Read the Script — TakeAway S1E01: “Bottle of Bees”

Cold Open — Scene 1: Diner, Midday

A diner with low traffic. Hovercars drift across the city skyline through the window.

Greg: “Where have you even been going on the weekends? Commander Bradley’ll blow his stack if he catches on—”

Tom: (pointing a spoon at Greg) “Aye man, that’s none of your business.”

Greg: “I told you those lessons are on the weekends.”

Tom: “Relax, I got you next week.”

Greg: “They won’t be there next week.”

Tom: (smugly) “They will if I call a recount.”

Greg: “They’ll get sick of you pulling that.”

Tom: “All in a day’s work.” (raises a hand for the check)

Act One — Scene 2: Military Transport

Inside a loud military transport packed with soldiers. Greg checks his watch; they confirm their meeting spot. This is the daily routine.

Scene 3: Locker Room

Commander Bradley: “Captain Emerick, I wasn’t aware you had returned from R&R.”

Greg: “Sir.” (salutes)

Tom: “Sir?”

Commander Bradley: “I was under the impression that you were laid back on a core world, since I didn’t see you in my lesson.”

Greg: (sigh)

Tom: “Well, the maps were conf—”

Commander Bradley: “Well, welcome back to Rally Pointe Delta, Pern’s premier scientific facility. I have a new job, Captain — something to welcome you back to base. Private Gerardie, what’s on your itinerary today?”

Greg: “Sir, basement night watch, sir!”

Commander Bradley: “Huzzah. Captain Emerick will be joining you.”

Tom: “Lovely…” (salute)

Commander Bradley: “Enjoy, Captain. I hope to see you in NEXT year’s lessons.” (pats shoulder)

Scene 4: Commander’s Office

Greg: (whisper-yelling) “What the hell, Tom! We could’ve been fried for that! Have you lost your mind?!”

Tom: (ignoring him) “What was all that about?”

Greg: “You’ll have the next year to figure it out.”

Tom: “He better be joking.”

Greg: “If you saw his speech on the first day, you’d know he isn’t.”

Tom: “I’ve worked beneath him before, at a different facility. He’s high-strung if you ask me.”

Greg: “He’s been alright to me. Don’t lump everyone in with you — some of us talk to him.”

Tom: “How would I have a chance? They’re always doing a recount.” (opens the office door)

Greg: “Where are we going?”

Tom: “Just a little detour.”

Greg: “Is that his desk? How do you know that’s his desk?”

Tom: “I can tell by the souvenirs. Same as before.” (picks up papers)

Greg: “What are you—”

Tom: “Down the hatch.” (shreds papers)

Greg: “Oh no… fuck, man, we’re dead.”

Tom: “Who’ll let him know it was us? No cams in this office.”

Greg: “Shit, I hear someone coming.”

Tom: “Don’t try and scare me off.”

Greg: “I’m not playing, come on!” (grabs him and hides) “Shhh.”

Commander Bradley enters, notices the shredded papers, and picks up his communicator.

Commander Bradley: “Why are there so many new recruits? Very mature.” (walks to the desk, picks up the communicator) “General, the outpost is in full effect. We’re starting the project now — are we bringing in High Command yet, sir?”

General Bond: “Focus on the project, leave the brass to me. How is the sample?”

Commander Bradley: “It’s… been more than giving, sir.”

General Bond: “Intangible intelligence, Bradley.” (smugly)

Commander Bradley: “We’re closing in, I can feel it!”

General Bond: “Move the sample to a deeper lab than the One-B, and double the security.”

Commander Bradley: “The current tests are timed, sir, but we’ll move the subject as soon as possible.”

General Bond: “Get it done, Bradley.”

The transmission ends. Bradley clutches the phone, then hurls it. Greg and Tom catch the aftermath as he storms out, slamming the door.

Greg: “What the fuck was all that?”

Tom: “I don’t know, but… I’d love to find out. Looks like everybody answers to somebody, don’t it.” (looks at the smashed phone) “I kinda feel bad.”

Greg: “You should have before you did it. Let’s get out of here before you get us in trouble.”

Act Two — Scene 5: Section 1-B Lab

Greg: “What do you think they’re doing?”

Tom: “I don’t know.”

Greg: “Just give it a guess, asshole.”

Tom: “They’re probably looking for sentience or weakness.”

Greg: “It looks like they’re just stabbing it.”

Tom: “Did you want a guess or not? Come on, let’s get a closer look.”

Greg: “No, man — if we’re gone too long they’ll notice there are two other guards down there with me.”

Tom: “Is there something down there I don’t know about?”

Greg: “There’s plenty even I’m not supposed to know about, but the brass just leaves it sitting and guarded.”

Tom: “Alright, let’s get out of here.”

Scene 6: Locker Room (After Shift)

Tom: “Meet at the diner we went to this morning in an hour. Don’t be late.”

Greg: “Why?”

Tom: “We’re gonna crack the case, that’s why.” (walks off)

Greg: “You’re gonna get me killed.”

Tom: “Can’t get killed if you never lived. We’re gonna go talk to Vinney.”

Greg: “That good-for-nothing should be rotting in jail.”

Tom: “He’s sorry about your nose, pal, he said so himself. Look — we slip in, we force him to hack the main office, and we get out. No deals, no exchanges, just pure blackmail.”

Greg: “Are you trying to sell me on this plan? We’re already fucked for hearing what we did, and you wanna add to it with blackmail?”

Tom: “When digging deep, dig deeper, bud.”

Greg: “Fuck.” (they arrive at Vinney’s door)

Scene 7: Vinney’s Place

Tom: “Ayy, Vin, open up. We’re either gonna pick your brain or pop it — take your choice.”

Greg: “Jesus, dude, would it kill ya to be nice?”

Tom: “Oh, what now, we argue for the criminal?”

Greg: “Give it a fuckin’ rest.” (the door buzzes)

Tom: “Command’s got something I want. I need you to give it to me.”

Vinney: “I ain’t giving you shit. I’ve gone straight.”

Tom: “Don’t play with me, Vinney.” (presses a button; screens rise) “This is what you are and what you do. Now — the files.”

Vinney: “Ehh, I can get in easy enough, but give me some keywords and some direction — what files, man?”

Tom: “Something new happening. Recent files, low traffic, high encryption. Mentions a new project called ‘cells.’”

Vinney: “Cells? That’s pretty bare-bo— there… there’s a lot. And I mean a LOT, over the last couple months. Basically just sent back and forth to our sub-branch head office, nowhere else.”

Guards trace the call and arrive outside, firing through the window. Greg and Tom duck and hide, then break for the back — but head up the stairs instead. They leap between buildings, sprint across, and make it down to the alley, where more guards spot them.

Commander Bradley: “You two — good timing. Help with this operation. Get in there.” (hands Greg a gun; they walk in)

Tom: “Right… uh. Yes, sir.”

Greg: “Yes, sir — uh, ready to… to assist, sir.”

Act Three — Scenes 8–10: Escape & Street Chase

Greg and Tom escape through buildings, jumping between structures and evading guards in a high-action sequence. They reach an alley but are spotted. Commander Bradley arrives, hands them weapons, and orders them to help with the “operation.” They enter the building together. Vinney is presumed dead inside.

Act Four — Scenes 11–12: Aftermath, Walking Home on the Bridgeway

Greg: “They said all the cameras in the area had been disabled for a while.”

Tom: “Probably Vinney’s work.”

Greg: “We’ll be seen on the feed going into that section. They shouldn’t know where else we went.” (taps Tom’s shoulder)

Tom: “If we don’t get a snitch — go home, get some stuff ready in case. We’re gonna look into this.”

Greg: “Dude.” (stops, hands in the air)

Tom: “They killed Vinney. Cold blood.”

Greg: “Known criminal located and eliminated. Sounds like the job.” (mimes cuffs, then walks forward again)

Tom: “They didn’t even check who else was in there. What if he was in the back and customers were up front? What if someone was boosting his connection? We don’t shoot first and ask later.”

Greg: “This can’t be a good idea.” (they both stop and look at each other)

Scene 13: Tag / Button

To be written — a callback, punchline, or tease for the next episode.