Hidden Conversation Script

CONTEXT: The team of YouTubers, Project 863, has found a secret tape in an abandoned car that recently came into their possession. On the first side of the tape, Side A, they think they've found a plot to kill Nelson Syphus, a man that ran a sketchy biotech company in the building they now reside in. One of the people speaking, Deb, is revealed to them to be 'D', which was the sign-off on all of the documents they've been uncovering about the company, Syntec, thus far. After some time goes by, they finally listen to the other side, Side B, which reveals a much more softer conversation between D and her lover, Wes. It seems less about Deb wanting to murder Syphus and more about Deb wanting to protect Wesley from something that's going to happen.

My contributions to this script were the conceptualization and how it would fit in the videos as well as in the overarching narrative of the series and the writing of the script itself.

SIDE A

WES: You wanted to speak with me?

DEB: Really? After not seeing me for a week, that's how you're going to address me?

WES: [silence]

DEB: What's wrong.

WES: It didn't work.

DEB: What didn't work?

WES: With Nelson. I talked to him for hours and it just didn't seem to make a difference.

DEB: Well, of course it didn't.

WES: What?

DEB: Talking to him was never going to be the solution to this problem.

WES: What? Excuse me? Then why did you tell me—

DEB: [interrupts him] You needed to hear it for yourself, you needed to see how unreasonable he is with your own eyes. I know you've known him for a long time, you care about him and the dream you two have created. It blinded you.

WES: Why are you saying it like that? I thought you were through manipulating me in that way.

DEB: I'm not manipulating anything...

WES: Yes, you are, it's just how you are, because of what you do.

DEB: You still don't get it, this whole company is rotting from the inside out, all under his stewardship. It needs to stop now before he hurts more people.

WES: How am I supposed to believe that if you refuse to show me what's really going on?

DEB: Because I have to protect you somehow. If he's gone, you can finally take the place you need. My projects will finally be seen in a positive light. We won't have to hide in his shadow anymore.

WES: That's not the real reason.

DEB: Yes it is.

WES: Maybe it's part of it, but there's something underlying there. You're trying to save yourself too. You're doing this for you and your own work.

DEB: Of course I am, but—

WES: [interrupts her] What else can I believe at this point? Nelson won't listen to me about the trials but he also keeps telling me that you're only in it for your own glory, that you've been manipulating me, that you could stop the trials at any point and make them more humane. How am I supposed tell him otherwise when you keep hiding things from me?

DEB: You know what's going to happen. You know what he'll do to you.

WES: But you haven't proven that. I've known Nelson for years, I can't imagine him... [sigh]

DEB: Listen to me: if we don't get rid of him, he's going to get rid of us. I'm just trying to stay one step ahead of him.

WES: By sabotaging him? You do realize it's not just him that that will probably hurt.

DEB: It's necessary.

WES: To get rid of him?

DEB: You know it's the right thing to do.

WES: Do I? I've never seen you like this, D.

DEB: Like what?

Wes: So angry, so hateful.

DEB: I'm just doing what I know needs to be done. And right now? Syphus needs to go, no matter the cost.

WES: I can't agree to that...

DEB: Then you're being foolish. If he doesn't disappear, then everything will crumble, and it will crumble on you. I'm not taking the fall for you nor picking up the pieces.

DEB: At this point, it's your trust in him or your faith in me. And you have to make your choice quickly.

WES: ...We can discuss this later. I think you need to take some time to cool down.

SIDE B

DEB: I'm sorry, it's just hard when you know something bad is going to happen if you don't do something.

WES: I just don't want you to jump into something without thinking. That's how people get hurt.

DEB: I'm always thinking too far ahead, that's the problem.

WES: [small chuckle] I know...

DEB: I think I can stop this from happening. I think I can save you.

WES: You said we went down this path before, what makes this time any different from the last?

DEB: You've got to trust me a little, at least with this.

WES: Why?

DEB: Because I know this timeline will work. The 863 subjects", they're different, far beyond what I could have expected. It'll be tight, but I think we finally found our way out of this. No, I know we have.

WES: You know? What do you mean, you know?

DEB: [silence]

WES: [sighs] You know D, not even you can know everything. Some things just aren't meant to be, you know.

DEB: Just put your faith in me. Please.

WES: D...

DEB: I'm just trying to keep you. that's been my top priority since day one. You're the one that said Nelson won't listen to words, how else do you suggest we continue on from here?

WES: I just don't know how to get through to him anymore, but—

DEB: [interrupts him quickly] You need to stop trying to talk with him, it's not going to work. He's only going to continue to try and turn you against me, against what we know is wrong. We have to stop him now, we're running out of time.

WES: But if we did away with the evidence you have, there would be enough to incriminate him.

DEB: We just have to get rid of him. If we get rid of him, then this place can finally start to heal. None of those trials he approved without my permission will go through.

WES: D...

DEB: No, it's out of the question. We can fix this without sacrificing everything we've worked for. We can can nip this virus in the bud.

WES: I feel like it's more than a bud now...

DEB: It doesn't matter, what he's doing is not only going to damage the company, it's going to damage what you and I have worked for....and the people that are suffering here, it's just unacceptable. Damn it, if not for that, just think of you. Think of us.

WES: ... alright, fine. I'll trust you, I will. Just don't let me regret it.

DEB: You won't, I promise.