Context: The following script was created for Dramatic Writing class with Mrs. Shiver. The assignment asked that students create an argument during dinner.

Genre: Dystopian

Character Trope: Insecure “Adolescent”

Character Name/Description: Dusty, lithe brownish-black cat, desires to keep his friend Buster safe, motivated by his reliance on his only friend, character flaw is bad anxiety & apprehension.

INT. KITCHEN – DAY.

Dusty is eating from his bowl near the counter, crunching on kibbles. Buster is laying in his charging bay near the window, which hums softly and glows red.

DUSTY
The answer is no. Absolutely not.

BUSTER
It is vital to consider every benefit and cost before making a decision.

DUSTY
What’s to consider? The idea is completely and absolutely absurd. There is no such thing as this so-called “Magic Harp”. I mean, what even is a harp?

BUSTER
A harp is an instrument that—

DUSTY
Look, Buster, it doesn’t matter. The point is that we can’t leave the city. It’s too dangerous. I’ve never heard of anyone ever being able to leave, never mind living long enough to return.

BUSTER
If there is no data on leaving the city, then you are making an assumption.

Dusty flattens his ears and crunches extra loudly on his food.

DUSTY
Maybe I am, but it’s a good assumption! There’s got to be a reason that no one has ever left.

BUSTER
Perhaps the reason is that no one has ever needed to?

DUSTY
Exactly! No one needs to because it’s too dangerous. There’s no point.

Buster’s charging bay dings and turns green. He stands up and walks towards the window.

BUSTER
Did you know that only one in every five million domestic animals in the city has not undergone bionic alteration?

DUSTY
Yes, you’ve told me before. So what?

BUSTER
You are one of them. I am not. I underwent the operations, I was programed, and I was made to obey and serve. I do not mind it much, but I believe it would be optimal for my wellbeing to function as a normal dog. The metal… it is painful, Dusty.  I cannot resist the functions that have been predetermined for me, but that does not mean that I do not yearn for freedom. If the Harp is real and we could restore the Earth to a state of self-regulation, then perhaps there would be no need for units such as myself. No other creatures would have their animality taken away from them. They could live as they wish, like you.

Dusty stops eating and turns his head to look at Buster.

BUSTER (cont.)
It is apparent that you are scared; I am scared too. I do not have data on what the world is like beyond the city. What I do have data for is the percent of bionic animals in the city, the number of human deaths due to malnutrition, and the concentration of particulates in the air. If we do nothing, the chances of these issues being resolved are likely to remain low. However, taking action may drastically increase the probability of the Earth healing.

DUSTY
No, Buster… this is crazy. We can’t do anything. We have to stay here, where we can be safe.

BUSTER
We will not be safe so long as the world continues to die.

DUSTY
Where did this whole ‘the Earth is dying’ thing come from? Right, some random kid off the street. Why do you believe a single thing Cody said? He’s obviously unfit, or he wouldn’t be on his own.

BUSTER
It is the only data I have, apart from the aforementioned particulates, of course.

DUSTY
That doesn’t justify wanting to leave everything behind to look for the Harp.

BUSTER
It does not justify inaction either.

DUSTY
No, but the chance of getting killed does!

BUSTER
There is no data to support that the likelihood of death is greater beyond the city.

DUSTY
Uh, yeah there is. What everyone else says.

BUSTER
You mean assumptions?

DUSTY
By believing what Cody says, you’re also making an assumption. You’re assuming that he’s right and that the stupid Harp is real!

BUSTER
I never stated that the Harp is real. I only indicated that, if it is and does hold the power Cody described, that it has the potential to save every form of life on Earth.

DUSTY
Who cares? We have everything we need here for the rest of our lives. It’s someone else’s problem.

BUSTER
In that case, I suppose you are ready to begin your bionic alteration procedure?

Dusty hisses and then walks a few paces away with his tail lashing and fur bristling. He sits down but does not turn to look back at Buster.

BUSTER (cont.)
I have made a decision. I am going to leave with Cody to find the Harp. You are free to come with us, but you cannot stop me.

Dusty jumps up and whips around.

DUSTY
No! No, no, no, Buster! You can’t go! I won’t let you!

Buster curls his lips to show his teeth, a raspy growl mixed with a mechanical whirring sound rising from his throat.

BUSTER
Stop me.

DUSTY
Buster, I—

BUSTER
Do not speak, Dusty. Just because you are afraid does not mean I can let you hold me back.

DUSTY
What about the humans? They will surely think you’ve gone rogue, track you down, and destroy you! I’ve heard about it and I know it happens. You will die.

BUSTER
I am aware. It is a risk I am prepared to face.

DUSTY
And your charger? How soon will you run out of battery?

BUSTER
I have just recharged to my maximum energy capacity. With my fuel stores and solar panels to supplement this, I can survive for a week without charging. Organic food will allow me to endure the environment a little longer. Any assistance I can give Cody will be more than worth it.

Dusty looks down and flattens his ears.

DUSTY
Please don’t leave me.

BUSTER
I apologize, Dusty. This is absolutely necessary. I will be departing before dawn if you wish to say goodbye.

Buster exits to the hallway.

DUSTY (aside)
I can’t believe he would do this to me. Doesn’t he know how much I need him?

Dusty returns to his bowl and hesitantly resumes eating.

END SCENE.