The bus pulls out of the gas station, heading toward Death Valley National Park in the blazing, late-afternoon sun. A girl’s wailing can be heard from outside.
“Wait! Wait up!”
Skarlet looks at Stephen and points out the window.
Skarlet: Stephen, look!
She gets up and calls out to the driver.
Skarlet: Stop the bus!
Stephen looks at Skarlet apprehensively, remembering the scene from earlier with the station clerk.
Stephen: She’s probably just a hitchhiker…
The bus driver, Roger, reluctantly pulls to the side. Charity, who’s been surveying the road up until this point, swings her head in his direction.
Charity: We’re stopping?
Roger: Apparently…
The bus stops, and he opens the doors. A brown-haired woman carrying a tan jacket, wearing a brown sun-hat, sunglasses, and dressed in a teal button down, runs up the stairs and smiles at Charity. This is:
Harriet: Sorry, I signed up late for this tour. I-I have a ticket, but…
Charity smiles robotically and motions for Harriet to sit down.
Charity: Please sit down, m’am.
Harriet nods, fixating on Charity’s dull eye and scans the seats. Jonah, who’s been unable to see her up until this point, lets out a loud gasp.
Jonah: What… the… hell…
Harriet meets Jonah’s gaze and smiles.
Harriet: Surprise!
Jonah: What are you doing here?
Harriet: I… I saw your forms on the kitchen table when I picked up Cody for the weekend. You were in the shower… remember?
Steven (Jonah’s seat buddy, turning to him): Is that…
Jonah nods, looking quite ill.
Harriet: I… I just had to come. This is our last chance, Jonah. To work on us!
Jonah: Don’t, please, just-
The bus begins moving once again. Harriet searches for a seat.
Jonah: Who’s looking after our son?
Harriet: My mother.
Jonah angrily turns away and puts his head in his hands. Harriet looks around.
Woman’s voice: You can sit with me.
Harriet graciously nods at a curly brown-haired girl wearing a dark green tank and black shorts. This is:
Kate Decker aka “Dustin”, her alter-ego: 21. Bubbly, hopeless romantic, has multiple personality disorder.
Kate (whispering): No, stop it!
Harriet sits down.
Harriet: I’m sorry?
Kate: No, I wasn’t talking to you!
Kate frowns and smiles once again. Harriet looks at her, perplexed.
Harriet: Alright, then…
END SCENE
A couple of badass-looking females sit side-by-side. One has dark hair, wearing a camo top and shorts. The other is clad in gages, piercings, and tattoos, with half of her platinum blonde head shaved, wearing an olive brown, long-sleeved shirt. The former is:
Zoe Reeves: 25. Independent, hard-working, honest. She’s stoically watches the road, pursing her lips.
The latter is:
Nicole “Nikki” Viper: 30. Sweet, bookworm, skeptical. She’s also transgender.
Zoe: Think it’ll be a long ride?
Nikki: I hope not. It’s already been a long drive!
Zoe: Death Valley. What a place for a date.
Nikki: It is really… fucked up, kind of. (She grins) I mean, who goes on a date to Death Valley?
Zoe (dryly smiling): They probably added it in for “hardcore” chicks like you and me.
She motions over to Greg.
Zoe: And guys like him.
Nikki motions to a girl with blue hair, wearing a Superman shirt and cut-off jeans in punk make-up.
The girl beside Maggie looks out the window, visibly worried. This is:
Suzanna “Suzy” Hatcher: 24. Charming, sweet, naive. She has blonde hair, wearing a pink, frilly top and white shorts.
Maggie: You okay?
Suzy (turning to Maggie): Uh, oh, yeah. I’m fine…. Just making sure MY ex isn’t turning up.
Maggie: You have an ex-husband?
Suzy: No, thank God. He wasn’t anywhere close. I’d never marry a man that can’t even afford his own box of fries from the Steak ‘n Shake down the road.
Maggie laughs.
Maggie: It is pretty weird that that one woman just showed up…
Suzy: Which one? Lazy-eye or the crazy ex-wife?
Maggie (laughing): Both I guess!
Suzy: True. Hopefully this jaunt to the Valley of Death is short because I HATE deserts!
Maggie: Why are you here, then?
Suzy: I had to get out of my podunk, sweet Southern town. I’d rather DIE than go back. At least right now.
Maggie: Be careful what you wish for. We are going to Death Valley...
END SCENE
About 30 minutes later. The bus is nearing the signage of “Death Valley National Park”, however, Charity whispers something into the driver’s ear. He takes a turn at the next right, changing their course, unbeknownst to the rest of the people aboard.
A woman with tan skin and curly brown hair, wearing a silver shoulder-less shirt is looking toward the back of the bus, and back toward the front again, frowning. This is:
She turns to the man and woman across from her, showing a bit of concern.
Zlata: The girl I’ve been sitting with still hasn’t come out of the restroom, and it’s been over an hour.
Alyssa, who’s sitting behind Zlata, peers over the seat and nods rapidly.
Alyssa: Tell me about it! That’s why I had to use that disgusting gas station one.
Courtney, sitting next to her, sighs.
Courtney: Poor excuse for a toilet. And a gas station, if you ask me.
The man and woman across from Zlata turn to her. The man, wearing a plaid shirt and jeans, with light-brown hair raises his eyebrows. This is:
Logan Stone: 31. Faithful, dependable, kind.
Logan: I can go check on her, if you’d like?
The girl beside him, dark-haired wearing a bunch of hip necklaces and a hat, smiles. She is:
Luna Parks: 23. Loyal, adventurous, risk-taker. She screams “hip”.
Luna: Such a nice guy.
Logan: It is kind of concerning.
Luna smiles, completely smitten with Logan.
Luna: It definitely is…
Logan gets up and nods to Zlata.
Logan: I’ll be back in a minute.
Zlata (appreciative): Thanks.
END SCENE
In the bus bathroom, a light-skinned African American dude with curly hair wearing a bomber jacket and a t-shirt sighs. He’s getting sucked off by a curly, blonde-haired, very light-skinned woman wearing nothing but a yellow halter neck and dark shorts. These people are:
Bravo: Shit! This is pure insanity.
Seven (slowly getting up and smiling, touching his cheek): Bravo, Bravo! What a perfect name for the occasion.
She kisses his neck. He smiles helplessly.
Seven: Well? I think we’re a couple of grand “performers”, don’t you?
Bravo nods, speechless.
Seven (whispering): Bravo, I think I still need to show you another one of my secrets.
She begins taking off her shorts when a knock is heard at the door.
Bravo: In a minute!
Logan, from outside the door, frowns.
Logan: I… I’m sorry, I thought there was a woman in there…
From inside, Bravo looks at Seven, unsure of what to say. She smirks.
Seven: A woman? No, just a goddess.
Logan: Um… okay? Just wanted to make sure you were okay…
Seven: Okay? I’m feeling more than okay! If you wanna give me a check-up, though…
She swings the door open, much to Bravo’s dismay.
Seven: I can put on a show for you.
She rips her shorts off, and begins taking her shirt off. The eyes on the bus dart toward her, with the guys fixating and some of the women groaning in annoyance or disgust.
Logan: Um… that’s okay…
Luna angrily calls out to Logan from her seat.
Luna: No need to help her. She doesn’t “need” anything…
A few seats back, Skarlet mutters to Stephen.
Skarlet: ...except a little self-respect.
Stephen laughs and shakes his head.
Oli turns to Natalie in the corner of the bus, wide-eyed and laughing.
Oli: Didn’t think it’d get this X-rated!
Natalie (rolling her eyes): The harlot. Is she Hester Prynne?
Natalie raises her voice and looks at Seven.
Natalie: I don’t believe that anyone cares to see what you’re… putting on display, darling. Please… re-evaluate your decisions.
Seven rolls her eyes and laughs at Natalie.
Seven: And you, the 80-year old fossil on a dating trip is lecturing ME on life decisions? Stay bitter, babe. It’s a good shade on you. It really brings out your wrinkles.
She laughs and shuts the door. Natalie, enraged, gets out of her seat. Oli tries to sit her back down, but she rushes over to the door, swinging it open. Seven is already in the middle of snorting a line of cocaine. Natalie groans in disgust.
Natalie: Apologize to me right now.
Seven (finishing her line and turning to Natalie): Get out of my space.
Natalie: Who raised you?
Seven: My beautiful mother. Not an ugly hag like you.
Natalie: You little bitch.
Natalie slaps Seven. Seven, shocked, looks at Natalie with pure rage.
Seven: You’re lucky you’re old. Get the fuck away from me!
Natalie (sarcastically): I’m old. What an insult. I’m so defeated.
Seven: You will be after a hike in the desert sun. It’ll be hard burying you in the sand. Maybe we’ll just leave you unmarked and forgotten-- like you probably are already.
Jonah goes up to Natalie and grabs her, holding her back. Oli goes up and assists.
Jonah: Sit down. Don’t let her get to you.
Oli (rolling his eyes): She’s just… a mess.
Jonah and Oli set her down. Oli smiles at Jonah.
Oli: Uh… thanks.
Jonah: Of course.
They stare at each other for a while until the bus comes to sudden, screeching halt. Roger, the bus driver, lets out a loud exclamation.
Roger: Shit! The engine is… damnit.
Charity puts her arm on Roger’s shoulder, before gesturing to the landscape around them. She smiles.
Charity: No worries, Roger! We’re here.
She smiles at everyone on the bus.
Charity: Grab your dinners and prepare for the hike of a lifetime. I’m taking you to one of the most beautiful places in the Valley. You’ll all simply DIE!
Greg, at the front of the bus, turns to Marina, grinning.
Greg: Got that? She said “die”!
Marina: Wow, we have a punny tour guide. I liked mega-bitch that complained every five seconds much better.
Greg: Poor Nirina. I hope she feels better…
Marina (standing up and twirling out of the seat): I just can’t wait to enjoy our desert date, Gregory!
Cut to:
Nikki and Zoe, surveying the land around them. Zoe looks slightly perturbed, while Nikki is excited.
Zoe: Does something about this seem… “not right” to you?
Nikki: Whadya mean?
Zoe: I don’t know. I’m kind of a cautious person. I was an army brat, I think that’s why I’m so… apprehensive about sketchy things…
Nikki: You think this is sketchy?
Zoe: Our bus just broke down, Nikki… And I don’t see any signage around. How are we “here”?
Cut to:
Kate and Harriet. Kate is looking out the window, while Harriet is getting out of her seat.
Harriet: Jonah! Be my date?
Oli looks at her, annoyed. Jonah ignores her and turns to Steven.
Jonah: What do I do about this?
Steven: I’m not used to “this” at all, so I couldn’t tell you… I’m just trying to figure out if I should ask out Suzy or Zlata....
Zlata overhears Steven.
Zlata: Definitely me!
She smiles.
Kate turns to Harriet.
Kate: Maybe you shouldn’t-
Harriet: This is none of your business.
Charity walks down the aisle and clears her throat:
Charity: Off the bus, everyone! Your dates await.
END SCENE
-----------------------
FEEDBACK (please answer any/all questions!):
Any favorites/least favorites?
What do you make of Charity changing the destination of the trip?
Are you Team Seven or Team Natalie?
Loving any relationships or friendships so far?
Reminder that this was still an introduction episode. The plot will thicken as we get deeper into the desert. Stay tuned.
What do you make of Charity changing the destination of the trip?
I think she's a complete psychopath and I actually like knowing from the start who is someone to look out for. It makes it more suspenseful!
Are you Team Seven or Team Natalie? #TeamNatalie all day, everyday
Loving any relationships or friendships so far?
I like some of the connections, but probably won't have clear faves until later episodes.
Any favorites/least favorites? Natalie is a goddess. Not feeling Seven
What do you make of Charity changing the destination of the trip? Bitch has some hidden place there, I can bet it
Are you Team Seven or Team Natalie? Natalie, iconic goddess
Loving any relationships or friendships so far? Natalie and Oli are cute because goddammit it's a gay and an older women, its so cute how they bonded just because they didnt find anyone of they're interest
Faves:Seven, Maggie
Least Faves:Courtney, Natalie (how dare you speak to 7 like that), Luna, Skarlet (for shady comments towards 7)
I think the place they arrived at is prolly where Charity & her sister live, and where they plan to slaughter the whole crew
I like the Oli/Natalie relationship even tho the old hag came for Seven
Any favorites/least favorites?
Faves: Natalie,Oli,Jonah
Least: Seven,Charity
What do you make of Charity changing the destination of the trip?
she led them somewhere not good and probably somewhere where they will be staying the rest of the season
Are you Team Seven or Team Natalie? #TeamNatalie She is the true Goddess
Loving any relationships or friendships so far?
Relationships- Oli and Jonah Friend- Oli and Natalie
Any favorites/least favorites?: If Natalie isn't going to be the Olenna Tyrell of this series I will sob.
What do you make of Charity changing the destination of the trip?: I definitely feel Charity may have just set them all up to die.
Are you Team Seven or Team Natalie?: #TeamNatalie
Loving any relationships or friendships so far?:
Oli/Natalie's relationship is so amazing, their fondness of eachother based on their past experiences is amazing.
First off, sorry for the late response, as i was out of town. Here are my answers:
Any favorites/least favorites? Faves: Zoe, Logan, Oli. Least faves: Courtney, Seven, Charity
What do you make of Charity changing the destination of the trip? She most likely wanted them to go somewhere where it'd be impossible to get help, like lambs to the slaughter.
Are you Team Seven or Team Natalie? Natalie of course. ;)
Loving any relationships or friendships so far? Zoe and Nikki, also Oli and Natalie.
The change: I think she knows that place and what lurks around, and is probably secretly planning on killing them
Which team: NATALIE
Loving any friendships?: Stephen and Skarlet. It's so cute and innocent