THE IMPERFECTION, PART 4
INT. MANHATTAN STORE WAREHOUSE - EVENING
Amber is doing a shift as a guard watching a door in the warehouse. Her boss comes by. ITS SUSAN, the same boss that Charlie has.
SUSAN
Hi Amber. How’s it going?
AMBER
(sucking-up voice)
Hi Ms. Carlisle! I’m great, thanks for asking.
SUSAN
Great, great. Another Saturday night and we’re working, huh?
AMBER
Happy to do it, Ms Carlisle. Its good to have the work.
SUSAN
Right? Me too! And how are the kids?
AMBER
I don’t have kids, Ms. Carlisle.
SUSAN
Oh, oh excuse me. That must be, uh, what’s her name?
AMBER
Tasha?
SUSAN
Yeah, Tasha, that’s it.
AMBER
Well, her kids are doing great, from what I hear.
SUSAN
Oh that’s wonderful. Listen, you’ve been doing a great job. Just wanted to let you know- corporate is really happy.
AMBER
Oh thanks! I, uh, I just sit here and watch this door.
SUSAN
Right and you’ve been doing a great job. Nobody has been coming in or out, right?
AMBER
Nope.
SUSAN
And you’ve never been through the door, right, or seen what’s on the other side?
AMBER
That’s true, actually. I never really thought about it before, but now that you say it, yeah.
SUSAN
And your keeping track of this activity in your log?
AMBER
Oh absolutely, I keep detailed notes of anything that happens. But, you know, nothing really happens.
SUSAN
Perfect.
AMBER
Can I ask you a question. I mean, I know this is a warehouse for Glamazing dot com, but, do you know why this door says S.I.H.R On it? Or why no one comes in or out?
SUSAN
Well, frankly that’s just above my pay-grade, you know? And I get it, you’re human, you’re curious, you want to know that what you’re doing here has purpose to it, am I right? But let’s not get carried away. Our job is to guard the premises. Not get involved on any other level. At all. Ok?
AMBER
Oh totally, I get it. Loud and clear! Transmission received.
SUSAN
Excellent. Eggs salad. Really good. You’re a keeper, Amber. You show up on time, meet all the productivity goals, and your attitude- your attitude is the real winner here. High five. Come on now, up top!
They high five, it echoes in the empty hallway.
AMBER
Well thanks for the encouragement, Ms Carlisle. Sometimes it feels like maybe what I’m doing here just isn’t that important.
SUSAN
Oh no! Not at all, young lady. Our clients have tasked us with protecting their property, and so far, we have a perfect record. But what they want us to protect- that’s their business, I don’t know what it is. Could be gold bullion. Could be a cache of stolen nuclear material. Could be the greatest discovery in the history of mankind for all I know, but that’s not the point. The point is we’ve been hired to protect it, and its been protected. Come on, one more!
Another high five.
SUSAN
Well, I’m glad I came by. Its been fun. You’re funny! Ok keep up the great work.
The boss lady walks away, her footsteps echoing down the long hallway. Amber takes out her phone.
AMBER
Charlie? Its me. Look, my boss is definitely 100% a robot. In fact, I’m starting to get the feeling that everyone is a robot. Not you, you’re cool. But everyone else. And Ms Carlisle has replicant all over her. No doubt. Anyway. Hope you’re having fun on your date. Let’s meet up tomorrow, I want the full details, ok? Detailed activity log. That’s what I’m about.
Amber puts in ear buds and starts listening to music-- old school hip hop of course. We hear the tinny little beat from across the room. Meanwhile, a giant HUMAN CENTAUR SPIDER THING with the legs and body of a spider but a human torso and head is approaching. Its scary as fuck. Amber drops her phone and her ear buds pop out.
AMBER
Oh god oh shit. This isn’t real this isn’t real.
LEGS
Are you ok?
AMBER
Ahhhhhh! Wait what? Are fucking with me?
LEGS
No, not at all. You seem really upset.
AMBER
Are you fucking kidding me?! You realize you’re an giant spider with body of a person on top, right? Do you have any idea how terrifying that is?
LEGS
Well you don’t have to be mean. I didn’t make any comments about your appearance. And believe me, I could.
AMBER
Aw shit man. You’re scary as fuck and now you’re on my case? That’s bullshit.
LEGS
Dude, I was just going for a walk, and I come across you, and you’re losing it, and I just ask if you’re ok and you scream your fucking head off. So, maybe look at it from my side, man.
AMBER
Going for a walk?
LEGS
Yeah man. Stretch my legs. I mean, look at these things.
AMBER
AAAAAhhhhh, I’m freaking again.
LEGS
Ok, don’t look at them.
AMBER
You live down here?
LEGS
Yeah, a couple of tunnels over.
AMBER
Oh.
LEGS
Its pretty nice neighborhood. I like it.
AMBER
Yeah seems nice. Actually, its dark and scary.
LEGS
Well, I am part spider, so, you know, that doesn’t really bother me. I have some friends who live in Brooklyn, and they love it, but I think, you know, if you’re going to live in New York, Manhattan is where its at.
AMBER
Yeah but its expensive, man.
LEGS
Well, not for me. Spiders don’t use money.
AMBER
Interesting. Does that make life better or worse than, like, human life.
LEGS
I wouldn’t know, honestly. But I’d imagine its a bit of both.
AMBER
I’ve, uh, I’ve never seen you down here before. I’m here all the time. Guarding this door.
LEGS
Well I usually steer clear of this tunnel. But its been quiet this last week or so. I guess I’m feeling adventurous.
AMBER
Really? Its quieter? Because I never see anyone down here. Like AT ALL. Nada.
LEGS
Must be when you’re not around, but yeah there’s people coming in and out of here all the time.
AMBER
Wow. I never would’ve guessed that.
LEGS
Its a spider thing. We’re really sensitive. Like for instance, right now I can feel the 6 train leaving 23rd street.
AMBER
Uptown or downtown?
LEGS
Downtown.
AMBER
Very impressive.
LEGS
That’s nothing.
AMBER
So can you tell like how many people come in here? And when?
LEGS
I probably could if I tried.
AMBER
But you don’t know now.
LEGS
No.
AMBER
Huh. I sure would be interested to know.
LEGS
I can probably find out for you.
AMBER
You know, I really owe you an apology. I was all, like, terrified and screaming and shit---
LEGS
(laughing)
Yeah man you were losing it.
AMBER
(also giggling now)
I know! I was crying like a chick in a horror movie! Wah wah wah!
LEGS
You should’ve seen the look on your face. Fucking priceless.
AMBER
Oh man. I bet. I’m an ugly crier.
LEGS
Everybody is, though. That’s like, super normal.
AMBER
See what I mean- I was literally just about to pee in my pants I was so scared of you, because, you know, you’re an eight foot tall half-spider half-man centaur thing. And here you are, like the nicest, most considerate person.
LEGS
Aw thanks.
AMBER
You’re welcome. I’m Amber.
LEGS
Hi Amber. I don’t have a human name, or I’d tell it to you. In spider, my name is just a smell.
AMBER
Well can we call you something?
LEGS
Sure. I’m wide open.
AMBER
I suppose calling you Human Spider Centaur Thing would be weird?
LEGS
Its a little impersonal. Do you want be called dark skinned biped?
AMBER
No, no, that wouldn’t be cool at all.
LEGS
Exactly.
AMBER
Alright, but I’m still going with something descriptive. I mean look at you, man, you’re amazing! And you’re cut, yo! Do you work out?
LEGS
What? No man, I forage for food. It keeps you lean.
AMBER
I got it. Legs. I’m going with Legs.
LEGS
Ok, ok. I can work with that. I’m not sure it isn’t putting some kind of stereotype on me, but its got style, I’ll give you that.
AMBER
Right?!
LEGS
So, hey, why do you want to know about the door? Like, the people coming and going?
AMBER
Well, its just that its my job to guard the door, and I haven’t seen a single person go through there, NOT ONE. Strange? Yeah it is. And then you come along and tell me you hear stuff, so, I don’t know, I guess I’m just curious.
LEGS
Well how about we make a deal. You bring me some food, and I’ll give you the download on the door situation.
AMBER
Alright alright. I can deal with that. Nice one.
LEGS
Shake on it?
AMBER
Ok, but with your hand, not one those... I’m just not ready for that.
LEGS
Yeah, we shake hands. Duh. Deal?
AMBER
You gotta deal, Legs.
LEGS
Ok cool. I’ll catch you soon. I think I hear a garbage truck coming on 21st street, so I should hurry. There’s a good Chinese joint that dumps out some good pork.
AMBER
Alright, cool, cool. My shift is over anyways. Well it was really good to meet you. I’ll see you soon.
LEGS
You too, Amber. Bye.
AMBER
Bye, Legs.
The Legs slithers off. Amber grabs her bag and walks down the hallway, through a door, into a smaller room where she changes at a locker. She says hello to another guard.
RICO
Oh hey Amber.
AMBER
Hey Rico, how are you?
RICO
Good good. Clocking in.
AMBER
Ha, well you have a good one, I’m out of here.
RICO
Anything going on?
AMBER
Nothing, man. Dullsville. Just the way I like it. See you later.
RICO
Catch you next time.
SFX of Amber shutting her locker, putting the hip hop on her headphones and walking out through the some hallway, up stairs, and into the street.
INT. AMBER’S HOUSE - EVENING
Amber comes through a front door, puts down keys, brings a crinkly bag to the kitchen.
AMBER
Mama! I’m home! Where you at?
The sound of TV on, softly, in the background. Wheel of fortune or some shit.
AMBER
Hey mama.
She kisses her cheek.
AMBER
Oh man, its bath day, isn’t it? I’m pretty sure it is, and if it isn’t, then it is anyway, cause babe you are ripe!
Amber walks to the kitchen.
AMBER
I brought some food! Oh yeah. I got some soup, some beans, and what- oh what’s this? What do I have right here? Ice Cream? No, no you didn’t Amber, you did not bring mom her favorite ice cream for desert? Oh well actually yes I did, because, you know, sometimes you gotta just go for it. Am I right? Yes, exactly.
Its becoming obvious that Amber’s mom is incapable of speaking. She arranges some sort of food for her and moves into the living room.
AMBER
Ok. Soup time. Let’s do this. You still watching this stupid game show, mama? I’m not judging. You watch what you want. But its not like you’re guessing the answers. Or maybe you are, and we just don’t know. Hey, maybe you’re getting them all right. Could have won a million dollars. Oh shit... That’s going to leave a stain.
Sounds like she dripped on her or something. She walks to the kitchen, and walks back into the living room witha towel to wipe off her mom’s face and clothes.
AMBER
You know what? I met someone today. Really interesting dude. Half spider, half human. Weird right? Like, he has the legs and body of a giant spider, but then he has the torso and arms and head of a regular dude. Scared the shit out of me at first, but turns out he’s really nice. And yes, he’s black, mom, don’t worry. Ok. Clean enough to get you into the bath. Let’s do this.
EXT. CITY STREET - THE NEXT DAY
Amber is going to her appointment at Sadler’s office.
AMBER
Hello?
VOICE IN CALLBOX
Hello?
AMBER
Hi. I’m looking for Dr. Sadler’s office.
VOICE IN CALLBOX
Hmm, I don’t know any Dr. Sadler. There’s a doctor’s office on the second floor, did you try them?
AMBER
Yeah, I tried them already. He has an office in this building, on your floor, but I think he moved out or something. Did you notice anyone moving stuff?
VOICE IN CALLBOX
Nope. Can’t help sorry.
AMBER
Wait- really its weird, I’ve been coming here for three years and suddenly he’s gone.
VOICE IN CALLBOX
Hm. Did you call the police?
AMBER
I did! But they’re no help.
VOICE IN CALLBOX
Yeah, the Core has them in their pocket, they’re not going to help.
AMBER
What? The Core? What the fuck is the Core?
VOICE IN CALLBOX
You know, the Core. The Artificial Intelligence that controls everything.
AMBER
You’re freaking me, bro.
VOICE IN CALLBOX
That’s a completely rational response. You should be freaked out. Its a fucking crazy situation you’re in, Amber.
AMBER
Oh man. How do you know my name? How the fuck do you know my fucking NAME?
VOICE IN CALLBOX
Oops gotta run.
AMBER
Wait no!
VOICE IN CALLBOX
Oh, one thing- you’re right.
AMBER
About what?
VOICE IN CALLBOX
Your boss is totally a robot.
CLICK.
AMBER
Wait! Wait come back!
Buzz buzz. Buzz.
AMBER
Come back! You have to tell me what’s happening! What the fuck is going on here! I don’t understand.
PAULINE
Hey, hey are you ok? What’s up?
Amber wipes her tears away... PAULINE appears.
AMBER
PAULINE! What are you doing here?
PAULINE
I have my appointment with Dr Sadler.
AMBER
He’s gone, like poof. Gone.
PAULINE
What are you talking about? What do you mean he’s gone?
AMBER
How do you not know this? He’s been missing for almost 2 weeks!
PAULINE
No, I mean- I know he missed a couple of appointments last week. Wait, so, no one’s heard from him?
AMBER
No one’s heard OF him, dude. Its like he’s been erased. We’re in a Liam Neeson movie without Liam Neeson.
PAULINE
Have you talked to any of his other patients?
AMBER
No, man, I don’t know how to get in touch with them. There’s no crazy-person bat signal you can flash up in the sky.
PAULINE
Amber, we have everyone’s number on a list at the group sessions. You just never signed up for it.
AMBER
Huh. That’s a good idea. You know Charlie? He goes to the group sessions. Tall white guy? Kind of nerdy?
PAULINE
Sure.
AMBER
He’s been looking for Sadler too. We found some pretty weird shit. Something really fucked up is going on. We should talk. All of us.
PAULINE
Well, hold on. Dr Sadler is a normal, ordinary person... he’s probably just got the flu or a family emergency or something like that.
AMBER
I’m telling you, Pauline, he’s gone. GONE. Vanished into thin air. How long have you been going to Dr Sadler?
PAULINE
About two years.
AMBER
Right, me too. And he’s always had his office right here- 5th floor, right?
PAULINE
Yes.
AMBER
Well look at the box. Look at the callbox Pauline!
PAULINE
Who’s Triple A Trading and Export?
AMBER
Exactly. And look at that- that name plate looks like its been there for years! Its not brand new! If he just moved out, would they even have someone new in the building yet? And you know how slow these building managers are! Remember when the elevator went out, and it took two weeks to fix it? Had to walk up five flights of stairs, man. You’re telling me those same slack motherfuckers put in a brand new name plate the same day a new tenant moved in, and gently aged it to make it blend in better? What the fuck, man?
PAULINE
Ok that’s pretty weird.
AMBER
Its like someone’s trying to make a bunch of crazy people feel crazy, which doesn’t make any sense, because, you know, we’re already crazy, so its just a total waste of everyone’s time.
PAULINE
Maybe we should talk to Charlie. Is he around?
AMBER
Yeah, I’m meeting him - wait what time is it?
PAULINE
Its 11. A little after.
AMBER
Ok. Come on, let’s go.
PAULINE
Where are we going.
AMBER
To talk to Charlie.
EXT. STREET OUTSIDE - DAY
Charlie is calling his boss.
CHARLIE
Susan, hi.
SUSAN
Who’s this?
CHARLIE
Its Charlie. Don’t you have caller ID? How do you not know who’s calling you?
SUSAN
I know everything Charlie. That’s why I like to be surprised sometimes.
CHARLIE
That actually makes sense.
SUSAN
Of course it does. Now what’s going on?
CHARLIE
Nothing at all, I’m good, its just, this Light Bulb thing, its pretty involved.
SUSAN
We said it’d be done Wednesday morning, Charlie. Its now Monday morning at... 11:23. Are we going to have a problem? I really don’t want a problem.
CHARLIE
Not a problem, no no no. Zero problems. I’ll have the manual in, and t’s dotted and i’s crossed. But I think I could do a better job if I did a little research.
SUSAN
Research? Its a light bulb manual.
CHARLIE
Exactly! Did you know that they used to make light bulbs right here in New York?
SUSAN
Yes.
CHARLIE
You did?
SUSAN
Yeah Charlie, like I said, I know everything. There’s an old light bulb factory right near the East River stop on the F train. But that has ZERO to do with the manual for these stupid wifi enabled LED’s and, if I’m honest, you’re kind of interrupting something so please, please Charlie, just get the fucking manual done.
CHARLIE
Wait, you know about the East River stop on the F train?
SUSAN
Bye Charlie.
Just then Amber and Pauline walk up.
AMBER
(from a distance on the street)
Charlie! Yo man, look who I found.
PAULINE
Hi Charlie.
CHARLIE
Hey, Hi Pauline! How’s it going?
PAULINE
I just heard about Dr Sadler. What’s going on?
CHARLIE
Well, that’s pretty complicated.
AMBER
That’s what I said.
CHARLIE
Coffee?
They go into the coffee shop.
AMBER
Hey hey hey now- Charlie, isn’t that the guy you threw out of here last week? The Arena dude?
CHARLIE
Yeah, you’re right!
AMBER
And he’s over there talking with Inés like they’re all buddy buddy.
CHARLIE
Grab a table. I’m on this.
Charlie walks over with determination and manliness.
CHARLIE
Hi Inés. Is this guy bothering you again. I thought we talked about this, guy.
ARENA GOON
Hey its ok, man. I’m a friend of Marcello’s. We’re cool.
CHARLIE
(caught off guard)
Wait you know Marcello?
ARENA GOON
Yeah man, he’s my boy.
(whispers to Charlie)
Arena or death.
CHARLIE
(whispering, too)
Arena for life?
INÉS
Who’s Marcello?
CHARLIE
He’s another lobster lover. You’d like him.
INÉS
Oh ok. Yeah us lobster lovers gotta stick together. It can be tough, you know.
CHARLIE
Inés, is this guy being cool or do we have a problem.
INÉS
Charlie- no, no there’s no problem. As long as he’s not posting his flyers I really don’t care. He’s pretty nice actually.
ARENA GOON
Yeah man. I’m a normal guy. I like to go to movies and have game night and shit, just like everybody else. Anyways, I gotta split. Got my dog walking route to deal with. So much shit man, like just too much shit. See you later.
INÉS
Later.
CHARLIE
Bye.
(to Inés)
I guess I overreacted, huh?
INÉS
Little bit yeah.
CHARLIE
And you’re probably freaked out now.
INÉS
No, no. Its sweet, really, don’t worry about it. Now go- I have to work. What do you guys want, the usual?
CHARLIE
Wait, you remember what my usual is?
INÉS
Yeah, of course. Flat white for you, Americano for Amber.
CHARLIE
(yelling to Amber)
Hey, Amber, the usual?
AMBER
Uh sure. What a goon.
CHARLIE
And what about you Pauline?
PAULINE
Quad shot iced latte with oat milk. Oat milk!
CHARLIE
So ok she wants a--
INÉS
Yeah I heard her.
CHARLIE
Yeah. Her voice really carries.
INÉS
Very commanding. No problem, I’ll bring them over.
CHARLIE
Thanks Inés.
The three of them settle in a table.
AMBER
Charlie, bring Pauline up to speed here.
CHARLIE
Ok, so here’s what we know. Dr Sadler disappeared about... 10 days ago. When I hadn’t heard from him for a week, I decided to go by his office, and it was like, it was as if he’d been erased. On purpose.
PAULINE
We were just there. His buzzer is gone. Its weird.
CHARLIE
Its like- no sign, no trace, as though he was never there! Except, when I went, he still had mail, piling up in front of his door. Nothing useful, but there was a menu for a chinese restaurant. So I went there, because the guy on the radio suggested it.
AMBER
Wait what guy on the radio?
CHARLIE
I didn’t mention that?
AMBER
Uh no, Charlie, you somehow failed to mention that guy on the fucking radio told you to go to the Chinese restaurant. Oh shit Charlie.
PAULINE
That doesn’t sound great Charlie. Have you been keeping up with your meds?
AMBER
I’m out.
PAULINE
Me too.
CHARLIE
Hold on, we’re getting there! Never mind the guy on the fucking radio. I went to the restaurant, and I asked the waitress if she knew Dr Sadler. And she told me...
(realizing that this also sounds bad)
Well, she told me that in order to find Dr Sadler, I’d have to complete 3 trials. The Old Factory, The Arena, and The Inventor’s Basement.
PAULINE
Oh shit, Charlie.
AMBER
Yeah, now that I hear him say it out loud, we’re fucked.
CHARLIE
No! Check it out. I know it sounds fucked up but really, I can prove that this is happening. I can PROVE it.
AMBER
How?
CHARLIE
So I told you about the Arena, right? And then that guy came in, the dude we just saw, and he was putting up for flyers for some pyramid scheme called....
AMBER
The Arena.
CHARLIE
The Arena! Exactly!
PAULINE
I’ve heard of those guys. My friend got sucked into it. Its just like a self-help course for people who want to be entrepreneurs.
CHARLIE
Well that’s what I thought. But its a cover.
PAULINE
You don’t say.
CHARLIE
Pauline, listen, how did I know about the Arena before I’d ever heard about it?
PAULINE
Because, I don’t know, they have like ads on bus shelters and subways and shit? I’m serious, its not a secret, Charlie.
CHARLIE
Oh. Well. Ok, but still, I’d never seen them.
AMBER
I can’t believe I was buying into this. I am so crazy.
PAULINE
Hey now, we don’t go for that kind of self-talk, right Amber?
AMBER
Well usually, ok, but today its becoming apparent that I was wolfing down a whole bag of crazy chips and I’m just a little disappointed in myself right now, ok?
PAULINE
That’s fair, that’s fair. But let’s keep it positive.
CHARLIE
Ok. So then Amber and I, we contact the Arena, and they tell me to meet them at the Red Lobster in Red Hook.
AMBER
Which also turned out to be a date with Inés, that barista over---
INÉS
Are you talking about me?
Right then Inés is dropping off their drinks.
AMBER
Oh hi! Hi there! I was just saying how you and Charlie went to Red Lobster. I’m so jealous.
INÉS
You know what, it was actually great! I haven’t been to Red Lobster since... well I don’t even know. Maybe never. Here you go... Americano, flat white, and... Quad iced latte with oat milk.
PAULINE
Thank you! Thanks so much. Amazing.
CHARLIE
Thanks, Inés. I’ll come settle up in a sec.
INÉS
Take your time.
She walks away.
PAULINE
You went out on a date with her?!
AMBER
I know right?
PAULINE
Dude, she’s so out of your league.
CHARLIE
Nice, nice one Pauline.
PAULINE
Seriously though.
CHARLIE
She’s a mathematician.
PAULINE
How did you not have a boner the whole time?
AMBER
I got one. Like a chub.
CHARLIE
(trying to get the conversation back on track)
Cool. We’re good? Great. So, check this out. While I’m at the restaurant, the hostess pulls me into the kitchen, and she and the line cook, this guy Marcello, they told me “there’s more to Sadler than you may want to know.”
PAULINE
That sounds pretty vague.
CHARLIE
I agree. They weren’t very forthcoming. They said they’d contact me again. BUT... here’s the thing. Marcello told me he’d contact the pharmacy, that we could all keep getting our meds.
PAULINE
The line cook?
AMBER
At the red lobster?
PAULINE
Said he’d sort out our meds?
CHARLIE
Right. SO! If that’s true, and if our meds are ready at the pharmacy, then something is ACTUALLY going on, and we’re in the middle of something that’s possibly even crazier than we are.
PAULINE
Hey now, we don’t use those words.
CHARLIE
Right, right. Positive self talk. But you know what I mean.
AMBER
So let’s go.
CHARLIE
Exactly. Let’s go.
PAULINE
Ok. I’ll play. Let’s see what happens.
They stand up and get ready.
CHARLIE
I’ll meet you guys outside.
Charlie walks over to the bar. He sounds kind of serious, like a man going off to war.
CHARLIE
Inés. We gotta run.
INÉS
You still looking for your doctor?
CHARLIE
Yeah. I may need your help. I’m not sure yet. But maybe.
INÉS
Ok, well, let me know.
CHARLIE
I will, definitely.
INÉS
Oh Charlie. Before you go.
CHARLIE
What is it?
INÉS
Its, uh...
SFX of her working the register.
INÉS
16.50. For the drinks I mean.
CHARLIE
Oh yeah. Yeah. Here you go.
He walks outside, meeting up with Amber and Pauline.
CHARLIE
Let’s do this.
Music comes up. They walk what must be about 10 feet around the corner, because boom they’re in the pharmacy in like two seconds.
PAULINE
Wow that was really close.
ELECTRONIC GREETER
(a robotic voice)
Welcome to DrugMart! You’re in the right place!