Notes from the Future: Audio and Handwritten Journal, Part IV

[The following are combined excerpts of audio and handwritten journal entries made in the days following the quake. Handwritten entries italicised.]

June 23

10:15 pm

I am trying to read the atlas in the dark; we have no safe light source. The streetlights are out again. I keep falling asleep. I'm trying to stay awake, but waking and dreaming are blending and it's getting weird. There is so much smoke, it's almost impossible to tell what outside is real. I thought I saw someone standing out there in the dark, looking at us, beckoning frantically for us to come out, come out, and pointing up, up the hill. So frantic. I was going to wake V, but whoever it was, if it was in fact anyone, disappeared.

[Sound of car braking, gently, motor idling. Sounds like traffic, other cars around.] 

Veronica: Honey.
               Sweetie-pie, wake up.
               Tad.

Edward: Whrrrrrsgggh.

Veronica: I need you to wake up and look over there at those cars. What are they doing?

Edward: Msssrrrnnng.

Veronica: Edward Hightower, you wake up and look, goddammit!

Edward: Wuhm?

Veronica: Take these.

Edward: 'Noculars ... ?

Veronica: Look over there at that Jeep Cherokee, with the soldiers around it. Is that lady giving birth?

[Thumping, sliding, a gasp of pain from Edward; throat clearing.]

Veronica: Shhh ... they saw another car watching them and they took them out of the car and they haven't come back.

Edward: If ... if she's giving birth, that soldier should not be pointing a gun to her husband's head.

Veronica: What the hell is that other guy doing? 

Edward: I can't see, but she's ... I don't ... I don't think she ...

[A scream from the woman, distant; a cry of distress from her husband; sobbing; a car door slams.]

Edward: The other guy isn't a soldier. He's got blood on his face.  Is he eating --

Soldier: License and Registration, Ma'am.

Edward: Jesus.

[Thump, scuffle as Edward, startled, drops the binoculars.]

Veronica: Yes, officer, one moment ...

Edward: Hey, whatkindofanofficer ... are you?

Soldier: Sir, that is none of your concern. We need identification and cooperation so we can process you and get you across the water.

Veronica: Yes, officer --

Edward: He's not a cop.

Veronica: I'm sorry, officer --

Edward: He's not a cop, that's not a real gun.

Soldier: Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to step out of the vehicle.

Edward: Shoot me, assfuck. That's a prop gun. Look at the welding on the side, there, honey.

Soldier: Sir! Out of the car! Now!

Veronica: Oh my God, I think you're right.

[Footsteps and raised voices as other soldiers converge. They are distracted when a woman goes running by with a baby some months old, from a car farther up in the line. A voice calls out in the darkness:]

Voice: Catch her! She has something I want!

Veronica: Say-o-nara, fucko.

[Veronica puts the car in drive and floors it, swerving to the left up half on to the island in the center of Bollinger. Edward screams in agony and Max thumps against the right rear window; more voices raise in anger or fear; lots of Doppler effect yelling. A thump and scream when she hits a soldier and sends him up over the car to land on the pavement behind.]

Veronica: Sorry! Actually, not sorry!

Edward: None of their uniforms match; I think that last guy had a cheerleading rifle.

Veronica: Oh my God.

[Roaring of the river of fire as it nears.]

Edward: Most of the road is gone. Jesus, the road is burning up like when the the the tanker hit the overpass in Oakland --

Veronica: Should I --

Edward: I don't --

Veronica: Fuck it.

[Thumping, rending scraping sound as the Honda lurches onto the concrete island and Edward screams again; another giant scraping thump, then a third.]

Veronica: Wooo-hoo!

Edward: Mmmph.

Veronica: Almost there ...

[Ominous rumbling sound.]

Notes from the Future: Audio and Handwritten Journal, Part III

[The following are combined excerpts of audio and handwritten journal entries made in the days following the quake. Handwritten entries italicised.]

June 23

10:09 pm

I need to STAY AWAKE! 

If they find us, I've told Veronica to take him and run, there's no way I could make it in my condition. I don't want a Grizzly Man ending for her. I made her promise. I'm still not sure she'll go. 

[Car driving, Norah Jones singing Lonestar on the stereo, Edward breathing and keening like an injured chimpanzee]

Veronica: Hi there, listening audience. Whoever you ... are. This is Veronica. And I'm driving. And I'm talking to you, at the same time. So ... if I'm a little distracted, well ... the man I love is, ha ha, horribly injured. Edward has asked that I explain it all to you.

               The volcano that was Mt. Diablo has erupted, this you probably know by now. As part of its eruption, it sent a flaming rock the size of a bowling ball through the passenger window of our car, cutting Edward badly in several places and skinning the top of his forearm.  It dislocated his left knee and burned him severely. Edward is in aaannn incredible amount of pain, but I, ever-resourceful nurse-to-be, did think to pack several strong painkillers.

Edward: Morphine. Dear. God.

[Edward giggles and cries at the same time.]

Veronica: Ha-ha, that's right, honey. You just lie back and take another hit off that pipe.
               As Edward enjoys some medicinal herbalism, I'll explain how we got the giant burning rock out of the car. It's really very simple: at one time, Edward had a shovel. Apparently, he loved this shovel, because he packed it in an easily-accessible spot, right behind the passenger seat.  

Edward: I. Didn't. Packit.

Veronica: Yes, honey. I know you didn't pack the Brave Mr. Shovel. Oh, so sad: the shovel melted to the rock and the two of them are somewhere behind us in the smoky smoky dark, making more smoke, together. It's love.

Edward: Ididn't.

Veronica: Something tells me your body is liking the Morphine/Pot combo right about now, because if you were sober and pain-free, you would probably remember packing the shovel.  Keeeeep a-smokin', boy, that stuff and the syringe I jabbed in your asscheek are the only things between you and the Godzilla-sized hell of dislocated knee and third-degree burns.

Edward: Where. Didyou. Getit?

Veronica (sing-song): That doesn't matter, honey. What matters is that I'm driving through San Ramon, looking for a hospital. All the streetlights are out, we have no access to the internet, and sometimes I swear -- look! There! Another one!

[Rustle, car seat upright, Edward yelps.]

Veronica: No, no, you stay cozy. Lie back.

[Edward puts seat down, grunts as he slowly leans back]

Veronica: That's right. Good. Does it still hurt?

Edward: Unbearable. But--slowly better.

Veronica: Better living through chemistry ... and friends with pharmaceutical jobs.

Edward: What's. Out.there.

Veronica: It looks like people, just outside the reach of our headlights. If I slow, I swear it looks like they start to close in on the car. But I can't take my eyes off the road to really look and see. Fucking cree-py.

Edward: Weapons.

Veronica: What, honey?

Edward: Weapons. Weapons. Do they have them.

Veronica: Well, as they stay beyond the light, how can I know? Jesus, you are not more fun on Morphine and weed.

Edward: Wherearewe.

Veronica: Well, let's see ... turning now ... oh. Weird. We are at Bishop Ranch 3.  This is where I work.

Edward: Medical supplies.

Veronica: Maybe. Yes. Large First Aid kits.

Edward: Canyougetin.

Veronica: If you think I'm leaving you in the car like this, with a Max and Chauncey to guard you, think again wherito.

Edward: Take. Max. Leave. Knife.

Veronica: Resourceful morphine-addled pothead with a knife though you may be, my love, I'm not leaving you alone in the car.

Edward: Crashthedoors.

Veronica: Man, I'd like to see you play some chess right now. I bet I'd win.

Edward: Never. [Gasp] OhGodohGodohGod ...

[Veronica is silent for a few moments; we hear Edward grunting and keening, then:]

Veronica: Okay. Maybe my keycard can get me in. 

Edward: Getclose. Realclose. Driveonto [gasp] holy fuck, doyouunderstandme.

Veronica: Yes. And you're being an asshole.

Edward: Childbirth. Thisisworse.

Veronica: Do not go there, I am about to drive onto the curb; I can do it smooth with that little driveway lip there or I can catch the right front tire on the way in.

Edward: Sorry.

[Edward is panting heavily, sounds as though he is in labor.]

Veronica: Okay, here we go --

[Audible thud. Edward bellows like a stuck bull.]

Veronica: I kind of like these noises you're making. I might have to sedate you further and ... have my way ...
               What the hell ... ?

[Car slows, idles, automatic shift to park; seatbelt disengages, driver's door opens; thud and rattle as iPhone is set on dash; car is ding-ding-ding-dinging as we hear Veronica's footsteps recede.]

Edward: Mnah-mnah, I need some Morphine. Heh. Mnah-mnah, I need some more. Heh-heh ...

[Footsteps as Veronica returns, gets into car, closes door, buckles seatbelt, puts car in reverse.]

Edward: Nothing?

Veronica: Something. This.

[Sound of paper exchanging hands, then car braking, shifting to drive, accelerating to 15 mph]

Edward (reading, breathing deeply through nose between every couple words): "Veronica, this is a bad idea. They are inside. They can see you. Abandon this plan. Go East. See reverse for proof."
               Proof?

Veronica: Go ahead. Flip it over.

[Sound of paper being turned as car slows.]

Edward: "Mnah-mnah, I need some Morphine. Heh. Mnah-mnah, I need some more. Heh-heh ..."
               Hey ... 

[Car idles, nobody speaks.]

Veronica: That's your handwriting.

Edward: Yep.

Veronica: Are you fucking with me, can you please just tell me if this is some gigantic Edward hoax that you put together with the Brandons and some friends?

Edward: Not. Hoax.

Veronica: We're not going anywhere until you tell me how you got that note there. Did you drive over here after I left work on the day of the quake?
               Oh. No, wait. That's impossible because of the ...

[Car idling.]

Edward: Even weirder.On the back.What I just said.

Veronica: I know, I heard you.

Edward: No.You were outofthecar.I said that.

Veronica: You. Are SO full of shit!

[Car shifts into drive, accelerates, turns, accelerates, turns during the following:]

Edward: Wherenow? 

Veronica: You want to fuck with me? I can fuck with you right back. I'm going in the back way.

Edward: No.

Veronica: Through the creepy trees.


Edward (whispering): Wait. Stop. Now. 

[Car brakes]

Veronica: What.

Edward: Ididn'twriteit. 

Veronica: Bullshit!

Edward: Shhh!
               Look. 

Veronica: What ... what is that?

               Is that -- it's green, is that a ... what is that?

Edward: Glowing.

              Audiojournal, I might be hallucination, ghaaahhh.  Little green light over there.

Veronica: There. Another one.

Edward: Another. And more. Wow, are those giant green fireflies?

Veronica: It looks like there are hundreds of them. It would be pretty if it weren't so creepy.

Edward: Wrong color. Let's go.

[Edward pukes violently toward the passenger window, we can hear that not much of it leaves the car]

Veronica: You are cleaning that up, Mister, I don't care what's wrong with your leg.

Edward: Go. Drive. Aaaaaaaah, fuck ...

[More puking]

Veronica: Could you puke in a bag or something. Just an idea.

Edward: GO. NOW.

Veronica: I'm the one behind the wheel, I'm the one who has to holyshitthey're PEOPLE!

Figure Outside Passenger Window: Your vomit smells sweet.

Edward: NOW!

[Hundreds of running footsteps audible as car lurches, gasps, lurches again and vrooms forward, then a SLAM/thud on the passenger door as someone tries to jump into the car through the broken passenger window. Car is accelerating.]

Veronica (sim): He's trying to get in! Stab him! Kick him!

Edward (sim.): What the hell?! I know! I can't! Jesus --

[Edward pukes (all over the creeper's arm, very satisfying)
THUD. SLAM. THUD, THUD. SLAM. More minions throw themselves at the car, but Veronica only accelerates further. Sound of passenger door opening, wind, Max whining]

Veronica: Get off my windshield you assholes!

[Click-click-click of windshield sprayer, people coughing, gasping]

Creepy Lady Voice: Vinegar and Christmas! It burns my eyes! 

[More puking from Edward, mostly dry heaves. Brakes squeal, people slide off the car and are thrown several feet, landing with a cry of pain; Honda in reverse, then forward again, accelerating; thump-thump and scream]

Veronica: That's right, bitches! 

[Driving, breathing]

Edward: Christ. 

Veronica: What the hell was that?

[Silence from Edward.]

Veronica: Honey? 

               Honey. You okay?

               Hey. Mister.
               Hey!

[Veronica smacks Edward. Really, really hard. It leaves a very large bruise. He finds it much later.
Driving. Rustle as Veronica picks up the iPhone.]

Veronica: Thing's still on ...
               Ahem.
               Hello, listening friends. We just ran over some creepers with green glowsticks, and Edward has passed the fuck out.

               Powering down to save batteries.

[Soft iPhone click.]

Notes from the Future: Audio and Handwritten Journal, Part II

[The following are combined excerpts of audio and handwritten journal entries made in the days following the quake. Handwritten entries italicised.]

June 23

10:01 pm

We are being as quiet as we can. We know they can hear us. We think they may not know we came this way.

[Car driving; occasional sound of automotive struggle]

Veronica: Is the car going to make it?

Edward: Sure it is, it's a Honda.

Veronica: How does this neighborhood look so normal, and we just drove away from a geological war zone?

Edward: Ever been to West Oakland?

Veronica: My sweetie, always with the jokes.

Edward: I'll bet Max has to pee, but I say we don't stop until we get the fuck out of Dodge.

Veronica: Amen, Reverend Hightower.

[Car slows, brakes]

Veronica: Which way?

Edward: Left, I think ... it's hard to see in this smoke.

[Clicking of flashlight]

Edward: Does that say El Capitan?

Veronica: Yes.

Edward: Left. I think I know where this goes.

Veronica: Yes, my love. That is good. I like it when you know the way.

[Static on radio as Edward turns volume up, tries several stations; one comes in clear]

Krasny: ... Michael Krasny, on the phone with Steven Schwarzbach, center director of the USGS Western Ecological Research Center, headquartered in Sacramento; Steven, we've just heard some truly alarming reports coming out of the East Bay. What can you confirm?

Schwarzbach: Michael, we don't have confirmation of anything yet; I'm actually driving up -- my daughter is driving so I could talk to you, but -- we're on our way up to the Robert Sibley Regional Volcanic Preserve, because I think we'll have a good view of the mountain from there.

Edward: You want a good view of the mountain? Most of it has moved to Sycamore Valley Road, you fuckmook!

Veronica: Be nice, he probably knows your uncle.

Edward: Okay, shhhh ...

Krasny (under the above two lines): And that mountain is ...

Schwarzbach: Mt. Diablo. It appears there has been some additional seismic activity and, you know, it's a lucky thing I was here for an exhibit at the Lawrence Hall of Science, just a second, Michael -- (muffled speech off phone) Okay, we're pulling into the parking lot and -- nope, we're going to have to -- Laurel, take that road over there on the right; just -- crash it.

Krasny: If you're just joining us, this is Michael Krasny on the phone with Steven Schwarzbach --

[Big crash through radio, Schwarzbach lets out a "Hooo-eee!"]

Krasny: ... he's the center director of the USGS Western Ecological Research Center, Steven -- your report thus far is a lot more conservative than the calls we've been getting.

Schwarzbach: That's understandable, Michael, it's easy for people who live near an unexpected lake or river of fire to think they see a, um, thing that just can't be there.

Krasny: By which you mean a volcano.

Schwarzbach: You know, I don't mean to sound -- stick to the left, Laurel, fewer trees this way -- I don't mean to sound condescending, but when people get excited they can make a mountain out of a molehill pretty quickly.  Mt. Diablo is not a volcano.  Mountains that are not volcanoes do not simply wake up one morning and become volcanoes. Simple as that.

Krasny: You're taking the conservative scientific view.

Schwarzbach: I am.

Krasny: Well, let me read you some of the reports we're getting, is that all right?

Schwarzbach: Sure, it's entertaining radio, at least.

Krasny: But not sound science, no. That's why we're lucky to have you on the phone this evening. Okay, here's a call from Betty in Danville, who says, "Mt. Diablo has erupted, there is a river of lava flowing down toward my house and 680, I don't think we'll make it but we wanted you to know." Betty, if you're listening, we appreciate the call and we hope you make it out of there.

Schwarzbach: If, in fact, there's any reason to go. Turn right, here. Michael, we're on a fairly treeless ridge, here, heading up toward an area overlooking the old quarry. We'll have an unobstructed view in a few moments.

Edward (speaking over Krasny): Wow, they're on those hills in Oakland and we're right here, now, trying to escape. This is adventurous.

Veronica: Shh ...

Krasny: Here's another call from Louise in Lafayette: "The mountain is burning. It's erupted. God help us all."  Can't get any simpler than that.

Schwarzbach: Mass hysteria is an actual thing, Michael, and we're coming around a bend in the road right now, so there should be --

[Car driving, car driving on radio as well.]

Krasny: Steven? Can you tell us what you see?

Schwarzbach: Holy Mother of God.

Veronica: Oh my God, we're at Crow Canyon Road!

Edward: Of course. Turn left. Let's listen.

Krasny: Steven? Is everything okay?

Schwarzbach: Michael, I was, I was -- it looks like, holy shit, it looks like  -- Michael, forgive me, I'm going to have to cut this call short.

Krasny: Wait, now, Steven, can you tell us what you see?  Can you tell us what's really going on with Mt. Diablo?

Schwarzbach: It's erupted, Steven. The entire Western flank is on fire and, from here, it looks to be ejecting tephra at an alarming rate; there are lava flows down the Western and Southernwestern flanks and it looks like the majority of the lava is coming from the thrust fault on that Southwest flank.  Michael, I have got to get off the phone and call Sacramento right away, I'm sorry.

Krasny: Before you go, do you have any advice for the people at or near Mt. Diablo right now?

Schwarzbach: Get the hell out. And pray.

[click]

Krasny: There you have it, ladies and gentlemen ...

[Edward turns down volume.]

Edward: Wow, nobody is around.

Veronica: Should it be this dark? I get that it's smoky, but this seems really dark.

Edward: See that Chili's? My dad took me there after we saw Billy Zane in The Phantom.  He loved that comic book.

Veronica: You always tell me that when we're here.

Edward: Wait, did Nadine say Crow Canyon or Bollinger?

Veronica: Bollinger. Crap.

Edward: Just turn around and --

[CRASH: a rock smashes through the passenger side window, hitting Edward. The carpet catches on fire, Max is barking, the car is filling with smoke]

Veronica: What was that?! What is that?! Are you okay?!

Edward: Hospital Hospital Hospital, Christ, find one DON'T TOUCH MY LEG, FOR FUCK'S SAKE I NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION NOW --

[Amid shouting and barking, sound cuts out]

Notes from the Future: Audio and Handwritten Journal, Part I

[The following are combined excerpts of audio and handwritten journal entries made in the days following the quake. Handwritten entries italicised.]

June 23

10:00 pm

I don't know where we are.

[Car driving, wind through open windows, Max snuffling about.]

Veronica: I think Max might have to pee.

Edward: We'll stop in a bit, I want to get past all these people.
               For the audio journal. it is now 8:15 pm; we are on Camino Tassajara in Blackhawk, it's been slow going since we met Nadine on North Livermore; the back roads, while not clogged with traffic, carry their own set of obstacles: thus far we've encountered one landslide, two abandoned police blockades, four traffic snarls around accidents; three of the accidents were days old. Those cars also appeared abandoned.

               Looks like there's a forest fire on top of Mt. Diablo, a brush fire or something. Man, that's a lot of smoke. There was a woman outside her car at the intersection of Highland and Camino Tassajara, praying hysterically toward the mountain, rosary and all. She was parked where the fruit stand usually is. I wanted to ask her if she had fresh hysteria, but Veronica wouldn't slow down.

Veronica: Be nice.

Edward: I am nice.

               There are hundreds of people on foot, here, many of them in the street. Most are heading North-Northwest, the same direction as us. This makes me wonder if the Sycamore Valley Road overpass is intact.

Veronica: Where do you think they're coming from?

Edward: Work, I'm guessing. ... They don't look like they live in Blackhawk. Domestics, gardeners, maybe. Wow, I don't see anyone on foot who does not appear to be of spicy Latin blood.

Veronica: Going home on foot?

Edward: Buses aren't running, most roads are --

[Bus goes roaring past on right, barely misses sideswiping the Honda]

Veronica: What the hell, man!?

Edward: That bus was full of ... uncomfortable-looking families. I think they were all white. Is there an Express Bus to Utah or something?

Veronica: Oh my God, where are they going?

Edward: I don't know, but it appears they are determined to get there before us.

Veronica: They're heading in the wrong direction. They're heading toward Mt. Diablo.

Edward: So are we.

Veronica: Yes, but look: they're waiting to turn onto Camino Tassajara. Isn't that heading toward Brandon's house?

Edward: Yes, it is.

Veronica: Should we go check on him?

Edward: He directed an award-winning film about a Zompocalypse, I think he'll be just fine.  Hopefully he'll have the sense to get the hell out of Danville ASAP.

[Giant explosion as Mt. Diablo erupts; a flaming chunk of rock comes rocketing down to tear the bus in half; most sound distorted for a time, lots of screaming and squealing tires, Max barking in terror; coherence picks up at:]

Edward: Drive! Drive! Drive!

Veronica: Where?! Where the fuck should I drive?!

Edward: Straight ahead! Christ, look, there's an opening! Do you want me to drive?!

[Scuffle/rustling]

Veronica: Ow! What the fuck -- get your hands off the -- that hurts you asshole!

[Acceleration, sounds of fire and screaming grow louder]

Edward: Then move your goddamn foot, woman!

Veronica: I can't, you're pinning it to the pedal -- OUCH!

[Thud and grunt as Veronica elbows Edward back into the passenger seat, car screeching to a halt; thud from Max banging into the back of the passenger seat. Another eruption from Mt. Diablo, louder, larger, like Hell unleashed; something large is coming their way, something gigantic and crackling with fire]

Edward: Go.

Veronica: We'll never make it.

Edward: Then risk it.

Veronica: That thing is larger than our house.

Edward: It's larger than our street and it's moving faster than you think. Do you want to die sitting still or risk success?! GO!!!

[Slight silence, perhaps because the living uninjured on the ground can see and hear it now, as well; the sound of burning and the screams of the dying are all that can be heard. Then:]

Edward: I want us to have babies. Let's live.

[Sudden acceleration; some shouting as a group of people try to stop the car speeding past]

Edward: Straight.

Veronica: I see it.

Edward: Through.

Veronica: I see it.

Edward: There.

[The car vrooooooms as it leaves the ground; what appears to be the top 1/3 of Mt. Diablo crashes into the ground where the Honda was when it stopped; several large boulders are crashing into houses and cars and people all around as rocks and chunks of flaming material hit the car.]

Edward: Holy shit!

[The car lands hard, skidding, screaming, comes to a halt.]

Veronica: I'm okay.

Edward: You okay?

Veronica: I'm okay. I'm okay.

Edward: Good. That's got to be a drop of at least fifteen feet. I did not know there was no road there.

Veronica: Neither did I. I would never have tried to jump it.

[More flaming debris is landing, a large chunk hits the passenger side door with the impact of a small rhinoceros.]

Edward: Ow, fuck! Let's get the hell out of here.

[Car accelerating.]

Veronica: Try the overpass?

Edward: ... sure. May as well.

[Chunks of rock landing all around as they drive]

Edward: Look out.

[BANG! Chunk of rock on hood of car, hissing from engine]

Edward: Fuck this, turn left.

Veronica: What if the overpass is there?

Edward: Turn left now!

Veronica: No!, see? Look: it's ...

[Car slows, stops, idles]

Edward: That's a river of fire.

Veronica: How far down do you think it is?

Edward: I'm not getting out to check. Let's go, turn around.

[Car executing three-point-turn, driving, tense silence.]

Veronica (sim.): Oh my God.

Edward (sim.): Oh my God.

We can still hear Mt. Diablo erupting. The resemblance to Mt. Doom when we turned the car around was shocking. I always thought that Reno, Nevada was Mordor. Now Reno seems like heaven.

Edward: Turn right.

Veronica: You said left.

Edward: That was when we were heading West. TURN RIGHT NOW.

[Squealing tires, shifting items in car.]

Veronica: I was mesmerized by the lava.

Edward: We will not be able to return this way.

[Silence for a time, only car and wind can be heard]

Notes from the Future: Audio Journal III

[Further excerpts from an audio journal of voice memos made some days after the quake]

Part III

[Wind, car slowing down on gravel, mid-sentence:]

Veronica: ... she's carrying a baby. She probably does need help. 

[Car stopping, brake engaged, engine off.]

Edward: I'll get out. Stay with Max. Max, stay.

[Keys jingle, seat belt disengages, car door opening, breeze, pickup speeds past, hiking boots on gravel, car door closes.]

Veronica: I'm coming with you. Could be a trap.

Edward: Better you stay in the car, then.

[Generally same as earlier, only not as close. No keys jingling.]

Veronica: Too late.

Voice: Hi, there, can you help?

Edward: What seems to be the trouble?

Voice: My baby is sick. 

Veronica: Oh no ... what happened?

Voice: I was at work, they actually wanted me to come in to work, up at Cal State. They wanted me, so I went in. We didn't even live in the flats, we lived in the condos on Walpert.

Edward: Near the cemetery.

Voice: Yes. Yes, oh, I should -- hi, I'm Nadine.

Edward: Edward. And this is Veronica.

Nadine: Wonderful names, I can tell you're nice people. 

[Awkward silence; sound in distance: gunshot? Car backfiring? Hard to tell.]

Veronica: What happened at Cal State?

Nadine: Nothing. But I work nights. I came home and they were sick, from the, from the fishkill, I guess.

Edward: Who was sick, you have more people with you?

Nadine: In the car, I'll show you.

Veronica: Okay.

Edward: Veronica.

Veronica: What?

Edward: Caution.

Nadine: Oh! Right, of course. You want to be careful. Yes. Okay, look, I'll open all my car doors and you can come far over and look inside. It's an SUV, so look, I can -- pop the back open with a button and -- there you go, the doors, and -- I suppose I should introduce everyone. This here in the kiddie seat is my little girl Kiley, say hi, Sweetie. Her hair isn't usually so messy, it's got more curl in it ...

[Silence. Long. Veronica gasps quietly.]

Nadine: This is my husband, Rick. Rick, this is Edward and Vanessa.

Edward: Veronica.

Nadine (sim.): Victoria.

Veronica (sim.): What?

Edward: Her name is Veronica. What's, um ... what's wrong with Rick?

Nadine: He's pretty tired.

Edward: Hey Rick, you okay?

[Wind blows, another car passes.]

Veronica: Honey, it's okay, there's no one else in the car.

Edward: I can see that, but, Nadine, why aren't they moving?

Nadine: Oh, I wasn't clear, sorry. I got home and they'd gotten sick from the fishkill, from the nitrogen, is what I found out later, so I put them in the car to get them out here away from the nitrogen.

Veronica: Can I, is that ... does your baby have a name?

Nadine: This is Joseph. Baby Joseph.

Veronica: Is Baby Joseph sick, too? Is that why you stopped?

Nadine: You know, I don't quite remember?  I stopped and got out, and I had Baby Joseph in my arms ... Do you want to hold him?

Veronica: Yes, please, I love babies.

Edward (sighing, under breath): Veronica ... nitrogen bloom ...

Veronica: Hello, Baby Joseph. Hoo, someone needs a fresh diaper! Hello, Baby Joseph. 

               Whoa, what's wrong with his ... neck ...

[Wind. Distant sirens.]

Edward: How long has Baby Joseph been asleep like this, Nadine?

Nadine: Since I got home. They all were. Rick didn't want to get up, so I had to carry him out to the garage. Lazy ass.  

Edward: Honey, I think Baby Joseph wants his mommy.

Veronica (very quietly): Yes. Okay. Goodbye, little baby ...

Nadine: Do you guys think you can help me?

Edward: What kind of help do you need, Nadine?

Nadine: I think, I just ... I really need a nap. Could you guys watch the kids while Rick and I take a nap?

Edward: I think the kids are going to be just fine. Do you think you should take them to the hospital? Because they're sick?

Nadine: Could I nap there, do you think? I have Kaiser, I don't know if they'll let me nap.

Edward: Probably. But take the children inside first.

Nadine: Where is it? I'll write it down.

Edward: This is North Livermore, that's May School Road. Take May School Road to Dagnino, make a right, then ... left on Raymond ... yes, then right on Vasco. Take Vasco over the Freeway, make a right at Las Positas Road ... good ... cross First Street, pass Target, and over a little rise, just past some car dealerships, is Kaiser. Right next to Kohls.

Nadine: They're having a sale, I can get the kids some new clothes for the trip.

Edward: Right. Yes.

              Veronica, you ready to go?

[Wind, a crow in the distance.]

Nadine: Thank you both for helping me. 

Veronica: It's okay. 

Nadine: You're very nice people.

Edward: Nadine, you should get in your car now and take your family to the hospital.

Nadine: Oh. That's a good idea. 

             Do you think I could nap there?

Edward: Here, let me write something on the directions:

[Car passing, sound of pen on paper on roof of 1988 Honda Accord LX]

Nadine: "Free Naps"? Where?

Edward: At your hospital. It was on the news just now. Better go quick, the naps are in short supply.

Nadine: Oh, okay! Wow, thank you! Bye!

[Car doors closing, SUV starts]

Veronica: Bye ...

Edward: Nadine! One more thing!

Nadine: Yes?

Edward: What are the roads like getting back to Hayward? Was it easy getting over here?

Nadine: Do not go to Hayward.

Edward: How did you get here?

Nadine: Do not go to Hayward. 

Edward: Will you please tell me how you go over here from there?

 

[Wind, motor running. Then car in reverse, tires on gravel, sound of car coming closer, then idling]

Nadine: You were warned to go another way.

Edward: What the fuck?

Nadine: Hayward is not for you.

Veronica: What are you saying?

Nadine: You need proof, but you will not like it.

Edward: Please.

[Wind. Idling SUV. Crow.]

Nadine: Bollinger stands. Norris is open. Do not crest Norris. Take Ashbourne to Cliffecastle, the gate beyond is already broken. Take the dirt road beyond; there are houses out at the end of it. Do not go near them, take the first faint track on the left, stick to the right after that, it will get easier to drive after a time. Eventually, you will find Jeep Trail, which will take you back to Norris. You know your way from there.

Edward: How did you get around 580 from Walpert?

Nadine: I didn't.

[Engine revs, SUV takes off, spitting gravel.]

Veronica: Ow.

Edward: Let's go.

[Getting back into car, doors, keys, seatbelts, ignition, shifting into drive.

Long time of wind, warm air, radio on low.]

Veronica: I didn't ...  I didn't think her baby was dead.

Edward: I did.  I tried to warn you.

Veronica: I know.

[Wind, occasional cars passing in opposite direction, one honking madly.

After a long time, Veronica sings along softly with a song on the radio; it's barely audible through the static.

Sound cuts out.]