Season 2 - Episode 3
General Summary
In the dark forest, the KIDS are stricken. GLORIA and CASSIUS are holding onto each other in dread. GLORIA is visibly upset while CASSIUS just holds her hand with white knuckles. TOMMY is still distracted thinking he might be his own GRANDPA but helps the other two calm down and look for CLUES.
CASSIUS sees some BOOTPRINTS but only GLORIA discovers the direction they point towards thanks to some broken twigs. TOMMY volunteers to go back to CAMP just in case anyone comes looking (as quite some time has elapsed), but CASSIUS has a point that the CREATURE got one of them when they charged off ALONE so they should stay together for safety.
The three of them all hold hands as they head deeper into the woods where not many humans have been. Eventually there is a FIRE in the distance and the outline of a big scruffy MAN. Curiously, he disappears into the GROUND.
GLORIA decides to sneak closer with CASSIUS and TOMMY helping by holding back some branches for her. She gets pretty close, but there is nothing of note at the site other than some STAIRS THAT LEAD DOWNWARDS. TOMMY GLORIA and CASSIUS talk about how to best approach the MAN when he returns. GLORIA has a conspiracy that he might be a WENDIGO and therefore they might need to attack immediately, but CASSIUS wants to be sure he isn’t a creature before they attack him, just in case he is indeed a random, unrelated homeless man. CASSIUS volunteers to meet the man head on while GLORIA and TOMMY hide close by as backup.
Taking a big gulp, CASSIUS walks up to the DOOR THAT LEADS DOWNWARDS without sneaking. The MAN hears him and opens the DOOR in greeting. CASSIUS suddenly finds himself dwarfed by this huge bearded wild MAN.
The MAN can’t seem to decide if he is KIM or MARTIN, but they have the wherewithal to confirm that CASSIUS is alone and that he has to come inside quickly lest they be found. CASSIUS, feeling a little vindicated that his guess was right, speaks louder than normal to let his two friends know what is going on. Ultimately, he does enter the HOLE finding himself deep in an apparently “ancient” COLD WAR ERA BUNKER.
CASSIUS figures the RUSSIANS must win if this is the best the USA can do.
Meanwhile, XANTHI/KAREN gives up looking for GLORIA’S BROTHER as it is a fool’s errand, She ends up at a sing along and is in her personal hell. To escape, she decides to fake an asthma attack as she has an iconic INHALER in her pocket. She makes an attempt to appear as if she is gasping but starts to actually feel SCARED when no one is listening. Eventually, her heaves are noticed though, and she is taken to the INFIRMARY. They even open the window.
XANTHI feels very vindicated by her acting skills. As the evening sets in and from her vantage point, she notices some LIGHTS go into the FOREST. One of the figures looks like ANYA/GLORIA. Deciding she doesn’t want to be left behind,and feeling odd that the rest of the CAMP is on HIGH ALERT, she follows the LIGHTS into the woods. She figures a dark and scary night can’t stop a bad bitch like her.
Back with CASSIUS, he follows the OLDER KIM who tells him that they are not there to murder him. CASS says ‘oh good’ but continues to yell his intentions anyway. KIM is a little suspicious but seems to let it slide because CASSIUS keeps making biting remarks about KIM kidnapping little girls as a distraction.
As promised though, KIM shows that they have indeed kept GRIMEY safe. CASSIUS runs over and hugs GRIMEY while KIM explains that she needs to stop her younger self. Apparently, in the future, there are some BAD CONSEQUENCES for the HELMET getting into the wrong hands. THE HELMET needs to right past wrongs in TIME and then be DESTROYED to prevent further TIME CALAMITIES.
With GRIMEY in hand, and his assurances that he is FINE, CASSIUS figures KIM is indeed trying to help so he calls down GLORIA and TOMMY. KIM seems annoyed that CASSIUS was “followed” but he assures them that no one else followed them. TOMMY and GLORIA are brought to speed as “OLDER” KIM explains that the current MARTIN is elsewhere and that the HELMET must be found so they can DESTROY it, etc. CASSIUS had given GLORIA back the HELMET so she eyes everyone pointedly, but CASSIUS mouths ‘not yet.’
KIM continues their monologue, explaining about the LAB but just as she is getting to the crescendo of her story the DOOR begins to open. OLDER KIM/MARTIN pulls out a SHOTGUN and aims it. GLORIA and CASSIUS realize there is a good chance it’s someone just looking for the missing kids so they both try to prevent violence. GLORIA attempts to charm OLDER KIM but to no avail. CASSIUS ends up grabbing the SHOTGUN as it goes off. CASSIUS and GLORIA yell at KIM for causing a huge explosion of ricochets, and in the din, CASSIUS stealthily takes the GUN and pockets it for himself. (He figures it is probably best that someone with only a shaky grasp on their identity not have a firearm.)
It is a good thing the bullet went wide as XANTHI/KAREN is on the other side of the door looking very shocked. GLORIA, TOMMY, and CASSIUS all greet her wondering how she got there. She explains briefly about her escapade while CASSIUS tries to generally go over who this crazy person they are standing next to is. XANTHI plasters a fake smile on her face saying, “this is fine.” as CASSIUS confirms with KIM that this is indeed another BODYSNATCHED child.
“It’s kind of your fault,” CASSIUS reminds KIM who says XANTHI is probably the last one they need to worry about. The KIDS assure KIM that no police have likely followed them as OLDER KIM finally concludes their story about what the KIDS need to do to get back to their original time. KIM basically says: there is a MACHINE in the LAB they need to get to before KIM’S YOUNGER self arrives and makes her “DISCOVERY” that changes the future. The KIDS need to get KIM’s HELMET and hook it up so they can be returned to their CORRECT BODIES and TIME. It had not occurred to the KIDS that they might incur more swaps or time jumps so they find this unsettling. The LAST PERSON/ MACHINE OPERATOR, (Ideally OLDER KIM), will then destroy the HELMET and SURROUNDING MACHINES.
GLORIA takes this moment to finally reveal the HELMET. OLDER KIM is shocked the KIDS already have it and says: “This is good but also very bad.” As They KIDS have the means to get home in their possession, but the YOUNGER KIM must be furiously looking for it and is probably zeroing in on their location as they speak.
At this moment, LIGHTS and VOICES appear in the distance. The YOUNGER KIM has indeed come. “We must GO!” OLDER KIM shouts. Time has run out.
CASSIUS asks if the tunnels here connect back to the LAB, but OLDER KIM shakes their head. It is a death trap down here.
Rushing outside, TOMMY and GRIMEY and GLORIA decide to stoke the FIRE so that it can be big enough to catch YOUNGER KIM’S attention, they can then go wide back towards CAMP while KIM would hopefully get distracted by the MYSTERIOUS BUNKER that OLDER KIM was hiding in. CASSIUS thinks a FOREST FIRE isn’t out of order, but the others figure a BONFIRE is probably safer. They bring the flame up by burning OLDER KIM’s BEDDING.
It works and the LIGHTS/VOICES draw closer.
It’s difficult, but all the KIDS press forward through the trees escaping detection. The KIDS make it by pushing themselves, XANTHI, in particular almost stumbles; however she too pulls it off. However, OLDER KIM, in their ailing state does NOT. In their last moments OLDER KIM screams: “Find the tree with the white stripe! Go!” before they are grabbed by the COUNCILORS and dragged off to god knows where.
Feeling the pressure of pursuit, the KIDS rush through the woods desperately hoping to find this important WHITE TREE. All the KIDS are freaked out but are searching as best they can. Out of the corner of her eye, GLORIA sees the TREE with the WHITE MARK! She is so excited but also upset she snagged her dress in her flurry to get to it. TOMMY too aggravates his BURN by holding up MATCHES against the dark.
Searching around the TREE, GLORIA investigates and finds a HATCH under a FAKE ROCK, while GRIMEY washes off the WHITE PAINT hoping to buy more time.
Down the HATCH, the KIDS find themselves in the HALLWAY of another BUNKER.
Closing the door behind them, and now with a moment to breathe, the KIDS start arguing about what to do.
The KIDS know they need a MACHINE OPERATOR to get home safely, meaning someone from this time. We consider foregoing the OPERATOR, instead starting a FIRE as we leave; RESCUING KIM; or getting TOMMY’s PARENTS involved (Something that makes him spiral again, hoping he isn’t his own GRANDPA). We also consider getting the KIDS we are inhabiting to help once they regain consciousness (as we would leave one at a time) but that’s a little shaky. CASSIUS is worried they might be exhausted or comatose from the experience. XANTHI argues that it can’t be THAT HARD to wake people up from COMAS.
GLORIA also makes an argument for linear time, but CASSIUS argues that time doesn’t always move in a straight line, GLORIA concurs there might be some kind of circle situation, to which CASSIUS says, “Well, it is some kind of LOOP for sure.”
Unsure how to proceed after all the arguing, GLORIA has an idea that she should read the rest of the NOTES she has in case we missed any important piece of information. The other KIDS hush up and hold up a LIGHT for her. There is indeed a bit more information on the MACHINE, so it seems an OPERATOR is pretty necessary to prevent accidents.
Wanting more details and options, the KIDS move further into the LAB to keep investigating options. Perhaps there will be a tunnel back to camp? Or a way to find out where OLDER KIM was taken.
Down the hallway, there are DARPA and USA ARMY posters everywhere. CASSIUS spits on them in anger as he passes.
There is a split in the HALLWAY. One of the rooms is a CONTROL ROOM and there are CAMERAs EVERYWHERE including the BUNK ROOMS. From the CCTVs We can see the COUNSELOR/ AGENTS narrowing in on us.
We have about 15 MINUTES.
On the DESK, there is a pile of PAPERWORK we go through. GLORIA sees a HELMET PROCESS SHEET. There is also a LIST OF DANGERS. This LIST includes getting one’s HEAD SCRAMBLED. There is also a CALENDAR with years and stuff circled including our year and the OLDER KIM’S. We also confirm they picked their subjects based on BRAINWAVES. GLORIA and GRIMEY’s internal conspiracy radar goes off the charts.
CASSIUS suggests holding up KIM with the GUN to buy more time. The KIDS consider it but want to complete the INVESTIGATION first.
The last ROOM in the BUNKER is an EXAMINATION ROOM. As we approach we all rush forward because we see the YOUNG MARTIN and the OLDER MARTIN/KIM tied up to the BED. CASSIUS takes off the GAG but the OLDER KIM just whispers: “Behind you.”
At that moment the DOOR shuts behind us. YOUNGER KIM appears with a REVOLVER in hand. She says, “Put the gun down. I have to run the experiment. Nothing can stop me.”
CASSIUS has the SHOTGUN out and doesn’t appear ruffled with having a GUN leveled at him, but is clearly conflicted about shooting, which puts the two of them at a STANDOFF.
This is the FINAL BOSS! (We need more successes than failures. We need to make 20 rolls- 11 of which need to succeed.)
Thinking fast, GRIMEY throws his BARBIE at YOUNGER KIM and XANTHI sprays her with her INHALER. They are both very PRIDEFUL about these actions. It distracts KIM enough that CASSIUS can get close and try to hit her with the butt of the SHOTGUN. He misses at first, but pushes himself and manages to catch KIM In the jaw. She goes sprawling along with her REVOLVER which clatters to the floor.
3 successes achieved.
GLORIA tries to free the OLDER KIM by breaking one of her RECORDS (HEY JUDE) and using the sharp edge as a saw. This works and OLDER KIM is free. OLDER KIM yells for the HELMET. GLORIA passes THE HELMET over and attempts to help MARTIN KIM get the HELMET plugged in and running.
4 successes achieved.
TOMMY, not wanting to be overwhelmed in a confined space, wants to set off the SPRINKLER SYSTEM in order to help stave off the other COUNCILORS/ DARPA agents who are on their way. It doesn’t go off despite his best efforts, which is upsetting. Even lighting a MATCH did not help. (This is clearly a OSHA VIOLATION).
Meanwhile, XANTHI decides to use her leadership skills and yells at CASSIUS to “grab the GUN!”
5 successes achieved.
TOMMY, feeling dejected, notices the announcement system in the CONTROL ROOM and has a new idea.
CASSIUS hears XANTHI and begins struggling with YOUNGER KIM. She reaches for the REVOLVER which scares CASSIUS. In a big push, he grabs the REVOLVER and throws it to GRIMEY.
GRIMEY catches the FIREARM. He manages to book it to the door and stands at the ready. Just as he gets there, TOMMY starts his BROADCAST- He makes his voice robotic and claims to be a SELF DESTRUCTION SEQUENCE. This frightens some of the COUNCILORS /AGENTS away.
9 successes achieved.
Without a GUN, YOUNGER KIM is less of a threat so, CASSIUS tells KIM to “stay down!” He then goes over to GLORIA and OLDER KIM. He pridefully listens to OLDER KIM’s directions, successfully turning some SWITCHES.
10 successes achieved.
XANTHI tries to flex her leadership skills again and direct GLORIA. It’s scary but XANTHI projects a wave of prideful calm (LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE!). This fortifies GLORIA and she is able to turn the last knob. Concurrently, GRIMEY says, “nobody puts baby in corner.” While cocking his REVOLVER at the remaining AGENTS trying to get in. The sight of a small girl with a GUN stops them in their tracks just as OLDER KIM SUCCEEDS and the HELMET MACHINE WHIRS to LIFE!
11 successes achieved! (The threshold is passed and we all feel the spirit of LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE overtake us).
“I’ve… done it.” OLDER KIM breathes a sigh of relief as the whole BUNKER is bathed in a BLINDING WHITE LIGHT.
We all wake up in the LAB, but it is older now and we are back in our ORIGINAL BODIES. This is a big relief. XANTHI exclaims she is happy to be “hot again!” and that “Braces suck” TOMMY is just happy to be ALIVE and not dissolved in some kind of BACK TO THE FUTURE style paradox. GRIMEY is happy the SMALL MOX VACCINE effects have passed while CASSIUS just rubs the back of his NECK and ARMS frowning, something weighing heavily on his mind.
Once we climb back outside, we see in the distance MEN IN BLACK SUITS are confronting KIM. They don’t arrest her, but the conversation seems heated and the CAMP is swiftly SHUT DOWN. The FEDS give the thin excuse that a MILD VIRUS has broken out. NOTHING is reported on the NEWS.
While packing up, CASSIUS finds that all his MATH HOMEWORK has been completed. CASSIUS actually likes MATH but is grateful he has more time to catch up on his favorite THAI dramas.
XANTHI finds that she is actually quite tired. It seems that KAREN had taken her chance in a body with HEALTHY LUNGS and had literally run with it- doing every physical task she could find.
GRIMEY notices that he is very CLEAN now, and that his fingernails are all filed and evenly shaped. It makes him feel quite twitchy as he has never been this CLEAN before.
GLORIA is also looking quite NORMAL, as clearly ANYA could not get her makeup right. As GLORIA attempts to fix it, she finds a NOTE saying: “Thanks for the music :-D!”
TOMMY likewise has notes, but his are pockets full of GIRL’S PHONE NUMBERS. This makes him blush a bit.
The KIDS decide to see if they can research who their BODY’S BELONGED TO with the hope of eventually meeting them as their older selves.
Exhausted, the KIDS head home to sleep. However, once again, they have a COLLECTIVE NIGHTMARE: All around them there is rushing and deadly WATER.
Report Date
10 Feb 2023
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