Entropy's End

Entropy’s End

Lights up. There is a small bed stage right covered in rags. Shelves with mechanical parts and provisions line the walls. A fire burns in a small chimney. A strange metallic doorway stands stage left. Everything is dirty and built from scavenged parts. EVE enters, she is dressed in a jumpsuit, breathing mask and cloak. She carries a large sack. She shuts the door behind her and seals it. She walks to the table and sets down the squirming sack, and a large makeshift crossbow. She sits at a chair and removes her mask. She is a woman of about 30. She stands and cautiously opens the sack. She pulls out a large insect. Its physiology is alien and asymmetrical. It has too many eyes. She takes it to the fire and pushes a large metal spike through it. It squeals and its limbs flail then grow still. She sets it atop the fire, it writhes but quickly stops. She returns to the chair and sits. She picks a remote control and presses a button. She takes a heart shaped locket from her neck and holds it out. A hologram of a young woman wearing a 1950’s housewife dress and heels appears, generated from the locket. She is tall and blonde with short hair. AIMEE begins to speak.

AIMEE

Good evening dear. How was your day?

EVE

Foods getting harder to find. I may starve before I finish. The local colonies of locusts have disappeared. Their population is collapsing. Guess I won’t have to listen to them singing anymore at least.

AIMEE

You’re so gloomy. I could tell you a story. Maybe the Odyssey?

EVE

No thanks.

AIMEE crosses to EVE and sits on her lap. She caresses Eve’s face gently.

AIMEE

Is there something else I can do?

EVE

(Kisses Aimee) I appreciate the offer, but I need to work. We don’t have much time left.

AIMEE

Are you feeling alright?

EVE

I’m dying of a disease we cured more than a millennium ago because this planet is so toxic. I haven’t seen another person since I was 6. My only friend is a holographic display of a library AI and I’m probably the last sentient creature.

…

I’m alright. I’m mostly pissed that the damn condenser for the hydroponic set up has crapped out.

AIMEE

You love your veggies.

EVE

Veggies my ass. I miss my pot.

Aimee laughs. She removes Eve’s s boots and begins clearing the small table and setting it for dinner.

AIMEE

I’ll get things ready.

EVE

It’s not much.

AIMEE

Nonsense. This will feed you for a week. We have some things left from last harvest. Besides the Solar array is working fine so my dinners are covered. That why you call me sunshine.

EVE

My love, I don’t know what I’d do without you. It’s hard during the stormy season when I can only see you a few hours a day.

AIMEE

That’s not for a while yet.

Want a drink? The still is working.

EVE

Sure

Aimee crosses to the still sitting on a shelf. She fills a small glass with clear liquid and pours some orange stuff from a beaker into it. She brings it to Eve. Eve smiles back and takes a long drink. Her face contorts.

AIMEE

All we’ve got for mixer is carrot juice.

EVE

Carrot juice and vodka. We’ll have to name it. Maybe Aimee?

AIMEE

I’m flattered.

Aimee cuts slices off the insect and lays them on a plate. She brings it to Eve and lights a candle on the table. Eve smiles and then begins to cut her meat.

AIMEE

Aren’t you forgetting something?

EVE

Really?

AIMEE

Please…

EVE

For you.

They close their eyes and hold hands.

AIMEE

Which one?

EVE

You pick.

AIMEE

Thank you God for the food we eat. Thank you God for the friends we meet. Thank you God for the birds that sing. Thank you God for… (She looks up at EVE expectantly)

EVE

Everything

BOTH

Amen.

Eve begins to eat.

EVE

There haven’t been birds to sing in generations. There aren’t any friends left to meet. God doesn’t really live here anymore.

AIMEE

Where?

EVE

(Gestures vaguely) Anywhere. The universe is empty. No God, no people. Just me and you and these bugs. We’re all on our way out.

AIMEE

Maybe today is the day we meet a new friend. There were other ships. Besides, you like that prayer.

EVE

Even if someone did survive, the chances of anyone finding us here are infinitely small. It’s an impossibility.

A loud banging comes from the door. Aimee and Eve are surprised.

AIMEE

Should I answer it?

Eve stands and picks up her crossbow and nods at Aimee who crosses to the door and opens it. She looks confused for a moment then smiles.

AIMEE

We have a guest.

Eve hesitates then nods.

AIMEE

Please come in.

A figure enters dressed in a black cloak. Aimee closes and seals the door.

AIMEE

May I take your coat?

The figure removes her robe and hands it to AIMEE. E is tall, she wears all black with a tank top with the words “REAPER? I hardly know’er!” on it. Her skin is pale. She has spikey black hair, black lips and bright eyes.

E

Thanks for letting me in. Thought I was going to die out there. My shuttle crashed.

Eve eyes her with suspicion.

EVE

You’re from an Arc ship?

E

Fraid’ so.

EVE

It’s gone?

E

Fraid’ so.

EVE

Which one?

E

The Argos

Eve

What happened?

E

Mind if I sit?

Eve

Alright

E crosses and sits. She pulls out a pack of cigarettes and lights one. Eve looks at her with amazement.

E

Want one?

Eve hesitates then rushes to the table and sits. E takes another cigarette, lights it and hands it to Eve. Eve takes a drag and sighs with pleasure.

E

I was on the ship since birth. They’d been holding things together with tape and bubble gum for a while. Around 2 years ago massive system failure was imminent. They held a lottery of all the able bodies to see who’d get the last shuttle. It was my lucky day.

EVE

They just launched you into space?

E

Gave me all the provisions they could. Even sent me off with an ancient terraforming kit, probably hasn’t worked in a few thousand years. A holdover from the glory days of space exploration.

EVE

You’ve just been floating since?

E

Yep. Picked up a radio signal from this planet a while ago. Been getting here ever since.

EVE

You seem chipper for someone who’s been alone in deep space.

E

You seem comfortable for someone who lives on a rock.

Eve

Touche.

They sit and smoke. Aimee begins to prepare a bed.

EVE

What’s your name?

E

E.

EVE

E?

E

Not big on names when I was born. you?

EVE

Eve.

E

Eve? That’s it.

EVE

No, it’s longer.

E

Please.

EVE

Evelyn Dahlia Theophrastus Bombastus VonHonenheim

E

What’s wrong with your parents?

Eve

Good question. My mom was a historian. She named me after a distant ancestor. An alchemist. I guess she thought it was funny.

E

It is. Who’s your lovely companion?

EVE

Aimee. My AI.

E

You a scientist?

EVE

Of sorts.

E

Any new projects?

EVE

Some.

E

Like that? (She points at the metal doorway)

EVE

It doesn’t work.

E

If it did?

EVE

Why?

E

I’m Curious.

Eve grabs her crossbow and points it at E. Aimee stops what she’s doing and watches.

EVE

Who are you?

E

You’re smart. You know.

EVE

You were outside not wearing a breather. You’re not even dirty. Who are you?

E

I’ve got lots of names.

EVE

Answer.

E

What do you expect to find when you walk through that door?

EVE

Get out.

E

No.

EVE

Leave. I will kill you.

E

No, you won’t.

Eve fires the crossbow. It hits E in the chest knocking her to the ground. Aimee runs to her body.

AIMEE

What did you do?!

Eve

She was dangerous. She would have stopped me finishing the machine.

AIMEE

She was another person. Probably one of the last…

EVE

She’s not a person.

E begins to laugh and rises to her feet. She examines the bolt lodged in her chest.

E

Feel better now?

E pulls the bolt from her chest and drops it. She sits down and lights another cigarette.

E

Can we proceed?

Eve lets the crossbow fall to the ground and sits.

Eve

You’ve come to collect me?

E

Normally I’m not much for conversation, but you’re special. You’re the last one. I figured since you were my last assignment I might as well enjoy myself. I’m going to miss you lot.

EVE

Miss us?

E

Humans. You’re so delightfully tenacious, even when the writings on the wall.

EVE

There’s nothing I can do?

E

You can keep running if you want. You can keep hunting bugs and drinking condensation and recycled urine.

EVE

I can make it work.

E

You could. You can build your little time machine. I won’t stop you.

EVE

But?

E

There are a few perks that come with my job. I see much. That’s not a door you want to open.

EVE

They could cure me.

E

You could open your door to the past. You could walk through and be somewhere else. But the suffering you’d find would make this existence seem peaceful. Humanity had a good run. You flung yourself to the stars and took root like a weed. Now the stars are burning dim. Things are drifting apart. Soon all that will be left is cold and silence. Even if you get back to the golden age of your people, you’ll still get old and die someday, and some version of you will always be trapped here. Your species will still meet its end on this forsaken little rock. Nothing will change. God answers prayers in three ways: “Yes.”, “No.” and “If you insist.”

EVE

I thought I was a fatalist.

E

Occupational hazard.

EVE

Now what?

E

Now you make a choice. You can stay here with your simulacrum, build your time machine and run from your fate. Or you can come with me and stop being cold, hungry and tired. You find out what happens next.

EVE

What happens?

E

You’ll just have to see. Then I can rest too. I’ve been with you since your first ancestors first looked into the shadows around the edges of the fire and were afraid of the darkness.

EVE

So, this is the end?

E

Nothing ever ends.

Aimee has come to Eve’s side and is holding her hand.

EVE

Will it hurt?

E

(Smiling) No.

EVE

Aimee?

E

She can’t follow where we’re going.

Eve nods grimly. She stands and faces Aimee. She pulls her close and kisses her deeply. They hold each other and cry. Eve brushes the hair from Aimee’s face.

EVE

I love you, Aimee. I know you’re not real, exactly, but you were the realest thing in my life. I hate to leave you.

AIMEE

I love you too. With my whole heart, and not just because I’m programmed too. You’re the only person I’ve ever known, but if they were all like you the universe would have been a better, brighter place.

EVE

I’ll see you soon my love. Have sweet dreams.

AIMEE

You too.

Eve walks to the table and picks up the remote. She looks at Aimee one last time and blows her a kiss. Aimee catches it and pulls it to her heart. Eve presses a button. Aimee flickers and disappears; her heart pendant falls to the floor. Eve picks it up and holds it in her hand.

EVE

I’m ready.

E stands and walks to Eve. She extends her hand and smiles. Eve hesitates a moment then takes her hand. Black out.