Two Winters Past

INT. HOUSE DAY. 

KAY comforts MIRANDA. MIRANDA is crying.

KAY: It’s okay, it’s okay, don’t cry.

MIRANDA: Are you real? Are you really real?

KAY: I’m real, and there are people out there. Not many, but they have gotten together. Some are organized. People are surviving.

MIRANDA: What about the sick people? Is there a cure?

KAY: I haven’t seen any.

MIRIAM: My son knows where to find it. He’s gone on a quest, like a knight.

KAY looks MIRANDA over, smiles, continues to eat.

MIRANDA: Are you here alone?

KAY: (nervous) Of course. Why?

MIRANDA: It’s so dangerous with sick people. I don’t know how you survived.

KAY: I’m just strong, okay? Leave it alone. Do you have any guns?

MIRANDA: Oh no, I don’t approve of guns. I let Jack take fencing lessons, that was all the self-defense lessons we needed.

KAY: Does anyone out here have a gun? The houses don’t look looted.

MIRANDA: Town militia collected everything and headed out of town about a year ago. Wanted a more defendable position, they said. Took every gun and every boy that could hold one, not that there were more than twenty or twenty five.

KAY: Is that near here?

MIRIAM: My son said they got all wiped out. Men from Marathon came down, looking for a camp in Castle Creek. Town militia was in the way. I try not to leave the yard unless the cat gets out.

KAY: Is that where your son went? To Castle Creek?

MIRANDA: Oh no, he went out for the east. Beginning of winter. He said it was safer to travel that way. He used to be a Boy Scout, he’s used to camping in the winter.

KAY: How do I get to Marathon?

MIRANDA: It’s much too dangerous out there. We want to stay inside.

KAY: There’s no more people around?

MIRANDA: (petting a cat) This is Smokey, and if you look under the TV stand, you’ll probably find Little Meow. Get out here! We have a guest! I am so ashamed of you two!

KAY: I love kitties!

KAY picks up Smokey while MIRANDA drives the second cat from beneath the stand.

MIRANDA: They don’t go outside, but sometimes they catch a mouse in the house. They are someone to talk to when my son is away.

KAY: How much food do you have?

MIRANDA: My son finds it. He said the Marathon men didn’t even take the food the town militia left behind.

KAY: I can’t stay here long, can you give me some food?

MIRANDA: He says the Marathon men are herding the sick people to make an army.

KAY: Like maybe a bag, or a sack, and I'll get out of here. 

MIRANDA: I thought he made it all up. He goes searching for so long, I thought he just told me to make me feel good that something was still out there.

KAY: Come on, lady, give me some food!

MIRANDA: Of course!

MIRANDA goes into the pantry. KAY follows.

MIRANDA: (Sniffs) The kitties have introduced themselves, but I don’t know your name.

KAY: (offering her hand) I’m Stacy.

MIRANDA: (shakes) Stacy, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Miranda.