EXT. CENTRAL CITY MAGLEV PLATFORM – EVENING
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl9eROKNoU
The station roars with rush‑hour chaos: drones unloading crates, Operator commuters flashing datasheets, Labor bots shoving to make the next train. Jason pushes through with practiced indifference, cradling a plain cardboard bag.
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJdRmRBYzt
JASON (V.O.)
“Same sardine can, new headache. One day I’ll invent personal teleporters and retire rich.”
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7Wy0C7d7k
Doors hiss. He boards, finds a pole, locks his boots. Two Operator bots eye his grease‑stained armor, scoot three steps away. He just smirks.
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7V9k0kY4u
JASON (under breath)
“Yeah, I’m the scary one. I only saved your firewall yesterday.”
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99OkpeBsoq
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvyFiNI9Q7
---
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7tzhr4H9U
INT. MAGLEV CAR – CONTINUOUS
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nO44YFvQD
Neon ads flicker above: “VISION TECH LEGACY EXPO—Relive the Past!” Jason ignores them, focused on the bag in his hand. He peeks inside: two identical no‑brand texter handsets—bare‑bones comm devices, plastisteel shells, cheap as oil rations.*
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0oMPDMzXp
JASON (V.O.)
“All I needed was a new phone. But no— now I’m caretaker to two walking war crimes with the social skills of caffeinated pigeons.”
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbSLXxsBbk
Flashback overlay: the electronics shop earlier—aisles of shiny, overpriced datapads. Jason at the bargain bin, price‑tagging the only models under twenty cred‑cores.
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpROdBWg0n4
SHOP CLERK (echo)
“These come with a half‑cycle warranty and minimal exploding risk!”
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr9zkIEsPe
JASON (echo)
“Perfect. I’ll take two.”
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeNX9JL7NT
Back to the train. Jason grips the pole as the Maglev jolts, eyes tired but amused.
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bnDedbByS
JASON (to himself)
“Hope they like monochrome screens. And 2G reception.”
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1hmfBJYrC
A trio of cadets from earlier board another car; one spots him, waves timidly through the glass. Jason gives a small salute back, tries not to look like a role model.
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BvCtHSECD
JASON (V.O.)
“At least paperwork is done. Just need to survive the commute, dodge the landlord, and stop A from microwaving the cutlery.”
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVvPD51wKZ
Maglev whooshes into the tunnel toward the residential sector. Jason pockets the phones, leans back, and allows himself a rare, tiny smile.
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHL8GLf2iA
JASON
“Home sweet chaos cube, here I come.”
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT8UwSR7of
Train lights strobe past, city humming beyond.
ns3.12.34.36da2
