Shadows of the Past, Flames of the Future MEET SAM

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*whispering* Boss, are you okay?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

You're acting real... off. Just nod and say the deal's good.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*nervously* Yes... the deal. It is most agreeable!

MAFIA RIVAL

*skeptically* Agreeable?

MAFIA RIVAL

Since when do you talk like a schoolteacher?

MAFIA RIVAL

You sure you're okay, Taylor?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*awkwardly* Oh, you know, one must expand one's vocabulary! The spoken word is an art form, after all.

MAFIA RIVAL

*raising an eyebrow* An art form?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*interrupting* Enough chit-chat.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

The deal's good. Let's wrap this up.

MAFIA RIVAL

*sighing* Fine. Let's get down to business.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*confused* Business? What business?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*glaring at Zoe* Just... just go along with it, boss.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*awkwardly smile*

[As the meeting ends, Sam drags Erika outside to their car.]

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

Alright, boss, let's get out of here.

[Erika stumbles, unused to Zoe’s combat boots, nearly falling face-first.]

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*stumbling* Whoa... what's with these weird shoes?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*laughing* Seriously, boss, what's with you today?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

Did you hit your head or something?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*dramatically* I… I believe I may have hit my head quite severely!

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*chuckling* Okay, boss. Let's get you to the car.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*looking at the car in horror*

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS CONTRAPTION?!

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*bewildered* It's your car, Zoe.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

You drive it every day.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*incredulous* Drive it?! You mean... operate it?!

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

Like a carriage without horses?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*dying laughing* Boss, you're killing me!

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*getting in the passenger seat*

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

I refuse to touch that... that... wheel thingy.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*stunned*

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

You're not serious right now?!

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

You're Zoe Taylor, and you don't know how to drive?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*haughtily* Of course, I know!

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

I simply prefer... to be chauffeured today.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*face-palming* This is going to be a long day...

[Back at Zoe’s penthouse, Erika paces in front of a massive mirror, examining Zoe’s reflection. She pulls at her leather jacket, frowning.]

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*to herself* Ugh, these garments! They're so... tight. How does one breathe?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*picking up the gun* And this!

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

What sort of weapon is this?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

It's heavy, ugly, and utterly impractical!

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*entering the room* Boss... are you talking to yourself?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

And why are you holding your gun like it's going to bite you?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*freezing* Ah, yes!

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

I was merely... admiring its craftsmanship.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*skeptical* Craftsmanship?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

It's a Glock, not a piece of art.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*nervously* Oh, yes! Of course!

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

I was just... testing its balance.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*raising an eyebro* Testing its balance?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*defensively* Yes! One must always ensure that one's... tools are in good working order!

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*shaking his head* Boss, I think you've been hit on the head or something. You're not making any sense.

[After some times]

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*to herself* What is going on? Where am I?

[As Erika tries to figure out her new surroundings, she hears a voice in her head.]

ZOE TAYLOR'S SOUL

(in Erika's mind) Hey, princess, what the hell are you doing in my body?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*startled* Who said that? Reveal yourself!

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*concerned* Uh... Boss, no one said anything.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*panicking* What's going on?!

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

Am I going mad?!

ZOE TAYLOR'S SOUL

*Thinking* (Nope, not mad. Just unlucky. Because you’re about to get yourself killed in my world.)