s1Ep52

Series 1 | Episode 52
[The Mallrats face off against the renegade tribe blocking their way out of the city. Lex is at the head of the pack and won't be intimidated]

Renegade boy: What are you waiting for? Turn back! I'm gonna count to three!
Lex: Stand your ground! We're coming through.
Amber: Don't be stupid, Lex, we're outnumbered!
Renegade boy: Okay.
[He looks prepared to fight it fight it out, but suddenly a bus with scary-looking teeth painted on it approaches from around the corner behind the Mallrats. Its horn is blaring. The renegades seem to know right off that it's trouble they don't want. Perhaps it's the "666 Special" sign in the window]
Renegades: It's the Locos!
[They start to run away when Ebony leans out the door and yells to the Mallrats]
Ebony: Come on everyone, jump on. Come on!
[Everyone turns to look at Ebony and the bus. The Mallrats don't instantly perceive the rescue attempt. They too think it's the Locos and stand frozen where they are]
Zandra: We're cut off.
Trudy: It's-- It's not the Locos, it's Bray!
[She must have been able to see him through the window. Bray is motioning from the driver's seat for the Mallrats to get on the bus]
Bray: Come on! Hurry up! Get on!
Ebony: Come on!
[This breaks their stillness and the Mallrats run for the bus. Realizing that it's not in fact the Locos, the renegade tribe decides now is a good time to rush the bus]
Renegades: Get 'em! Get 'em! Get 'em! [Lots of yelling]

[One of the renegades grabs for Jack but thankfully succeeds only in pulling his bag off his shoulder. The Mallrats all make it and the renegades are reduced to throwing rocks at the departing bus. The renegades left garding the blockade on the road dive to the sides as the rampaging bus breaks through, throwing boxes and bursting barrels filled with water out of the way. The Mallrats cheer inside the bus as they get away]

[Sometime later, they've stopped the bus near a stream. KC laughs as he throws a stick with Bob. Cloe sits in the grass with Porky. Amber, who's been sitting on a fence near Tai-San, jumps down and walks away. She ignores Bray when she passes him. Dal is working on the engine as Jack provides moral support]

KC: Oh, you missed it. Get this one! Come on Bob, try again, come on, jump up.
Jack: What d'you think?
Dal: Can't tell yet. We might have to let it rest for a while.
[Ebony, Zandra, Amber, and Lex approach from around the bus]
Jack: Where'd you get this crate anyway?
Ebony: I had it hidden away, in case of emergencies.
Zandra: Won't the Locos miss it?
Ebony: Those losers? They never knew about it.
Lex: Did I just hear you talking about the Locos there? I mean, I had a fever at the time, so I might have imagined it. But aren't you their leader? Yeah, it's all coming back to me now. You used me as a guinea pig for that damned antidote! And when it didn't work, you threw me out onto the streets to die like a rabid dog.
Ebony: And who said it didn't work? You look almost human.
Lex: No thanks to you, sweetheart.
[Bray too has joined the conversation and is standing behind Ebony]
Bray: Hey, knock it off Lex!
Lex: You defending her now? Why Bray? Something happen between you two? Something the rest of us should know about?
Bray: Look, she saved your skin.
Lex: We'd have managed okay!
Bray: Enough! Now tell me more about this Eagle Mountain.
Jack: Well, all the evidence in the computer files points to something big, something- something important.
Bray: Like what?
Jack: I mean we- we don't know.
Ebony: Great, you're telling me we're risking our lives on some half-baked trek up a mountain, and you don't even know what we're gonna get out of it? You guys are more loco than the Locos!
Tai-San: [Who's approached out of nowhere] It's not a question about getting something out of it, it's a spiritual journey! You wouldn't understand!
Ryan: Hey guys, I'm just going to get a fire going, anyone hungry?

[Ryan effectively ends the tense discussion and the Mallrats head off to eat. Amber, leaning against the bus, doesn't follow the others. She looks at Bray for a moment with a dismissive expression and walks away. Bray is obviously frustrated]

[Bray follows Amber to a stream where she is filling her water bottle. She's not going to forgive him easily]

Bray: Amber? What's wrong? Tell me!
Amber: Figure it out for yourself Bray!
Bray: I don't get it. I thought you'd be glad to see me. [From the look on her face, she's not] What, is this something to do with me and Ebony?
Amber: Wow! You must be psychic! [Sarcasm is attractive on her]
Bray: There's nothing going on!
Amber: I saw the two of you together, so don't bother lying!
Bray: When?
Amber: By the pool. You were getting a nice tan. [He still looks confused] Does the word helicopter ring a bell at all? So do me a favor Bray, drop dead!

[And he still looks confused as she walks away]

[Meanwhile, Jack is trying to start the bus, but the engine isn't cooperating. Dal has already accepted that it isn't going to]

Jack: Look um, try a fresh battery.
Dal: Give it up Jack, the bus isn't going anywhere. It's dead!
Jack: But, I mean, we're so close!
Dal: Okay, we get the compass and the map, and we walk!
Jack: [Jack laughs a little nervously] Well, um, Tai-San knows the way.
Dal: Sure. But what does the compass say? [Jack really doesn't want to answer and makes a lot of strange faces, but Dal is persistent] Jack?
Jack: Okay! Stop bugging me, I told you, it's taken care of! Besides, we don't have a compass.
[Dal is incredulous that they've come on this journey without the basic tools of finding direction. But Jack wasn't stupid, just unlucky, and now we know what was in Jack's bag that the renegade boy grabbed]
Dal: No compass?
Jack: No compass, no map, okay, I lost them getting on the bus. You satisfied?
Dal: You're telling me, we're relying on Tai-San's dream for a 30-mile journey without a map?
Jack: Well if you've got any better ideas, let's hear it!

[Dal is speechless at the absolute rediculousness of the situation]

[Tai-San is meditating when Jack comes to find her. He suddently doesn't seem as confident in Tai-San's dreams and needs some reassurance that they're going to get to Eagle Mountain]

Jack: We, um, set off first thing in the morning. Hey Tai-San, have you had any more um, dreams at all?
Tai-San: Just the same one. [Tai-San looks worried. Jack turns to go but she stops him] Stay with me. I know it might be strange for you Jack, but- maybe if we're both receptive a message will reach us.
Jack: Yeah. [He's skeptical, but willing to stick it out] Yeah, yeah, yeah, good idea.

[Patsy, Cloe, and the animals are trying to rest when Dal gets on the bus. He throws his bag on a seat which was unfortunately serving as a bed for Porky, who doesn't take kindly to having his sleep disturbed. Dal, already tense from the conversation with Jack, takes it out on the girls]

Dal: What's that stupid pig doing here?
Cloe: Sleeping, at least he was until you woke him up.
Dal: Why can't the animals sleep outside?
Patsy: Why don't you?
Cloe: At least he smells nicer than you.

[Dal can't take much more of this and falls tiredly into one of the seats]

[Lex is regaling Zandra, Ryan, Salene, and KC with tales of his bravery. He's got a top hat in his hands that he took from the Tribe Circus leader. KC is eating up every word]

Lex: You should have seen the look on his face, just reached out and took it off him. I kind of dusted it off, you know, then I looked down at him and said, "You're not such a big man without your topper, are you?" I put it on my head and we walked out of there really calmly.
KC: How many did you lay out before you got to Top Hat?
Lex: I'd say six or seven.
KC: Six or seven?
Lex: Each.
KC: Woah!
Lex: I swear it, word of honor. Can ask Ryan if you don't believe me. Ryan?
Ryan: Yeah, it's true, every word.
Lex: See?

[Perhaps Ryan is humoring Lex a little]

[Trudy gets on the bus and looks like a woman with a purpose. She sits in the seat behind Amber, who is staring out the window, deep in thought]

Trudy: Hi.
Amber: Hi.
Trudy: Amber, I feel terrible.
Amber: Why?
Trudy: Well about you and Bray. I really didn't mean to stir things up for you.
Amber: It's alright. I'm glad you told me, before things got too complicated. You left a message for him back at the mall, didn't you? So he could come after us?
Trudy: I thought I was doing the right thing.
Amber: Don't feel bad about it.
Trudy: Do you believe in this mountain of Tai-San's?
Amber: Right now, I don't believe in anything.

[Meanwhile, Bray and Ebony sit together by the stream]

Bray: I want you to talk to Amber. Tell her there's nothing going on between us. She saw us by the pool and she got the wrong idea and now she thinks we're an item.
Ebony: Sure, if it means that much to you.
Bray: [He's a little surprised she gave in that easily] Thanks.
[But Ebony always has a little manipulation left in her, and tries to turn the situation to her advantage. She moves to sit next to him]
Ebony: Bray, I'm kind of cold. Could you put your arm around me for a while?
Bray: Well, it's warmer on the bus, why don't you--
Ebony: Bray, just for a minute. I said I'd tell her.

[Whether she knew Amber was watching from the bus or not, either way Ebony came out on top. Amber is upset at the intimate moment she just witnessed]

[The next morning, the tribe packs up and prepares to leave. Tai-San gives them an idea of where they're headed, but even she is a little unsure of the exact route they'll take]

Tai-San: We make for between those two hills. If I'm right there'll be a wooded valley which we follow for 5 or 6 miles.
Bray: Yeah? Then what?
Tai-San: Then we stop and get our bearings again.
Ebony: Our bearings? That'd be our spiritual bearings.
Jack: Okay, so it's not scientific, but it's the best we could do.
Lex: Well a spiritual path's better than no path at all. Let's get going.

[And surprisingly, Lex sets off confidently while the others follow. They break up into smaller groups of twos and threes and trek through their beautiful surroundings]

[Sometime later, Amber is adjusting her coat under a tree while the others pass by. Ebony comes up for a little chat]

Ebony: To think I gave up a cozy job as tribe leader for this.
Amber: No one forced you to come.
Ebony: I guess I'm just following my instincts.
Amber: I've noticed.
Ebony: By the way, it seems like you've got the wrong idea about me and Bray.
Amber: Oh?
Ebony: Yeah. I always kind of liked him, from way back. But you know Bray, just when you think you've got your claws in him, he slips away again.
Amber: Is that right?
Ebony: Anyway, I thought I'd give it one last try, for old times sake. Nothin' doin', he's hooked on you. You do believe me, don't you? [The speech is somewhat sincere, but her expression is not. Amber apparently feels the same way. She gathers her things and walks off after the others as Bray comes up behind them. Ebony turns to him] What can I do? She didn't buy it!

[Bray doesn't seem too sure of her sincerity either and walks off angrily]

[The journey continues and the tribe walks on. Trudging up a hill and out of breath, Jack is about to give up]

Jack: Oh look that's it, I can't go any further! If I take another step I'll die!
Tai-San: Just to the top of this ridge. We'll have a better view.
Jack: That's what you said at the last ridge, and the one before that. Look we're lost Tai-San, and you know it.
[But she's already passed him and moved on, and Jack can't let the others know how precarious their situation is. Amber comes up behind him with the others close behind]
Amber: You okay?
Jack: Blisters, oh, I'll be fine!
Ryan: What's happening, are we on course or what?
Jack: Uh- not- not far now.
Ryan: Good, cause we've got no food left.
Salene: What about the dried fruit?
Ryan: I said there's nothing.
Lex: Well there's plenty of sheep, if you want to catch one. There better be a good restaurant up there. How much further?
Jack: [He laughs nervously] That's a good question.
Lex: There better be a good answer Jack.
Jack: Yeah well, there's no easy way to say this. We're um--
[And then he's saved by the sound of Tai-San's voice shouting his name in the distance]
Tai-San: Jack! Jack! [At the top of the hill, Tai-San waves her arms to get their attention] Jack! Over here! Over here! Come on you guys, it's only a little further.
Jack: [Jack is both relieved and slightly smug as he turns back to Lex] We're there.
Lex: Let's go.

[The Mallrats climb up the final hill and at the top discover an oddly shaped white building at the end of a road]

Salene: What is that?
Jack: Well it's an observatory of some kind.
Salene: Will there be people there?
Lex: Let's go and find out, shall we?

[One by one they climb over the fence and start walking up the road towards the end of their journey]

[The tribe reach the facility but are unsure what this means next. Could the adults be alive inside the observatory?]

Lex: What do we say to an adult if we meet one? [He tries the first door they find, on a building with a sign reading, "Eagle Mountain Sat Con 1"] It's locked.
Jack: What about the basement?
Lex: Ladies first.
[Apparently Lex isn't feeling very brave. Bray gives him an exasperated look and goes to try the door. The others follow him. They find themselves in a dark, sterile hallway and Bray uses his flashlight - torch - to guide the way. They see some signs with ominous warnings about electric shock, but other than that there doesn't appear to be much to get excited about. The Mallrats are discouraged]
Lex: Great.
Zandra: This is what we risked our lives for? An empty building? What are we supposed to do now?
Ebony: Ask the oracle.
Bray: Hey leave her alone. She brought us here, didn't she?
Ebony: Oh, I'm supposed to be grateful? I suppose it's as good a place to starve as any.
[Jack tries the switches under the sign warning against electric shock. He's successful in turning on the power, and the sudden light reveals what appear to be computer systems and some kind of control room]
Bray: Good work Jack. Don't just stand there. Look around, see if there's anything we can use!
[The others begin to do as he suggests, leaving Ebony and Trudy standing at the entrance to the room. Ebony talks her usual trash about the Mallrats, but she's in for a surprise. Trudy has had enough]
Ebony: Look at them. Still taking orders from Bray, like good little sheep!
Trudy: Shut up Ebony.
Ebony: What did you say?
Trudy: You heard me, you've caused enough trouble. If you don't like it here, then go back. No one would miss you.
[They move into the room to help the others search. KC manages to find enough food for everyone in the cabinets - cupboards]
KC: Hey look! Anybody hungry?

[After they've raided the food, there's not much for the rest of the tribe to do but sit and wait while Dal and Jack try to get the systems up and running]

Tai-San: What's it doing?
Jack: Um...nothing.
Dal: Try typing the co-ordinates again.
Jack: What d'you suggest? Typing them in backwards?
KC: What now?
Tai-San: That's anybody's guess.
Lex: Well, it's gonna show us a cure for the virus, for sure. We'll be heroes, and rich too when we get our hands on that formula. I knew it, I said this trip would be worth the effort.
[And of course, with downtime on her hands, it's time for Ebony to try to start some trouble. But surprisingly, Bray comes to Lex's rescue, perhaps because he's already angry with Ebony]
Ebony: Why don't you tell them the rest?
Lex: Who asked you?
Ebony: Go ahead! Tell them what happened to the antidote we already had, the one that saved your life. Or are you afraid you won't seem so heroic anymore?
KC: What's she talking about Lex?
Ebony: Somebody destroyed the antidote in a fit of temper, somebody so dumb he couldn't wait to find out if it worked.
Bray: It was me. I did it. I thought it was no good. You happy now?
Lex: [In an aside to Bray] Thanks.

[The facility is apparently connected to a satellite system, as the view of a satellite above the Earth would indicate. Jack and Dal continue to try to hack the system, and Jack would seem to be successful when his monitor suddenly activates. It shows a picture of the Earth with headings reading "Eagle Mountain Satellite Tracking Station" and "SatCommTelecommunications"]

Jack: Hey, um, guys I- I think I got something.
Lex: At last.
Salene: What is it?
[Bray comes to stand behind Jack's shoulder and reads the information on the screen]
Bray: Satellite? What satellite?
Jack: Um, that's- that's what I'd like to know.
Salene: You mean like a space ship with people on it?
Jack: Well, I mean, it could be unmanned, but the point is, it's up there, and this station is used for tracking it.
Lex: Well, so go on, track it.
Jack: Hey give me a chance, I mean, this is highly specialized software. You don't just switch it on and say, "Track the satellite now."
[But that's exactly what you say. An alarm sounds and the lights in the room dim as the monitors come up and show that the station is now tracking the satellite. A message blinks on the monitor: "Standby Receiving"]
Dal: It's voice activated! It's doing it. It's searching the skies!

[But it may have been too early to get excited. After the search is completed, the results read, "Search Complete Objects Found 0" Once again, they're faced with failure, and the situation seems hopeless]

Patsy: What does it mean?
Lex: What's going on?
Cloe: How can there be nothing there?
Zandra: Easy. The adults put it up there and then it died, like they did.
KC: Looks like were gonna be joining them.
Jack: Pie in the sky, that's all it was. I mean, we didn't even know what we were looking for!
Trudy: Well how do you explain Tai-San's dream?
Zandra: That it was a dream.
Trudy: Oh Zandra.
Jack: Oh well, that's the end, finished, finito, the End!
Lex: This probably isn't the best time for this. But uh, look it's been great being a Mallrat, good times, but me and Zandra have been thinking and uh, we're heading out tomorrow. We're gonna go and see what's on the other side of the mountain.
KC: Can I come with you? Please?
Lex: Sure. You can be our butler.
[The tribe is sad and upset at this news and look to each other, perhaps for some comfort that this isn't the end of the Mallrats]
Trudy: Where did Bray go?

[The others also notice he's missing. Amber runs off to find him and Lex doesn't look surprised]

[Bray has indeed left the observatory and the tribe. Amber catches up to him before he's gone too far. Up to now she's been hiding from him just how upset she is, but she's done holding back]

Amber: Bray! Bray! So, what? Were you just gonna leave without a word?
Bray: I thought it would be easier this way.
[From behind Amber, Lex approaches]
Amber: Yeah well, you would, wouldn't you. You always found it easier to run!
Bray: If you feel that strongly Amber, why'd you come after me?
Lex: Because she's crazy about you! Isn't it obvious?
[Matchmaker Lex? Amber isn't interested in his interference]
Amber: You just keep out of it! It's nothing to do with you!
Lex: Maybe not. Then again, I've never taken your advice Amber. Why start now? Look I don't know why you think he's in love with Ebony, but its stupid! You're wrong, you're so wrong it's not even funny.
Amber: Oh, I get it! Boys in it together. He helped you out in there, so now you're returning the favor?
Lex: Look, why don't we just quite messing about now? Look at him, why is he here? Have you asked yourself that? If he wanted to run off with Ebony why did he come back and rescue us? Huh? Because he loves you dummy, and you love him. That's your cue to kiss her. [He gives Bray a pointed look] Do I have to tell you how to do everything?
[He starts to head back to the satellite station while Amber and Bray turn to each other. They're suddenly shy]
Bray: I've never really listened to him before either.
Amber: Nor me.

[But they do love each other, and now they have no reason to believe in stupid misunderstandings. Bray drops his bag and they reach for each other for a very passionate kiss]

[Inside the observatory, Salene hugs Cloe and goes to join Ryan]

Salene: She's afraid the tribe will split up and she'll be on her own again. I told her not to worry and that if it came to it, you and I would look after her. And Patsy. It'd be kind of like starting our own family, but without all the dirty diapers. Did I say the right thing?
[He nods and smiles. Tai-San speaks with Dal and Jack regarding her own intentions]
Tai-San: I'm staying Jack. Whatever happens. Will you stay and help me operate this thing?
Jack: But- but it's hopeless.
Dal: I'm leaving in the morning. What are you doing? You staying?

[Jack looks like he has a hard decision to make, or maybe he's already made it. Dal certainly thinks so and walks off upset]

[Outside, Bray and Amber don't want to let each other go now that they're together again. They hear Lex calling their names]

Lex: Oh man! Bray! Amber! Look!

[They look up to see a satellite moving across the sky. The three run for the building]

[Inside the tracking station, the rest of the tribe is gathered around the monitor showing the status of the statellite. Amber, Bray, and Lex run in]

Amber: Hey! Have you seen it?
Jack: Well, we um, know it's the satellite.
Dal: It's doing it by itself.
Jack: Hey, hey quiet, something- something's coming through.
[A man's voice comes over the speaker. He's speaking in another language]
Salene: What's it say?
Jack: Shh!
Trudy: "Via con Dios?"
Ryan: What language is that?
Amber: Sounds like Spanish.
Bray: What does that mean?
Amber: "May God go with you."
[The voice stops broadcasting]
Salene: Oh no. Please don't go, don't leave us!
[It begins again, in English this time]
Recording: Attention, this is a pre-recorded message. If you are listening to this, the only hope for humanity lies with you, whoever you are. Listen very carefully to what I have to say next...

[And that is where we leave the tribe]