*NOTE: Like I said before, this is a huge cast, so I wasn't able to feature everyone this episode. Characters that weren't featured here will DEFINITELY be featured next episode, so no don't worry.
An abnormally large bus is driving through the red, sandy, barren landscape of a desert. Apart from a few cacti, some brush grass, and various elevated terrains, we see a vast expanse of nothingness being beaten down by the sun’s rays in front of the bus, while the outskirts of city lie is being left behind. The side of the bus reads, in faded letters caked by dirt and smudged: “Heart Haven Tours: Make Your First Date Something Worth Remembering”. A driver is sleepily guiding the bus as it bumps along the gravel road. Chatter can be heard in the seats behind. Sitting up front near him is an African-American woman dressed in a black polo, jeans, and wearing a red bandana. This is their group coordinator and tour guide.
Nirina (addressing the entire bus): Now, as we near the boundaries of Death Valley National Park, I’d like to remind each of you that it’s once again time for our “switch” when we get off the bus. This will be the third and final one, so enjoy your mini-dates in this God-forsaken, scorched, shithole before we get back on the bus to leave in exactly ONE HOUR! It won’t be any longer.
The bus driver whispers something to Nirina. She rolls her eyes.
Nirina: Fine, we’ll stop at the fucking gas station first. Don’t wanna be stranded now, do we?
She smirks and sits down as the bus pulls into the gas station filling area. A hand shoots up from the crowd. It’s coming from:
Courtney Gonzalez: 22. Slutty, controlling, poised. She’s dressed in a pink cami, green shorts, and brown-laced sandals.
Nirina (sighing): What?
Courtney: I need to use the restroom, am I allowed to get off the bus?
Nirina: What the hell do you think? You’re a… (she checks her list) 22-year old woman, asking another woman if she’s allowed to go use the restroom? I don’t give a shit.
Courtney (getting up and frowning): My Yelp review for this joke of a travel service is going to BLOW. I’m specifically calling out your unprofessional and disgusting attitude.
Nirina sits down and ignores Courtney. Another girl gets out of her seat.
Alyssa Randall: 24. Brave, born-leader, athletic. She’s wearing a red romper and red shoes to match, and she’s conventionally beautiful.
Alyssa: I’ll come with you, Courtney. I kind of need to go, too.
Courtney: Sounds like a date! Anyone else want to come with?
Most people are having their own conversations or ignoring them. Courtney shrugs and gets off the bus with Alyssa. A guy watches them from the bus window as they get off:
Stephen Lawrence: 21. Shy, intelligent, nice. Olive skin and dark, thick hair, he’s wearing a black t-shirt, tan shorts, and glasses.
Stephen (sighing): I lowkey have to go, too.
The girl beside him, dark-red haired, pale skinned, and wearing a green flannel with a black tank underneath looks at him perplexedly:
Skarlet Viona: 23. Shy, nice and a little bitchy, attractive.
Skarlet: Why didn’t you go with them?
Stephen (turning to her): Uh… I just didn’t really feel like grouping up.
Skarlet (jokingly): I know that our date went super well, but I think that if you really need to go, you should. I’ll be here when you get back.
She slightly smiles. Stephen awkwardly nods and gets out of the seat, walking down the aisle. Nirina sees him and rolls her eyes.
Nirina (muttering): If everyone feels like getting off now, we might as well skip Death Valley. At least the gas station has air conditioning.
The pair sitting behind Nirina overhear her and look at one another. The girl shakes her head and grins. The guy busts out laughing. They are:
Marina Skye: 22. Witty, heartbreaker, intelligent. She’s wearing a white crop top, a white skirt, a white headband, and a heart-shaped locket. She’s the definition of free-spirit.
Greg Leigh: 22. Brave, mysterious, loyal. He’s wearing dark clothes, complementing his tattoos, piercings, and dark hair. He’s clearly part of the indie/alt crowd.
Greg: This is the craziest date trip ever. Who does this?! And, better yet, how does she (pointing at Nirina) still have a job?
Marina: I dunno, but it’s pretty hilarious. Do you do this often?
Greg: Go on dating trips? No. I got free tickets for this from the radio gig I host. The caller who won them never picked ‘em up.
Marina: You host a radio show? That’s so fucking cool!
Greg: Yeah, it’s pretty sweet. I guess seeing all of these sites is a plus. Except, I don’t think anything can beat the Grand Canyon. We struck out on day 1.
Marina: Definitely. I’d prefer just going to towns like we did on the second day instead of going here, honestly. But it’s whatever.
She brushes her hair away and smiles at Greg.
Marina: This is so stupid, isn’t it?
Greg (raising his eyebrows): Yeah. Kind of.
Marina: Why’d I sign up for this?
Greg: I mean, you met me.
He winks. She grins.
END SCENE
In the gas station restroom, Courtney is applying lipstick in the mirror while Alyssa washes her hands.
Courtney: Any of the men catching your eye?
Alyssa (smirking): All of them have some potential. But, that Jacob guy is so…
She smolders her eyebrows and giggles. Courtney laughs and looks at her with a secret tinge of contempt.
Courtney: Yes, he’s definitely the most attractive bachelor on board.
Alyssa: And our date went so well! I just felt such a connection right off the bat. I know, I know, it’s super early to get excited, but-
Courtney: No, by all means, be excited! But…
She lowers her voice.
Courtney: I’ve heard him talking about someone else, like, non-stop. You know that Briana girl?
Alyssa: Her?
Courtney: Yeah, I know. Such a slut. Unfortunately, it seems like he’s smitten, though.
Alyssa looks disappointedly into the mirror, while Courtney looks away and smirks.
END SCENE
On the bus, a hispanic girl dressed in a black sun dress is nodding and laughing with a well-dressed, preppy and posh guy in a baby blue polo and dark blue shorts. This pair is:
Briana: So, yeah, my cousin and I are just here for a good time! That’s really cool though that you think you found someone. I wish I did…
Jacob (backtracking): I mean, obviously, it’s super soon to say. Maybe I should just (he looks into Briana’s eyes) keep my options open.
Briana (biting her lip): That’s always… a wise choice.
She winks and leans in closer to him.
Jacob: Be my third date when we get to the Valley?
Briana: How could I resist?
Courtney and Alyssa are making their way through the seats. Alyssa smiles at Jacob before seeing Briana and dropping her friendliness.
Alyssa: Bathroom was… disgusting.
Jacob: I bet.
Alyssa nods, before looking at Briana again and rolling her eyes, sitting in the seat next to Courtney.
Jacob (whispering to Briana): I think you’re making her a little jealous.
Briana: I didn’t mean to! I mean, we’re just talking.
Courtney calls from across the seats to Jacob.
Courtney: Hey, Jacob! Planning on taking my girl, Alyssa, for a second date in Death Valley this afternoon?
Jacob: Uh… sorry. I kind of already asked someone else.
He looks at Briana. Alyssa turns away sadly. Courtney relishes in the drama.
Courtney: Don’t let it get you down, Lyss. He’ll probably realize that she has some kind of STI and he’ll vacate the Valley before they even kiss.
In the seat behind Courtney and Alyssa, a girl frowns as she’s listening to their conversation. She gets up and walks over to Briana. We see:
Itzel Castillo: 22. Briana’s cousin. Confident, classy, compassionate. She’s wearing a purple dress and laced boots.
Itzel (whispering and pointing to Courtney): She’s talking about you.
Briana (widening her eyes): Really? Why am I not surprised…
Itzel: She’s probably jealous.
She looks at Jacob, who’s trying to listen to her conversation with Briana.
Itzel (sarcastically): Did you and Courtney have a wonderful first date?
Jacob: At the Grand Canyon? No, that one blowed. All she does is talk about herself and her accomplishments.
Briana: What has she accomplished? Trying to suck off half the guys here?
Itzel: Don’t stoop to that Briana, you don’t need to deal low-blows when she’s already hitting low herself.
Jacob: She’s actually in law school, her goal is to work for the White House, or something crazy like that…
Briana insecurely scratches her head.
Itzel: That explains the fakeness. No wonder she’s into politics.
END SCENE
In the back corner of a bus, a young man is sitting with an elderly woman. This unlikely, strange pair seems to get on pretty well with one another. The young man sighs and shakes his head. It’s:
Oli Grubb: 22. Observant, upfront, calm. He’s wearing an athletic t-shirt and dark shorts.
Oli: I just… shouldn’t have come on this trip. I thought at least someone here would play for my team, but clearly, this was straights-only.
The older woman shakes her head in protest. It’s:
Natalie Winters: 79. Wise, sharp, witty. She’s wearing expensive crystal earrings, a diamond brooch, a dark blouse, and dark sunglasses.
Natalie: That one young man… his name was Jonah, I believe? He told me himself that he’s into both men and women.
Oli: No he did not.
Natalie: Yes, he did. And here you’ve been, spending all your dates on an old woman who foolishly believed that there’d be SOMEONE else her own age on this trip.
Oli: Well, I’d call myself foolish, too, but if I have a chance with him…
He smiles. Natalie sighs. He turns to her sympathetically.
Oli: You really thought that there’d be someone else of your… prestige, on this trip?
Natalie (dryly smiling): You can just say age, I know everyone’s thinking it. And, well… I will admit, I do seem to draw in any man when I want to back home. When you’re wealthy and… generous with your affection, it seems to go a long way.
Oli: Okay, okay! We got a cougar over here!
Natalie: Who ever said that sex was for the young? I’ll be up for a good screw till the day I die.
Oli (plugging his ears): Stop! I can’t, you’re corrupting me!
Cut to:
A couple of dudes sitting a few seats up and across from Natalie and Oli. The one by the window laughs and nods, while the one close to the aisle is conversing, while visibly amused at Oli’s outburst. The former is:
Steven Lowe: 22. Honest, mysterious, bold. Short, light-brown hair; wearing a flannel.
The latter is:
Jonah Foskett: 28. Dynamic, reflective, gullible. He’s wearing a blue button-down and pink shorts.
Steven: I just hope she doesn’t mix me up with the other Stephen again. Think I can convince him to go by a nickname?
Jonah: Why don’t you go by one?
Steven: Because I don’t do nicknames. He might.
Jonah: I doubt it matters.
Steven (sighing): You’re probably right. Honestly, I have no idea who my next date will be. I hate this. Why’d I sign up?
Jonah: It is weird, isn’t it?
Steven: Very. It’s like Are You The One on the road. Before I left, I told all my friends I was doing this and it was straight-up cringeworthy.
Jonah: You told them?!
Steven: I mean, yeah. Why, should I have lied?
Jonah: I did. I told my parents and my ex-wife that-
Steven: Whoa! You’ve been married?
Jonah: Yeah. I don’t like to talk about it. Let’s just say… it was a disaster. Thankfully, I’m not seeing “her” on this trip, like I seem to do everywhere else.
END SCENE
Coming out of the bathroom, Stephen (with a “ph”) is walking toward the front doors. From far away, a sawing sound can be heard. He pauses, looks back, and listens. He looks around the station-- it’s completely empty.
Stephen (softly): Weird…
He goes to the back of the gas station and presses his ear against the wall. The sawing is louder.
Stephen: Is it coming from outside?
Suddenly, the sawing stops. He stays pressed against the wall for a moment in silence. Then, the back door bursts open. The gas station cashier, an older man of about 50, walks toward the counter. Stephen quickly moves away from the wall. The man ignores him, going straight to the register and looking blankly ahead. Weirded out, Stephen quickly vacates the station.
Stephen (walking rapidly away): That… was… strange.
END SCENE
The bus driver is finally getting back onto the bus. He whispers something to Nirina. She rolls her eyes.
Nirina: You didn’t use the company card? WHY? I’ll spot you on this, but you’re paying me back.
Nirina angrily rips a wad of cash out of her wallet and walks out of the bus toward the gas station.
Nirina: Morons. I work with fucking morons.
A couple of strange-looking women stand on the side of the gas station doors, eyeing Nirina. They’re dressed in rags, looking like they came straight out of the Great Depression.
Woman 1: Got any cash?
Nirina shoves past both of them.
Nirina: Get a job!
She angrily charges up to the register, slapping the cash on the counter. Looking up, she realizes that no one is at the register. She angrily presses the bell on the counter multiple times.
Nirina (loudly): Hello? I. Am. A. Customer!
She keeps pressing the bell. We zoom out to see the gas station, surrounded by nothingness, a small speck in the desert. Back in the gas station, she’s still pressing the bell.
Nirina (muttering): Fuck this stupid job.
A finger taps her on the back. She angrily turns around.
Nirina: Wha-
She stops. It’s the same two women from before, except one is holding a butcher knife. Both are nearly identical, except one is blonde, and one is brunette. Both have looks of decay, and the brunette’s right eye is clouded.
Brunette (holding the knife): Got any cash?
Before Nirina can answer, she swipes across Nirina’s neck, slitting her throat. Nirina drops to her knees, trying to speak, but only making the blood gush out more.
Both girls expressionlessly watch Nirina choke on her blood and struggle on the floor, knocking against the counter until she lies still in a pool of blood. The brunette licks the blood off of her knife and puts it into her pocket. The gas station attendant from earlier walks back into the store. The blonde taps the bell.
Blonde: Don’t worry-- she paid.
END SCENE
On the bus, the chatter is reaching a maximum. It gradually dies down, however, as the brunette that killed Nirina walks onto the bus. She surveys the group with a vacant expression, before plastering on a smile.
Brunette: Hello, all. Your tour leader was feeling a little ill, so she called me to take over. She’s currently on her way to the doctor. I hope I don’t disappoint! My name is Charity.
Charity takes a seat beside the driver, smiling.
Charity: Well, Roger? Ready to go?
The bus driver, visibly surprised that she knows his name, nods confusedly. He starts the enging and pulls out of the gas station.
Do you have any early favorites/least favorites?
Any relationships/friendships you'd like to see develop?
Thoughts on Nirina's death?
Who/what are Charity and her blonde companion?
Extra/overall thoughts?
Thanks for reading! Like I said, the rest of the characters will be introduced next episode.
This pilot is very good, great potential for the season and possibly the best one yet
The death though got me surprised, but I hope the killer girls are the main antagonists or the whole town are
Friendships: I'd love to see Natalie/Oli/Stephen/Skarlet all link up and potentially become the final 4
Thoughts on the death: did not expect her to die this early tbh
Thoughts on Charity: I LOVE STORIES WITH SERIAL KILLERS.
Thoughts: more screentime for Skarlet and Stephen. I think that Stephen has the potential to be a bug character if you give him the chance, he could break out and become some sort of hero. Please don't make him vanila as he has a crazy side to him too. Also we need more catfights and DRAMA
