SCENE ONE

In a loud, clanging environment, Harvey receives a call through their Auris earpiece.

ANT:
Incoming call from: Katie :P.

HARVEY
Accept call.

The line connects.

KATIE:
(via Auris) Well, it’s a good thing our lunch shift is about to start. Or have you forgotten the time again?

HARVEY:
I haven’t forgotten; my supervisor’s been breathing down my neck about taking a break for the past five minutes. But I’m…

KATIE:
(via Auris) Well, I’m just cleaning up my desk at Director Tripathi’s office right now and I thought it’d be best to check in with my lunch buddies in case they forget to eat again. Speaking of… ANT, call Khanl please.

ANT:
Calling Khanl sillyhair.

HARVEY:
You changed his contact again? Look, I’m in the middle of something important.

KATIE:
(via Auris) Are you saying our lunch plans aren’t important? You do realise that by law, sixteen and seventeen-year-olds aren’t allowed to take overtime?

HARVEY:
Well, I’m sure the public would be thrilled to know that Mx President Junior is so diligently law-abiding.

KATIE:
(via Auris) Oh, ha ha.

Khanl joins the call.

KHANL:
(via Auris) Katie, if Gosford catches me taking a personal call again, I’m blaming you.

KATIE:
(via Auris) Really, I mean that little to you? What of friendship? What of chivalry?

HARVEY:
You’d get out of it.

KATIE:
(via Auris) Fine. But you’re not going to get into trouble! Just tell her you’re taking your lunch break. Our shifts are all ending in two minutes anyway.

KHANL:
(via Auris) But, well, see I’ll always love you but I’m actually enjoying analytics right now.

HARVEY:
Me too.

KHANL:
(via Auris) Enjoying analytics?

HARVEY:
You know that’s not what I meant.

KATIE
(over Auris) The canteen special is lasagna today.

KHANL:
(via Auris) And I’ll ask you to get me a big plate.

KATIE:
(via Auris) Wow, asking a girl to get you food? That’s so sexist.

KHANL:
(via Auris) Hey, hey, hey now—

DIRECTOR TRIPATHI:
(via Auris) What exactly is sexist?

HARVEY:
Director Tripathi!

KHANL:
(via Auris) Relax, buddy, she can’t hear us.

KATIE:
(via Auris) Oh… Sorry, Director. I’m making lunch plans on my Auris and I’m just messing with a friend.

DIRECTOR TRIPATHI:
(via Auris) I see. Well, I’ll advise you not to make such a serious accusation so flippantly in the future. Especially not in this office.

KATIE:
(via Auris) Right… Sorry.

DIRECTOR TRIPATHI:
(via Auris) Apology accepted. Lunch plans, you say? You’re taking your break now?

KATIE:
(via Auris) Yeah, I’m headed out now.

DIRECTOR TRIPATHI:
(via Auris) Well, enjoy. And don’t forget, I have a meeting in the Engineering Department in half an hour. So, meet me there afterwards instead of coming back here and we’ll spend the afternoon doing the rounds.

KATIE:
(via Auris) Of course.

Through the Auris call, Harvey and Khanl hear a door whoosh open.

KATIE:
(via Auris) Well, bye for now.

DIRECTOR TRIPATHI:
(via Auris) See you later.

On the other end of the line, a door whooshes closed.

KATIE:
(via Auris) Well… that could’ve gone… better.

KHANL
(over Auris) It was worth picking up your call just to hear that!

KATIE:
(via Auris) Please, like you haven’t done more embarrassing things than that. Speaking of! Harvey, did you just salute when you heard Director Tripathi’s voice? Because it sure sounded like you did.

HARVEY:
I did not salute.

KHANL:
(via Auris) I bet you still freaked the engineers out by shouting her name out like that.

HARVEY:
I wasn’t that loud. So, no.

KATIE:
(via Auris) Well, you could always meet her with me after lunch, seeing as she’s headed to your department right now.

KHANL:
(via Auris) Harvey, does it sound like she’s bribing you right now? It definitely sounds like she is to me.

HARVEY:
It does sound like it, yeah.

KATIE:
(via Auris) I’m not bribing you with that. But Daddy did leave me a box of Bakery Bars this morning, so…

KHANL:
(via Auris) Tempting, tempting. What do you think, Harvey? Does that sound like a good enough deal to you?

HARVEY:
(beat) Are there any bean bars?

KATIE:
(via Auris) It was a mix of red bean mochi bars, churro bars and… something else. Can’t remember what it was off the top of my head.

HARVEY:
(sighs) Give me twenty minutes, yeah?

KHANL:
(via Auris) You know you’re not legally allowed to take overtime.

HARVEY:
Then I guess it’s your fault for eating into my work time.

KATIE:
(via Auris) Ha! Good pun.

HARVEY:
See you. ANT, end call.

The call ends.

SCENE TWO

Khanl approaches Katie in a wide canteen. Music plays quietly over the loudspeaker as people chatter in the background.

KHANL:
There you are! I didn’t see you.

KATIE:
Hey, now that’s criminal.

KHANL:
I know, you brighten up every room; how could I have missed you so easily?

KATIE:
That’s overboard.

KHANL:
You know you enjoyed it.

KATIE:
Oh! I got you a tray.

KHANL:
Thank you so very much.

Khanl approaches a vending machine and inserts the tray into it.

ANT:
Good afternoon. Are you ready to order?

KHANL:
Oh, I’ll have some of that delicious, rich, well-layered lasagna. Can you make sure I get a big plate, yeah?

ANT:
Are you requesting a whole portion?

KHANL
(sighs) Yeah, that’s what I meant.

ANT:
Good choice. Would you like a dessert?

KHANL:
One moment, ANT. Is it too much to have something sweet on top of the Bakery Bars?

KATIE:
Maybe you should go with the fruit salad.

KHANL:
Good idea. ANT, could you get me the fruit salad, please? Maybe a three-quarter portion, to be safe.

ANT:
Of course. And what will you have to drink?

KHANL:
I’ll just have SodaZero, thanks.

ANT:
Your order, coming right up.

As the machine whirrs and thrums, Khanl turns to Katie.

KHANL:
Does that box of Bakery Bars mean President Olson was already gone by the time you got up this morning?

KATIE:
Yeah… And he left a message saying he wouldn’t be back by tonight, either.

KHANL:
Sounds like he’s going off colony, right?

KATIE:
I don’t know. He’s been… busy, like always, but that’s neither here nor there. But he did get me some brand-new Auris pieces recently. See?

KHANL:
Knew there was something different about you today. So stylish. How long do you think the silver accents are going to last?

KATIE:
Ugh. No idea. They came with a maintenance kit, but it was fairly standard. Nothing specialised like how Harvey’s got.

KHANL:
They’re going to be so jealous when they see your new Aurises.

The machine spits out a plastic container onto Khanl’s tray.

ANT:
Enjoy your meal!

KATIE:
I know, I think the range between them has gotten an upgrade again. I think it’s twenty metres now?

KHANL:
Right, so you can take one piece out and then lose it even better than before.

KATIE:
One. Time!

The machine whirrs as it resets for the next person in line.

ANT:
Good afternoon. Are you ready to order?

KHANL:
It was more than one time.

KATIE:
I’ll have the pho, ANT. Thanks.

KHANL:
You don’t want to try the deliciously, delicate vegetable lasagna?

KATIE:
Had some on Monday already.

ANT:
Good choice. Would you like a dessert?

KHANL:
You can never have too much, though.

KATIE:
Just because you don’t get it at your place—

ANT:
I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. Would you like a dessert?

KATIE
No, thank you.

KHANL
Not following your own advice, huh.

KATIE
Nope. (beat) That wasn’t directed at you, ANT. Carry on with the order.

ANT:
Of course. And what will you have to drink?

KATIE
Could I have some water?

ANT:
Would you prefer sparkling or still?

KATIE:
You know what… make it sparkling. And… let’s go with the 425-millilitre option, thanks.

ANT:
Your order, coming right up.

The machine whirrs again.

KATIE:
You’re so judgy. Can’t even let someone order in peace.

KHANL:
Well, nobody can have as impeccable taste as I do.

KATIE:
Sherbert. Powder. In. SodaZero?

KHANL:
Nor as discerning taste buds.

KATIE:
The bitter-sour flavour‽

KHANL:
Listen, I’m so sorry your constitution isn’t strong enough to handle anything beyond a mild spice level, but I’m just built better.

KATIE:
Oh, you’re so full of it.

The food dispenser spits out another plastic container.

ANT:
Enjoy your meal!

The two start walking towards a table.

KHANL:
Hardly. I haven’t even opened up my lasagna yet. Let alone those promised Bakery Bars…

KATIE:
Well, I’m not taking them out yet. Once we’re done, I’ll give you whatever flavours are in there.

KHANL:
They better not have gotten crushed in your pack again.

They set their trays down at a table before sitting.

KATIE:
Look, potato-grain chips are so flimsy to start with anyway.

KHANL:
More like potato-grain crumbs…

KATIE:
They’ll be fine! They’re at the top of my pack.

KHANL:
(with an exaggerated sigh) Good to hear. Honestly, you’re so flakey.

KATIE:
Ha ha.

KHANL:
You know you love me.

KATIE:
I do. I shouldn’t, but I do. (beat) Speaking of flakes… We might have more pressing matters to attend to.

KHANL:
‘Pressing matters to attend to.’ You sound like your dad when you say it like that.

KATIE:
Hush. Did you see Harvey on your way down here?

KHANL:
No, I… didn’t. But I almost didn’t see you, either. Which, I mean, is pretty easy at your height.

KATIE:
So why don’t you use that superior height of yours to look for them now?

KHANL:
I have been. I don’t see them anywhere.

KATIE:
ANT, call Harvey.

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) Calling Harvey fireworkemoji.

KATIE:
It’s been twenty minutes by now. By my watch, at least.

KHANL:
Yeah, and even if they were too wrapped up in something, their boss would’ve chased them to break by now as well. Remember that time…

KATIE:
Which time? There are so many.

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) I’m sorry, the person you have called is unavailable. Please try again later.

KHANL:
Ha! Yeah. I’ve been kinda worried about that, actually—

KATIE:
They didn’t pick up. Do you want to try on your Auris?

KHANL:
Mine’s charging right now.

KATIE:
Both of them? Why don’t you just put one in?

KHANL:
I like having both in for the immersion.

KATIE:
Was it music or podcasts this time?

KHANL:
Just a playlist to keep me focused on monitoring energy levels.

KATIE:
So I’m guessing a bit of both? I’m going to try again. ANT, call Harvey.

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) Calling Harvey fireworkemoji.

KATIE:
You know, we would be really awful friends if we ate without them.

KHANL:
Yes, we would, so don’t even go there.

KATIE:
I’m hungry! Do you want me to starve?

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) I’m sorry, the person you have called is unavailable. Please try again later.

KATIE:
They’re still not answering.

KHANL:
Well, the first option is to start eating without Harvey…

KATIE:
I mean, they might just be running late?

KHANL:
But you would be a terrible friend if you did that.

KATIE:
But Harvey is a great friend who understands that food is important!

KHANL:
Do they, though? Do they really?

KATIE:
Okay, good point. What’s the other option?

KHANL:
You know what it is!

KATIE:
Okay… maybe they’re here already! What if you did a round and I stayed here to mind our stuff and act as a beacon in case they find me but not you?

KHANL:
Mm. But, if we do that and Harvey still hasn’t shown up, you’re giving us your share of the Bakery Bars.

KATIE:
I dislike that option more.

KHANL:
You know you’d have to bribe me to go along with it, and you’d feel bad about Harvey not having anything to eat.

KATIE:
I would… I just also feel physically bad because I haven’t eaten.

KHANL:
You have the bars!

KATIE:
No way! Those are dessert only.

KHANL:
Okay. Fine. I will give you some of my fruit salad, and you can eat on the way.

KATIE:
Deal.

Khanl stands.

KHANL:
Okay, let’s go.

Katie stands and the two make their way to the door.

ANT:
Please place all dirty trays on the rack so they can be cleaned and reused before exiting the canteen.

KATIE:
Wait, did you open your containers?

KHANL:
Nah.

KATIE:
Me neither. Here, I’ll take your containers and you take my tray.

Khanl complies and places the tray onto the rack.

ANT:
Thank you for doing your part to keep this colony clean! Do you have time to leave us a quick review?

KHANL:
Afraid not, sorry.

ANT:
Of course. We hope you enjoyed!

Katie presses a button and the door to the elevator bay whooshes open.

ANT:
Have a stellar day!

In the background, an elevator dings.

BACKGROUND WORKER:
Hold the door, hold the door!

KHANL:
Ah, excuse me.

KATIE:
Excuse me, sorry ‒ my hands are full—

They approach the lifts. Khanl presses a button.

KHANL:
Why don’t you put the containers in your pack? They’re sealed airtight, they’ll be fine.

KATIE:
In a moment! Ah, they’re hot!

An elevator dings and the doors whoosh open.

ANT:
Level 21. Have a stellar day!

WORKER:
Excuse me.

KHANL:
Of course. Enjoy your lunch.

WORKER:
(growing distant) Thank you!

ANT:
Going down.

Katie and Khanl enter the elevator. Khanl presses a button and the doors whoosh closed.

KHANL:
Remind me, what floor is Engineering?

KATIE:
Just a moment! Oh, thank God. Uhh. It’s a few floors… Sub-Level 15, please.

ANT:
Going down. If you’re worried about your footing, please hold onto the railing now. And remember: if your ears pop, yawning will help. You can also request a speed adjustment at any time.

The elevator sets into motion. Katie unzips her pack and starts rearranging her containers.

KATIE:
Oh! It was pfeffernuss.

KHANL:
Huh?

KATIE:
The other flavour bar I couldn’t remember earlier.

KHANL:
Ah. Nice. (beat) What do you plan on doing later? Since your dad isn’t home and all.

Quiet elevator music plays as Katie and Khanl talk.

KATIE:
I’m not throwing another party, if that’s what you’re asking. Daddy’s upgraded the bio scanner again. It’ll pick up if I’m with more than one signature.

KHANL:
You have to ask him if it’s okay to have friends over?

KATIE:
He’s gotten really worried about security. I guess something big’s happening at work that nobody’s allowed to know about.

KHANL:
Oh, yes. Government transparency and all that.

KATIE:
I’m sure there’s a reason.

The elevator slows to a halt. It dings as the music stops and the doors whoosh open.

ANT:
Sub-Level 15. Have a stellar day!

Khanl steps off.

KHANL:
You coming?

KATIE:
Uh-huh.

She zips up her pack and steps off. The two start down the corridor.

ANT:
(growing distant) Going up.

In the background, the elevator doors whoosh closed.

KATIE:
Woah, low power mode. Didn’t realise how dark it is away from the elevator.

KHANL:
Nobody’s home.

KATIE:
It’s so nobody leaves something running they shouldn’t. And a message to diehards like Harvey that they should take a break.

KHANL:
Except Harvey also says that there are also some folks who like working in this kind of low lighting.

KATIE:
Like Harvey. ANT, try calling Harvey again.

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) Calling Harvey fireworkemoji.

KATIE:
Hopefully we haven’t just missed them on the way to the canteen. Or maybe, hopefully we have and we can all get back there to have lunch before the break ends!

She cracks open the fruit salad container.

KATIE:
Grape?

KHANL:
Mm. (taking a bite and swallowing) So with that new security, how do you get food deliveries?

KATIE:
They all have to be authorised in advance. So it’s always Matty who delivers fresh organics every Tuesday, then Bennett every Monday and Wednesday. And sometimes Friday, if there’s a special occasion.

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) I’m sorry, the person you have called is unavailable. Please try again later.

KATIE:
Harvey’s still not answering.

KHANL:
Wait, who’s Bennett?

KATIE:
The cleaner. Remember?

KHANL:
Is she the one who let you program the cleaning drones and taught you to cuss in Mandarin?

KATIE:
That’s the one.

KHANL:
So I’m guessing nothing’s happening today that she’d be called in for.

KATIE:
Nah. She only comes Fridays if Daddy’s hosting an event on the weekend.

KHANL:
Hosting? What, like parties?

KATIE:
Work parties. Really boring work parties.

KHANL:
So he gets parties and you don’t? Not even birthday parties?

KATIE:
If I asked for it, sure. But that would involve planning…

KHANL:
I’m sure he’d help you organise that. Or, like, get help organising that. Remember that moonside abseiling course he organised for us to do when we were kids?

KATIE:
Yeah… my seventh birthday. Before he got elected.

KHANL:
Before my folks died, even. Takes me back.

KATIE:
A lot of things have changed, I guess.

KHANL:
Yeah. (beat) You know, you could stay at my place tonight, if it’s too lonely alone. Hell, the weekend, if you want.

KATIE:
Shouldn’t you check with your mom first about having me ‘round?

KHANL:
Nah. You’re practically part of the family by this point. You’re always welcome.

KATIE:
Well, thanks. I’ll take you up on that, actually.

KHANL:
I’ll talk to Mom about takeout, and we could watch some streamer…

KATIE:
That does sound good. As long as we get some study time in as well.

KHANL:
You sound like Harvey. It’s the weekend.

KATIE:
They have a point about not leaving everything to the last minute. Hey ANT, can you try calling Harvey again?

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) Calling Harvey fireworkemoji.

KATIE:
This is the longest I’ve ever had to wait for a response from them.

KHANL:
Yeah, something’s off. What’s the room number?

KATIE:
1590. Down the end.

KHANL:
That’s a trek.

As the two walk, the faint sound of an Auris repeating ANT’s voice appears in the background.

KATIE:
It’s behind the factory floor. Work studies, what can you do?

KHANL:
Right. Honestly, at least when school starts up again, I won’t at least have to get up as early any more.

KATIE:
Mm. One of the perks of staying at your place is being so close to the Academy.

The Auris goes quiet.

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) I’m sorry, the person you have called is unavailable. Please try again later.

KATIE:
(sighs) Still nothing.

KHANL:
Where are we by now? (calling) Hello? Is anyone there?

KATIE:
We’re only at 1533 right now. ANT, call Harvey.

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) Calling Harvey fireworkemoji.

Once again, the faint sound of an Auris repeating ANT’s voice appears in the background.

KATIE:
(calling) Hello? Harvey? (speaking voice) You know, it’s eerie. Even the cameras are in low-power mode.

KHANL:
How can you tell?

KATIE:
You see the blinking lights? They only start blinking when we’re within five metres. And they turn off immediately once we’re out of range.

The Auris goes quiet.

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) I’m sorry, the person you have called is unavailable. Please try again later.

KHANL:
Now I’m curious.

KATIE
ANT, call Harvey.

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) Calling Harvey fireworkemoji.

ANT’s voice emanates from an Auris nearby.

KATIE:
If we don’t hear anything from them after this, I’m calling for help.

KHANL:
Agreed.

KATIE:
What were you about to say?

KHANL:
I was just wondering. Would the cameras turn off if you stood still long enough?

KATIE:
I think ‒ wait.

KHANL:
What? Wait. Yeah. Now I hear it.

The Auris goes quiet.

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) I’m sorry, the person you have called is unavailable. Please try again later.

KATIE:
(calling) Is someone here?

KHANL:
Katie. Look. That’s Harvey’s Auris piece.

KATIE:
Hard to tell without much light. It might be someone else’s, but… ANT, call Harvey.

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) Calling Harvey fireworkemoji.

The Auris Khanl has found chimes.

ANT:
(from the Auris) Incoming call from: Katie :P. Incoming call from: Katie :P. Incoming call from: Katie :P. Incoming call from: Katie :P.

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) I’m sorry, the person you have called is unavailable. Please try again later.

KATIE:
Yeah, it’s Harvey’s Auris Piece. One of them, anyway.

KHANL:
So where’s the other one? And where’s Harvey?

KATIE:
If the other piece is too far away, it would explain why the calls didn’t go through. You need two for a good connection.

KHANL:
Maybe if you called someone, we could see what that camera over there picked up. Although… Huh. Is the cable below it supposed to be visible?

KATIE:
Well, that is how they’re all connected.

KHANL:
But under all the others… right?

KATIE:
What?

KHANL:
Do you see the cable under the others?

KATIE:
It’s dark, Khanl. 

KHANL:
Yes, but—

He yanks at a panel in the wall. With a tug, it clatters free.

KATIE:
Khanl!

KHANL:
It was already like that, I swear!

KATIE:
Why would Engineering have a loose panel like that?

KHANL:
Someone was doing some work, maybe?

KATIE:
Even so… they wouldn’t have left it like this. It’s a hazard.

Distantly, they hear Harvey groan.

KHANL:
That wasn’t your stomach, was it?

KATIE:
Shut up! (yelling) Hello? Harvey, is that you?

HARVEY:
(yelling distantly) Katie?

KATIE:
(yelling) Yes, it’s me! It’s us! Me and Khanl!

KHANL:
(yelling) What’re you doing under there?

HARVEY:
(yelling distantly) Katie? Khanl? Help!

KHANL:
(yelling) What’s the problem?

HARVEY:
(yelling distantly) I’m stuck!

KHANL:
Right. I’m going down there.

KATIE:
No way! This is dangerous. We should report it to someone.

KHANL:
Who? There’s no one here.

KATIE:
We. Have. ANT!

ANT:
(in KATIE’s ear) How can I help you?

KHANL:
And what if nobody gets here in time? Do we leave Harvey stuck down there?

KATIE:
If you go down there, you might make things worse.

KHANL:
I’ll be careful, I promise!

KATIE:
We can’t risk it. One of us is already down there; we can’t cause a pile up.

HARVEY:
(yelling distantly) Can you still hear me? Help me!

KHANL:
Katie, I’m not leaving Harvey down there alone.

KATIE:
We won’t. Now that we’re in better range… ANT, call Harvey. On loudspeaker, please.

ANT:
(speakerphone) Calling Harvey fireworkemoji.

The Auris Khanl has found chimes.

ANT:
(from the Auris) Incoming call from—

HARVEY:
(speakerphone) Hello?

KATIE:
Harvey, can you hear me?

HARVEY:
(speakerphone) Katie? Is that you? I’m stuck! 

KATIE:
We know. We’re going to help you, but I need you to feel around you. Is there anywhere you could go?

KHANL:
Do you really think there’s somewhere they could start going through our walls?

KATIE:
There’s gotta be vents or something he can use to get out.

HARVEY:
(speakerphone) I can try ‒ ah ‒ think I broke something when I landed down here, I’m moving against the walls.

The sound of Harvey moving can be heard through Katie’s earpiece.

KATIE:
Anything?

HARVEY:
(speakerphone) Wait! I think this might be a crawl space.

KATIE:
Okay, we’re going to try something. ANT, clearance code Ariadne. Locate Auris 32HTS4574LDY.

ANT:
(speakerphone) Clearance code accepted. Locating Auris 32HTS4574LDY.

KATIE:
Project the location on my pad, ANT.

KHANL:
How long have you been able to do that?

KATIE:
It’s a special work clearance thing, I’m not supposed to use it ‒ Harvey, are you still there?

HARVEY:
(speakerphone) I’m not going anywhere fast.

KATIE:
Khanl, my pad. Do you see Harvey’s Auris?

KHANL:
I… Yeah. Yep. It’s like we guessed. This one dot is us, with the Auris we found, and then below us is Harvey with the other one. It even says how much charge they have left. Sixty-seven percent. That should work, right?

KATIE:
Yeah. Harvey, before you get out of range, we’re going to send you your other Auris.

HARVEY:
(speakerphone) How?

KHANL:
Incoming…

Over the Auris speakerphone, Khanl and Katie can hear Harvey’s Auris clatter to the ground.

KHANL:
Okay, it’s dropped down. Harvey, it should be right in front of you.

HARVEY:
(speakerphone) Um… yeah, I feel something. Yes. That’s my Auris. Now what?

KATIE:
You said you’re in a crawl space, right? Try going through it, but be careful! Don’t need you getting even more stuck. Try finding a light source if possible?

HARVEY:
(speakerphone) Okay. Okay.

KHANL:
Katie, they’re moving. West, I think. We could meet them at the other end.

KATIE:
Harvey, keep moving! We’ll try to meet you down there. We’re on our way.

The two sprint back to the elevators. Katie hits the button.  

KATIE:
I’m going to get hell for this.

KHANL:
You don’t think they’d understand it was an emergency?

KATIE:
Director Tripathi’s very strict about how I use my access. I’m definitely going to be… demerited for this.

She presses the button repeatedly.

HARVEY:
(speakerphone) Katie, if you get into trouble for this, I’ll sue them for endangering a minor. This isn’t your fault.

KHANL:
Yeah. We’ve got each other’s backs. (huffs) Now where’s that elevator?

The elevator dings and the doors whoosh open.

ANT:
Going down.

Katie and Khanl enter the elevator. Khanl presses a button and the doors whoosh closed.

KHANL
Sub-Level 20, ANT. Full speed.

ANT:
Going down. If you’re worried about—

KATIE & KHANL:
Go!

The elevator sets into motion.

KHANL:
How’re you doing, Harvey?

HARVEY:
(speakerphone) I’m… ah. Going slowly. But I think I was wrong about having broken something. I think it was just a sprain.

KHANL:
That’s something, at least.

The elevator dings and the doors whoosh open.

ANT:
Sub-Level 20. (growing distant) Have a stellar day!

The two are already in motion. As they keep moving, they can hear the soft sound of thudding at the walls.

KHANL:
I’ve never been this far down before. 

KATIE:
Me neither, we should take the stairs to follow them.

ANT:
(distantly) Going up.

KHANL:
Where would they even drop out of? Into a random room?

The stairwell door opens and closes with a hiss of compressed air as the two start their descent.

KATIE:
I have no clue, I’ve never seen or talked to anyone down here; it might be out of my department. I’m guessing the set up is the same as usual? Work stations, calculation room, computers?

KHANL:
Assuming the blueprint for all the floors is the same and that Harvey is going through the vents, they should drop down in the Calculations Department. Let’s hope they don’t land on anything expensive.

KATIE:
With their luck?

KHANL:
That’s why I said let’s hope. Our combined hopes and dreams against their dreadful luck will hopefully break even. Let’s just move faster just in case.

KATIE:
Good idea.

HARVEY:
(speakerphone) I think I see some light up ahead…

KATIE:
It feels wrong to say this, but go towards the light.

HARVEY:
(speakerphone) On it.

The sound of Harvey moving can be heard through Katie’s earpiece. Metallic squeaking echoes as they move.

HARVEY:
(speakerphone) Okay ‒ I’m nearly—

Harvey’s voice cuts off as a loud metallic clang and clatter rings out, abruptly ending the call.

KHANL:
Hello? Harvey?

KATIE:
Harvey? Are you okay? What happened? ANT, call Harvey on speakerphone.

ANT:
(speakerphone) Calling Harvey fireworkemoji.

The sound of faint distant footsteps can be heard.

KHANL:
They’re still on the map. Here. Looks to be…

KATIE:
Right… above us? Harvey, are you there?

KHANL:
Do you think they got hurt? I can’t hear their little pitter-pattering in the ventwork anymore.

ANT:
(speakerphone) I’m sorry, the person you have called is unavailable. Please try again later.

KATIE:
I don’t ‒ I don’t know.

KHANL:
Wait ‒ they’re moving!

KATIE:
There’s a vent here! Harvey, can you ‒ huh!

An electronic noise sounds as two Auris pieces tumble to the ground.

KHANL:
Are those…

KATIE:
Harvey’s Auris pieces, yeah. Harvey?

KHANL:
Harvey? Hey, Harvey?

The footsteps have grown louder and closer.

KHANL:
(beat) Do you hear that?

KATIE:
Hear what? Harvey?

KHANL:
No. I think someone else is down here.

In the quiet, they hear footsteps approaching.

KATIE:
Shit.

KHANL:
Yeah. 

KATIE:
Should we go see who it is…? Maybe ask them for help?

KHANL:
No. Harvey’s gone via the walls, you’ve used special work privileges for totally ordinary personal activities, and we’ve told absolutely no one what we were up to like we’re trained to do! We need to vanish right now.

KATIE:
Fuck! You’re right… Where would we even go? They could be here any second!

KHANL:
I don’t know…

KATIE:
(beat) Absolutely not.

KHANL:
It would work!

KATIE:
The air duct our friend just vanished from? No way!

KHANL:
If you want to get caught by our mystery footsteps, by all means.

Khanl attempts to pry the air duct grate from the wall with no luck.

KATIE:
What ‒ they ‒ you’re never going to get it off like that. Let me help.

KATIE comes over and helps. It’s a matter of seconds before the grate is off.

KHANL:
Hurry!

KATIE:
The things I do for you people.

The sound of their climbing into the air duct and bringing the grate back up behind them echoes down the hall.