A-Dove: Ross you know you can’t just up and walk on set like this.
A-Dove: For one its all kinds of rude and one of these days you’re gonna catch me when I’m indecent and we just don’t need that added sexual tension in our relationship
A-Dove: For another... last I checked we were supposed to be keeping a low profile.
A-Dove: Not a thing that can happen when you storm on set and make one of my security guards cry over how meticulously you've deconstructed every life choice he's ever made within the first five minutes of meeting you.
A-Ross: I needed to talk to you and you weren't answering your phone. As usual.
A-Dove: Excuse me, I'm in the middle of a shoot here!
Ross: Does that excuse you of the basic manners of answering your phone when a dear friend is trying to call you? I could have been injured, Dove. Lost and alone and looking for the solace of a friend and yet you were too busy to answer a call. So disappointing.
Dove: And I’m supposed to be the weird and dramatic one between the two of us. *Laughs* Man does everyone have it wrong
Ross: *Amused* I’m allowed my eccentricities. It’s one of the many perks of of having your books on the Best Seller’s list for nearly a year. The public expects me to be strange, and who am I to deny them what they so blindly wish to see?
Dove: *Chuckles* Whatever man. *Sound of door to a trailer opening* Just get in so you can tell me what was so important that it couldn't wait for me to call you back and warranted a cross country roadtrip from fuck all New York to L.A.
Ross: It's about the children.
Dove: *Pause* Oh. *Door closes shut quickly* Well shit just got serious.
Ross: Indeed. *Sighs softly, creak of a chair as she takes a seat* I must admit, I’m not sure how exactly to broach the topic.
Dove: ...Did you have another vision? Did the witch do something? Is Dani... fuck are... are they okay?!
Ross: Relax Dove. They're fine as far as I can tell... as fine as they can be in their circumstances. Neither Roky nor Dani are hurt, or in any sort of new and looming danger. We’re not in one your movies so calm the dramatics. *Amused chuckle* You know, I don't think I've ever seen you this openly worried.
Dove: *Relieved sigh* Fuck. Don't do that. *sound of her sinking into a chair, shaken*
Ross: I find this display of maternal-esque concern for the children to be rather touching actually. Most of the conversations on the topic are vocally one sided on my end. A rare and blissful treat if I’m to be honest with you.
Dove: First off, shut up. I'm allowed to care about my lil sis, okay? Second, fuck you, you're just as worried about them as I am. We don't know what's going to fucking happen or if they'll be alright. Shit's so uncertain. We're like blind men fumbling in the dark for a fucking light switch that’ll be useless to us anyway. Everytime we think we’ve got it, BAM!, Just another stretch of smooth, flat wall.
Ross: The blind man wouldn't even be bothering to search for the lightswitch in the first place, proving him to be far more intelligent than we.
Ross: *Sighs*I’m worried. Which is why I'm here. Just because there isn’t imminent disaster doesn't mean that we don't have cause for worry.
Dove: Well... there's not much more we can fucking do...
Dove: The house is ready, so is the apartment.
Dove: We've got the power sources and machines set up for Roky, the books and information have all been shipped to yours, the tech Dani'll need to mine, food and supplies to last them-
Ross: (Suddenly upset, cutting her off) You really think that will be enough for them?!
Dove: What do you mean? What’d we miss?
Ross: *Scoffs* Dove, come on.
Dove: What?
Ross: You are unbelievable. *Sighs, tired* They’re going to be alone, the last two humans on earth, separated and abandoned. We can’t be there for them. I’ve looked at this a million and one ways, and we can’t be there.
Ross: And you want to know why?
Ross: We’ve avoided saying it outloud but I think it’s time that we grow up.
Dove: Ross...
Ross: We’re going to die Dove. At her hands, or at her orders. We’re going to die and they’re going to be left alone. Without ever knowing us. And I... I am...
Dove: Hey! Don’t do that. You are not allowed to do that man. We both know I’m supposed to be the mess, it’s been that way all our lives, and there’s no way you’re allowed to change the rules just because we’re speeding head first into the last quarter of the game. There’s a playbook full of Xs and Os that define our every move and you do not, I repeat, DO NOT deviate from the playbook under any circumstances because if you do, and fall apart, then you better fucking believe that I’ll be right behind you; and then where will we be?
Dove: Fucked royally and backwards that’s where.
Ross: *Pauses before speaking, a bit calmer* Your way with words never ceases to amaze me.
Dove: It’s one of my many talents. Be amazed and bask in the aura of my greatness You love it, you know you do.
Ross: And risk further inflating your already dangerously large ego? I’ll pass. *Quiet laughter* ...Thank you. I very nearly became irrational there for a moment.
Dove: We all have our moments, you’re forgiven. *Quiet huff of laughter. She pauses before continuing* Now. I know that you didn’t fly out here to come as close as I will ever see you to losing your shit.
Ross: *Takes a deep breath to steady himself* Like I was saying before my little... moment, there has to be something more that we can do for Roky and Dani. More than just giving them supplies and safety.
Dove: What did you have in mind?
Ross: I want to give them something personal. A collection of video’s from us, respectively, to them. Just talking to them or maybe telling them about ourselves, I don’t know. Just something from us so they know that- *Voice catches. He takes a moment to compose himself* So they know that we were thinking of them.
Dove: … I am nodding my head right now but I need you to keep talking because that made so little sense.
Ross: *Sigh* I wish you’d be serious about this.
Dove: I am being serious! You just made absolutely no sense what so fucking ever! Even less than usual.
Ross: You’re being purposefully obtuse. And I wish you wouldn’t. This is important!
Dove: *Frustrated sigh* You know I don’t do the whole... touchy feely thing. I don’t... Okay. Look. Considering the fucking circumstances, we know a lot about them and how they act and operate and how their personalities are. You know that Roky would love something like that, that he would fucking cherish it and adore it. But- fucking Christ, would Dani even care?
Ross: Of course she would you moron. You’re her- well you insist on sister, no matter how many times I remind you of the glaring inaccuracy of that title. Why wouldn’t she want something of emotional significance and meaning as a tether to you, even if you can’t be there yourself.
Dove: Because if I know her like I think I do... She’s going to hate me.
*There is a pause for both of them. Dove, anxious, Ross, surprised*
Ross: That... is easily one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard. And I’ve sat through multiple drafts of your scripts and concepts for your films. *Dove is silent. Ross sighs* Dove. Come on. You’re being ridiculous. She’s not going to hate you.
Dove: *Quietly* I’m abandoning her... we both are. You said it yourself. We’re abandoning them and it doesn’t matter that we don’t have a fucking choice. We’re both fighting against the inevitable, and it’s a losing battle. You know it, I know it, there’s no chance of us pulling a by-the-skin-of-our-teeth miracle win out of here. We’re doing everything we can for them and this world and we’re fucking doomed anyway.
Ross: You’re moping Strider. It’s unbecoming of you. *Pauses, voice softer when he continues* Come on. You know she won’t hate you. They’ll understand, better than anyone else, what we’re doing and why. And just because we’ve accepted our fate doesn’t mean that we get to give up completely. Right?
Dove: *Slow, steadying breath.* So. Videos?
Ross: Yes. I... I want them to know as much as possible, though not all at once.
Dove: Where do we even start?
Ross: From the very beginning would be a good place... Maybe leave them some for their birthdays...
*Conversation continues as such, is really up to the VAs. Voices will trail off*
(This is the area where you will use end bit of alpha sadstuck from Lo our Alpha Dove and Eric, our Ross’s, trailing on)
EXTENSION
*static noise and the sound of a camera starting to record*
A-Dove: Hey Dani
A-Ross: Hello Roky
*very slowly game over begins to fade in, playing through the background as the scene continues (it should end or loop before you get to the part with the obnoxious game flute *
A-Dove: I’m Dove
A-Ross: My name is Ross
A-Dove: And I’m your big sister
A-Ross: And I believe what you’d call me if we’d met under different circumstances...is father.
A-Dove: I bet you’re wondering why I’m not around right now...
A-Ross: And why you’ve grown up alone
A-Dove: but I just want you to know that if I could be there
A-Ross: I would, believe me Roky, I would.
A-Dove: But things don’t always go the way we want em to.
A-Ross: And unfortunately for you, growing up is only the beginning of the hardships that you’ll have to face.
A-Dove: But you’re strong, I know you are
A-Ross: And I know that you’re already beginning to hone the skills you’ll need to fight this upcoming battle.
A-Dove: But this video ain’t about that shit, that can wait a little longer. You’ve got a long time to learn how to fight like a Strider, and really-
A-Ross: -I just want you to be a child as long as you can because once you leave that behind you-
A-Dove: -it don’t ever come back-
A-Ross: -so right now, I just want to say that-
A-Dove: -I love you Dani-
A-Ross: -I love you Roky-
A-Dove: -you’re my lil sis-
A-Ross: -you’re my son-
Unison: and no matter what I will always love you.
*further static noise and glitching as it cuts out and the recording device turns off*
