CHARLOTTE, ASH and EMMA have 2 tickets to the Resettlement Zone (Ash did not include Charlie in the census while she was away). They are looking for a third. They must keep Emma safe. 

 

Besieged on the way to Ash’s parents house, they have been forced to return home, where a run in between the soldiers sent to collect MARK NEWMAN and their neighbours has resulted in a massacre, witnessed by the Dhumals. Mark was struck down in the crossfire. PRIVATE BLAKE is left shocked, having killed his trigger happy partner.

 

Charlie wants to ask him for help. Ash does not. 

 

1:30am Charlie wins. She shouts to Private Blake. They saw what happened. They know he’s not to blame. They’ll help. He trains his gun on Charlie, watches Emma through the window. He is visibly shaking. 

 

PENNY moans on the ground. He whips around and shoots her. 

 

But he agrees to help the Dhumals. 

 

At the PICKUP POINT, SERGEANT JOHNSON and CURTIS receive a call from the HEAD OF THE ARMY at the Resettlement Zone. They’ve lost contact with other Zones. They must hurry here with whatever citizens they have. He must assume they’re the only Zone in operation. And he needs their assistance. 

 

3A turned the Dhumals’ focus to the Resettlement Zones. The strands from 4A onwards show them the reality of life there. These strands will feel like a dystopian thriller - stretching the Dhumals’ relationship using situations way beyond the realm of their normal lives. How do they respond to such extreme situations? What are they really prepared to overlook, to do to survive?

 

These strands should shock viewers who have seen the ‘happy endings’ of the Dhumals heading to the Zones, and encourage first time viewers to watch again, in search of an alternative happiness.

 

In Blake’s Jeep, Ash calls his parents. They’re on their way to the Zone too. Blake, distracted from playing with Emma (who reminds him of his own, estranged child), immediately confiscates his phone - they aren’t allowed in the zones. He is sweating. Ash knew they shouldn’t have trusted this man. This doesn’t feel right. 

 

At the Resettlement Zone. Johnson and Curtis arrive and are greeted by the Head of the army. He interrupts an argument between a soldier and a civilian. Both the soldier and the civilian are immediately arrested, despite Johnson’s protest that the soldier deserves better. But the Head is steadfast. It’s essential they take a hard line against any insubordination. The survival of their people relies on this Zone succeeding. 

 

The Dhumals witness this - a disturbing start to the Dhumals’ time in the Zone. But somehow, they are all here. That’s something. Curtis, who went to school with Ash, recognises his old classmate. Blake is quick to hide him. 

 

3:30am At the ACCOMMODATION CENTRE, the sounds of distant explosions ring out. 

 

The Head, Johnson, and Curtis watch a live drone feed of distant bombs. 

 

SCIENTISTS in a nearby restaurant in a tower see the blasts in the distance.

 

Back at the Accommodation Centre, Blake has left the Dhumals alone for a moment. Ash is told by a HELPFUL SOLDIER that his parents are here. She offers to escort him to see them right away. Charlie follows with Emma as they walk through a nice neighbourhood, passing higher-ups and scientists, all looking very important. Perhaps this won’t be so bad after all. 

 

They arrive at a small but perfectly nice FLAT. “Your parents are just inside”. The three head in to see an elderly couple in their 60s sitting at the kitchen table. They stare at the Dhumals. The Dhumals stare back. They are not Ash’s parents. MARK and RUTH NEWMAN, confused, introduce themselves. 

 

Flashback: Blake steals Mark Newman’s ID bracelet … checks ‘Mark and his family’ into the Resettlement Zone … confirms they are not ‘affected’ ... panicks when he cannot find them in the Accommodation Centre.

 

Blake pulls the Dhumals out of the Newmans’ flat. This is bad news. Why did they head off without him? Didn’t they see the arrest? They’re not safe here, especially if someone finds out they’ve lied. He needs time. The Dhumals have to keep the Newmans quiet. Their presence puts them all in great danger. Start by lying. Tell them there’s been a mix up and Mark is on his way. But DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY. Blake gives Ash a handgun, and leaves.

 

Ash is panicking. He can’t believe he let Charlie talk him into coming with this madman. 

 

Charlie points out the extremity of the situation - if they want to survive they are going to have to do whatever it takes. This was never going to be easy. What did he expect? They’re here now and Blake seems to know what’s going on. They have to do what he says. He’ll be a better ally than two pensioners they’ve never met.

 

But Ash is having none of it. The Newmans deserve to know what has happened to their son. And are they really going to, what, threaten? harm?! two innocent old people? He’s sure that if they just do the right thing now, they will be repaid in time. They should tell the truth and beg for mercy if need be. The Newmans look like good people. And if the system here is broken, they should fight it, not lean in. 

 

Blake arrives at a nearby MEDICAL AREA. He steals a syringe, and heads into a MAKESHIFT MORGUE. The corpses all have their heads cut open. Some are missing brains. Blake draws a SYRINGE FULL OF BLOOD from one of the corpses.

​

Charlie knows there’s only one way she can win this and pulls out a coin. Calls heads.