Shadows of the Past, Flames of the Future SAM'S QUESTIONS

[Erika follows Sam into the gang’s headquarters, a converted industrial building filled with the buzz of activity.]

[Men and women in sharp suits move purposefully, discussing logistics, weapons, and money.]

[Erika feels completely out of place, overwhelmed by the grim atmosphere.]

[Sam leads her to Zoe’s office—a sleek, intimidating space with a massive desk, a liquor cabinet, and a wall of security monitors.]

[Erika hesitates at the doorway, her aristocratic upbringing at odds with the stark modernity of the room.]

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

Alright, boss, we're here.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*nervously* Ah, yes... quite...

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*concerned* Boss, you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*thinking* (More like I've become a ghost...)

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*out loud* Ah, yes... a seat.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

Quite... necessary after such a harrowing ordeal.

[Erika sits stiffly in Zoe’s high-backed leather chair, her hands clutching the armrests as if the chair might attack her. Sam watches her, suspicious.]

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*leans against the desk, crossing her arms.*

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

Alright, boss. Spill it.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

You’ve been acting weird all day.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

First, you freeze during the deal, and now you’re talking like some medieval queen. What’s going on?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

Weird? Me? No, no. I am merely… trying out a new persona!

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

To keep everyone on their toes. A leader must be versatile, you know.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

Versatile, huh?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

So that’s why you didn’t know how to drive your own car? Or why you looked at your gun like it was a foreign object?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

What's really going on?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

Well, one must… embrace change!

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

Change? You didn't even know how to drive your own car today. What's going on, Zoe?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*nervously* Ah, yes... well... one must... innovate! Innovation is the key to success, is it not?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*suspiciously* Since when do you use words like ‘innovation’?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

Last week, you told me thinking too much was for losers. You're starting to scare me, boss.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*freezing* Ah, yes... well...I've just been... uh... studying some new business strategies.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

You know, to stay ahead of the game.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*skeptically* Business strategies?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

That's why you've been acting so weird all day?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*quickly* Yes, exactly! I've just been... immersing myself in the role, you know? Method acting, and all that.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*thoughtfully* Hmm, okay. I guess that makes sense.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

You have been under a lot of stress lately.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*relieved* Yes, exactly! Stress. That's all it is.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*concerned* Alright, boss.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

Just be careful, okay? We need you sharp.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

Yes... Yeah

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*serious* I'm going to go check on the others.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

You sure you're okay, boss?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*relieved* Yes, I'm fine. Just... just need a minute to myself.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*concerned* Alright, boss.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

But if you need anything, just shout.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*gratefully* Thank you, Sam.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

I Appreciate it.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*smiling* Anytime, boss. That's what I'm here for.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*went out of office room*

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*to herself* Wow... I think I just pulled it off...

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*to herself* Yes! I'm a natural-born gangster!

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*from outside the room* Boss? You okay in there?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

You're not, like, plotting world domination or something?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*laughing nervously* Oh, no, no, no! Nothing like that, Sam!

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

Just... just brainstorming some new business strategies.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*skeptical* Uh-huh. Well, just remember, boss: we're a crime syndicate, not a startup.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*laughing awkwardly* Ah, right! Good reminder, Sam!

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*chuckling*

[Later that day]

[Sam pulls out Zoe’s smartphone and hands it to Erika.]

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

Alright, boss. If you’re fine, then call Alex and tell him the deal’s done.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

Call? You mean... converse with him through this... rectangular contraption?

[Sam stares at her like she’s lost her mind.]

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

It’s your phone, Zoe. You use it every day.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

Stop messing with me.

[Erika holds the phone gingerly, studying it as if it’s a magical artifact.]

[She accidentally taps the screen, making it light up.]

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*gasping* It glows! Is it enchanted?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*deadpan* It’s not enchanted. It’s a phone.

[Erika awkwardly holds the phone to her ear, not realizing she hasn’t actually made a call.]

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

Hello? Alex? Are you there?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*snatching it back* Okay, that’s enough. Either you’re messing with me, or you hit your head harder than I thought.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

(laughing awkwardly)

[AT NIGHT]

[Despite her suspicions, Sam softens when she sees how genuinely out of sorts Erika seems.]

[She pours two glasses of whiskey and hands one to Erika.]

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

Alright, boss. I don't know what's going on with you, but we'll handle it.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

You've always had my back, so I've got yours.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

Thank you, Sam.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

You are... most kind.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

Here, drink this.

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

It'll calm your nerves.

[Erika stares at the glass of whiskey, unsure what to do with it.]

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

This... is some sort of potion, yes? For fortitude?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*sighing* It’s just whiskey. Drink it.

[Erika takes a hesitant sip and immediately starts coughing, her eyes watering.]

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*takes a sip* Ahhh!

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*coughing* This is poison!

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

How can you consume such vile liquid?

SAMANTHA LEE//SAM

*laughing* You're killing me, boss. You used to drink this stuff like water.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*still coughing* I think... I need... water...

[And just like that the day came to end]