HEN

And that’s why you folks need to call in! To win prizes such as: bragging rights, your voice on the air, and my utmost admiration. Plus, I’m one of only two or three stations available to you right now, so I know you’re listening.

[walking]

HEN

Yes, we are on the move right now- [grunt] I’m just, lugging a bunch of the radio equipment around. Radio on the go!

[walking]

HEN

Why, you may ask? Well, it’s a secret! Or, a surprise? I think you’ll like it. I can only talk to myself for so long, you know!

[walking]

HEN

Oh, geez… Good girl, Aja. Maybe I should sit for a second… [pause] No, I’m okay, it passed. Besides, here we are! [door opening] Say hello to-

MASON

Uh, hello? Who are you?

HEN

The name’s Hen! I’m one of the local radio hosts, and you have been assigned as my co-host! I’m so happy to have you!

MASON

Right, um- Yeah, happy to be here! I guess. Why are you… you know, here?

HEN

Oh! Well, you didn’t come over to the station this morning, and then I heard about your boyfriend being quarantined, so I figured I’d just bring the radio to you!

WILL

Oh, we’re not-

MASON

Yeah, we’re- He’s not my-

WILL

Uh, we’re just. Friends.

HEN

Oh, my bad! I just thought, since- Well, it’s okay! Anyway, you’re Mason, right? And this is…?

WILL

Will, nice to meet you, Hen.

HEN

Nice to meet you! So, I figured we could start by talking about your time in the colony!

MASON

Well, we haven’t had a chance to do very much yet. But the quarantine rooms are pretty impressive, all things considered. Things are… comfortable, here.

WILL

Not to mention, they do have a radio station like you’d hoped.

MASON

[laughs] Yeah, that’s a point for the moon colony.

HEN

There are a lot of points for the moon colony! I mean, I can’t speak for the others, but everyone in 7-2 seems pretty happy to me.

MASON

I guess so. How did you get assigned to the radio? Got a history with it?

HEN

Not really, I just like to talk! That, and I can’t work most jobs because of my POTS—that’s why I have Aja, here.

MASON

Wha- Why’d you go carrying all this equipment here, then!?

HEN

Oh, it was only a short walk, really. And I do have Aja. I just really wanted to meet you!

MASON

Huh. Well, thanks for making the effort.

HEN

No problem! Can I ask what the crutches are for?

MASON

Oh, sure. I have fibromyalgia, the crutches help with the weakness and pain in my legs.

HEN

Look at the pair of us, a couple of disabled radio stars!

MASON

Ha! I don’t know if I’d call myself a star.

WILL

I would!

MASON

You don’t count, Will, you’re biased.

WILL

I’m biased for a reason, though.

MASON

Suuure. Anyway, I wonder what your job is going to be?

HEN

He’s going to work on the farms!

WILL

What- How do you know that?

HEN

I maaay have done a bit of snooping about you guys. I was just really excited, okay! I can’t believe I got your relationship wrong though, that’s so embarrassing…

MASON

Hey, you weren’t totally wrong. We’re definitely…

WILL

Something.

MASON

Yeah. [positively] Something.

HEN

Aha! So my sources were close, at least.

WILL

Uh, moving on. Tell us more about the colony. [wryly] Are zombies turning in the middle of lunch a common occurrence?

HEN

What? No! At least, not in the week I’ve been here. Everyone gets the vaccine, everyone gets screened, everyone goes through the three-day quarantine.

MASON

Then… how did an infected person get into the mess hall? They would have had to go through all those security measures.

WILL

Are there any exceptions to the quarantine rule?

HEN

No, none. This shouldn’t have happened, I- I don’t know.

MASON

Interesting…

HEN

I’m sure it won’t happen again.

MASON

I just hope once wasn’t enough to doom us.

HEN

Hey, don’t think like that! I bet Will will be just fine.

WILL

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

HEN

Here’s hoping!