MASON

Shit- Will, you look awful.

WILL

It’s been a rough night.

MASON

What happened? You were doing so well yesterday.

WILL

I… honestly don’t know. I feel just like I did the day before yesterday, when we thought I was turning.

HEN

You look the same, too.

MASON

But… the vaccine worked. You were better!

DR. ELORA

If I may intrude… It’s likely just the vaccine battling it out with the virus. The- The bite, that is.

MASON

So… this is normal?

DR. ELORA

Well, ‘normal’ isn’t really a thing yet—this is brand new territory, you know. But it’s certainly possible that he’ll still pull through.

MASON

I guess it makes sense that the vaccine wasn’t perfect… Better that than nothing, I guess.

WILL

Better to not get bitten in the first place.

MASON

I wonder if we’ll ever figure out how that infected person got all the way to the mess hall without alerting anyone.

HEN

Maybe someone just messed up. Pobody’s nerfect!

MASON

I’m not sure that applies when it comes to situations as life-threatening as this one.

[door opens]

WYNCYN

I’m here!

MASON

Wyncyn!

WILL

It’s so nice to see you.

HEN

Hi, Wyncyn, I’m Hen!

WYNCYN

Yeah, I’ve heard a lot about you! And heard you a lot, considering you co-host the show.

MASON

Aw, nice to know you still listen.

WYNCYN

Of course I do! Now, are you going to interview me, or what?

WILL

No comments on my shiny new skin tone?

WYNCYN

I didn’t want to offend you by saying something like ‘you look like you came fresh out of a grave.’

WILL

[sarcastically] Wow. Thanks for saying it anyway.

WYNCYN

For real, though, are you alright?

WILL

I… don’t know. Actually, maybe you should get on with the interview.

WYNCYN

I think that’s more concerning than just giving a straightforward answer would have been.

WILL

…Yeah.

HEN

Um, well! Why don’t you tell us about your first week in the colony, Wyncyn?

WYNCYN

It’s been great, for the most part! I was assigned to the kitchens, which by the way are way better than the ones at the mall. Oh, and I was placed in a room in the same area as Esme and Mason, so that’s nice. Esme comes over sometimes when we’re both feeling homesick so we don’t have to be alone.

MASON

Shit, I’m sorry, Wyncyn. I haven’t really been the best friend lately.

WYNCYN

Hey, that’s okay. Will needs the support a lot more than I do right now. I expect you to be glued to my side if and when I get bitten, though!

MASON

Right, but let’s not try to test that one out anytime soon.

WYNCYN

Agreed.

MASON

Anyway, Will and I won’t be sequestered off here for much longer. As soon as he’s done quarantining, Hen and I will move back to her usual broadcasting room, and then you can visit us without worrying about the only-three-people-in-the-viewing-room rule.

WYNCYN

Hey, what about-?

DR. ELORA

I don’t count.

WYNCYN

…Right. Anyway, besides that, life here is good. Esme and I have been helping Tairam make campaign fliers and stuff in our free time, it’s been really fun. You and Will can help us out if you get out of here before the election.

HEN

C-Can I come too?

WYNCYN

[surprised] Oh, uh, sure! I mean, the more the merrier.

MASON

I’m sure Scout would love to see Aja again.

WYNCYN

And it would be a great way to get to know you better, Hen.

HEN

Yeah! I can’t wait.

WYNCYN

For now, I’d better go have breakfast so I can get to dishwashing on time. Thanks for having me, guys!

WILL

Later, Wyncyn.

MASON

Bye!

HEN

Bye!

[door opens and closes]

WILL

Hey, Hen.

HEN

What’s up?

WILL

What’s your story?

HEN

Oh! I- Well, it’s boring, you wouldn’t be interested.

MASON

Of course we’re interested in our new friend! We have no clue where you disappear to after broadcasts, and you only ever eat with me and the mall group.

WILL

Do your friends work during normal meal times or something?

HEN

[embarrassed] Oh, I don’t… I don’t really have friends.

WILL

Shit, sorry, was that insensitive?

HEN

No, it’s fine! I just- Well, you two are kind of my only friends here. Well, my first friends, at least. I hope I can get to know all of your friends better, too!

MASON

[softly] Can I ask why you don’t have any friends here?

HEN

Yeah, um… My group back in Blackpool, they- There was a zombie hoard, right before the evac helicopter touched down. Everyone else died, I- I was the only one who made it to the helicopter alive, and the pilot just immediately took off.

MASON

I’m so sorry, Hen, that’s awful.

WILL

I’m sorry you had to go through that, Hen.

HEN

Thanks. When I got here, I just—I threw myself into the radio thing, kept myself busy by talking to myself and interviewing random people. But I never really made any real friends.

MASON

Well, now you have us.

HEN

Thanks, guys. That means a lot.

WILL

Hey, you said you were from Blackpool?

HEN

Yeah, why?

WILL

We’re from Kitmouth, we neighbor your city on the west.

HEN

Oh wow, that’s crazy! What a small world.

MASON

That’s more than just a small world, that’s… a really weird coincidence.

WILL

…Huh. Hey, Dr. Elora. Where are you from?

DR. ELORA

Hmm? Oh, I wasn’t evacuated, I was hired on.

MASON

Uh… what?

DR. ELORA

Sorry, I meant- I’m not from your county.

WILL

[drawn out] Okay…

DR. ELORA

Here’s your breakfast, Will. Goodbye.

[door opens and closes]

MASON

…That was weird, right?

WILL

Definitely weird.

HEN

She could’ve just said where she was from.

MASON

Yeah, but she didn’t.

WILL

…Huh. Well, I guess you guys should go get breakfast?

MASON

I guess so. We’ll be back soon, folks.

HEN

See you later!