MASON

You guys are boring.

WILL

(sarcastically) Well sorry my apocalyptic journey isn’t enough entertainment for you.

WILDER

Oh, they’re just being silly. Why don’t we play a game, hmm? Lily and Xander can play!

XANDER

What kind of game!?

MASON

Eye Spy.

WILL

Karaoke.

MASON

Karaoke?

XANDER

That’s not a game.

MASON

Yeah, Will, that’s not a game.

WILDER

Sure it is! We could all take turns singing. I used to be a professional singer, you know.

MASON

Woah, for real? I didn’t know that!

WILDER

Yes, it’s true! I would sing at all the local bars and even some real expensive places, provide ambiance for the clientèle.

MASON

Why’d you stop?

WILDER

Well, I had to put all that aside when I got married to George.

MASON

Why?

WILDER

Oh, he had all these ideas about what a wife should and shouldn’t be. He wanted to provide for me so I could be a proper housewife.

MASON

Every time you say George’s name, I find out a new reason to dislike him.

WILDER

So do I, Mason, so do I.

MASON

So have you ever thought about going back to singing?

WILDER

Maybe, but now I have the baby to think about. That’s going to be a lot of work… though I suppose I’ll be assigned some kind of job on the moon colony anyway. I doubt ‘entertainer’ will be one of the roles they need filled.

MASON

(worriedly) Sucks for me.

WILDER

Oh, I’m sure they’ll find something for you to do, dear.

MASON

What if they don’t? What if I’m just… dead weight?

WILL

You’re not dead weight, Mason. Just because you’re not capable of the same things as other people doesn’t mean you’re not a worthwhile human being. You’ll fit in just fine in the moon colony.

MASON

…Thanks, Will. That means a lot.

WILDER

[screams in pain]

MASON

[screams in alarm] What! What’s wrong!

WILL

Is she okay!?

WILDER

I think- I think the baby is coming! Very suddenly and very quickly!

MASON

Oh shit!

WILL

Oh god. Oh god.

MASON

Someone tell Tairam, Mrs. Wilder is having her baby! Get to the radio room! Xander, Lily, get out, go play with your toys, Mrs. Wilder is going to be fine but you don’t wanna be here for this.

TAIRAM

[ringing sound, click] I’m on my way. Wyncyn is nearby. When he gets there, tell him to go grab something soft for Wimofrey to lay on and to wipe the baby’s face with and cover them afterwards.

[door opening]

WYNCYN

(already panicking) I’m here, what do I do!?

ESME

We came as fast as we could!

MASON

Calm down, don’t panic! Wyncyn, go get something soft, some blankets or towels or something. Mrs. Wilder, we’re gonna lower you to the floor, okay?

WYNCYN

On it!

[door closing]

ESME

We’re right here, Mrs. Wilder, everything’s going to be okay. Mason, shouldn’t you be sitting by her legs…?

MASON

Absolutely not, none of us are trained for this so we are doing this hands-off!

WILDER

Hands-off!?

MASON

Trust me, it is for the best! Your body will take care of things, I’ll only step in if I really need to. But for the most part, we are just going to support Mrs. Wilder and encourage her while her body sorts this out for us. Then we wipe the baby off and give it straight to Mrs. Wilder to hold.

[doors opening, footsteps running in]

WYNCYN

I’m here! Towels!

TAIRAM

Well, don’t throw them- oh, fine. Wimofrey, can you move over onto these towels?

WILDER

Tairam, thank god. I think so…

TAIRAM

Okay, just breathe, Wimofrey.

ESME

(queasily) Oh, I’m gonna be sick.

WYNCYN

(nervously) Do you really- Do you really need me here?

TAIRAM

No, Mason and I have got this, you two can leave.

[footsteps running away, door closing]

WILDER

[screams]

MASON

You’ve got this, Mrs. Wilder!

TAIRAM

Breathe with me. In… out…. In… out….

MASON

Oh shit, I should probably mute this mic…

– – –

MASON

We’re back, and the world deserves to know that she’s beautiful, Mrs. Wilder!

TAIRAM

And healthy, as far as we can tell.

MASON

What are you gonna name her?

WILDER

I’m naming her… Naomi.

WILL

That’s a beautiful name, ma’am.

[silence]

TAIRAM

Who The Fuck is that?

MASON

Uh… we’ll be right back after this short break!

TAIRAM

No, we’re talking about this now. Don’t put any of your silly music on. Who is that?

WILL

Uh. I’m Will, sir.

MASON

He’s a survivor, he’s been trying to get to the mall.

TAIRAM

Why didn’t you tell me?

MASON

Look, I’m sorry for keeping it a secret, I just- Can he stay with us? When he gets here?

TAIRAM

What do you mean, ‘stay’? He isn’t here, Mason. The evac is tomorrow, and if he’s not here then that’s too bad, because we’re going.

MASON

He’s going to get here in time, he won’t be late!

WILL

I’m going as fast as I can, sir.

TAIRAM

God, I can’t believe… Another survivor… Whatever. If he gets here in time, it’s not my problem anymore, someone else will be keeping track of rations. And if he doesn’t get here in time, then… I’m sorry, Mason. Wimofrey- Oh, she’s asleep. Mason, hold Naomi until she wakes up.

[footsteps walking away, door opening and closing]

WILL

That… could have gone better.

MASON

Tell me about it. I hate hiding things from Tairam, but it’s just so scary to talk to him. I mean, he’s- he’s not a bad guy. He’s just a tough one, and he comes off as really intimidating. He reminds me of my dad, actually.

WILL

I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble.

MASON

No, no, it’s fine. And you are going to get here on time, by the way.

WILL

I sure hope so.

[door opening]

DAETHIE

Tairam sent me to help clean up. Is Will on the line?

WILL

Hello.

DAETHIE

Hi, Will. Mason, do you want to clear out while I clean?

MASON

Uh, I’m kind of avoiding Tairam right now? So I think I’ll stay where I am, despite the mess.

DAETHIE

[sighs] Mason, look. Tairam really just wants the best for everyone. He’s not trying to be mean to you.

MASON

I know that, Daethie.

DAETHIE

He thinks of everyone here as family, and he doesn’t want anyone getting left behind or hurt because of one of his decisions. That’s why he’s so strict.

MASON

I know, Daethie. I understand. I’m not mad at him, I’m just… upset with the situation.

DAETHIE

Hey, I get it. Will… You’d better get here soon.

WILL

I will.