’s chest.
EVE
I need new material for my stand-up. Think you can help me come up with something… stimulating?
ARTIMUS
(nods at his arousal)
You planning to make this part of the act?
Lisa returns, dropping the clothes in the drawer, smirking.
LISA
Honestly, I think I’ve given her more material on that end.
EVE
She’s not wrong. You’ve got some catching up to do, lover boy.
LISA
Hey, maybe try that tongue thing while I’m levitating this time.
They all burst out laughing.
EVE
Actually, that’s a solid line. Thanks, babe.
ARTIMUS
Wait—you’re not seriously gonna talk about our sex life on stage?
EVE
What else do I have? Lisa drops her clothes and starts flying around the room, you’ve got all your secret high tech bedroom gadgets, and Brad’s into tantric espionage. It’s like the X-Men meets late-night HBO in here.
LISA
They’ll have so much ammo on us…
(beat, sincere)
Actually, I think it’s a great idea.
EVE
I knew you’d say that. You’re chaotic joy in a crop top.
LISA
Why am I seeing Brad with a chakra crystal between his cheeks. You know, for balance.
EVE
Whispers to Lisa.
I’ll tell you a secret—he totally smacked my butt while I was washing dishes.
LISA
(gasps)
He didn’t!
EVE
Oh, he did. Full contact. Dish soap and domination.
ARTIMUS
What are you two whispering about?
LISA
We’ll never tell. Anyway…
(yawns)
Are we doing a little something-something tonight or just riffing?
EVE
C’mere!
(to Artimus)
I’ll hold her down. You tickle.
They all collapse in a fit of laughter and tangled limbs.
INT. ORACLE’S REALM – TWILIGHT GLOW
Lisa and Eve stand shoulder-to-shoulder before the Oracle, the air thick with quiet power. The Oracle glows faintly, almost indistinct but unmistakably present.
Oracle
So, you’ve both come to me about the Guardian Group.
Before your celebration.
You feel they might try to… curb your enthusiasm?
Lisa
Or kill us. Always a possibility.
Eve
We need to know—can they access the information you give us?
Oracle
(Smiling gently)
I see your mind, Eve—already ten steps ahead. Some things never change.
Eve.
Glad to be consistent.
Oracle
No, they cannot access what I tell you.
But I can access them.
And I know what they’re thinking.
Lisa
Okay… then what are they thinking?
Oracle
Eve, you are the anomaly.
They expect Lisa to hear me. Not you.
Your rage should be a wall—but you’ve made it a vault.
Your spirit, though—your spirit leads.
Eve
So… why does that surprise them?
Oracle
Because you confuse them.
You carry fire and still choose grace.
You let your mind scream, but you speak from your soul.
They see your rage and—how shall I say it—
they are… excited by it.
Lisa
Excited? That sounds like bad news.
Oracle
(Softly)
It is. And it isn’t.
Which would you like to hear first?
Eve
(Steady)
The bad.
Oracle
Their minds are depraved, Eve.
Your fire awakens something in them—something base, something hungry.
They want you.
Not just politically, not just strategically—
but as a man wants a woman.
They study you like a prize they haven’t earned.
Lisa
Jesus… what’s the good news?
Oracle
(Smiling slightly)
That very desire is why you’re all still alive.
They’re not ready to lose you.
They believe they can win you over—
charm you, seduce you, offer you the world…
and place you in a cage made of your own flame.
Lisa
You mean get in her pants.
Eve
Lisa!
Oracle
Don’t shush her.
She speaks clearly—and some truths must be named.
There are contracts already signed. Some of this—
it will happen.
But your choices will carve out how.
The shape of it is still yours to mold.
Eve
(Silent, taking it in)
Oracle
I see you, Eve.
Yes—your mind is screaming.
“This always happens.”
How can I be here again?
But if it were easy, there would be no songs.
No standup.
No reason to rise.
So rise.
Laugh, burn, love, and write your truth across the sky.
And don’t forget…
even patterns break when spirit leads.
(Oracle flickers)
This transmission cannot— static—
Lisa and Eve blink. The presence fades. The glow dims.
They look at each other.
Changed.
EXT. WILDERNESS CLEARING – NIGHT – LISA’S BIRTHDAY PARTY
The clearing glows like a secret festival. Lanterns sway from tree branches. Bioluminescent moss pulses underfoot. Guests lounge on tapestries, sipping herbal infusions and laughing with abandon. Music drifts from hand-built speakers. At the center, a makeshift stage has been formed from a smooth slab of rock, lit by overhead spotlights charged earlier that day.
The trio—and their mysterious plus one—have returned to form.
Suddenly, the lights dip. A single spotlight snaps to life.
Eve struts out like a storm in lipstick, barefoot, fearless, mic in hand. The crowd cheers before she says a word.
EVE’S STAND-UP SET – “THE REAL NAKED TRUTH”
EVE:
Thank you! Thank you! I’m Eve. Yes—that Eve.
The one with the pictures. You know, the ones that made nations flinch and gave Aunt Patty the dating app cover photo she always wanted.
(laughter)
By accident. Of course.
Let’s just get this out of the way:
Yes, I sent the pics.
No, I didn’t ask for them to be leaked.
Yes, I learned when a woman dares to own her sexuality and her frequency, the internet breaks. Who knew?
You’re welcome.
(Laughter)
I’ve been called many things:
A deviant. A prophet. A threat. A muse.
Someone even called me “the Praying Mantis of the Quantum Era.”
Which… okay, I’ve been known to bite some heads off in bed—but only metaphorically… unless you really ask for it.
(Big laugh)
You know what’s funny?
All this talk about how the trio plus one was actually a cult.
A sex cult, no less.
Like, sweetie, if you think this is a cult, you clearly never went to theater camp.
(More laughter)
We’ve got Lisa, who can levitate when she drops her robe.
Artimus, who builds machines that reads minds but still can’t read the room.
And Brad—oh, Brad—who spanks me while I’m washing dishes and then runs off singing Taylor Swift in falsetto.
(Roaring laughter)
Yeah. Real threat to national security, right?
(The laughter dies down. Her tone shifts—grounded, raw.)
But here’s the thing.
They thought leaking my body would break me.
That if they showed you my skin, you’d stop seeing my soul.
That if they stripped me bare, I’d vanish into shame.
But Lisa—she knows what that’s like.
She stood naked before the world, too.
And she taught me the secret:
The best kind of exposure… is when they see all of you—and you don’t flinch.
(Crowd goes quiet. You could hear a breath.)
They tried to take from me.
From all of us.
But you know what they couldn’t touch?
My voice.
My art.
My fucking rage.
The part of me that dances through fire, still laughing.
They couldn’t take that.
So tonight, we celebrate.
Not just Lisa’s birthday—but the fact that we’re still here.
Still weird.
Still wild.
Still too damn alive to cancel.
(Beat)
And if you didn’t know before…
Let me introduce us properly:
We’re the trio. Plus one. And we are just getting started.
(Mic drop.)
CROWD REACTION
There’s silence for a breath.
Then the crowd erupts. Screams. Whoops. A standing ovation ripples outward like a wave. Some people cry. Some hug strangers. A few start chanting “Trio Plus One! Trio Plus One!”
Lisa claps with her whole heart. Artimus grins at Eve like she just hacked the universe. Brad’s eyes shine—caught between awe and pure pride.
The torches flare a little higher. The frequency rises.
The Party Is About Over.
Eve: (yawning) “Hey, birthday girl. Sorry I was too tired to spank you seventeen times.”
Lisa: (grinning) “I’m sure you’ll make it up to me next time I’m particularly naughty.
Eve: “Let’s leave all this for the bot to clean up. I’m heading to bed.”
Lisa: “I’m going outside for a bit.”
Downstairs, Brad and Artimus were still up, talking about Eve’s offers. Eve headed into the bathroom, then came out and started undressing for bed.
But when she turned around, her heart nearly stopped.
A man was standing there.
Man: “I wouldn’t scream if I were you. My friend has Lisa outside. And he will give her one lash of the whip for every mistake you make right now.”
Eve: (frozen) “Who are you?”
Man: “I think you already know.”
Eve’s eyes narrowed. She stepped forward, slow and steady, her rage sharpening like a blade.
Eve: “I’m sure about one thing. If a single hand is laid on my girlfriend, one of us is going to die right here, right now.”
Just like that, the man vanished—evaporating in a puff of smoke.
Without a word, Eve tore out of the room, sprinting through the night air.
No one had spoken to her—but every cell in her body knew.
Lisa was in danger.
EXT. WOODED CLEARING — NIGHT
Moonlight filters through the trees. Eve bursts through the underbrush, eyes scanning frantically—then stops cold.
Lisa stands alone, arms crossed, calm but unreadable.
EVE
(panting)
Are you okay?
LISA
Yeah. I’m fine.
(pauses)
I talked to one of the Guardians.
EVE
(startled)
What?
LISA
They invited me over. Said they want to share some of their knowledge. Let me understand why they do what they do.
If I still want to leave after the meeting… they’ll let me go.
EVE
(suspicious)
Did they touch you? Do anything?
LISA
(shakes head slowly)
No.
(beat)
Why?
EVE
(stepping closer, voice low)
Because one of them just appeared in my room. Threatened to hurt you if I didn’t cooperate.
LISA
(frowns, processing)
That’s not what he said to me.
He was… respectful. Even kind.
EVE
(firm)
That’s what makes it worse.
LISA
(quiet)
I didn’t agree to anything. I just listened.
EVE
(watching her)
Just don’t go alone. Promise me.
LISA
(nods)
I promise.
They stand in the quiet woods, a wind moving between them—carrying something unseen.
ORACLE:
So your quick wits told you to give them what they like—your rage.
EVE:
That’s right. What else did I have to use?
ORACLE:
And now you’re back in the house of the depraved.
EVE:
Except this time, I have you. You know more than they do. That gives us an advantage.
And we can time travel—that’s another edge.
ORACLE:
Fair points. But you’re in a tight spot, Eve.
You and Lisa—you’re no longer on the same frequency.
EVE:
Is that why her experience with the Guardian was so… polite?
ORACLE (with a slight smile):
Bingo.
EVE:
I don’t have time for a full healing process.
They’re already on to us—coming into our home without warning.
ORACLE:
You’ve kept your rage sealed in a vault to speak to me. That takes awareness.
You know your spirit. You hear the roar of your mind and still choose the higher voice.
EVE (quietly):
My spirit made the choice to show my rage to the Guardian—because I love Lisa.
ORACLE:
That’s a high frequency choice, Eve.
But not as high as Lisa’s.
EVE:
Lisa would’ve done the same for me.
ORACLE:
Except… she doesn’t have to.
EVE (thoughtful, half-smiling):
So you think I should pull something out of my ass for this problem too?
ORACLE:
Maybe this time… try pulling it out of your heart.
INT. SAFEHOUSE – NIGHT – THE COMMON ROOM
Brad, Artimus, and Lisa are gathered near the console table, the low hum of ambient tech in the background.
BRAD
We’re dealing with the big boys now. They’ve got all the tech.
LISA
And we’ve got something more intelligent. Not tech—something else.
ARTIMUS
Maybe, Lisa. But it didn’t stop them from walking right into our sanctuary. Our home.
LISA
Did you forget? We’ve got beings from other dimensions watching over us. Even our sex life. You think we care about that?
ARTIMUS
They’re friends, Lisa.
LISA
Go back far enough, Artimus—we’re all the same. Even them.
BRAD
What are you saying, Lisa? You got the secret sauce? Lay it on us.
LISA
Right now, they’ve got the upper hand. They can do anything—and we can’t win if we play their game.
But that’s not how we got here, remember? We let go. We jumped. No guarantee, no map. And we made it to another dimension.
BRAD
Yeah, well—Buzz had some science feeding that jump, don’t forget.
ARTIMUS
So what—do we just accept being watched now? Even by them?
BRAD
Do depraved minds even learn?
LISA
Maybe that’s why they’re watching. Maybe something in us stirs something in them.
BRAD
Is that what you and the Oracle talk about?
LISA
(tilts her head at him)
Maybe. Are you trying to get her to break her programming before you trust her, doll?
BRAD
(smiles, winks)
And who do you think programmed me?
ARTIMUS
Alright, alright. This is spinning out.
We trust her. We don’t have all the answers. But we’ve got one thing clear:
We do good.
And we do no harm.
That’s who we are.
That’s what we’ve got.
INT. SANCTUARY – COMMON ROOM – POST-MEETING
Brad suddenly grabs Lisa in a lighthearted headlock, both of them grinning like kids.
BRAD
(teasing)
Are you trying to outwit Brad, doll?
Lisa playfully struggles, laughing as he tightens the grip just a little for show.
LISA
(half-laughing, half-defiant)
Always. You’re just slow to catch on.
Eve walks in from her meditation session with the Oracle, eyes glowing with mischief.
EVE
(grinning)
Oh, hold her right there. I owe the birthday girl seventeen… belated.
She lifts a hand and gives a dramatic stretch like she’s warming up.
ARTIMUS
(raising a brow)
Seventeen, huh? Well, don’t start without me—I want in on that action.
They all laugh, the tension from the earlier meeting melting into shared chaos and affection.
Scene: The 7th Swat
On the seventh swat, Lisa suddenly slumps, fainting mid-laugh—just like the old days. The room stills.
Eve
(rushing to her side, alarmed)
Lisa! Just breathe, honey. I didn’t swat you that hard, did I?
Lisa
(eyes fluttering open, teasing faintly)
No… just right, Mom.
The group exhales in relief. Brad chuckles nervously. Artimus pulls a pillow under her head.
Eve
(grinning, brushing Lisa’s hair back)
That was a little dramatic, even for you.
Lisa
(blinking, focused)
No—it was the Oracle.
Eve
(softening)
Okay. Take your time. Tell us when you’re ready.
Lisa’s Voiceover (Narration)
When I passed out, I felt the Oracle surround me—like she had been waiting.
She said this:
We will be fully supported to meet the Guardians.
On their turf.
She and her allies—the ones who walk between worlds—are granting us Tweety Bird status. A kind of sacred protection, just enough to get us in and out safely. .
But not all of us can go. Not yet.
Only those at a very specific frequency will be allowed through.
She said I’m already there.
And the rest of you?
You’ll get help to reach it—within the week.
Because the meeting…
It’s already fixed in time.
INT. NIGHT – SAFEHOUSE BEDROOM – LISA AND EVE’S BED
Lisa and Eve lie side by side, eyes locked, the room dim and quiet, hearts louder than words.
LISA (softly, with admiration)
You’re a mother. There’s nothing you wouldn’t do to keep your children safe.
EVE (eyes shimmering)
I’ve seen you be a mother too. Just like me.
It’s why I’m still alive.
LISA (reflecting)
I see my choice clearer now. I can choose it again—anytime.
To feel that surge into terror… to let go of your life completely…
all for the hope that your child is safe.
EVE (gently)
And what do you choose now?
Tell me again.
LISA (eyes steady)
I choose to let you have your choice—and admire it.
The beauty of it.
Even if the result isn’t what my mind wants.
EVE (voice catching)
When you talked to Ben… back at the beginning—
when Artimus and I left him and followed you…
you saw it all coming, didn’t you?
Everything that happened. You saw it.
LISA
I decided to let go of everything and just stay in the moment.
Because everything was fast-tracking forward, and there was no stopping it
I knew that.
EVE (in awe)
God, Lisa…
Who does that?
It goes against everything I’ve ever been.
LISA (smiling softly)
That’s my road.
Yours is yours, babe.
They hold each other’s gaze a beat longer. No more questions. Just knowing.
EXT. ROOFTOP HELIPAD – NIGHT
A sleek helicopter lands against the neon-lit skyline. Lisa, Eve, Brad, Artimus, and Buzz step off, met with flashing lights and a chaotic crowd of fans and media.
FAN (desperate, emotional)
Lisa! Please don’t go—please!
The woman rushes forward and grabs Lisa by the arms. Lisa instinctively crouches down and holds her.
LISA (softly)
I’ve got you. It’s okay.
Eve notices and joins, kneeling beside them, her hand gently brushing the fan’s shoulder.
EVE
You’re safe now. We’re here. Just breathe.
They stay with her until security takes over gently. Brad checks his watch.
BRAD (irritated)
We’re going to be late. We have five minutes.
ARTIMUS
Next time, we fly in through the back.
INT. PERFORMANCE VENUE – LATER THAT NIGHT
The trio and Buzz enter through a side corridor. The energy is high and tense. Inside the club, murmurs rise—two hecklers near the front are already shouting.
HECKLER #1
Get ready for more freaky cult confessions!
HECKLER #2
Is levitation included with admission?
The crowd starts to grow restless.
Buzz steps onto the stage before the host intro, raising a hand.
BUZZ (calm, firm)
Hey—tonight is about letting someone speak. You came to listen, or you didn’t come for the right reason. Show some respect.
The room settles, grudging applause follows. The host announces Eve
.INT. STAGE – SPOTLIGHT – NIGHT
The spotlight lands. Eve steps into it like thunder dressed in velvet. The crowd roars.
EVE
Thank you! Thank you!
Yes, I’m Eve. And yes—I’m still here.
Much to the disappointment of the Department of Moral Panic.
Let’s get the obvious stuff out of the way.
Yes, Lisa meditates naked.
And for the girls—no, I never figured out how to pixelate my tits for Artimus, damn it.
And yeah, I know people are saying we’re a cult.
We all had a good laugh about that.
Because if we are a cult, honey, we are failing tremendously.
We’ve got no dues, no matching robes, and our sex life is way too confusing to chart on a spreadsheet.
It took us forever just to figure out who was accidentally in love with who on any given Tuesday.
But Brad and Lisa are quite the pair.
You know what they did to the Rat Pack?
No?
Neither do the Rat Pack.
Apparently, they took an express trip to Nirvana in a handbasket and came back speaking their lines in Sanskrit.
Lisa has quite an effect on people—and on tech.
Artimus once built a lie detector that cried when it met her.
But we’re not a cult.
We’re just a handful of people who accidentally figured out how to hear the universe—
and then took it personally.
(Pause for laughter. Then a softness enters her tone.)
But you know what really shocked people?
It wasn’t our powers.
It wasn’t our tech.
It was our joy.
Unapologetic. Unedited. Undeniable.
They thought exposing my body would cancel me.
That showing you my skin would make me disappear.
But instead, something strange happened—
I got louder.
We all did.
(A beat. Then a voice yells from the back.)
HECKLER (offstage)
Yeah, rage looks great in lipstick!
(The room freezes. Eve smiles, gently.)
EVE (softly)
Wow. Okay. That’s… pretty raw.
(She’s visibly moved.)
Something just hit my heart—right out of the blue.
I remembered how I almost destroyed the people I loved most…
Not out of hate.
Just reacting. Stress. Fear.
And the wild thing is…
I was given a pass.
No punishment. No exile. Just love.
(Pause)
And you saying that? It clarifies something for me—
I don’t want to judge anymore.
Not even you.
I’m not qualified.
That part of me… is quiet now.
(She steps closer to the edge of the stage.)
You know, at first, the media and the fans felt like a fling—
a messy hookup with fame.
But now?
They’re like a long-term partner.
I know their rhythms. Their weird habits.
And maybe—just maybe—I care more than I meant to.
(She grins.)
But if you’re gonna call my rage “lipstick,” sweetheart…
at least admit it’s the shade of survival.
(The crowd erupts into applause—no longer just entertained, but changed.)
INT. SAFEHOUSE – COMMON ROOM – DAY
The team gathers, energy light but expectant.
LISA
So—I met with the Oracle.
She said Eve and Buzz have officially reached the frequency requirements.
EVE
Wait—seriously?
(kisses her fingers, blows a kiss)
Mwah!
And here I thought I was the group liability.
LISA
Apparently not anymore.
EVE
(sticks her tongue out)
Sorry, boys. Maybe there’s still time?
LISA
Oh, there’s still time. She made that very clear.
BUZZ
Okay, wait—what did I do to deserve this honor?
Beats me. It’s not like I’ve been meditating with tuning forks or reading—
EVE
—Lisa’s Ascension for Dummies.
BUZZ
Exactly! I mean, is it even out in hardback yet?
ARTIMUS
(steps forward)
Well… Brad and I have something to share with the group.
Whether it changes anything or not—that’s not the point.
LISA
Oh no.
EVE
Shut up, I want to hear this.
BRAD
(clears throat)
Right. So… Artimus and I had a heart-to-heart—about some things we’ve both been holding in. And honestly, it wasn’t very spiritually healthy.
EVE
We’re all ears, cowboy.
BRAD
Okay. I want to be more transparent about who I am.
I’m seeing a guy in the city. It’s real. And eventually, I’d want something exclusive with him—that’s my preference, long-term.
(pause)
But… when it comes to the two of you—Lisa and Eve—I’d definitely be open to having some fun. If you’re ever inclined. No strings, no expectations. Just honesty.
Lisa and Eve exchange a wide-eyed look, eyebrows raised like, Is this really happening?
BRAD
And Artimus, for the record, gave his blessing—as long as it’s not happening in the bed you three share.
EVE
(turns to Artimus)
Are you really okay with this? Be sure, hon.
ARTIMUS
Honestly… I feel better letting this unfold naturally than trying to control it.
I’m actually relieved. So yeah, I’m good.
LISA
(nods slowly, half-smiling)
You two might’ve just passed.
EVE
(Chuckling , swats Lisa’s leg)
Don’t start acting all wise when you’re clearly seventeen inside.
BRAD
Spiritual leader by day, teen drama queen by night.
BUZZ
We’re basically emotionally at the level of a back-to-the-future soap opera —but with better lighting.
(Laughter around the group)
INT. SAFEHOUSE – BEDROOM – NIGHT
Lisa and Eve are lounging in their room. The guys are outside, deep in tech talk. The energy between the two women is warm, teasing, slightly absurd—just how they like it.
LISA
Well, I never thought I’d live to see the day.
EVE
This has “Trio Plus One” written all over it. We’re about to meet beings who are probably higher up the food chain… and we’re giddy because we can finally shag Brad without guilt.
LISA
It’s gonna be weird. Like—who goes first?
EVE
(laughing)
God, I love that this is our focus.
Lisa steps behind Eve, arms circling her waist.
LISA
Yep. We’re officially back in Crazyland. And Mama needs a spanking too.
EVE
Careful. I might not be in the mood.
LISA
Mood check.
Eve turns around, eyes closed, dramatically thoughtful.
EVE
Let’s see… What am I in the mood for? Oh! I got it.
LISA
Lay it on me.
EVE
One of those little robots that scrubs the bathroom.
(beat)
But ours is broken. So that means it’s you, sweetheart.
(swats her lightly)
Chop-chop.
LISA
Jeezus, no perks for being gifted?
EVE
We’re not at the studio, doll. Besides, I’m the gifted one now. And the one who works.
(pause, teasing)
Meet me in the bedroom when you’re done. You can rub my feet.
LISA
I’ll kiss your feet if you want.
EVE
Do that, and I promise you’ll forget all about Brad.
LISA
Done. Scrubbing the toilet now with holy devotion.
Lisa (narrating)
The Oracle told us we were all going—and that we had safe passage in and out of the meeting. So, at least that part was off our shoulders.
When we arrived, it felt… weird. Not cosmic weird—human weird. Like a government office. A waiting room with hard plastic chairs. Sterile walls. A bulletproof window. I waited in line and got to the front desk where a faceless voice crackled through an intercom, telling us to check in at this kiosk.
We typed in our names, then had to answer questions like, “When was the last time you urinated?”—real charming stuff.
As soon as the last entry was confirmed, we vanished in a flash. Just like that, we were in a luxurious dining area. White linen, soft lighting, otherworldly music humming low.
They served us a three-course meal. And then came dessert—some kind of ice-shaven dish that melted the moment it touched our tongues. That’s when the download hit. No pain, just sudden knowing.
We saw their history. Their version of Earth’s timeline. Their tech. Their reasoning. And we understood—perfectly, and heartbreakingly—how their values weren’t ours. Not compassionate. Not empathetic. Realism. Cold, refined, evolutionary realism. To them, humanity was like a once-fascinating species nearing extinction. Beautiful. Tragic. Entertaining.
Still, we pressed on.
Artimus spoke first. Strong. Focused. He demanded that certain technologies be shared—tools they’d clearly outgrown, but that could shift our world if used right. Buzz backed him up, equally fierce. It was a powerful case.
Then came the twist.
They admitted their fascination with Eve. Their… excitement. And then, like they were offering a pearl in exchange for a pet, they said:
“If Eve agrees to be our honorary guest—no cage, no chains, just companionship—she’ll leave with us tonight. In return, we’ll grant your request.”
They gave her one minute to decide.
And Eve, bless her, didn’t flinch.
She smiled. And said:
Eve:
“I have a game. Each of us can tell a true story about one of us. A story no one else knows. If the story is compelling enough, that person gets to come with me and travel freely between worlds. That’s the deal.”
The room fell still. The Guardians leaned in, visibly intrigued.
And just like that, the real negotiation began.
EVE (to the Guardians)
I’ll go first. I have a story about Artimus. No one here knows it but me.
When he was fifteen, he told his uncle he wanted to live without his money—without the control. His uncle laughed and let him go, thinking the arrogant kid would come crawling back, begging to be rescued.
He didn’t.
Artimus moved into a tent village. Not the kind you see from the freeway and forget about. The real kind. Close. Cramped. Smelled like mildew, sweat, wet cardboard. And underneath that? Something else—shame, maybe. Or resignation. You don’t just see those places. You inhale them. They stay on your clothes. In your hair.
I was stuck back in the house with his uncle. But I was worried. So one day I followed Artimus, just to see where he was living.
I watched from a distance. No one there knew where he came from—just that he was kind. Quiet. Useful. I saw him in this little green tent, the kind barely big enough for one person. He was sitting cross-legged with a battered textbook in his lap and a tiny girl beside him. She looked maybe nine. He was teaching her science. Explaining something with so much joy, like lighting a match in the dark.
I remember thinking—this is who he is. Not the rebel. Not the prodigy. A teacher. A protector. He stayed in that village until his uncle dragged him back and punished him in ways I won’t repeat. But he never told any of us what he went through.
Only I saw it. And now, so have you.
So, if this story is enough, let him come with me.
[The Guardians pause. Their expressions unreadable. They murmur silently—telepathically—among themselves. The group watches, tense.]
Finally, one of the Guardians steps forward.
GUARDIAN (with surprising softness)
He’s in.
BRAD
I’ve got one about Lisa.
This was during a stretch when she had nothing but time. Artimus and Eve were working, and Lisa had to entertain herself. She could’ve tagged along with me—I knew people. Celebrities. The kind who make headlines just by ordering lunch. But she wasn’t interested.
So, one day, I followed her. Curious.
She went to this little coffee shop—family-owned, kinda beat up, smelled like old beans and cinnamon. She wasn’t there to be seen. She talked to two older war vets—gruff, sharp-tongued, the kind who size you up with one look. They thought she was just some idealistic kid.
But there was also this younger guy—late twenties, in a wheelchair. Witch gear, tattoos, all of it. Lisa talked to him too. No hesitation. No weirdness.
Then one day, she drove him to a tarot reading. On the way back, he had an accident in her car. He was mortified. Apologizing, near tears.
Lisa? She made a joke. Cleaned it up. Took him home. Treated him like a friend—still.
Word got back to the vets. Next time she came in, they waved her over. She didn’t belong—until suddenly, she did.
Not because she tried.
Because she cared.
(Pause. A ripple of silent agreement passes through the Guardians.)
GUARDIAN REPRESENTATIVE
Accepted.
One who restores dignity without demand…
may walk between worlds.
LISA
Okay. I’ve got one about Brad.
And to be honest—I just put it all together.
We all figured Brad was strictly gay. I mean, Eve strip-searched him. If there were any mixed signals, she would’ve caught ‘em.
EVE
(head down)
God help me…
LISA
But turns out… Brad slept with a woman.
Not someone we knew.
I met her at my birthday party. We were both a little buzzed, and she opened up.
She told me she hadn’t had sex in years. Not months—years.
And in our world, that’s a death sentence for your social life. You’re seen as pathetic. Like something’s wrong with you.
She wasn’t pretty—not in the way the media sells it. But she came from a known family. People tolerated her for the name, not the face.
Then Brad walked into that party.
He could’ve had anyone—models, actors, influencers.
But he saw her.
He picked her.
And what happened behind closed doors—I don’t know. But afterward?
She stood taller. She laughed louder.
She told her friends, and they were shook.
Brad had not only slept with her—he made it known she mattered. Talked her up in front of everyone. Treated her like she was the hottest thing in the room.
That night gave her something back. Something she didn’t know she’d lost.
And here’s what kills me—Brad knew.
He knew what she needed.
And he chose to give it. No strings. No show. Just… grace in the rawest form.
(Pause. She looks at him.)
So yeah. Maybe that makes you a sex worker, oh jeez anyway that’s story.
Lisa closed her eyes and crossed her fingers.
(The group laughs—some uncomfortably. The Guardians go quiet, processing.)
GUARDIAN REPRESENTATIVE
Truth spoken.
Let him travel.
Eve and Lisa let out a sigh of relief and smile.
The Guardians stopped the game at that point. No one was allowed to tell Buzz’s story even though Artimus had a story. We left intact. It was a hell of an evening.
INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT
The house is dim and cozy. The team is scattered in different rooms, decompressing after the whirlwind event. In the bedroom, Eve is brushing Lisa’s hair. The energy is soft, familiar, slightly giddy.
EVE
I want you to know… I felt so proud to be your girl after Brad told that story about you.
LISA
(quiet smile)
What did you think when I told the story about him?
EVE
(snickering)
Some things never change, Lis. I was honestly afraid your teenage ass was gonna blow it.
(The door creaks open. BRAD steps in casually.)
EVE
Oh, and speak of the devil.
BRAD
Alright, ladies. What are we gossiping about?
LISA
We were wondering how you might be in bed.
EVE
Lisa! I was wondering if you’re just out here helping women—or actually having a good time.
BRAD
(chuckling)
Let’s just say… if I have a good time, you’ll know it.
LISA
Did you have a good time with Tracy?
BRAD
(grinning)
Oh yeah. She was a surprise. Quiet ones always are.
EVE
You don’t even like us. I mean, you’ve been around us forever and Lisa at least gave you permission to lay hands on us so to speak. Uh uh. No joy there. Except the one time with me in the kitchen.
BRAD
How do you know me and Lisa didn’t already?
EVE
(stares, horrified)
No. Nope. She would’ve told me. I know she would’ve told me.
BRAD
(playfully)
Aye yai yai. You didn’t tell her?
EVE
(turning to Lisa)
Lisa Snow! You didn’t tell me?
LISA
I didn’t want you thinking I hit my monthly quota.
EVE
Oh my god—Brad, help me—I’m gonna kill her.
(Lisa and Brad burst out laughing.)
BRAD
Okay okay! No spankings occurred. You can lower the blade.
LISA
It was just a joke. Promise.
EVE
(relieved, laughing)
You two had me going. God, I can’t believe we’re supposed to be ambassadors. Ambassadors. For real?
BRAD
Ambassadors of chaos.
LISA
Ambassadors of weird love and questionable leadership.
EVE
God help this planet.
(They all laugh. The mood is light, playful, intimate. It’s the calm before the launch into the unknown.)
NARRATION – LISA (V.O.)
And so we laughed, and played, and let ourselves be ridiculous one last time…
Because tomorrow, we were boarding a ship to a world we’d never seen—
And we’d never be the same again.