INT. THE CUBE – LATE AFTERNOON
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The sun filters through the single window, casting long shadows across the Cube’s cluttered but lived-in space. Jason finishes packing his compact travel bag—neatly stored energy cells, compact medical kits, and a tablet loaded with local terrain data. His movements are efficient, but a little slower than usual. Thoughtful.
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K lounges on the couch, half-watching. A is helping, in his own chaotic way—folding Jason’s shirts incorrectly, putting snacks into the bag, and slipping in a bottle of spray disinfectant “just in case.”
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JASON
(quietly amused)
“You’re packing for a picnic, not a trip into an industrial wasteland.”
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A
“You’re gonna thank me when you’re surrounded by toxic smoke and your sandwich smells weird.”
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Jason chuckles, then takes a small item from a drawer—a dull silver key with a red rubber loop at the top. He holds it up.
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JASON
“This is the door key. For the Cube. I’m not making it a habit, so don’t get excited. It’s for emergencies only.”
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He tosses it underhand to K, who catches it and stares at it like it’s a foreign object.
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JASON
“You two stay in here, alright? Lay low. A few more sightings of you freaks outside and I’ll have to explain way more than I already regret.”
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K
(grunts)
“Trust me, I don’t crave public attention.”
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A
“What if we get bored?”
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JASON
“Read a book. Break a chair. Tape googly eyes on the fridge again. Just don’t burn the place down.”
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Jason finishes zipping the bag, then slings it over his shoulder and glances around the Cube like he might be seeing it for the last time—for no reason he can explain.
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JASON
“Alright. I’m off.”
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K stands, and A rushes to the door ahead of him. They follow Jason to the elevator just outside the apartment. The corridor is quiet. A faint mechanical hum carries from distant floors.
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Jason presses the elevator button. A red ring glows.
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A
“I’ll keep the place safe. We both will.”
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K
(sighing)
“I guess I’m a house cat now.”
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Jason smiles faintly, shifting the bag on his shoulder.
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JASON
“Just don’t knock over the lamp again.”
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The elevator doors open. Before Jason steps in, A throws his arms around him in a tight, impulsive hug. Jason stiffens slightly at first—but doesn’t pull away.
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A
(softly)
“You better come back.”
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Jason pauses. He doesn’t answer right away. Then:
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JASON
“Yeah. Of course.”
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He pats A on the back once before pulling away. K nods at him, arms crossed.
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K
“Try not to die. I’m starting to tolerate you.”
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JASON
“That’s the highest praise I’ve gotten all week.”
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He steps into the elevator. As the doors begin to close, he gives a short wave.
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JASON
“Lock the door. Don’t open for anyone. No soap operas.”
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A
“Bye, Dad!”
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K
“Have fun with your oil-flavored vacation.”
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The doors slide shut. The elevator hums as it descends.
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Inside it, Jason exhales slowly, eyes on the dimly-lit numbers counting downward. The bag on his shoulder feels heavier than it should. There’s a gnawing feeling in his chest. A quiet warning he can’t explain.
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But he doesn’t say a word.
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