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103: Fallout

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Starring:

Terra McHale as Sophia Early

Irving as B. Narr

Willow Gravis as Sage Fortune

Corneilus "Neil" McHale as Elijah Yale

Ms. Betty as Paige Alena

Cletus as Rocheny Princien

Busybodies as Tal Minear and Inez Jacobs-Hinton

Director & Sound Designer: Cole Burkhardt

Writer, Creator, & Producer: Jade Madison Scott

Show Art: Julia Patrick

Special Thanks To Jazzy Davis, Tosin Olufolabi, Maya King, Rachel Grossman, Brittany Jones, Robin Harris, Dominique Douglas-Hendricks, Ricky Ramón, and Otis Ramsey-Zoë

Introduction

HOST

WGC Productions presents-

(Retribution Theme; A haunting western tune)

HOST (CONT'D)

Retribution: A Miniseries. You are now listening to episode one. Transcripts for this episode can be found at wgcproductions.com. Enjoy yourself, now. 

EXT. TOWN SQUARE- DAY

The Busybodies and Terra are panting in the heat.

TERRA

It’s burning. 

 

BUSYBODIES

Sweltering. 

 

ALL

God, this heat.

 

CLETUS

Must’ve gone from 70 to 120 overnight. 

 

MS. BETTY

Too hot to breathe. 

 

CLETUS

Too hot to live.

 

MS. BETTY

Swear, it’s eating me up.

 

CLETUS

First the organs.

 

MS. BETTY

Then the skin.

 

BUSYBODIES, MS. BETTY, CLETUS

Then the soul. 

 

TERRA

I’d like to keep the soul.

CLETUS

That witch. Don’t she know people could die in this heat?

 

BUSYBODIES

When will her curse end? 

 

TERRA

Have any y’all seen her?

 

BUSYBODIES

No. 

 

TERRA

No? What good are you for?

 

MS. BETTY

What good are you?

 

TERRA

I didn’t start all this. I didn’t watch a girl get...I can’t even say it. 

 

MS. BETTY

You didn’t stop it either. 

 

TERRA

I didn’t know.

 

BUSYBODIES

Is that better?

 

TERRA

It’s not worse. 

(Irving enters)

 

IRVING

Terra! Terra!
 

TERRA

Did you find her?

 

IRVING

No. 

 

TERRA

Then why would you come over here screaming my name.

 

IRVING

I love to scream your-

 

TERRA

Not the time.

 

IRVING

Right, sorry. I looked all over the place, been looking for a week now, but I can’t find her at all. 

 

TERRA

Did you check her house?

 

IRVING

Course. She ain’t there. 

 

TERRA

Thank God. 

 

IRVING

Maybe she’ll come out when she wants to.

 

TERRA

But I need her. 

 

IRVING

Listen, I know her a little better than you-

 

TERRA

We can’t all have carnal knowledge of our friends-

 

IRVING

That felt loaded.

 

BUSYBODIES

It was a tad aggressive.

TERRA

Quiet. 

 

IRVING

Why do you even need to talk to her?

 

TERRA

It’s important. 

 

IRVING

But what is it?

 

TERRA

This farm business. The rain business.

 

IRVING

Aw, Terra, I’m sorry I got you hung up in all this. I was wrong.

 

TERRA

I don’t think so. 

 

IRVING

I said it was ‘cause of the father didn’t I? Well, Neil and me both laid claim to that kid and it weren’t us, so I must have been wrong. 

 

TERRA

No, neither of you are the father. 

 

IRVING

Then who else would it be, I mean, they ain’t many men like us wandering round-

 

TERRA

I know, Irving. 

 

IRVING

Know what?

 

TERRA

What you knew. 

 

IRVING

I know a lot of things.

(Beat) 

 

TERRA

Y’all need to go.

 

BUSYBODIES

Can’t keep us out of our own business.

 

TERRA

Why bother keeping you out of something you ignore? Now, I said you need to go. 

 

CLETUS

I swear, for God, this girl- 

 

IRVING

Cletus, please. Me to you, this is serious. 

 

CLETUS

I don’t even care ‘bout it too much. Just won’t be disrespected on my own land. 

 

IRVING

Terra, apologize. 

 

TERRA

Sorry. 

 

CLETUS

Good girl. 

(Busybodies, Cletus, and Ms. Betty leave.)

 

IRVING

Sorry ‘bout him, but you know how Cletus can be. Just hiding all that heart under his gristle. 

 

TERRA

Do you make excuses like that for everybody?

 

IRVING

Terra Anne, we need to make it real clear ‘bout what I think you think I know. Cause I won’t be the one spilling secrets cross this soil. 

 

TERRA

What I think you know? What you….she told me. 

 

IRVING

Told you what?

 

TERRA

Told me….Jesus, I can’t even say it. You’re a disgrace, Irving. 

 

IRVING

Terra, please-

 

TERRA

How could you let him do that? She told you about her father and you did….tell me you did something. Tell me my best friend ain’t someone who would let somethin’ like that go by like daises. Irving, just tell me you did something. 

 

IRVING

I took her mind off it. 

 

TERRA

So you had her, that’s it?

 

IRVING

Don’t make it sound so crass. 

 

TERRA

Crass? Have I died and gone to heaven? Irving is talking to me about crass. Well butter me up and call me a three headed-snake. Next, I know the four horsemen will come pounding out the sky-

 

IRVING

Now, you’re just being dramatic.

 

TERRA

Sleeping with her doesn’t make you a hero. 

 

IRVING

I never said that. 

 

TERRA

Well, you just said to me, in a perfectly serious tone, that you sleeping with her was suppose to make up for the fact that you knew what was going on, and you lived your life like nothing happened.  

 

IRVING

I didn’t just sleep with her, I made her laugh. 

 

TERRA

Not something one would usually like to admit.

IRVING

No, after. We sat and we talked. I listened and we joked. I made her laugh. Took her mind off it. 

 

TERRA

Yeah, I’m sure that laughter was all she could think about when her father was on top of her.

 

(Beat) 

 

IRVING

She doesn’t want to talk to anyone, Terra. 

 

TERRA

How do you know?

 

IRVING

She told me. 

 

TERRA

I thought you said-

 

IRVING

I lied. I found her out where I found her, and she said she didn’t want to be bothered by anyone, so I lied so she wouldn’t be bothered. 

 

TERRA

Irving, I need her. 

 

IRVING

I was wrong about the water thing. The father….it won’t save your farm. 

 

TERRA

Not about that.

 

IRVING

Then what?

 

TERRA

I can’t tell you. 

 

IRVING

What does that mean?

 

TERRA

It means what it means.

IRVING

What it…..I tell you everything-

(TERRA laughs)

IRVING (CONT'D)

Willow asked me not tell bout me and her. If she didn’t you’d have been the first person I told. Terra, I’m sorry I slept with her, truly. Please forgive me. I love you. 

 

TERRA

Oh, stop it. I’m not upset over that. 

 

IRVING

Then why-

 

TERRA

You let her go back. 

 

IRVING

What else was I supposed to do?

 

TERRA

I don’t know, but you don’t let her go back. You don’t let her go home when you know what happens there. You don’t get to smile and feel good when someone else suffers because of you. 

 

IRVING

Because of-

 

TERRA

She needed a friend. Someone who could look out for her. Someone who wouldn’t let her get hurt. 

 

IRVING

Terra-

 

TERRA

Where is she?

 

IRVING

I can’t tell you that.

 

TERRA

You have to. 

 

IRVING

She asked me not to. 

 

TERRA

Please. 

 

IRVING

No. 

 

IRVING

Irving, please.

 

IRVING

No. 

 

TERRA

But-

 

IRVING

She doesn't want to talk to you. 

 

TERRA

What?

 

IRVING

She doesn’t want to talk to you. That’s why she’s hiding. She’s hiding from you. 

 

TERRA

Why would she….I thought….no, she….are you lying to me again?

 

IRVING

What? Terra, no. 

 

TERRA

She doesn’t like you, you know?

IRVING

What are you talking ‘bout?

 

TERRA

So, keepin her hidden away like some kinda Rapunzel, it may be fun for you now, make you feel like a hero now, but know she doesn’t like you at all. 

 

IRVING

What are you-
 

TERRA

She told me she doesn’t like you. “Never much cared for you” her words. Thinks you talk too much. Thinks you’re pushy. 

 

IRVING

That’s not true. 

 

TERRA

Oh, did you love her too or something?

(Irving exits. Beat.)

TERRA

Jesus Christ, am I crying?

(NEIL enters)

 

NEIL

There you are. 

 

TERRA

Hi. 

 

NEIL

I went to your farm in the early morning, but you, conspicuously, weren’t there. What did you have to do at such an early...what’s happening to you? What’s wrong with your face?

 

TERRA

Could you please not be upset with me? 

 

NEIL

What-

 

TERRA

I think need a friend right now, and I’d really like it if it could be you. 

 

NEIL

Uh…..I suppose I can be mad at you later. 

 

TERRA

Sit with me?

 

(NEIL sits)

TERRA

It’s an awful nice day, isn’t it?

 

NEIL

It’s hotter than Boston in the mid of July. 

 

TERRA

Besides the heat. I mean, just look at that sky. So blue-

 

NEIL

Well, it certainly isn't it going to be grey. It hasn’t rained in months. Even with all those rain clouds still swirling over your farm-

 

TERRA

Neil.

 

NEIL

Yes, I suppose it is rather nice. Cerulean, the English might call it.  Yes, rather nice. 

 

TERRA

I think so too. A sky so blue….bluer than water. 

 

NEIL

So, why’d you leave so early?

 

TERRA

Let’s not talk about all that. 

 

NEIL

Then why were you crying?

 

TERRA

Let’s not talk about that either. 

(Beat)

 

NEIL

You hear about that horse, Man-O-War. Papers say he’s the fastest thing on four legs. 
 

TERRA

You still follow the horses. 

 

NEIL

Occasionally. I don’t bet much on them anymore. Just enough to remind me that I’m alive. 

TERRA

You’re gonna burn through your money. 

NEIL

I’d have to set a pretty big fire. 

 

TERRA

No one ever thinks they’ll lose. 

 

NEIL

Oh, I don’t lose often. I have a very functional mathematical system that accounts for the length of the horse's legs and their age and when I do lose it just goes to show the fun unpredictability of the game-

 

TERRA

Cornelius, have much money have you lost?

 

NEIL

120.

 

TERRA

One hundred and twenty dollars!

 

NEIL

Shh. 

 

TERRA

That could’ve bought you a home as big as anything!

 

NEIL

Shh!

 

TERRA

Where’d you even get that kinda money?

 

NEIL

Father.

 

TERRA

Oh. Of course. Father.

 

NEIL

He thought I was going to use it to….I don’t know….start a family or invest or something in that vein. I’m sure if you wrote and asked-

 

TERRA

I assure you I won’t.

 

NEIL

You know, he loves you Terra. I know you might be a little embarrassed and think you can’t go back, but he has written me dozens of letters asking about you and if you’re okay. He would take you back without hesitation….Terra?

 

TERRA

Have you ever been in love?

 

NEIL

Excuse me?

 

TERRA

Have you?

 

NEIL

Why?

 

TERRA

I’ve never asked. 

 

NEIL

You’ve never asked me about me favorite fabric either-

 

TERRA

Fabric, Cornelius?

 

NEIL

It was an example, ex tempore. I’m sorry my wit is beneath you. 

 

TERRA

I always was the smart one. 

 

NEIL

Is that what you think? Then why was it that you were the one that managed to get caught throwing an illicit soiree in the pool house?

 

TERRA

I am almost positive that Oletita Sloan is the one who told just because I wouldn’t invite her. The brat. 
 

NEIL

And you were the one who soiled Mother’s satin curtains when you tried to wear it as a dress to impress your Bohemian friends.

 

TERRA

I think I gave it a fun new pattern. 

 

NEIL

Ruined them. 

 

TERRA

But what a story we all got. 

 

NEIL

Yes, surely you’re the smart one. 

 

TERRA

I was smart because I always kept you around to fix it.

 

NEIL

Is that why you “kept me” around so to speak?

 

TERRA

You know, I love you, Neil. 

 

NEIL

I had my suspicions. 

 

TERRA

I wish you could fix this. 

 

NEIL

The farm? I can’t control the weather, Terra. 

 

TERRA

No, you can’t. 

 

NEIL

You still think this is all wrapped up in Willow’s….condition?

 

TERRA

I know it is, maybe not because of the father….hell, maybe exactly because of the father….what about Willow?

 

NEIL

What about Willow?

 

TERRA

Do you love her?

 

NEIL

She’s a sweet girl and a true delight to speak to-

 

TERRA

That’s a no. 

 

NEIL

It’s not a no. 

 

TERRA

You do love her?

 

NEIL

No.

 

TERRA

Well-

 

NEIL

It’s not that I’m incapable or she’s unworthy, I mean, if things were right I think we’d be just fine, but she is….a little too free and a little too poor so-

 

TERRA

Who cares about that?

 

NEIL

I don’t know why you’re pretending like you don't know who our parents are. 

 

TERRA

Mother and Father don’t control you. What you want is what you want, who cares about them?  

 

NEIL

I do.

 

TERRA

Why?
 

NEIL

Because I love them, of course. 

 

TERRA

Their love won’t last forever, Neil, might as well go out and find your own. 

 

NEIL

Why won’t you tell me what happened between you all? 

 

TERRA

Because I don’t want you to hate me too. 

 

NEIL

Terra, I could never hate you. Ever.

 

TERRA

Promise?

 

NEIL

Of course. 

 

TERRA

Stop smiling like that, it’s terrifying. And, also, I mean, marrying a poor woman isn’t nearly as bad as stealing a thousand dollars and fleeing cross country, so you’ll have to think of a better excuse than that.

 

NEIL

I’ll try to draft a list tonight. 

(Pause)

NEIL (CONT'D)

How about you? Have you been in love?

 

TERRA

No. 

 

NEIL

Really, I would think with your-

 

TERRA

My what?

 

NEIL

Temperament. Your volatile-
 

TERRA

Volatile?

 

NEIL

Passionate

 

TERRA

Thank you.

 

NEIL

Temperament. I’d have thought cupid had swooped you up a dozen times over by now. 

 

TERRA

No. 

 

NEIL

What of all those boys that used to linger around the house? Surely they weren’t all Mother’s doing. 

 

TERRA

No, some were Father’s.

 

NEIL

And not one caught your eye?

 

TERRA

No. 

 

NEIL

Not even that Mckinley fellow with the red hair?

 

TERRA

Who?

 

NEIL

The slender man with the brown eyes and gelled hair that would always sing to you. Looked like a fox in human form? Classically handsome, strong jaw-
 

TERRA

Did you fancy him, Neil?

 

NEIL

What, I, I would never do something so, so-

TERRA

I know. I know. I’m just teasing. Clearly. 

 

NEIL

Surely. You know, I think love might be good for you. It would balance you out. 

 

TERRA

I’m balanced. 

 

NEIL

Of course, you are. Do you feel better?

(Terra nods. Neil kisses her forehead.)

NEIL (CONT'D)

Good. I can only babble for so long. Now, why weren’t you at home this morning?

 

TERRA

I was looking for Willow.

 

NEIL

Now, why didn’t you just say that? 

(Neil stands)

NEIL (CONT'D)

There was no need to be cryptic. 

 

TERRA

Wait,  can I ask you a question?

 

NEIL

Go ahead. 

 

TERRA

If someone didn’t want to speak to you, what would you do? 

 

NEIL

I wouldn’t speak to them. Why waste both of our time?

 

TERRA

But what if you want to speak to them? Need to speak to them.

 

NEIL

Well, they clearly neither need nor want to speak to you. 

 

TERRA

But what if-

NEIL

Do you have an answer you’d like to hear? Is that why you’re asking?

 

TERRA

No, but if you do have another answer-

 

NEIL

Do what you’d like. That’s what you do best.  It’s what you’ve always done best. 

 

TERRA

Wait, Neil, I….I’m sorry about what I said last week. What I said about you going back to Boston, About you getting comfortable. 

 

NEIL

Yes, well, we all say terrible things sometimes, don’t we? 

 

TERRA

Neil-

 

NEIL

I should go home. It’s too hot out here anyway. 

 

(Neil exits. Terra ponders her options. Transition Music.)

EXT. TOWN SQUARE- NIGHT

As she sits, the day races by until the sky is covered with the violets and soft simples blues that paint a New Mexico sky. A faint wind blows. Willow enters, not seeing the unconscious Terra. Willow is not quite sure how she should feel. She breathes. She decides she’s angry. She screams

TERRA

Mary, Jesus, and Joseph!!

 

WILLOW

Who’s there?

TERRA

You first! Wait, Willow?

 

WILLOW

McHale. 

 

TERRA

Was that you?

(Willow runs away)

TERRA (CONT'D)

Willow, Willow, wait. 

 

WILLOW

No. I don’t, I don’t want to talk to you. 

 

TERRA

I’m sorry. Willow, please. Please, just-

 

WILLOW

No. No, stop following me-

 

TERRA

Is it me? Willow, is it me?

 

WILLOW

What do you mean?

 

TERRA

(with emphasis on "me")

Willow, is it me?

 

WILLOW

No, it….stay away from me. No, no, no. Stay away. Stay away. 

 

TERRA

Willow. Please. Please tell me. 

(Willow exits.)

TERRA (CONT'D)

Willow! Willow! 

(Terra tries to run after her but the wind becomes aggressive and she can’t move, she exits in the opposite direction. The night becomes day. Transition Music)

EXT. TOWN SQUARE- DAY

Busybodies, Ms. Betty, and Cletus are exhausted and tense. The wind continues to blow.

BUSYBODIES

So help us God-

 

MS. BETTY

If He still listens to us-

 

BUSYBODIES

Not a wink for a week. 

 

CLETUS

Lying in bed-

 

BUSYBODIES

Waiting for sleep.

 

MS. BETTY

Only to hear the wind. 

 

BUSYBODIES

This devil’s wind. 

 

MS. BETTY

It’s all I can hear. 

 

BUSYBODIES

It sucks the soft right out the skin.  Leaving marrow and shell and rot. The hard. The loss. The-

 

(The Busybodies unleash a primal guttural scream.)

 

MS. BETTY

Hey! Find your heads and keep them on. 

 

BUSYBODIES

It’s this heat. This wind. I feel it whip up the worst feelings inside of me. It stirs my hate. 

 

MS. BETTY

I understand. 

CLETUS

Me too. I used to hate nothing. 

 

MS. BETTY

Now, I look at the sky and I feel rage. 

 

CLETUS

Wrath becomes me. 

 

BUSYBODIES

This wind, this punishment, untempered. God help what we might do. 

 

MS. BETTY

God help us all.

 

(Transition Music)

EXT. TOWN SQUARE- DAY

Terra is sitting still as the winds rage outside her house. She takes a deep breath. She takes another deep breath. IRVING enters

IRVING

Terra! Terra! Terra Anne, I can’t take it anymore I can’t take it. I’m trying to be good. I look in the mirror every day and say Irving, Irving, Irving, be good. Be good, Irving. Be good, but when I haven't slept in a week. Haven’t slept and now I feel like my skin is falling off and my body’s rotting from inside out. No water. No sleep. I feel curses dancing on my lips. Where is my peace? Who must I take it from-

 

TERRA

Shhhhh. 

 

IRVING

But-

 

TERRA

Shhhhhhh.

 

IRVING

Why? What’s wrong?

TERRA

Two things. One, if you keep shouting you’re gonna make Neil come down, and I’ont wanna deal with him right now. And two, I am trying very hard to concentrate so I can get calm. 

 

IRVING

Calm? How can you be calm? The wind is making us all crazy. Just yesterday I saw Ms. Donahue try to claw Ms. Betty’s eyes out because her mac and cheese was dry. No one has slept for days. Calm is a luxury and poverty’s our state.

 

TERRA

I know, which is why I have to stay calm. If I don’t stay calm, I might not be able to find her. 

 

IRVING

Who?

 

TERRA

Willow.

 

IRVING

Who cares about her?

 

TERRA

Irving! 

(Beat)

TERRA (CONT'D)

I’m sorry, I…..this wind started after I saw her last week. 

 

IRVING

You found her?

 

TERRA

She found me. I was lying on the ground and she found me and I….she’s in a bad state. You need to bring her to me.

 

IRVING

She don’t want to talk to you, unless you forgot. 

 

TERRA

Ask her, Irving, Jesus!  Sorry. Sorry. I didn’t mean...I don’t mean to shout. I just, I need to talk to her now. Not just for the rain, but to stop all this madness. 

 

IRVING

What if she don’t wanna talk to me either?

TERRA

I’m sorry about that too. 

 

IRVING

Are you or do you just need somethin’ from me?

 

TERRA

If it hurt your feelings then, of course, I’m sorry, but you’re so sensitive I coulda said anything and set you off. 

 

IRVING

You think this is funny?

 

TERRA

I think you’d better take a step back. 

 

IRVING

What? You scared?

 

TERRA

No. 

 

IRVING

Whatcha fingering your gun like that for, Terra? You think you can shoot me.

 

TERRA

Step back, Irving. 

(Beat. Irving steps back.)

 

IRVING

Fine. I don’t know where she is anyway.

 

TERRA

You lying now?

 

IRVING

I’m not lying. I guess you were just right. She don’t wanna talk to me. 

 

TERRA

Sorry. When’d you see her last?

 

IRVING

Last week. Fore the wind.  She was back in….hell, she ain’t there no more, she was stayin in our shed. 

 

TERRA

You made a pregnant woman sleep in a shed?

 

IRVING

Not made.  Well, yes, made, but it was the only option. If Pop found her then it’d be up to him where she goes and, you really never know with the old man. 

 

TERRA

But she’s gone now?

 

IRVING

Yep. Up and gone the night the wind started.  Last thing she said to me was “see you tomorrow”.

 

(Beat)

IRVING (CONT'D)

What if you were right, Terra? 

 

TERRA

About what?

 

IRVING

What if I could’ve helped stop it? 

 

NEIL

(off-stage)

Terra Anne McHale!

 

IRVING

What!

(Neil enters holding a letter)

 

NEIL

Have you read this, Terra? Have you read this?

 

TERRA

How could I have read it if it’s in your possession, Neil?

 

(Irving snickers)

 

NEIL

Why is he always here?

 

IRVING

Maybe I just like seeing your neurotic face, Corneilus. 
 

NEIL

Perhaps, flower boy, if you were not so concerned with my sister and Willow you’d have a nice well-furnished home of your own to lounge around in all day.

 

IRVING

Well, maybe if you stopped wearing three-piece suits in three-figure heat, you’d finally find that good bit of common sense you’re lacking. 

 

TERRA

Shut up! The letter, Neil.

 

NEIL

What letter?

 

TERRA

The one in your hand!

 

NEIL

Oh, yes. Have you read it?

 

TERRA

Cornelius, who is it from?!

 

NEIL

It’s from the bank. 

 

TERRA

Good news?

 

NEIL

They’re taking away the farm. 

(Long Beat.)

 

IRVING

Terra, I’m so sor-

 

TERRA

No. No, they can’t do that. 

 

NEIL

They can.
 

TERRA

No. No, they...no. No. I just need some time.  A little time. A little rain, I still got clouds over the farm. I just need Willow, just need some time. I can still make payments-

 

NEIL

Terra-

 

TERRA

No, this is my gift, Neil. This is what I got left. This is it. This is it. They can’t take this. They can’t.

 

IRVING

Terra-

 

TERRA

No. No! Everyone, everybody out. Everybody get out.

 

IRVING

Terra-

 

TERRA

Get out! Get out!! Get out!!!

(Terra throws a plate at the men and it shatters. Retribution Theme)

CLOSING

Thank you for listening to the second episode of Retribution: A Miniseries. Retribution was written and composed by Jade Madison Scott. Edited and directed by Cole Burkhardt. Terra McHale was played by Sophia Early. Willow Gravis was played by Sage Fortune. Irving was played by B. Narr. Cornelius McHale was played by Elijah Yale. Ms. Betty was played by Paige Alena. Cletus was played by Rocheny Princien. And the Busybodies were played by Tal Minear and Inez Jacobs-Hinton. The Retribution logo was designed by Julia Partick. If you wish to support the show and have access to behind the scenes exclusive subscribe to the WGC Productions Patreon which can be accessed through the website. 

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