Future Darkly: Don't Panic!, Scene #01

In the heart of a bustling metropolis, under a sky ablaze with the fiery trails of falling satellites, our tale unfolds as Jacob and Katlyn, a young couple deeply in love, find their world abruptly transformed. Hand in hand, they stroll along a city street, the echoes of their dinner conversation lingering in the air, revealing the excitement of their recent leap into cohabitation. As they pause at a corner, sharing a tender kiss, the night sky erupts with a cosmic spectacle—a shower of satellites streaking towards Earth, exploding into a blinding white light that swallows everything. **CUT TO TITLE PLATE** **SIX WEEKS LATER** Imagine, if you will, the stark contrast as Katlyn's eyes flutter open, her once vibrant world now reduced to a grimy tarp and soiled clothes. Her hair, formerly a cascade of beauty, is now a greasy mess pulled back with a string. Dirt streaks her face as she awakens to a reality where her boyfriend, Jacob, is nowhere to be found. Panic surges through her as she grabs a wooden plank, her only means of defense. But Jacob appears, unshaven and weary, carrying a crude metal tool and a jug of water. Their reunion is brief, interrupted by the unsettling presence of a stranger up the road. Who is this man? Can he be trusted? Their journey leads them to a derelict building, where the stranger, another drifter, cautiously reveals himself. A tense negotiation ensues, with the couple waving their makeshift weapons, desperately seeking information. "You tell me first," the man insists, his voice a mix of caution and curiosity. Jacob shares their theory—an asteroid strike, a world plunged into chaos, no GPS, no internet, no electricity. The man listens, then offers a glimmer of hope: he knows where to find water, but at a price. As they traverse the barren landscape, the sun beating down mercilessly, their water jug empty, desperation sets in. They stumble upon a lifeless body, its pockets yielding nothing but a dead phone. Hunger gnaws at Katlyn, but Jacob insists that water is their priority. They press on, their hopes dwindling with each step. A glimmer of hope appears as they approach a large, empty house. "It's probably been raided already," Jacob warns, but Katlyn urges him to check. Inside, the stillness is palpable, the only light streaming in through the windows. Jacob tells Katlyn to wait as he searches the house. Alone, she notices a moldy coffee cup, a pencil—small remnants of a world long gone. Then, she sees it: a flickering light behind a closed door. Her scream echoes through the house, bringing Jacob rushing back. Behind the door, they discover a library illuminated by oil lamps, and in the center, a pile of tuna cans—a treasure trove in their new reality. Their joy is short-lived as a rifle barrel emerges from behind a curtain, followed by a man dressed in tactical gear, his hair greased back. "Freeze," he commands, his voice echoing through the room. Jacob shields Katlyn, pleading that they mean no harm. The man studies them, then slowly lowers his weapon. He speaks of Kessler Syndrome, a theory from the seventies, of satellites crashing down, of a world plunged into chaos. But their encounter takes a dark turn as the man offers them a deal—a can opener, access to his well, in exchange for a few minutes with Katlyn. Jacob hesitates, torn between his love for Katlyn and their desperate need for food and water. Katlyn, realizing the harsh reality of their situation, negotiates—the cans and the opener first, then she'll do it. The man smiles, tucking his weapon away, pulling out a single wet wipe. "Clean yourself down there first," he says, his gaze lingering on Katlyn. Jacob, guilt-ridden, looks at Katlyn one last time before leaving, the door closing behind him. Katlyn turns to the man, her voice steady despite her nerves. "I'm ready," she says, her performance about to begin, a testament to her strength and resilience in a world where old rules no longer apply. As the scene unfolds, the stark reality of their situation becomes a gripping narrative of survival and sacrifice. The couple's journey is a raw, emotional performance that leaves you on the edge of your seat, wondering what lengths they will go to in order to survive in this post-apocalyptic world. Will their love for each other be enough to overcome the harsh realities of their new existence? Only time will tell as they navigate the complexities of a world where the line between right and wrong is blurred, and survival becomes the ultimate performance. Nominated - Best Art Direction, AVN 2020