V. Auribus Teneo Lupum

The woman and the Protagonist are sitting down on the beach, staring out at the sunset.

WOMAN: You know I have to go soon.

The protagonist breaks his focus on the horizon, to look at the woman instead.

PROTAG: What? Why? Where have you got to be? Like you said, the world’s ending soon.

WOMAN: Look…

The woman looks down at the floor, obviously troubled by something

PROTAG: What’s wrong?

WOMAN: You wanna’ know something funny?

PROTAG: Uh, sure.

WOMAN: I’ve spent my whole life, doing what my family tell me to do, making sure my dad is happy and proud of me. And I feel like I’ve lived more of a life with you today, in just a day, then I’ve lived my whole life.

PROTAG: Really?

The Woman stares directly into the Protagonists eyes, putting her hand on his leg.

WOMAN: I was so… I was so fucking sure the world is going to end tonight. And I guess I still am… but…

PROTAG: But what?

WOMAN: But I really don’t want it to. I know this sounds crazy, because I only met you today, but I want to spend the rest of my life getting to know you.

A pause of silence.

PROTAG: The rest of your life? So, you mean the next three hours.

The woman giggles.

WOMAN: No. I mean – you know what I mean. But… I have to tell you something.

PROTAG: What? What is it?

WOMAN: The world is ending. And you are going to die. But… but I’m not going to die.

PROTAG: What do you mean?

The Woman takes her hand off the Protagonist’s leg.

WOMAN: My dad… My dad is Professor Black. My name is Rachel Black.

PROTAG: Holy shit.

Rachel looks away.

PROTAG: So… So, you’re going to be on the vessel? Damn.

RACHEL: But here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to run back to APOC-O-CORP now, and I’m going to speak to my dad, and I’m going to get you a ticket.

PROTAG: Rachel… You don’t have to do that.

Rachel gets up and starts walking away from the Protagonist.

RACHEL: Okay wait here, if I’m not back within the next 2 hours, it means I failed. But hey – You don’t think the world’s going to end anyway right?

PROTAG: Wait, you told me your name, you wanna’ know mine now?

RACHEL: No… It’s just… It’s just easier if I don’t. Goodbye.