Pilot, Part 1: In Case of Emergency

SCENE 1: EVIE’S APARTMENT

[Crash! Shatter! Many overlapping noises of destruction. Soft, frantic music plays mixed with jumbled noises of distress, like distorted wind chimes. The noise continues under Evie speaking.]

EVIE: What are you doing?! What’s the matter with you?! Don't touch that! [noise of frustration] I want my deposit back will you stop!!!

[Her voice reverberates a bit, echoing back on itself, otherworldly. The chaos peters out and goes silent.]

EVIE: Thank you. I get it. You're freaked out. This is all very new, but we're going to be a team. If you just let me-

[A car alarm sounds from outside, cutting her off. The destruction resumes. Several banging sounds of splintering wood.]

EVIE: Stop, stop, this isn't helping! You're not supposed to do this! Why are you doing this!!

[With a final crash the door breaks. Heavy, even footfalls recede down the stairs. Evie takes off running down the stairs after it.]

EVIE: No, no, come back, come back! We can't let anyone see you!

[She opens the front door to her apartment building. Road noise fades in.]

EVIE: No no no no no no, where did you go? Of course it went like this. It always goes like this. Nothing ever works out the way I need it to. [frustrated noise, pause] No. No. Snap out of it. It's fine. It’s fine. I can fix this.

[Evie runs back up the stairs. Road noise recedes. When Evie sees the broken door, she sighs. As she speaks next, her voice grows a little distorted, a little echoy, a little staticky.]

EVIE: Oh, gosh, hmm. Hey, door, let's go back a few minutes, okay? No one smashed you. You're as solid as you were ten minutes ago. I can see it right inside my head, can you? Ten minutes ago, barely any time.

[Sounds of rustling, debris rearranging itself. The door reforms itself in the door frame. Evie lets out a long breath.]

EVIE: Thank you. Where's that charm Maya gave me?

[Footsteps.]

EVIE: Here we go. She said to just put it on the doorknob...

[Sound of beads rustling. A chime narrows in on this moment in time.]

EVIE: Okay. Great. Let's do this.

[Sound of ceramic clinking.]

EVIE: I would've preferred an actual piece of you, but most of this broken pot is now part of you. That should link us. That has to be enough.

[Evie starts packing a bag as she speaks.]

EVIE: Toothpaste, deodorant, a few days worth of clothes... A few protoducks couldn't hurt either. Grow Duck, Strong Duck, Shield Duck and a box of granola bars. Okay, here we go.

[Music riff crossfades into Intro Music.]

SCENE 2: SEVERAL VOICEMAILS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS

[Voicemail beep.]

EVIE: (on voicemail) Hi, it’s Evie. I’ll call you back when I get this, but really, just text me. Thanks!

[Voicemail beep.]

GRACE: (on voicemail) Hey, Evie, it's Grace. Just wondering if you're on your way to Midnight. Text me when you'll be here? Thanks.

[Voicemail beep.]

EVIE: (on voicemail) Hi, it’s Evie. I’ll call you back when I get this, but really, just text me. Thanks!

[Voicemail beep.]

GRACE: (on voicemail) Hi, Evie, it's me again. Just checking in! We're closing tomorrow at four. If you can't make it, that's okay, I can find a sub for you, just let me know.

[Voicemail beep.]

GRACE: (on voicemail) Hey, uh, Evie? Is everything alright? I don't need to know where you are or what happened, just text me so I know you're alive? And, uh, I care about you, okay? If you need someone, I'm right here, no matter what. I promise. Please call me back.

[Voicemail beep.]

GRACE: (on voicemail) Evie, please. I'm starting to get worried.

[Voicemail beep.]

GRACE: (on voicemail) If this is about last Friday, it's okay. If you want, we can pretend it never happened. No hard feelings, I promise.

[Voicemail beep.]

GRACE: (on voicemail) Please call me back.

SCENE 3: MIDNIGHT COFFEE

[Ambient sounds of a busy coffee shop. Machines whirring, people talking, coffee grinding.]

GRACE: Welcome to Midnight Coffee! What can I get you?

CUSTOMER: I’ll take a medium skim latte.

GRACE: That’ll be… six dollars.

SOPHIA: Hey, is Evie coming in today?

GRACE: She’s scheduled.

SOPHIA: [scoffs] She was scheduled yesterday too, and Tuesday.

GRACE: I know.

SOPHIA: Maybe she quit.

GRACE: I'd know if she quit. She'd tell me.

SOPHIA: You sure?

GRACE: Yes.

SOPHIA: Well, she's not here now-

[Sound of dishes clattering in a dish bin.]

SOPHIA: -and somebody still needs to do the dishes.

[She sets the dish bin on the counter with a thud.]

GRACE: I’ll do them.

SOPHIA: Ah, I was hoping you’d say that.

[Footsteps, dishes clattering, noise fades, as Grace walks into the back of the store.]

MANAGER: Oh, Grace! How's it going out there?

GRACE: Three o'clock rush still hasn't calmed down.

MANAGER: That's good. You and Sophia will be okay closing by yourselves, right? I have to pick up my son.

GRACE: We'll be fine.

MANAGER: And, if you talk to Evie, tell her that this is all very unprofessional, m’kay? Have a good night.

[Footsteps as he exits, door shuts.]

GRACE: (to herself) It's fine, it's fine. You have to do this. What if she's in trouble? What if something happened to her?

[Footsteps. Grace opens the admin office door. She flips through papers as she talks.]

GRACE: She can't get upset with me over this. It's not an invasion of privacy if it's an emergency, right? And it's basically work related.

[She stops flipping.]

GRACE: Yeah, yeah this is definitely an emergency.

SCENE 4: MORGAN’S APARTMENT

[Frying pan sizzles. After a moment, Morgan’s phone starts buzzing. Frying pan fades out as he talks.]

MORGAN: Hello?

GRACE: (over the phone) Morgan Rothman?

MORGAN: That’s me. Who’s this?

GRACE: My name’s Grace. I work with your sister, Evie.

MORGAN: Uh, okay. Is something wrong?

GRACE: I’m not sure. I think so.

MORGAN: What do you mean?

GRACE: I haven't seen Evie since last Friday. It's like she vanished. She's missed three of her shifts so far, and she won't answer her phone. I'm worried something happened to her.

MORGAN: Oh, yeah. She does this sometimes.

GRACE: What, disappear?

MORGAN: Yeah, she did this a lot like three, four years ago. I wouldn't be able to get a hold of her for days, and then suddenly she'd text me like nothing happened. I'd go somewhere to meet her for lunch and she'd never show. Give her a week.

GRACE: It's been a week.

MORGAN: Then give her two.

GRACE: I've known her for two years, and this is the first time she's done anything like this. I just- something feels off. I really think something's wrong. Anyway, I have a spare key to her apartment. I'm going to stop by there at three today and do a welfare check, basically. You're welcome to come.

MORGAN: I- uh. I don't know. I'm not sure she'd appreciate me going through her stuff. What neighborhood does she live in now?

GRACE: Bed-Stuy, on Kingston Ave. I'll text you the address in case you change your mind.

MORGAN: Right, thanks.

[Morgan sets his fork down.]

MORGAN: By the way, Grace, how did you get this number?

GRACE: You're her emergency contact.

MORGAN: What?

GRACE: On her employee paperwork, she put you down as her emergency contact. Morgan Rothman, brother, and this number.

MORGAN: Oh. I didn't know that. Listen, you know what, sure. I’ll meet you at three. I don’t have anything to do today, anyway.

SCENE 5: EVIE’S APARTMENT

[Road noise.]

MORGAN: Grace?

GRACE: Yeah. You must be Morgan, then.

MORGAN: Last I checked.

[He gives a small, awkward laugh.]

MORGAN: Sorry, joke.

GRACE: Right.

[Grace unlocks the building door and the two ascend the stairs.]

MORGAN: So, you're Evie's friend, then?

GRACE: Yeah. Last I checked.

[Music, dissonant, ethereal starts.]

MORGAN: Right, yeah.

[They stop walking. Music starts to build, distorted, off.]

GRACE: [sigh] Here we are.

[Grace unlocks the apartment door and tries to open it. It opens a crack before it hits something solid on the ground.]

GRACE: That’s weird.

[She jiggles the handle and pushes harder. Music comes to a peak, shimmering, growing.]

GRACE: There we go.

[They enter Evie’s apartment.]

GRACE: It's a disaster in here. I've never seen her apartment so messy. Have you?

MORGAN: No. A bit disorganized, maybe, but nothing like this.

GRACE: There's pasta and lentils all over the floor. It looks like someone knocked this shelf over and all the jars shattered. Do you think someone broke in?

MORGAN: Maybe? Her door was locked, though.

[Footsteps.]

MORGAN: I guess someone could break in through the window, but we're on the fourth floor.

GRACE: Someone could've used the fire escape.

MORGAN: That's true.

[Footsteps]

MORGAN: The fire escape window is open a little, but there's cash sitting on her bookshelf, and her laptop's still here. If someone broke in to rob Evie, they did an awful job.

GRACE: They could've been looking for something specific.

MORGAN: Maybe... do you have any idea what that could be?

GRACE: No, you?

MORGAN: No clue.

[Footsteps. Light clinking of beads, then sound of a phone camera taking a picture. More footsteps.]

GRACE: Here, take a look at this. There's this beaded bracelet on the front door knob. I've never seen it before.

MORGAN: Are you here a lot?

GRACE: I was here a few days before Evie disappeared. The weird part, though, is I have no idea how she got this bracelet on the doorknob. It's not elastic, and there's no clasp. I tried to take it off, but it won't budge.

MORGAN: Hmm. That is weird.

[Footsteps.]

GRACE: What's the deal with all these rubber ducks?

MORGAN: I don’t know.

GRACE: I know Evie likes birds, but I thought she liked pigeons the best. She wrote something on the bottom of these... "Shrink", "Walk", "Kneel", "Voice". Weird names for ducks.

MORGAN: Yeah... Do you see a charger anywhere?

[Footsteps.]

GRACE: I’ll look, and keep an eye out for her phone. I keep calling her, but it always goes to voicemail.

[Phone dial tone. It rings a few times before going to Evie’s voicemail.]

EVIE: (on voicemail): Hi, it’s Evie. I’ll call you back when I get this, but really, just text me-

MORGAN: I didn't hear her phone.

GRACE: But it rang. She, or whoever has it, is charging it. You said that Evie disappears sometimes. Do you honestly think she just left?

MORGAN: Yeah, I do. The place is a mess but all her valuables are here. There's laundry all over the floor, but it's clean. To me, it makes the most sense that she packed in a hurry and ran off somewhere.

GRACE: I didn't see her backpack either. The tie dye one with the pigeon charm on it.

[Typing sounds.]

GRACE: If she did leave, where would she go?

MORGAN: I’m hoping she'll tell us. Maps history. Not ideal, but a good place to start. At least we'll know the last few places she went.

GRACE: She's been all over Brooklyn, recently. Maybe she didn't go far.

MORGAN: Or maybe she was prepping for something.

[A few more keyboard clicks.]

MORGAN: Hardware store, art supply store, these residential addresses could be friends.

GRACE: Garden store? There are a lot of plants in here.

MORGAN: I wish we knew how often she visited these places.

GRACE: Well, we can work backwards until we find something helpful. What’s your preference? Garden, hardware, art supplies. We can tackle the apartment buildings together.

MORGAN: What?

GRACE It’ll be faster if we split up. Oh, sorry, I guess I should've asked if you wanted to help.

MORGAN: She could really just turn up at work tomorrow like nothing happened. All this searching could be a lot of stress over nothing. In the past, the most this ever lasted was a week or two.

GRACE: If she just reappears, I'll be happy that she's okay.

MORGAN: Okay. Uh, in that case, I'll take the art supply store.

GRACE: Great, I was hoping for the garden store, anyway.

SCENE 6: GARDEN STORE

[Shop bell dings, then footsteps.]

GRACE: (under her breath) Hmm. Normal looking store… a bit new agey… really smells like jasmine...

[Small cough. Footsteps.]

GRACE: Excuse me. I’m trying to get my friend a present for her birthday. She loves this place, but I don’t want to get her something she already has. Here's her photo. You must see a ton of people, but do you recognize her?

GARDEN CASHIER: We get a lot of customers... Oh, yes, I do actually. She comes like every other week.

GRACE: For how long?

GARDEN CASHIER: Few months, I think.

GRACE: She must have everything, already.

GARDEN CASHIER: Not really. She mostly bought spider plants, pothos, and a few of the ferns.

GRACE: Are those similar plants?

GARDEN CASHIER: Kind of? They're popular house plants because they're pretty low maintenance, non-toxic to most pets, and they grow quickly. The spider plants are easy to propagate, too. Great if you want to fill your house up with plants for free.

GRACE: What's another plant like that?

GARDEN CASHIER: Inch plants. The purple ones are very popular. They're in the aisle right behind you, on the left.

GRACE: Great, thank you.

[Footsteps. Grace writes on her notepad.]

GRACE: (to herself) Low maintenance, non-toxic...

[A pause in her writing.]

GRACE: Since I'm here.

[She takes a plant off the shelf. Footsteps.]

GRACE: Do you get a lot of new plants in?

GARDEN CASHIER: Depends on the season. Most of our nurseries are local, actually. Better for the environment.

GRACE: But you have a lot of turnover?

GARDEN CASHIER: I guess… why?

GRACE: I’m just surprised that Evie came in here so often. I thought maybe she kept coming back because you keep getting new kinds of plants in.

GARDEN CASHIER: Like I said, a lot of our customers love stuffing their apartments full of plants. Adds a little more life to the city, and it improves the air quality in your apartment, too. $16.99.

GRACE: Do you remember the last time Evie came in?

GARDEN CASHIER: Mmm, maybe last week? Within the last two weeks, for sure. Do you want a bag?

GRACE: I’m alright. Take care.

SCENE 7: ART SUPPLY STORE

[Shop bell dings. Footsteps.]

MORGAN: Hi.

ART STORE CASHIER: Hello, how can I help you?

MORGAN: I’m looking for someone. Here's her photo. Do you know her?

ART STORE CASHIER: Who is she to you?

MORGAN: My sister.

ART STORE CASHIER: Well, when you find her, tell her she's fired, and I docked her last check for the clay.

MORGAN: What? Sorry, I didn't even know she worked here.

ART STORE CASHIER: She doesn't anymore. The security cameras caught her stealing clay from the stock room.

MORGAN: Why would she do that?

ART STORE CASHIER: You tell me.

MORGAN: How long did she work here?

ART STORE CASHIER: Seven months, give or take. She started right after the holidays. Are you in from out of town?

MORGAN: No, I live in Sunset Park.

ART STORE CASHIER: Mmm, right. Anyway, her last shift was a week and a half ago. She didn't come in last Saturday, and when I checked the security cameras, I figured out why. This is no way to quit a job. I'm not reporting the theft. I'm just taking what she owes me and leaving the whole thing alone. Other people wouldn’t be so nice, you know.

MORGAN: Yeah, for sure. Thanks. I'll let her know.

[Footsteps.]

ART STORE CASHIER: Psst. Is she mixed up in something?

MORGAN: I don't think so.

ART STORE CASHIER: Well, just make sure that whatever: it is, it doesn't make its way here.

MORGAN: Right, I'll do that. Have a nice day.

SCENE 8: THE FIRST RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

[Road noise. Two pairs of footsteps walking down the sidewalk.]

MORGAN: So you didn't know about the art store job either?

GRACE: No. I thought she was a part-time student when she wasn't at the coffee shop. Why keep that a secret?

MORGAN: Who knows? But this means Evie could've left as early as last Wednesday.

GRACE: She didn't.

MORGAN: Why?

GRACE: I saw her last Friday. Why no-call no-show on two of your jobs? Wouldn't she need those when she gets back?

MORGAN: I hope so.

[Footsteps stop.]

MORGAN: What’s the unit, again?

GRACE: Mmm… 4C.

[They call the intercom. BZZZZ. The door unlocks. A heavy door opens and closes. Morgan and Grace start ascending the stairs. Tense music starts to play.]

GRACE: Who do you think is up there?

MORGAN: A friend, probably. Hopefully, one with answers.

GRACE: Do you know any of her close friends? She could've told one of them where she was going.

MORGAN: To be honest, I kind of assumed you were her best friend.

GRACE: Oh. Does she mention me a lot?

MORGAN: She uh- We don't talk much. I'm not the right person to answer that.

[Footsteps stop.]

GRACE: Morgan, can I tell you something?

MORGAN: What is it?

GRACE: This whole thing might not feel weird to you, but it feels really weird to me. If it starts feeling weird to you too, could you tell me?

MORGAN: Yeah. Yeah, sure. [Pause] I really don’t want to bother this person.

GRACE: Yeah.

[Doorbell rings. Door opens.]

MAYA: Um, can I help you?

GRACE: Hi! I'm Grace, and this is Morgan. My friend, his sister, Evie, is missing. We're trying to retrace her steps. Her Maps history says she was here recently. She looks like this. Do you recognize her?

MAYA: Yeah... I read her tarot a little while ago.

MORGAN: Do you remember when specifically? She's been gone for over a week.

MAYA: Not really. I see a lot of people.

GRACE This week? Last week? Anything you can remember-

MAYA: More than a few days ago. That's the best I’ve got.

[She starts to close the door. Grace stops it.]

GRACE: Wait! Can I have a tarot reading?

MAYA: I don't work this late.

GRACE: I have cash.

MAYA: (more forcefully) No, thank you. Have a safe trip home.

[Maya goes to close the door again. Grace stops it again. Paper rustles.]

GRACE: Here, just take my number, please. If you remember something, or if you have any openings for readings, give me a-

MAYA: I’m really okay. Have a nice night.

[Door closes.]

[Outro music starts.]

REMY: The Artisan Who Made Me is written and produced by Remy Davison, and directed by Crystal-Marie Alberson and Sydney Roslin. This episode featured Chaia Alyss as Evie, Ria Meer as Grace, Sahra Mellesse as Sophia, Yaya Koas as Morgan, and Bryce Payne as Maya. Music by Jordan Speranzo. Audio production by Raphael Davison. For more information, transcripts, and to support our show, visit bottledstarproductions.com. “The Artisan Who Made Me” is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council.