s5 Ep52

Series 5 | Episode 52
[In the Mall, May sits at the cafe table watching Sammy and Lottie play checkers. An upset Amber comes in and touches May's shoulder as she passes, indicating that she wants May to follow her to a spot away from the children. She doesn't want them to overhear her news. May doesn't feel the urgency, but follows her over to the sink area]

Amber: May.
May: Amber.
Amber: There's something wrong with Ram's computer. He put some software in it, and now it's got it's own agenda.
May: What kind of agenda?
[Amber looks over at the kids. The look on her face is sad and afraid at the same time. She lowers her voice and continues]
Amber: We need to keep this really quiet May. It's started manufacturing a virus.
May: You mean?
Amber: Yeah.
May: THE virus?
Amber: Mark two. I'm going over there now, so if you wanna come with me-
[May can now understand what Amber has to be afraid of and why she would want to keep this information from the children. But thanks to Lex overhearing their conversation and jumping in, their efforts are ruined]
Lex: Virus? What's all this about the virus?
Amber: Thanks Lex. Not so loud okay?
[Sammy looks up from his game with Lottie and wonders perhaps if the "grownups" are talking about him and Lottie. Amber is still trying to hide the virus information so she comes up with an excuse]
Sammy: Amber? Are we in trouble?
Amber: No, no, it's fine. I was just saying that I think I've got a bit of a cold coming on, nothing for you guys to worry about. [She looks as if the strain is too much for her to take. She turns back to May and Lex] Meeting at the Hotel in five minutes.

[Amber leaves and May turns to Lex, both of them with stunned expressions]

[A computer is processing information about the virus and tracking its toxicity level. The level is now around 93 percent]

[The meeting has begun inside the Hotel. Amber and Jay stand at the head of the table, where Lex, Ram, Jack, and Slade sit. May stands behind Jack. They're discussing solutions for the virus situation, though there don't seem to be many]

Jay: I don't care how intelligent it is. It's a computer, right, so it runs off electricity. Why can't we just unplug it?
Jack: Well it's not that easy; we can't get to the generator.
Lex: Why not?
Jack: Well there's a big...laser...in the corridor and me and Ram have already tried to get past it.
Lex: You and Ram? Why don't me and Slade give it-
[Ram pre-empts Lex's macho bragging to offer his opinion]
Ram: There is no time. Mega is the key to this; we have to make him play ball.
May: If the virus gets out, he'll go down as well.
Amber: He doesn't seem to care.
[The group is quiet for a second and Slade looks down at the table]
Ram: Why don't you let me talk to him.
Jay: Forget it, Ram. If he won't talk to his own brother, why would he listen to you?
Ram: We're running out of options here Jay. I mean, I can't get access to that program without Mega.
Amber: Okay, worst case scenario, if we can't shut the system down, how long until this place goes up?
Ram: Maybe an hour.
[They stare at each other, stunned. How do you process information like that? Amber tries to deal with it by acting, by taking charge and finding a way to mitigate the losses. But her first idea isn't possible and she takes out her frustration on Jack]
Amber: Okay, well, we can still save some lives. If I can get on Citynet-
Jack: It's outta action.
Amber: Aw, dammit Jack!
Jack: Okay, look, I'll try to rig something up with the small computers.
Amber: Okay, try that. In the meantime, May and I will raise the alarm. Jay, take Ram back to the mall. Lex, Slade, try and knock out that generator. Come on, let's move it.

[Amber's orders galvanize them, giving them something to focus their energy on. It's better than sitting around worrying]

[Completely oblivious of the catastrophe occuring in the city, Gel and Darryl hang out in the Mall. Ebony wonders why it's so quiet]

Ebony: Where is everyone?
Gel: Um, Trudy's with the babies. The others are at the Hotel, probably playing with computers or something. Except for Salene and Ruby.
Ebony: Well where are they?
Gel: It's a secret. But they're at the little girl's room, taking a little "test".
[She's very "nudge nudge, wink wink" about this bit of gossip. Darryl, being Darryl, doesn't get the innuendo]
Darryl: What kind of test?
Gel: Well it's not Algebra.

[Ebony certainly gets what Gel is implying and she's worried]

[Jay has escorted Ram back to the Mall and taken him to see Mega. He unlocks the cage door and, with a passing comment to Ram, he leaves them alone]

Jay: Good luck.
[Mega isn't surprised to see Ram, and his captivity doesn't seem to have curbed his patronizing and sarcastic nature. Ram is walking a fine line between anger and admiration. Knowing Ram, he's not faking the admiration just to get Mega's cooperation]
Mega: Ram. What happened to the wheelchair?
Ram: Well it's uh, it's sitting right on the rubbish tip where you left it. Last I knew, it was being chewed by rats.
Mega: Well that's enough to make anyone learn to walk. So. Got your legs back, got your city back, got me arrested. Come to gloat, have you?
Ram: Oh, well I uh, would love to, but I'm actually running a wee bit late. I just came by to ask you one question, that's all.
Mega: What about? The virus program?
Ram: It's genius, the ultimate doomsday machine.
Mega: And you want to know how to disable it.
[Mega smirks, enjoying the situation. But Ram doesn't respond as expected]
Ram: Oh, come on. Never expect that from you.
Mega: So what's your question?
Ram: Well, I just, it's- it's so great. The question is, why didn't I think of it first?

[Now Ram smirks and Mega is surprised to hear such an admission]

[Amber moves through the streets urging kids to get out of the city before the virus is released. Others run past her, so the word must be spreading, but small groups here and there don't seem to understand the gravity of the situation. She hurries up to one such group]

Amber: Hey! Come on, run. Save yourselves.
Boy: Where?
Amber: It doesn't matter, just get out of town. Go to the woods, anywhere, but just do it now. [She grabs another girl in the group when they don't seem inclined to get moving] Hey, listen to me. Don't go home for your stuff; there isn't time. Hurry! [She leaves them and turns to another young woman running the wrong direction deeper into the city] Hey, hey, hey. Where are you going?
Girl: My baby, I'm not leaving without her!
Amber: You have to go. Go, go. But hurry!

[Amber is very worried. Will they be able to get all the kids out of the city in time? Will she be able to get her own baby out of danger and her tribemates as well?]

[At the Mall, preparations are under way to get everyone out of the city. Trudy, Brady, and Ellie are sitting at the base of the stairs waiting on the others when May and Darryl join them. Brady is fussy and crying, as if she knows they're leaving their home behind. Darryl seems to be taking it pretty much the same as Brady]

Trudy: Hey, that's alright Brady. We're just going on a little walk to get some fresh air.
Darryl: We better collect what food and water we've got. I mean, we don't know where we're going or when we're going to eat next!
Trudy: Thanks for adding to the panic, Darryl.
Ellie: I'm gonna go to the Hotel.
[Ellie stands up, ready to leave, but May stops her. May is the one who has to organize all these people to leave the Mall. If Ellie leaves it's another person they have to keep track of]
May: No!
Ellie: Jack's there!
May: Look, he'll be fine! Please, Ellie, there is nothing you can do to help him.
[She softens her voice to plead with Ellie for her understanding and Ellie backs down. May's next challenge is Gel, who seems totally oblivious of the danger they're facing. May yells at her]
Gel: How long are we going for? I need to know what to pack.
May: Oh, forget packing! God, this thing could blow at any minute! The best thing we can do is just grab a kid each and get the hell out of here. Gel, go find Sammy and Lottie.
Gel: Why me?
[Not the cooperation May was looking for. She yells again and Gel pouts but goes to find them. Ebony joins the group]
May: Just do it!
Ebony: At least if it's the virus, the kids are immune right?
May: Wrong. This is the virus, mark 2. This one's gonna wipe out everything that moves. Where'd Salene and Ruby go?
[Her eyes shift and she thinks for a moment. Ebony knows where they are but she denies knowing]
Ebony: Oh. I don't know. I think they've left already.
May: Which way?
Ebony: They didn't say. Don't worry, they'll be fine.
May: Yeah, still. I'd better go check around for them. You go, Ebony.

[Ebony tried smiling reasureingly at May, but May's not about to leave Salene behind without knowing where she is. Ebony lets the breath out she'd been holding through her conversation with May. It's difficult to tell whether she's annoyed that May didn't believe her, or that she tried such a weak scheme on the spur of the moment]

[Speaking of Ruby and Salene, they're upstairs examining the stick that holds the results of Ruby's pregnancy test. Salene holds the stick and tries to figure out what Ruby's reaction is]

Salene: Well, that's conclusive.
Ruby: Yeah, guess so.
Salene: So um, how do you feel?
Ruby: You wanna know the truth? I'm really confused.
[Salene sighs, not sure what to say, when May hurries in, greatly relieved to have found them]
May: Thank god. We almost left without you.
Salene: What's going on?
May: Look, we have to evacuate.
Salene: The Mall, why?
May: No, the whole city. Look, I'll explain on the way. Come on.

[This evacuation has obviously happened very quickly, so quickly that this is the first Salene and Ruby have heard of it. They exchange confused glances but grab their coats and follow May out the door]

[Ram and Mega continue their conversation in the cage. Though they're rivals and possibly enemies, they seem to understand each other very well. The conversation is remarkably civil]

Mega: There's no virtual world for you to hide in this time, Ram.
Ram: Oh I'm beginning to enjoy real life.
Mega: Real life has a drawback though.
Ram: Real death.
Mega: So why don't you run?
Ram: Ah, well I'm going to take my chances. At least I'll get to spend my last hour with my best ever student. Out of all the Technos, Mega, you were the only one that ever came close to matching my genius.
Mega: Come off it, Ram. You want me to disable the computer because you've tried, and failed. Be honest.
[Ram jumps on this statement. Mega is headed where Ram wants him to go, he just needs a little push]
Ram: So, you could. You could disable the computer if you wanted to.
Mega: Possibly.
Mega: So why don't we go and find out, once and for all, who is really the student and who is really the master.

[Ram does understand Mega. Appealing to his humanity and compassion didn't work, but challenging him seems to have gotten Mega's attention. Ram has played Mega well, and Mega knows it, but he may still be intrigued enough to cooperate]

[Toxicity level: 95.4% and rising]

[The Mallrats have made their way outside and will decide where to head next. Sammy is tying his shoes while sitting on a barrel against a wall and Jay is trying to get them all together and moving]

Jay: Come on Sammy.
Sammy: Alright.
[Ebony moves up beside Ruby and takes this opportunity to sound her out about her "condition". Behind them, Darryl hurries up to Sammy and tries to pass along a little more of his total panic about the situation]
Ebony: So Ruby...
Darryl: Come on man, we don't have time!
Ebony: What's the verdict?
Ruby: Hmm?
Ebony: Well should we be knitting little booties?
Ruby: Whatever happens, Ebony, I won't be needing your help. Thanks.
Ebony: So you are pregnant?
Ruby: I didn't say that. Why? You getting nervous about you and Slade? Not sure how much he loves you?
[Ruby is enjoying Ebony's uncertainty, but knowing Ebony, that could backfire on her]
Ebony: Well are you, or aren't you?
Ebony: Well you're a woman Ebony. Can't you tell by just looking at my face?
\[Ruby smirks at her, and Ebony is eaten up with frustration and jealousy. This won't end well. Meanwhile, the group has gathered in a circle to discuss their options]
Jay: Sammy, come on, hurry up. Where's Lottie?
Sammy: I thought she was with you.
May: I sent Gel to get her. They'll just have to catch up.
Trudy: Well, what about Amber and the others?
Jay: Yeah, I know. I'm gonna go back for them.
Darryl: Shall we go North or West? Which way's quicker?
Jay: Uh, on foot they're both just as bad. I mean, the quickest way would be over the water, if only we had a boat.
Salene: I say North to the hills. If we can get high enough we-
May: No wait. I know a guy with a boat! Not far from here, just down by the Keyside.
Salene: But, May, can we trust him?
May: Not really, he's a scuzzball trader, but he will do anything if the price is right.
Jay: Go for it.

[Jay heads back towards the Hotel while the others follow May]

[Lex and Slade are attempting to take out the laser in the hall leading to the computer's power source. It's attached to the ceiling and rotates continuously to track movement in the hallway. As usual, Lex is being cocky about it. Slade seems to be the cautious one. They're both peeking around the corner at the laser and trying not to give away their presence]

Lex: It hasn't seen us yet.
Slade: I wouldn't be so sure. [Lex starts to step out into the corridor but Slade puts his hand on his shoulder to stop him] Where are you going?
Lex: To take out the laser.
Slade: With what?
[Lex glances at an ashtray or some kind of stand lying abandoned in the hall]
Lex: That stand. Got any better ideas?
[He tries to reach the stand but the laser whips around and fires, barely missing Lex as he ducks back around the corner with Slade]
Slade: Well I think it's seen us now.

[Lottie is going through Gel's jewelry and other things when she hears someone coming. She hides in the wardrobe and pulls the door closed behind her. It's Gel, pissy about having to leave the Mall and convinced it's all for nothing and the others are just exaggerating. She begins to gather stuff together]

Gel: Viruses. Computers. What a load of baloney. So what if there's stuff in the air. You could just stay indoors, duh! Now then, I'll have to take this, and this, and this.
[She pulls a few items from the wardrobe then closes and locks the door. As she leaves, Lottie realizes that she can't get the door open]
Lottie: Help! Somebody help!

[She starts to cry but there's no one left in the Mall to hear her and no one left to help her]

[Lex and Slade are still pressed up against the wall around the corner from the laser. Jack joins them and can't help commenting on their progress, or lack thereof]

Jack: Not so easy, huh?
Lex: I haven't started yet.
Jack: Well listen, I hate to hurry, but this virus is close to meltdown. We got 30 minutes, maybe less.
Slade: Thanks.
[Says Slade sarcastically. Jack just stares at him, confused probably as to why that wasn't helpful. Amber comes around another corner looking for Jack. She's frustrated and worried]
Amber: Jack!
Jack: How's the evacuation going?
Amber: Without Citynet, it's hopeless!
Jack: Okay, well I think I might've got it working. It's on reduced power, but it's better than nothing.
Amber: Okay, try that.
[They head off to try Jack's rigged system and spread the word to the city]
Slade: Hey Lex, you know what we need now?
Lex: A miracle?
Slade: A decoy. On my signal, grab that stand. Now!
[Slade dodges to other side of the hallway, drawing the laser's attention, while Lex grabs the stand and swings it at the laser. He knocks it to the floor and shouts triumphantly]
Lex: Yes!

[Toxicity level: 98.3% and rising]

[The streets are crowded with kids running, heading for safety outside the city. A truck starts up in a crowded alley near the one the Mallrats are traveling through. It causes kids to panic. Ruby has slowed down and is holding her side. Darryl stays at her side solicitously and Ebony for her own reasons]

Darryl: Ruby, are you alright?
Ruby: Yeah, I'll be fine. I've just got the stitch.
Darryl: Do you want me to stay with you?
[Ebony jumps in quickly]
Ebony: Hey Darryl, don't worry about it. I- I'll stay with her.
Darryl: Thanks Ebony.
Ruby: What was that for?
Ebony: Now don't flatter yourself. I've got the stitch too.
[Ruby is rightfully suspicious. They stop in front of a laptop that's been set up on a barrel. Amber is broadcasting her alert to the city and Ruby watches some of it. Ebony is concerned with other things]
Amber: "Be aware of others and help them to escape safely too. If we all help each other there's less chance of any accidents. It may be possible to return to the city after the virus has dispersed. But this may take time. Get out now! Go to the woods, anywhere!"

[Ebony is eyeing the truck and the panicking, screaming kids headed their way. She looks at Ruby and back to the truck, trying to gage the right moment. At the last second she shoves Ruby directly into the path of the oncoming truck. Ebony grunts, Ruby screams. Darryl, a little ahead of them, turns around at the sounds of Ruby's cries. Ruby rolls a few times and comes to a stop while Ebony looks on, satisfied that her plan has worked]

[Ram has indeed convinced Mega to try disabling the computer. They are seated side by side as Jack helps them prepare to go into Reality Space. He hands them their helmets while Amber looks on]

Mega: Where's my brother?
Amber: He's with Lex, trying to get to the generator.
Mega: Past the laser. They'll never make it.
Ram: Nor will we, Mega, if you keep yapping the whole time.
Jack: Ram, what exactly are you trying to do?
Ram: Well, we're going to interact with the computer neurally. So for a brief moment, we will become part of the machine.
Jack: Whoa, isn't that dangerous?
Ram: Are you kidding? It's absolutely insane. Now, patch us in.
[Ram is unbelievably arrogant about it, or maybe just excited. It's difficult to tell with him. Jack looks at Amber, sighs, then activates the connections for Ram and Mega from a laptop. The Zoot construct appears on the monitors in the room]
Zoot: Well, well. Ram and Mega. My two favorite people. Why have you sprung to mind all of a sudden?

[Amber and Jack look at Mega and Ram and back to the screens. They're unsure what this means. They really have no idea how this mission will go, and it's possible they won't know the outcome until it's too late]

[Ruby lies in the street, unconscious. Ebony, Darryl, and Salene hurry over to her. Ebony is playing the caring friend for all it's worth]

Ebony: Oh Salene, thank god.
Salene: What happened?
Ebony: Well there were some kids in a truck. I guess they didn't see her.
Salene: Ruby! Ruby, can you hear me?
[Ruby comes to but is groggy and weak]
Ruby: Sa-Salene?
Salene: Come on, we've got to get her up. Come on.

[Darryl and Salene lift Ruby to her feet and support her. They head off and Ebony follows behind them, smirking at her deviously successful actions]

[In the Mall, Lottie is still locked in Gel's wardrobe, calling for someone, anyone to come]

Lottie: Help me! Help! Help! Help, somebody!

[Jack and Amber monitor the status of Ram and Mega's connections as they attempt to reason with the Zoot construct. Ram and Mega are in dark, black, empty space facing off against Zoot. For the moment, Ram is doing all the talking and Mega just looks on]

Ram: We created you. You must obey us.
Zoot: You gave me free will, and I choose not to obey.
Ram: Do you believe in power and chaos?
Zoot: I do.
Ram: Do you believe that the two must go together?
Zoot: Yes.
Ram: Then spare the human race, for there is nothing more chaotic. You can wield the power and we'll bring you chaos.
Zoot: Very pretty. Is that really the best you can do Ram?
[The Zoot construct throws his hand up and a streak of some sort of energy acts like a fist and hits ram, knocking him off his feet. It also knocks him completely out of the computer's "mind", leaving Mega to face Zoot alone. Outside, Ram takes off the VR mask and stands up, but the blow affected him physically on the outside as well. He collapses and Amber and Jack hurry to help him]
Amber: Get Mega out of there!
[Jack goes to take Mega's headset off but Mega stops him]
Mega: Leave it! I can't let him win; not now.

[Having made it past the laser, Lex and Slade stand just outside the generator room. When Lex moves to follow Slade inside, Slade points out the danger. Lex doesn't seem to care either way]

Slade: I'm going in.
Lex: Right behind you.
Slade: No need for both of us to risk our necks.
Lex: Fine by me.

[Slade throws his shoulder against the door and bursts through it. He receives an unpleasant surprise however when he finds another laser inside the generator room. It fixes on him immediately and a target lights on his chest]

[Inside the "No Man's Land" of the computer, "Zoot" shows Mega the scene in the generator room and Slade's imminent danger. Mega is surprisingly quick to try and save his brother]

Mega: Not my brother.
Zoot: He is an intruder inside my castle. He will be deleted.
Mega: He's a human. You can't delete a human. You will shut down all programs immediately.
Zoot: Negative.
Mega: Do you know what you are?
Zoot: I am Zoot.
[Mega lets loose with a "power fist" of his own and knocks "Zoot's" head back with a flash of light. He tries arguing "Zoot's" sense of existence]
Mega: You are nothing! You're a phantom; you're not real! You're- you're a list of instructions; you're a handful of pixels on a screen.

[Amber, Jack, and Ram watch all this on the monitor, waiting to see if Mega will be successful]

[Slade meanwhile stands in the crosshairs of the laser, staying very still. Lex runs in the room behind him and Slade puts up a hand to stop him]

Lex: Slade!

[Zoot isn't going for Mega's arguments and insists on its identity]

Zoot: I am Zoot!
[Mega lets loose a flashing slap to "Zoot's" face. His argument is a little meglomaniacal in tone but he's holding his own against the construct]
Mega: No! You are Ram's creation and I am Ram's master.
Zoot: I am the master. I have the power, and I have the chaos.
Mega: Well I have the knowledge, and that is all-powerful.
[Mega tries another blow to "Zoot" but it brushes the flash of light aside with no effort. Mega is unpleasantly surprised, as is Ram, watching on the monitors]
Zoot: No. I am all-powerful, all-knowing, and destiny awaits.
Mega: What is destiny? Search your files.
Zoot: That depends on whether you're referring to consciousness determining one's existence.
["Zoot" pauses and his projected image flashes more and more as his memory stores work overtime to answer the complicated question. Mega smiles slightly, knowing the question is too complicated for one single answer]
Mega: Gotcha.
Zoot: Destiny of existence determined by consciousness. Consciousness could determine existence depending if one considers the Theory of Relativity in the abstract or the absolute. Is it consciousness or existence? Plato and Aristotle might argue that one would have to address quintessential existentialism. I think, therefore I am. But do I think because I am? [It begins to fade into the darkness as it goes around in a circle with all the philosophical arguments] Or am I because I think? Where is the end? Where is the beginning? The end of consciousness. Who am I? Where is Chaos? Existing in the metaphysical, which would mean...

[As it's arguments get more incoherent and jumbled, "Zoot" throws flashes of light at Mega, almost knocking him over. And as we know with Ram, the physical body of Mega is also getting punished. The construct fades in and out, fighting for it's existence as it argues it. Mega is getting hit again and again, obviously feeling the pain. The hardrive begins to smoke from the extreme amount of work required of it. "Zoot's" holds Mega by the throat and off his feet by its power alone. The light increases in strength and intensity as the arguments do the same. Mega breathes hard and struggles to last through the constructs destruction. Finally, "Zoot" fades out, its arguments still echoing in the darkness, and Mega collapses]

[In the generator room, the laser's target light turns off and it powers down. Slade takes a deep breath, happy to be alive. Lex grabs his shoulder and shares his appreciation of their escape from danger]

Lex: They did it.
[They celebrated too soon though. Slade calls Lex's attention to their next problem. The laser is off, but the generator's gages are going crazy and the sounds aren't good]
Slade: Lex.

[The generator looks very close to blowing, and all of their efforts seem to have been in vain]

[Amber and Ram kneel by Mega and Ram gently takes the VR headset off]

Amber: I don't think he's gonna make it.
[What's she's basing this opinion on, I'm not sure, since she hasn't touched him at all]
Ram: Listen to me, Mega. You did it! I mean, you took him on and won! You are the one, true Master.
[Ram must be sure he's gonna die, because he would never say something like that otherwise. The door opens and Slade and Lex join them]
Lex: We were too late.
[Ram gets up and moves away from Mega as Slade kneels down beside his brother. Mega is weak and barely conscious but he smiles when he sees Slade. A lonely pipe plays in the background as the brothers speak honestly for the first time in a long time]
Slade: Josh.
Mega: Slade. I'm sorry.
Slade: There's nothing to be sorry about.
Mega: All those years, wasted.
Slade: But it was my fault. I left you.
[Slade struggles to keep his emotions in control while he tries to comfort Mega. They're interrupted by Jack's warning about the imminent disaster]
Jack: You guys, this thing's gonna take the whole biolab with it. We have got to get out of here, eh?
[The others understand the urgency, but they hesitate to cut short the intimate moment between Slade and Mega. It looks like it will be the last one they get to share. But Mega knows the score, and it's a chance to save his brother, again]
Mega: I was wrong. You didn't leave me. But you have to now.
Slade: Never.
Mega: Please, Slade. You have to let me do the right thing for once. Le- Lex knows everything. Knows everything ab- about...
[But before he can finish his message, his eyes flutter and drift shut. Mega is dead. Ram stares curiously at Lex; what exactly did Mega tell him? Slade stares, agonized, at his younger brother. He couldn't save him from this and it's tearing him apart. He doesn't have the time to grieve properly though. Amber gently puts her hand on his shoulder and speaks softly]
Amber: Slade. Come on. Come on.

[They pull him away and hurry out of the room. Behind them, Mega's body rests on the chair. The monitors light up briefly with Zoot's face, yelling nonsense as it dies. The generator room is alive with red light, whistling noises, and shaking. It won't be long before the whole thing goes up in flames, releasing the virus with it]

[Some distance outside the Hotel, Amber and the others see Jay running towards them. She runs into his arms and they hug each other in relief]

Amber: Jay!
Jay: Amber!
Amber: Hey. My baby?
Jay: He's fine. What about the virus?
Jack: It's going to get out.
[Jack isn't happy having to break the news, and Jay is stunned. All their efforts were for nothing. While they frantically try to exchange all the important information, Gel hurries up dragging her suitcase]
Amber: Which way did everyone go?
Gel: That's what I want to know! The place is like a ghost town.
Amber: Gel! What are you doing here?
Gel: I got cut off!
Jay: Look, there's a boat down at the Key, one of May's contacts.
[Amber nods her approval and turns back to Gel]
Amber: Did everyone get out?
Gel: Pretty much. I couldn't find Lottie, but I figured, what the hell. That little thief can look after herself.
Amber: You mean she's still at the Mall?
[Amber is horrified that Gel would leave someone behind, and speechless. She looks in frustration at Gel and then turns to run back to the Mall. Jay calls after her but she doesn't stop]
Jay: Amber, no!

[The pressure continues to rise in the Hotel's generator room]

[The other Mallrats finally arrive at the boat and hurry aboard. The boat's owner and May's contact, the sleazy trader, is not prepared to transport them all. He complains while Salene oversees Darryl helping the injured Ruby onto the boat. They basically ignore him]

Trader: Whoa! Too many people; I didn't agree to this!
Salene: Hey. Gently.
Darryl: Yeah.
May: Hey, is she okay?
Salene: I think so.
Trader: Look, this boat ain't going anywhere unless you cut a deal. I want some guarantees May.
May: Look, just back off alright! Our friend's hurt.
Ebony: Hey what about the baby? I mean, well it couldn't have survived, could it?
Salene: She didn't tell you?
Ebony: Tell me what?
Salene: There is no baby. The test was negative.
May: Oh what a relief! How'd she take it?
Salene: A little sad, but I think she knows it's for the best.

[May and Salene step onboard the boat, while Ebony stands on the dock. She was sure there was a baby to be jealous of, and now she's stunned to realize her actions were all for nothing. Whether she feels any guilt about that or not, we may never know]

[Amber runs up the steps inside the Mall calling for Lottie]

Amber: Lottie! Lottie, are you here? Lottie!

[Lottie cries inside the wardrobe, but Amber's voice can be heard calling her name]

[On the boat, Ellie bites her thumb and waits anxiously for Jack to arrive. She's rewarded when Ram, Slade, Lex, Gel, and finally Jack run down the dock to the boat. She throws herself into his arms and he grunts a little when he catches her]

Jack: Hey.
Ellie: Jack, you're safe!
Jack: Oh, gosh!
[Darryl sticks his head off the boat and interrupts their happy moment]
Darryl: Shouldn't we get a move on?
[They jump on the boat and Lex calls for them to get going]
Lex: Let's go!
May: There's a problem with that. [She nods her head in the trader's direction] He wants paying.
Lex: Well it's up to you, pal! If we stay here, we die. So what if you cast off and we can do the deal later?
[The trader apparently decides that's a good idea and heads for the front of the boat. Salene and Trudy stand up and get Lex's attention]
Salene: We have to wait for Amber.
Trudy: And Jay. We are not leaving without them.
Lex: We have no choice. Tell them Jack.
[Jack steps up reluctantly but tells them the truth. The others look at each other, hoping for a last minute miracle or comfort]
Jack: He's right, Sal. Look I'm sorry but we've run out of time.
Lex: It's a tough break, but we have her kid. How do you think she'd feel if we didn't save him?

[He's right, of course, but how much of it is motivated by self-preservation? The others are devastated]

[As the generators get closer to blowing, Amber runs into Gel's room in the Mall. She can hear Lottie inside the wardrobe]

Lottie: Help me!
Amber: Lottie?
Lottie: Help!
[She opens the door of the wardrobe and Lottie falls into her arms. They collapse on the floor and hold onto each other]
Amber: It's okay Lottie; I'm here now.
Lottie: We're supposed to be leaving!
Amber: I think it's too late now.
[Not quite. Jay walks in. He's come to get them and take them to the boat]
Jay: Wanna bet? Come on, let's go.

[He helps them off the floor and they run for the door]

[There's chaos and panic in the city as kids run for their lives. Amber, Jay, and Lottie run too, but they have a place to go, if they can reach it in time. Lottie looks back at Amber on their mad dash for the boat as kids scream around them]

Amber: Run Lottie! Keep going, come on!

[The generator finally blows in a fiery explosion. The liquid in the biolab boils up out of its container, presumably releasing the virus]

[On the boat, Trudy tries one more time to delay the boat for a few minutes]

Trudy: Can't we just give them a few more minutes?
Jack: Look Trudy, by then it might be too late.
Lex: Right. Come on, let's get out of here!
[Lex yells at the trader, who jumps off the boat and unties the lines. Ram takes this moment to ask about Mega's comment earlier regarding Lex knowing something]
Ram: Are you leaving some secrets behind, eh Lexie?
Lex: What are you talking about?
Ram: Later.
[Then why ask about it at all? Another explosion rocks the Hotel and the biolab door is blown off, letting the virus out into the rest of the city. The flames from the explosion are visible from the edges of the city. Right as the trader throws the boat lines to Darryl, Trudy looks up and sees Amber, Jay, and Lottie coming down the dock. She smiles and laughs, overjoyed that her friends won't be left behind]
Trudy: Wait! Look!
Jay: Hey!
Salene: It's Amber!
Lex: Come on!
[Trudy jumps off the boat to meet them and hugs Amber furiously as Jay and Lottie board. Lex hurries them up and pulls them both aboard just in time. The trader has started the engines and they pull away from the dock. Trudy, Salene, Jay, Amber, Slade, Ebony, Ellie, and Lex stand at the back of the boat and watch the city grow smaller as the boat gets further away. We see places in the city - the Mall, the streets - one more time. Ellie turns to Lex with a sad expression]
Ellie: That's our home.
Lex: Not anymore.

[And they sail off into the sunset, together. Where they go and who they meet is another tale altogether]