SCENE 6 – WSQK (ERICA, LUCAS, MIKE, ROBIN, JOYCE, AND MURRAY)

EXT. WSQK RADIO STATION - NIGHT

PAN: EXT. WSQK

Pan over the field to the radio station. 

CUT TO:

INT. WSQK RADIO STATION - NIGHT

MIKE, WILL, LUCAS and JOYCE make their way into the building. Will's being held up by Mike, and he looks exhausted, barely staying on his feet, his weight leaning into Mike, making him stumble.

As they make their way into the lounge they find ROBIN and MURRAY already there. Both look worse for wear with bruises beginning to form on their faces.

MURRAY

(sarcastic)

From your joyous expressions, I see you had as much success as we did.

JOYCE

(sighs) 
The military spotted us before we could get them out. And then, then it was chaos. But there was a miracle – and we made it out  alive.

ROBIN

(disbelieving)

Was your "miracle” anything like ours? Cause to me, it  looked a whole lot like Vecna decided to turn on his own.

MIKE

Oh, that wasn’t Vecna..

Mike looks at Will, still at his side, his smile widening. Will glances tiredly back at him, then at Robin, before looking away sheepishly and shrugging.

Robin glances between them a couple times, before…

ROBIN 

(excited)

Wait, you’re kidding, right? No way! No freaking way!!

MURRAY

Wha… what am I missing?

ROBIN

Will has superpowers!!

MIKE

Magic, actually. He's a sorcerer.

ROBIN

What’s the difference?

LUCAS 

(exasperated)

Please don’t get him started. It’s just Mike Being Mike. He’s as bad as Dustin about this stuff.

JOYCE

Okay, okay, we can talk about this later. Let's all just sit down and rest for a minute. Alright?

No one disagrees with her. Joyce helps Lucas onto one couch, and Mike moves to do the same with Will, but Will pulls away from him before he can and instead flops down on the seat, leaning heavily into the cushions. He lets out a tired sigh, clearly exhausted but trying to hide it.

It’s at this moment Joyce starts to realise how banged up and weary everyone is. She looks around at them all, before sighing.

But before she can say anything, ERICA burst into the room.

She looks worried until her eyes lock on Lucas, and relief washes over her face. Then she schools her expression.

ERICA

Oh, there you are. Heard you got slashed by a demo, but you look okay to me.

LUCAS

Yeah. I’m okay.

Erica nods her head trying to look unbothered, and failing. Lucas smiles at her.

ERICA

Good. I can’t have you dying, Mom would kill me. Anyways —

Erica sits down besides Lucas.

ERICA (CONT’D)

What's the plan?

ROBIN

Rest.

ERICA

Right. And then what? Vecna's got those kids, and the military’s not gonna stay down for long. And once they're back up and running, who do you think they're gonna come after first?

LUCAS

(quietly)

Us.

ERICA

Exactly .

Everyone's quiet for amendment, then…

CLOSE UP: ON MIKE, THINKING.

MIKE

Shit! The tunnels. They know about them now. They’ll lead them straight here. We need to move the ladder, like, immediately.

WILL

Right. I'll come help you.

JOYCE

No, no, no. You're not leaving this room until you've slept.

WILL

(annoyed)

What? Mom! you can't just keep me here.

JOYCE

I - I know, and I'm not trying to, I promise. It’s just, you look exhausted baby. You couldn’t even walk here on your own. You need to sleep. We all do.

Will looks conflicted for a moment, until Mike notices, and leans over from his spot on the opposite coach.

MIKE

(Will voice)

Hey, it's fine. I can do it on my own. You just stay here and recharge, yeah? Your power took a lot out of you.

Will holds Mike’s gaze for a long moment before leaning back, and looking at the floor, he nods his head, relenting.

Joyce sighs, relieved as Mike gets up to go get the ladder.

TRACKING SHOT: MIKE. 

We follow Mike out of the room as Erica speaks.

ERICA (O.C.)

Okay, so that’s one problem solved, but…

CUT TO:

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SCENE 13 - CAMAZOTZ (HOLLY and DEREK)

EXT. CREEL HOUSE - PLAYGROUND - DAY

We see two brown boots walking quickly over bright green grass.

 PANS UP: SHOW WHITE HEM OF A BLUE DRESS.

Two pale hands wringing together. We then focus on the face of HOLLY WHEELER. Her brows are drawn together in anxiety, and her lower lip is caught between her teeth. She seems like she's in a hurry - and very anxious to get somewhere. Just then, DEBBIE steps in front of Holly, waving her hand - making her jump slightly.

DEBBIE 

(teasing)

Heyy, Hollyy! Going somewhere?

Holly tries to smile, but it's extremely forced.

HOLLY 

Oh, hey Debs…

Debbie frowns slightly.

DEBBIE 

(concerned)

Are you okay, Holly? Do you feel sick? I can call Mr. Whatsit if you want -

Holly’s eyes widen in slight panic. She shakes her head quickly, smiling wider to hide her worry. 

HOLLY 

(slightly higher-pitched voice)

Oh, no no no! I mean… No, it’s okay, Debs. I’m fine!

Debbie crosses her arms, giving Holly a skeptical look. Holly sighs. She looks down, scuffing her boot against the green grass. She looks down at her hands.

HOLLY 

(defeated)

I guess I just… Well… I just miss my parents.

Debbie buys the half-truth and smiles, putting an arm around Holly’s shoulders.

DEBBIE 

(comforting)

Oh, hey, it’s okay, Holly! You heard Mr. Whatsit. He’s gonna help all our families! Everything will be okay. Hey, wanna play Hide and Seek with Rebecca, Joshua, and me? It’ll be fun! Aaaaand you get to hangout with Joshhh~! 

Holly chuckles softly, looking up from her shoes to Debbie. Holly shakes her head, giving Debbie a slightly less strained smile.

HOLLY

I'm good, but thanks, Debs… I’ll just stay in my room for a while.

Debbie nods, standing up and giving Holly a small, awkward hug. She jogs off as Holly goes back to walking to the CREEL HOUSE; to think of a new plan.

Meanwhile, DEREK - who’d been watching the whole exchange between Holly and Debbie.

Derek watches her walk towards the Creel house and slip in. He hesitates - then walks forward.

CUT TO:

INT. CREEL - HOUSE HALLWAY - DAY

From Derek’s point of view, we see Holly’s back around the corner, looking slightly annoyed. Her best friend, MARY, has her arm looped around Holly’s arm. She’s talking about something, but Holly doesn’t seem to be listening. 

Derek inches closer, trying to listen in.

MARY

- found this gorgeous green dress which would look so nice on you-

Holly hesitates, then slips her arm out of Mary’s. She gives her an apologetic smile.

HOLLY

Mary! Uhm… I don’t feel like it right now... How about you look for some more dresses, aaand I’ll come back in a bit. Then you caaaan… Erm… do my hair, okay?

Mary hesitates, but at the prospect of getting to do Holly’s hair, she nods and grins.

MARY

Oh yeah, okay! 

Derek’s eyes widen. He quickly retracts back into the shadows as Mary skips past him, humming. 

Derek lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, then peeks his head out, only to find the spot empty. Holly’s nowhere to be seen.

CUT TO:

INT. CREEL HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Holly is sitting on the couch, knee bouncing up and down. Then she hears footsteps. She looks up from the carpet, thinking it was Debbie or Mary again - but instead it's - Dipshit Derek?! 

She scowls, looking at Derek’s face, hand gripping the edge of the couch’s armrest tightly.

HOLLY 

(annoyed)

What do you want, Dipshit? Look, I do not have time for your asshole-ness today!

Derek tries to speak, but Holly hasn't stopped yet.

HOLLY (CONT’D)

(voice getting higher)

If you don't leave me alone right now, I will mess up your stupid, slimy hair that you always seem SO proud of styling and-

DEREK

Hey! My hair looks perfectly fine! ALSO, it's not Dipshit Derek anymore.

He looks both ways to make sure no one else is in the room.

DEREK (CONT’D)

(smugly)

It’s Delightful Derek.

Holly blinks in confusion, eyebrows drawn together. She whispers back at him, frowning.

HOLLY

Delightful Der- What're you talking ab -!?

Derek is interrupted when BENJI comes up to them, grinning, with smudges of cake around his mouth.

BENJI

Hey, you guys! We’re baking a cake in the kitchen! We can't figure out how to make the cream though. You guys wanna help?

Derek and Holly exchange a look. Holly is barely holding it together, her frustration wound so tight she’s about to explode.

She takes a deep breath, ready to respond when…

DEREK

Oh scram, Benji. Don't you see we’re talking right now? It’s way more important than a stupid cake.

Holly gives Derek a sharp glare, then turns to Benji, who is looking down at the floor. She gives him a small, kind smile.

HOLLY

It's alright Benji. Baking a cake isn’t stupid! In fact, I’d love to help! Buuuut, I have to help dipshit with something, unfortunately.

BENJI

Oh, okay —

Holly grabs Derek roughly by the hand and pulls him in a hurry towards —

EXT. CREEL HOUSE - STAIRS - DAY

—— the stairs. She climbs them fast, making Derek stumble.

DEREK

Hey, would you slow down…?

Derek is dragged into ALICE CREEL’S ROOM. Holly shuts the door.

CUT TO:

INT. CREEL HOUSE - ALICE CREEL'S ROOM - DAY

HOLLY

Look, Derek, I don't have time for this! I’m thinking about something very import -

Derek cuts her off, fixing his askew glasses. He’s unable to keep the smirk off his face.

DEREK

Let me guess. Is it related to…

Derek leans closer, his voice barely above a whisper

DEREK (CONT’D)

…Mr. Whatsit? Or should I say… Venca?

At first, she frowns. Then Holly pales and stands up abruptly, staring at Derek in pure disbelief. Derek doesn’t move. Arms crossed, he lets the triumph show. Finally, Holly speaks up.

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