Mayor Ellerby is sitting in her office behind her desk. It’s early evening, no one is in the office but Ellerby. She is shuffling papers, looking at her computer screen, appearing to be busy but it is clear that she is waiting for someone.
Someone knocks on her door.
MAYOR ELLERBY: Come in.
A person enters and sits down in a chair facing Ellerby’s desk.
MAYOR ELLERBY: So, what have you learned about our little group of rebels?
INFORMANT: They know. They know about your connection to Clayburn Corp and it’s Unwellness Program. They don’t have many details, yet, but they have evidence that a connection exists.
MAYOR ELLERBY: Good. Let them do their digging. It will prevent them from finding out what we’re really trying to do. The Unwellness Program is simply a means to an end.
INFORMANT: But what should I do about them in the meantime? This group could cause real problems if they recruit more citizens. They’re already growing.
MAYOR ELLERBY: Leave that to me.
Later that night, Redd and the group are all gathered in his living room.
FREEYA: I’m telling you, Clayburn Corp.’s Marketing and Wellness departments are in on it.
REDD: Agreed. But we still don’t really know how many people are involved.
DOROTHEA: And who those people are.
REDD: Ralph Watkins, Rashad – did you find anything with the bugs in the Mayor’s office?
RASHAD: Nope, nothing.
RALPH WATKINS: What he said. It’s odd, they all went “dark” at around 6 pm this evening, been dark ever since. I’ve been trying to get them back online but . . .
Someone knocks on the door.
REDD: Who could that be? It’s after 9 pm and we’re all here. Quick, Ms. Lund, pass the cookies around, we need to make this look casual.
MS. LUND: But people have already had . . .
REDD: Do it, Ms. Lund!
Ms. Lund nods and starts passing cookies around. Ralph Watkins takes two cookies. Redd goes to answer the door.
REDD loudly from the foyer: Mayor? What are you doing here? I mean it’s surprising to see you. Is there something going on in the neighborhood?
MAYOR ELLERBY: I was on my way home and just wanted to see how you were doing after the dye injection. No side-affects, I hope?
MS. LUND a little too loudly: Hmph. She didn’t check to see how I was doing. I had the dye injection too!
MAYOR ELLLERBY: Oh, is that Ms. Lund, our star baker? May, I come in?
REDD: Um, Sure.
The Mayor walks into the living room with Redd.
MAYOR ELLERBY: Well, this is quite the gathering! Mr. Redd, I didn’t know that you were the entertaining type.
REDD: In these troubled times, it’s good to get together with friends.
MAYOR ELLERBY: Troubled times indeed. Looks around the room.
MAYOR ELLERBY: How are you all? Ms. Lund? Dr. Morel? Rashad? Your name is still Rashad, isn’t it?
RASHAD: Um, yes ma’am.
MAYOR: I’m sure you’ll get around to that name change soon. I hope you can see that this is what’s best for Clayburn.
Rashad and the others remain silent.
MAYOR: Speaking of what’s best for Clayburn, now is as good a time as any to tell you all that I’m rolling out a new law.
DR. HASS: Oh? And what’s that?
MAYOR ELLERBY: Dr. Hass? I didn’t see you there, it’s like you’re positively invisible! I didn’t know you were so well acquainted with Mr. Redd.
DR. HASS glaring at the Mayor: I was invited to these neighbor gatherings by . . .
MAYOR ELLERBY: Yes, yes. Speaking of gatherings, my new law restricts gatherings to two people or less.
REDD: You can’t do that! There are families bigger than that.
Dr. MOREL: Yes my family is . . .
MAYOR ELLERBY: I don’t care! You will learn that when I say unfairness, inequality, and injustice for all I mean it!
FREEYA: But how are we supposed to meet with our friends? Waves her hand indicating the group.
MAYOR ELLERBY: Oh, I wouldn’t be worried about that. I think you’ll all be seeing quite a lot of each other.
RALPH WATKINS: But you just said . . .
MAYOR ELLERBY: I have something special in mind for you all. You see, I grow tired of your little group. Your resistance, your inability to be dyed the same shade of green, your unbelief in U.I.I.
MS. LUND: But, but . . .
MAYOR ELLERBY: Don’t worry, Ms. Lund. You can gather all you want. Just not in Clayburn. Because you’re all officially exiled. Turns to leave but Redd blocks her way.
REDD: Exiled? What do you mean?
MAYOR ELLERBY: I mean that you have one hour to gather your stuff, say your goodbyes, or whatever it is you’re supposed to do before exile.
FREEYA: But where are we supposed to go?
MAYOR ELLERBY: Where? Oh, I don’t care where you go. Just get the hell out of Clayburn, tonight. Leaves, slamming the door behind her.
The group sits stunned . . .
Author’s note: That’s it! That’s the end of Season 1! Did you notice that Mayor Ellerby is a woman? Why did I make the mayor a woman? I’ll let you ponder that until Season 2. And speaking of Season 2, check back on Saturday, October 24 for our first episode of Season 2. Let’s see what our “little group” does now that they’re exiled!
The World We Live In Now 