INT. SHUTTLE BUS - AFTERNOON
Rezekah sits on a shuttle bus along with one other passenger, DYLAN RYKES (34). Dylan has a visor over his salt-and-pepper color hair, with black framed glasses over his dark eyes. A black and white backpack is on his lap. He sits on the opposite end of the shuttle bus, staring out of the window.
Rezekah clears their throat. Dylan jumps and turns his head to face them. When their eyes meet, Dylan's face pales. He licks his lips and adjusts his visor.
DYLAN RYKES
Can...I help you?
REZEKAH
No. But it is customary to greet others when sitting in close proximity to them.
Dylan purses his lips and looks away from Rezekah. His grip tightens on his bookbag.
DYLAN RYKES
I'd rather not...
REZEKAH
(talking over him)
Hello. My name is Rebekah Smith. What is your name?
DYLAN RYKES
(tense)
Smith? As in, Smith's Law Firm? You're that Rebekah Smith?
REZEKAH
(slowly)
...Yes. I am that Rebekah Smith.
(to themselves)
Fully examining the host's memories takes priority when Zex reaches the host's point of origin...
Dylan's eyes narrow. He shifts in his seat, inching away from Rezekah.
DYLAN RYKES
(quietly)
Host...?
REZEKAH
That is who I am. Who are you?
DYLAN RYKES
Nobody important...
(scoffing)
...Compared to you anyway...
REZEKAH
Affirmative.
Dylan frowns, his eyes narrowing at Rezekah. They notice this and clear their throat.
REZEKAH
Understandable.
DYLAN RYKES
Are...you okay?
(scoots back further)
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
REZEKAH
Yes. I am well. How are you, Nobody?
DYLAN RYKES
What?
REZEKAH
Is that not your name? Nobody Important? As you said?
Dylan blinks. He opens his mouth, closes it, and repeats this action for several more seconds. He then abruptly stops staring when his phone buzzes in his pocket.
He takes it out, shoulders relaxing as he turns back to the window. He begins speaking quietly.
Rezekah watches him, knitting their eyebrows.
REZEKAH
(to themselves)
Zex is confused by the behavior of this native. Has its initial observation about the species missed something? Perhaps they are not as amicable to members of their own species as Zex had originally guessed...
Dylan pauses in his conversation. He shudders before resuming talking into the phone.
REZEKAH
(to themselves)
Perhaps this native is an outlier. Unlike the others, he seems cautious. Too cautious. Does he know something? He can't know something; Zex was careful to adhere to the social guidelines in the host's memories...Perhaps further analysis is indeed needed.
Rezekah looks toward the front of the bus. The driver, CARL FRANCHEZ, is paying close attention to the road. He hums a tune to himself quietly, tapping on the steering wheel.
REZEKAH
The native automobile handler is inattentive. If Zex were to kill Nobody, there is a possibility Zex could handle it without the automobile handler knowing. However, the automobile handler will eventually notice the body when the automobile stops. Unfortunate. At the next destination, then?
Rezekah turns back around, nodding. Properly seated, they look over at Dylan.
Dylan's phone is clenched tightly in his hand. He's half turned around, awkwardly perched halfway on his seat. The gentle movement of the bus rocks him back and forth.
REZEKAH
Are you alright, Nobody? The way you are sitting on your chair seems uncomfortable.
Dylan shudders and keeps silent. He slings his bag on his back before looking down at his phone. He begins rapidly typing on the screen.
REZEKAH
Are-
The bus lurches to the stop. Dylan is nearly thrown to the ground. Rezekah just frowns as they watch their bags slide across the floor.
The driver turns in his seat, smiling. His chubby brown face shines with sweat.
CHRIS FRANCHEZ
Hey, you two! Sorry about the rough stop; brakes on this ol' thing aren't what they used to be, yunno what I mean? Hope you could mind the heat while ya rode, but this is nothing compared to the weather out there!
Chris presses a button and the doors to the shuttle bus swing open.
CHRIS FRANCHEZ
Y'all have a good trip down to town now!
Dylan stands up abruptly. He rushes towards the doors but his foot catches on Rezekah's bag.
Rezekah's arm shoots out, slipping under Dylan's body. The catch him, stopping his momentum. They push him upright until he's standing on his own two feet.
Rezekah pulls their lips into a toothless smile.
REZEKAH
You should be more careful, Nobody. You look to have a very...
(looks Dylan up and down)
...fragile body.
Dylan squeaks, jerking out of Rezekah's grip. He hustles off of the bus, glancing back with a wide-eyed expression.
Rezekah stands. They attempt to follow, but Chris clears his throat.
CHRIS FRANCHEZ
Your, uh, bags, miss?
REZEKAH
Oh. Right.
They look out the bus window.
THROUGH THE WINDOW
An old, red pick-up truck pulls up to the bus station. Dylan sprints toward it, running around the back to reach the passenger side. He throws open the door and hesitates. He looks back toward the bus and sees Rezekah staring. He shudders and enters the vehicle.
The truck speeds off into the distance, a cloud of dust following its trail.
ON THE SHUTTLE BUS
Rezekah frowns.
REZEKAH
Unfortunate.
They pick up their bags and leave the bus, staring intently in the direction the truck had gone.
Chris watches them go. He wipes the sweat off of his forehead and closes the bus doors.
CHRIS FRANCHEZ
What odd folks...