INT. HUMAN CITY A TRAIN STATION #4 - SAME TIME
Rezekah walks down the steps into the terminal of Human City A Train Station #4. They carry a suitcase and have a book bag on their back. They walk past two guards slumping against a wall. One waves at them.
GUARD #1
(tiredly)
Evening.
REZEKAH
(to themselves)
According to the host's memories, replying to greetings in a polite manner draws less attention than ignoring the stranger.
(to Guard #1)
Hello. How are you?
GUARD #1
Fine enough.
Rezekah hesitates. When Guard #1 turns back to his partner, they continue walking into the terminal. They find a wall of odd looking machines.
REZEKAH
(to themselves)
These must be the ticket machines...
They approach one of the machines, holding Rebekah's credit card. They tap at the screen, making faces and noises of consternation. EMMA HARP (23), a petite woman with dyed silver hair and a pink army jacket, approaches them.
EMMA HARP
(cheerful)
Hi! Need some help with that?
Rezekah stares at her, unblinking. Emma shifts uncomfortably, her smile slipping. She points hesitantly at the ticket machine.
EMMA HARP
(unsure)
You, um, you looked like you were struggling. So, I thought I'd, uh, help you out a little. Um, if you think you can handle it...
She starts to back away.
REZEKAH
No. Z-I...could use your help.
Emma's face brightens. Her smile returns and she steps forward. She presses a button titled 'DESTINATION' on the screen.
EMMA HARP
So! Where are you headed?
REZEKAH
Human Town B.
EMMA HARP
Ooh. Pretty far. You'll have to take a train to Human City B, then to Human Town B. All in all, it's about a two and half hour trip.
She presses more buttons and the screen shifts. Additional buttons appear on the screen as well as the words 'PAYMENT OPTIONS'.
EMMA HARP
Now you can just pay with your credit and the ticket'll pop right out! Easy, huh?
REZEKAH
...Yes.
Rezekah slowly pushes the card toward the screen. It bounces off ineffectually. They frown and look at Emma, who is staring at them with concern.
REZEKAH
It's not working.
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EMMA HARP
Well...you have to put it into the...
She gestures toward a slit in the machine.
EMMA HARP
The card reader. Um, make sure to put it with the chip facing you.
REZEKAH
Thank you.
Rezekah inserts the card correctly. The machine beeps after a second and ejects a ticket into Emma's waiting hand. She gives it to Rezekah.
EMMA HARP
(jokingly)
What are you, an alien?
Rezekah freezes. Emma notices and raises her hands in a placating gesture.
EMMA HARP
(apologetic)
Just a joke! Sorry, it's just, I've never seen someone who didn't know how to use a card reader before. Besides, like, a teenager.
Emma giggles nervously, running her fingers through her hair.
EMMA HARP
I'm being insensitive, aren't I? Late nights make me forget...Um, I'll leave you to it, then.
She waves and leaves Rezekah at the ticket machine. Rezekah squeezes the ticket in their hand.
REZEKAH
(to themselves)
Zex searched the host's memories before leaving. It was clear that speaking in first person, using credit cards, and wearing casual clothing would surely help Zex blend in with the native populace. Is it the clothes?
Rezekah looks down at themselves. They are dressed in dark blue jeans, a white blouse, and flats. They nod and cross their arms.
REZEKAH
The host's memories confirm that the clothes Zex is wearing are ones she wore often during casual outings. Zex used first person when conversing with the native.
(tense)
Was is Zex's use of the credit card? Zex did use it, as it was supposed to, but perhaps Zex's lack of knowledge on how to use the card alerted the native that something was amiss.
Rezekah turns away from the ticket machine, looking toward the benches facing the empty railway. They see Emma sitting on one, talking on the phone. Occasionally, she glances over at Rezekah. When Emma sees Rezekah staring, she waves and smiles awkwardly. Rezekah turns back to the machine.
REZEKAH
(to themselves)
Yes...It seems Zex has been discovered once more. The native must be contacting an external force to deal with Zex.
(scowling)
She must be dealt with. But Zex must be careful not to leave any witnesses this time. So how...
A woman passes by Rezekah, heading into the women's bathroom. Emma abruptly stands and walks to the restroom as well. Rezekah smiles.
REZEKAH
(to themselves)
Excellent. Zex will rid of the native while using the second native as cover.
(pause)
Zex will have to get creative with names for the natives if Zex is to continue interacting with them.
Rezekah shrugs. They morph their hand into a hook and walk to the bathroom.
INT. WOMAN'S BATHROOM - NIGHT
Rezekah enters the bathroom. One handicapped stall is taken. Muffled grunts come from within.
Emma is standing just before an empty stall. She hesitates, wrinkling her nose as she looks towards the only occupied stall.
EMMA HARP
(to herself)
Gross...I'm just going to hold it.
She turns around and sees Rezekah standing there.
She looks surprised and a little nervous. She opens her mouth to speak but Rezekah throws out her hook-less arm. The limb stretches unnaturally between them. Rezekah's hand slaps onto Emma's mouth.
Emma's eyes widen as she whimpers. The noise is barely audible over Rezekah's hand and the stall's grunts.
Rezekah slowly contracts her arm, dragging Emma across the floor. Emma's whimpers grow louder as she draws closer to Rezekah.
Rezekah raises her hooked arm and stabs into Emma's head. The woman jerks once, twice, before falling still. Rezekah hauls Emma's corpse into a stall and quietly places it onto the toilet. They extract their hook from her head and exit the stall. They lock it behind them using the hand covered in gore.
They walk to the occupied handicapped stall, holding their bloodied hand out before them. They stop a little before the occupied handicap stall and gently brush their hand against the stall handle.
Returning to the front of the bathroom, Rezekah turns the knob on. A quiet stream of water escapes the faucet. They rinse their hand off and exit the restroom.
HUMAN CITY A TRAIN STATION #4
Rezekah sits on a bench with their luggage. The train arrives and multiple people disembark the train car. A few nod to Rezekah and they nod back.
They pick up their luggage and enter the train car. Turning, they see two young women enter the restroom. One of them stops and screams.
YOUNG WOMAN #1
(distraught)
You killed her!
A crowd gathers before the restrooms. The pair of guards rush toward the bathroom. They push through the crowd, shouting.
GUARD #1
Everybody get back! This is a...
The doors of the train shut. Rezekah smiles as the train pulls away.