Episode 21- Modern Dance, Part 2

[SCENE 1: THE LIBRARY]

PEM: How do we steal something if we don’t know what it is? How do we get a code out of someone’s head? We have to be… not subtle! We have to make something big happen, make her think something way more serious is happening, so she has to use that code! You said that Bruce said only she can lock down the school from her office- which means she has to verify her identity, so she’ll need to retrieve the talisman, and enter the code. And then we have them.

JENNA: Pem, what are you saying?

PEM: I’m saying, why have a three part plan to steal three things when we can trick her into just giving us all of them? If she thinks a real attack is going down here, then she’ll try to lock down the school.

Look, when you were in the past, well, when you were not in the present anyway, “when” is a weird word here- when we were trying to retrieve you from the past, Dr. Ungala and the Investigator were working closely together. Dr. Ungala is coming for the convocation and she wanted to meet with me. If I can distract her for a while, Brynn can impersonate her with photomancy. That’ll let her see the talisman and maybe be there when the code is entered.

ELLIE: She wants to meet you? Why? You’re just a sophomore! I thought only seniors met with the visiting mages.

PEM: I don’t know why.

JENNA: Are you sure she needs the code to put the school in lockdown?

PEM: She will if her card isn’t working.

JENNA: Why wouldn’t her card be working?

PEM: Cause you’re going to demagnetize it.

JENNA: Then how do we steal the card?

PEM: Um, one thing at a time. We should move this to the thorn room.

ELLIE: Ugh. The thorn room. Wait, uh, do we still get to go to the dance?

JENNA: It will look super suspicious if we’re not there, giving all the trouble we went through for dresses.

PEM: Oh, I went with a suit. Uh- we’ll need to be seen there, then, at least- but that shouldn’t be a problem.

CREDITS: Electromancy, Episode 21 - Modern Dance, part two. Be advised, this episode does contain a gunshot in the last few minutes of the episode.

[SCENE 2: THE THORN ROOM]

DEAN: (over PA) Good morning students. Just a reminder that classes will end early today to give everyone time to prepare for the Winter Formal. Despite some, uh, rather unfortunate occurrences this year, everything will go on as it always does. There will be a formal convocation in the afternoon where we will hear from some distinguished mages, then seniors will meet with our guests, then a special dinner, and then we will all celebrate with the dance. I’m sure we could all use a night of fun in these difficult times.

BRYNN: Well, it’s now or never I suppose. And by now I mean tonight, after dinner.

JENNA: Any luck with Devon?

BRYNN: I’m afraid we’re going to have to go with the Devon-free version of the plan.

ELLIE: What if, just throwing this out there, we did the heist earlier in the day, so we could enjoy the dance in the evening?

JENNA: They probably aren’t going to hold the dance if there’s an attack during the convocation.

BRYNN: Anyway, if everything that goes down goes down while we’re at the dance, being highly visible, then we’ve got a pretty damn strong alibi.

PEM: Are you sure you can handle that illusion work, Brynn? It sounds like a lot of layers.

BRYNN: Oh it is. But I’m the greatest illusionist of all time. Just ask Jenna.

JENNA: You mean that thing you did in the past with the nested silence bubbles? How is this anything like that?

BRYNN: It’s not, I was just trying to demonstrate that I’m not afraid to attempt the impossible. Look, I can make a decoy Brynn in my sleep. I’ve practiced it a ton. A decoy Brynn in formalwear doing SICK dance moves is not gonna be that much harder.

Pem won’t need an alibi, because they’ll already have the real Dr. Ungala to vouch that they weren’t anywhere near that office. So all I have to do is maintain my fake Dr. Ungala disguise, a decoy Brynn which is no problem, and a decoy Ellie which I’ve spent the last two days working on and I’m pretty sure I nailed it. See?

[photomancy noise followed by some peppy music]

ELLIE: I don’t dance like that.

PEM: You dance exactly like that.

ELLIE: Oh no.

JENNA: What if someone tries to talk to one of the decoys?

BRYNN: That’s why you’ll be on the floor, running interference.

ELLIE: Why can’t I be the one at the dance running interference? Jenna didn’t even want to go.

JENNA: We’ve been over this. As powerful as I am, you have way more experience actually using electromancy to mess with small electronics. Plus, I need to be at the dance to wipe Professor Animar’s card - and shut down all the portable radios so they can’t talk to each other and find out about the two Ungalas. Pem needs to distract the real Ungala, plus they don't want to bail on their date.

ELLIE: Yeah, Griffon’s a sweetie. Don’t want to do that to him. I’m just, kinda, like the most exposed out of all of us though? Like, if I get caught, I’m just expelled and literally no one cares.

BRYNN: Yeah, but on the other hand, you probably don’t have enough juice to be worth making into a battery-

JENNA: Brynn! That’s not a thing to joke about. Plus we don’t know they’re still doing that-

BRYNN: I somehow doubt the magecorps suddenly developed a conscience in the last 400 years. Batteries are still getting made, so…

ELLIE: Okay, let’s not talk about this. I really don’t like this plan, Jenna.

JENNA: If you’re not comfortable, we can find another way…

ELLIE: I’m not, but I want to do this for you, but- what if we’re wrong about the security systems? What if the cameras and motion detectors are magical instead of tech?

PEM: There has never been such a thing as a magical camera. And if there’s umbramancy and photomancy wards to keep invisible people out, they’ll also ward against seers.

ELLIE: So how does Brynn keep her Dr. Ungala disguise in the office?

BRYNN: I won’t be able to. I tested it, the ward only extends about a foot from the door. I’ll have to find an excuse for not going in, but I doubt that will be difficult. She seems like a private person.

ELLIE: So how do we get the code?

BRYNN: I don’t. You do. You should be able to see it from your hiding spot.

ELLIE: Okay. I can do this. We can do this.

[SCENE 3: THE CONVOCATION]

[Lots of chatter.]

BRYNN: Oh, hey, this is your first one of these, isn’t it?

JENNA: Yup.

BRYNN: Very boring. Very jingoistic. Lots of speeches about honor and duty and doing your part. I haven’t been in a while, I usually just leave a decoy in my seat.

JENNA: Right.

[chatter transition]

GRIFFON: um.. hey.

PEM: Oh, uh, hi. Griffon, this is my friend Jenna. Jenna, this is Griffon. I think you know everyone else.

GRIFFON: Hi Jenna. Nice to meet you. Um.. I was thinking maybe, uh…

PEM: Yes?

GRIFFON: Well… could we sit together? For the convocation? And maybe at dinner?

PEM: Oh, uh…

ELLIE: It’s fine Pem! Go spend some time with your date, now, because you might have to leave him alone for a little while at the dance. Because of the… thing.

GRIFFON: Wha- what thing?

PEM:Oh, I’m sorry. I was going to tell you. One of the VIP mages wanted to talk to me about something, and it might have to happen during the dance because all of her appointments before dinner are full. I don’t think I’ll be that long though.

GRIFFON: Oh. Uh, okay. Um, that’s really cool. [pause] uh….

PEM: You sure we’re okay?

JENNA: We’re fine. Go.

PEM: See you tonight.

[they leave]

BRYNN: Pem and romance. Didn’t see that one coming.

JENNA: Why not?

BRYNN: I… don’t know, really. Feel a little bad about ruining their night. Er, everyone’s night.

JENNA: Let’s not discuss this here.

[chatter transition]

LUCAS: Hey.

DEVON: Hi.

LUCAS: Mind if I join you?

DEVON: Of course not.

LUCAS: Where’s Brynn?

DEVON: We’re not really speaking right now.

LUCAS: Whoah. What happened?

DEVON: I don’t want to talk about it.

LUCAS: I get it. You two have been friends since you were little kids, right?

DEVON: What’s that have to do with anything?

LUCAS: Sometimes you outgrow a friendship. There’s no shame in it.

DEVON: That’s not -

LUCAS: Not what’s happening?

DEVON: I don’t know. I said I didn’t want to talk about it.

LUCAS: Hey, no problem. We still on for tonight?

DEVON: Of course.

LUCAS: Good. Looking forward to it. I have my meeting with Duquenes right after this.

DEVON: To talk about your future in the magecorps.

LUCAS: Yeah. Wish me luck.

DEVON: What does luck have to do with it? You're a 9, you said it yourself - there’s a mech somewhere waiting for a pilot. Been planned out since you were ten years old, probably.

LUCAS: What are you getting at?

DEVON: Nothing. Sorry. Just- don’t you ever wish you had a little more control over your own life?

LUCAS: Not really. Way I see it, this is the price I pay for being… this. That’s how I always learned it anyway. Those with power, serve. Use it for everyone’s benefit. When I finish my tour, I’m my own man.

DEVON: If you survive your tour.

LUCAS: You worried about me? That’s sweet.

DEVON: Oh, I know you can handle yourself.

[crowd quiets down]

DEAN: Hello. Well, we still have a few exams and projects left to take care of, but we’ve nearly made it through another year. Tonight, we will celebrate. But first, there are some very special guests who would each like to say a few words about duty, honor, and what it is we’re all doing here. Without further ado, I give you General Veld.

[SCENE 4: Electromancy dorm]

ELLIE: This is ridiculous.

JENNA: You look great!

ELLIE: Yeah, but it’s ridiculous putting in all this work for fifteen minutes of trying to party while also being full of dread.

JENNA: Deep breaths, Ellie. We’re gonna pull this off.

PEM: How do I look?

JENNA: [unconvinced] handsome…?

ELLIE: I thought you’d at least do something with your hair.

PEM: I prefer a functional haircut.

ELLIE: Ugh, let me see if Lucas has some styling gel I can borrow.

PEM: I really don’t like to put stuff in my hair. Or on my face.

ELLIE: RIght, I forgot. Okay, well, you look, just like Pem which Griffon has seen. You don’t look bad, but you also don’t look like someone who’s made an effort to look especially good.

PEM: What about my new suit?

JENNA: It looks great on you. Love the cravat especially. Very retro. Let’s go.

ELLIE: What about a little braid, Pem? I could do a little braid? That could be fun.

[SCENE 5: THE DANCE]

[We hear “Bones” by Aemyn Connolly. And a lot of crowd chatter.]

BRUCE: Surprised to see you here Tessek. You usually sit these things out.

BRYNN: Maybe I’ve suddenly developed school spirit.

BRUCE: Or maybe you’ve gotten bored of using the dance as a distraction to wreak havoc and decided to see what using it as a place to wreak havoc is like. I’m warning you, I’ve got my eye on you.

BRYNN: Or maybe I just finally have some GIRLFRIENDS. And Pem, of course, but I had them already. [to Jenna, Ellie and Pem] THERE’S MY ELECTROMANCERS. C’MERE!

JENNA: Hey. You clean up nice!

BRYNN: Not so bad yourself Princess.

JENNA: I thought you were gonna stop calling me that.

BRYNN: I was, but it's just so startlingly accurate in this dress! You picked this out Ellie?

ELLIE: Mm-hmm. That was me.

BRYNN: You have great taste. I have to admit you have great taste. [under her breath] we may have a bit of a problem.

JENNA: Already?

BRYNN: Bruce is on to me but for all the wrong reasons. He thinks I might be here to play some juvenile prank like spiking the punch.

ELLIE: Maybe we should have spiked the punch.

BRYNN: So if shit goes down, he’s gonna want to question me and he’ll see that I’m a decoy. It’s okay, I’m working on it. We can improvise.

[chatter transition]

EZER: Mel? Are you seeing what I’m seeing?

MEL: How in ten realms is Lucas Burns going to the dance with Snowball?

EZER: First Tessek and Donovan are friends, now this?

MEL: C’mon, Ezer, I’m gonna need some answers on this one.

[chatter transition]

DEVON: I feel like people are staring at us.

LUCAS: Yeah, you get used to that.

DEVON: I didn’t mean in a good way.

LUCAS: It’s all in your head. C’mon, let’s get a drink.

EZER: Lucas, what happened? Did you somehow date your way through all the fives in the last few weeks?

MEL: Did his Daddy offer you stock options in exchange for some arm candy?

LUCAS: Shut up Mel.

EZER: Just kinda feels like you're scraping the bottom of the barrel when you really don’t have to be.

LUCAS: You know what? When we were in those tunnels fighting that monster that killed Ari, you two turned your tails and ran. Devon stayed and helped me take it down. So however many stripes we’re wearing, that makes him twice the mage either of you are in my book.

Plus he’s… not bad looking.

MEL: Fine. Throw your social life away. But don’t say we didn’t try to warn you.

[they leave]

DEVON: Wow, you really stood up for me.

LUCAS: It’s called having your back. Friends are supposed to.

[beat]

Is something wrong?

DEVON: I… have to do something, Um, I’d say I’ll be back , but I honestly might not be. PLEASE don’t take this as me not liking you, because I really kinda do especially right now.

LUCAS: What the hell? You're bailing?

DEVON: I… have to help a friend with something. I can’t explain, but - I’ll try and get back to you as soon as I can, I promise.

[chatter transition]

UNGALA: Pem? Do you have a moment?

PEM: Yes! Dr. Ungala. Hi.

UNGALA: Sorry I wasn’t able to squeeze you in before dinner, I had rather a full schedule. I hate to pull you away from the dance-

PEM: It’s fine. Griffon- my date- I told him, he understands. Could we talk some place quieter though? It’s hard for me to listen with a lot of background noise. I have trouble filtering out voices.

UNGALA: Sure. Let’s take a walk outside.

BRYNN: Pem’s leaving. It’s showtime. Ellie, bathroom, now. Jenna, wait for our signal.

JENNA: Got it.

MARINA: I trust you have an eye on all the usual troublemakers.

BRUCE: Well, I only have two eyes, but you can bet one of them is always going to be tracking Tessek.

JENNA: Hey, Mr. McCray. Ms. Animar.

MARINA: Hmph. Let’s stick with “Professor”, shall we.

JENNA: Sorry. Enjoying the dance?

MARINA: Not really what we’re here for.

BRUCE: She means we’re on duty.

JENNA: Well, I don’t think anyone’s spiked the punch. And I came here from public school so, trust me, I’d know.

MARINA: Technically this is a public school.

BRUCE: You know what she meant. What are you doing chatting up us old farts anyway? Where are your friends?

JENNA: Just… freshening up. Uh, you’re busy, I should leave you to it.

[swipe]

BRYNN: Okay, you go out the back way, and decoy you, decoy me, and [voice changes to UNGALAs voice] Dr. Ungala are going out the front. Good luck.

ELLIE: Good luck. Brynn.

[swipe]

REAL UNGALA: Is this far enough away? I can barely hear the music.

PEM (lying badly): Sorry, it’s really bad today, can we just go a little further?

[swipe]

ELLIE: [telepathically] Okay, Ellie. You can do this. You have to do this. For Jenna. Just stay focused, stay-

DEVON: Ellie, wait!

ELLIE: Devon?

DEVON: [telepathically] I’m doing this with you. Fill me in on the plan.

ELLIE: Okay. Why the change of heart?

DEVON: [telepathically] Not out loud, we’re being stealthy!

ELLIE: [telepathically] So I just think things and you’ll hear them?

DEVON: [telepathically] That’s the idea, yeah.

ELLIE: [tel.] So why the change of heart?

DEVON: [tel.] There wasn’t one, I still think this a terrible idea. But I couldn’t live with myself if one of you got hurt, so here we are.

[swipe]

BRYNN UNGALA: Investigator.

MARINA: It’s “professor” now, I guess. At least for the time being.

BRYNN UNGALA: Everything alright?

MARINA: For now.

JENNA: (under her breath) Here goes nothing.

[EMP sound. music stops. Students scream as the lights have just gone out.]

MARINA: Calm down! Everyone calm down. Photomancers, can we get some illumination? C’mon this is the first spell you learn!

[swipe]

ELLIE: Okay, we’re on the clock now.

DEVON: The EMP didn’t reach all the way up here?

ELLIE: It did not.

DEVON: Jenna must have pulled her punches, Dr. Sumner said a 12 could black out a city block.

ELLIE: She did, because turning off all the power to this office might keep Marina from using the machine to reset her keycard. It’s fine. I can do this.

DEVON: What are you doing?

ELLIE: Uh, electromancy? Shut up. I’m- I’m sensing everything in that room that’s drawing power. Isolating the motion detectors and the cameras. And- go.

[swipe]

MARINA: Where’s Donovan?

JENNA: Here!

MARINA: Dean Ventrassi, I suggest you scan her..

JENNA: I didn’t do anything?

MARINA: Who else could make an EMP like that?

JENNA: Literally any electromancer? Why would I want to sabotage the dance?

MARINA: If you weren’t involved, you won’t mind a mind-scan.

JENNA: I do very much mind a mind-scan!

DEAN: Come now, I’ll be as uninvasive as possible. We should round up the other electromancers as well. Katya, how long until we have power back?

KATYA: Shouldn’t take long at all.

BRYNN UNGALA: Professor. Dean. A word please.

[swipe]

PEM: Ok. This is far enough.

REAL UNGALA: Should have brought a teleporter to get back. But the fresh air is nice, after being in crowded rooms all day.

PEM: What did you want to talk to me about?

REAL UNGALA: *deep sigh* Your future, Pem. As you know, I’m the head of magecorps R & D division. We push the boundaries of magic. New rituals, new talismans - even new uses for every aspect. And if our enemies are able to use magic in a way we don’t understand, well, we work to understand it.

PEM: Yes. I’m familiar with- I mean, I assumed there had to be a group like that.

REAL UNGALA: MM-hmm. Well, everyone has to serve for five years of course, but for.. exceptional individuals I’m authorized to defer that requirement. I think you should do your service AFTER university. And you should do it with us.

[swipe]

DEVON: All the security is disabled?

ELLIE: If it’s tech!

DEVON: What if it’s magical?

ELLIE: How would I know?

DEVON: Okay, guess I’m doing this.

[door creaks]

[swipe]

BRYNN UNGALA: You need to institute lockdown procedures now.

DEAN: Nonsense, this is a prank!

BRYNN UNGALA: We don’t know that! We should head up to the control center and lock down the school as soon as the power is back up. This blackout was obviously a cover-up for something.

DEAN: This celebration is important to the students and the faculty. I’m all for caution, but for all we know this was a faulty circuit breaker-

MARINA: It was magic. It was Electromancy. Scan the girl, we’ll go activate the lockdown!

DEAN: This is my school, and I won’t be ordered around.

MARINA: This is a magecorp operation now. Do as you’re told, Ventrassi, and you might keep your job. McCray!

BRUCE: Yes?

MARINA: Why don’t you round up the usual troublemakers? Starting with Tessek.

[swipe]

PEM: Oh. So you’re saying I finish here, do a bachelors degree in Thaumatology somewhere-

REAL UNGALA: I’d suggest either Gavnia or Tolsk, they have the best programs. With your grades it won’t be a problem. Gavnia is even close to Volar, you could see your family on weekends. Plus there’s more Volari there- you might feel more at home. But Tolsk is probably a bit stronger academically.

PEM: Why not in the capital? Where you teach?

REAL UNGALA: *laughs derisively* I don’t teach undergrads. You’ll come to the capital when you’re done and work for me directly. It’s a four year program but I imagine you can finish it in less.

PEM: Am I really that special?

REAL UNGALA: You’re a singular mind Pem. I’ve been thinking about it since our little time portal adventure. Sending you to the front would be the biggest waste of talent in the history of the corps. I won’t allow it.

[swipe]

DEAN: Ms. Donovan, I’m afraid I have no choice.

JENNA: Go ahead.

[tense music, some kind of effect where we hear a whole bunch of Jenna’s thoughts layered over each other in a cacophony.]

DEAN: She’s clean.

JENNA: *gasps*

DEAN: Burns, you next. C’mon, let’s get this over with.

[swipe]

BRUCE: Tessek? Tessek!

[beat]

BRUCE: Dammit, it’s a decoy! Someone find the real Brynn Tessek!

JENNA-BRYNN: I’m, uh right here!

BRUCE: Brynn! I knew you were behind this! This is the end of the line for you.

JENNA-BRYNN: I didn’t do anything!

BRUCE: Then why did you have a decoy Brynn up?

JENNA-BRYNN: For the dance? Yeah, I was gonna hit the dance floor for a sick dance number with like five of myself for a sick dance move. It was going to be amazing. Till someone sabotaged it with this EMP. So believe me, I’m as pissed off as you are.

BRUCE: *deep sigh*

ROSARIO: Let me take her off your hands Bruce. I’m sure you’ve got plenty of other problem children to account for. C’mon, Tessek. Take down the glamers.

JENNA-BRYNN: I… can’t.

ROSARIO: Why not?

JENNA-BRYNN: Cause… I’m… naked. My clothes are all illusory. That was the other part of the prank I was planning.

ROSARIO: Streaking?

JENNA-BRYNN: The classics never go out of style.

ROSARIO: Back to the dorm. Then we’ll see if you’re telling the truth.

[swipe]

MARINA: How did you know about the control center?

BRYNN-UNGALA: What?

MARINA: The control center? It’s not common knowledge.

BRYNN UNGALA: I outrank you. Magecorps R & D. Everything goes through us.

MARINA: I see.

BRYNN UNGALA: I know all about the three-factor identification.

MARINA: Alright. Well, wait here. I’ll sort this out.

[swipe]

[door creaks.] [we hear breathing]

DEVON: [telepathically] Okay, moment of truth.

MARINA: Do you… hear something?

BRYNN-UNGALA: No…

MARINA: Alright, here we go. Huh, that’s weird-

BRYNN-UNGALA: The EMP. It might have wiped a magnetic card.

MARINA: Damn. Ugh, it’s okay. With the other two I can make a new copy. Hold on. Talisman. [magic noise] And the code. [beep boop boop beep]

[machine noises]

MARINA: Alright, here we go.

[swipe]

[we hear alarms and Klaxons over Marina’s voice]

MARINA: All students return to dorms. Dorm leaders perform headcounts, notify central control when all your charges are accounted for. I repeat, all students, return to dorms.

BRYNN-UNGALA: Well, I should head up to the Dean’s office to sort out this investigation. I’ll meet you up there?

MARINA: Here is the better place to coordinate from. Much more secure.

BRYNN-UNGALA: Uh, sure. Don’t you need to assist with clearing out the gym though?

MARINA: I think McCray can handle that. Why don’t you step inside?

BRYNN_UNGALA: Uh…. I have to got take care of something.

DEVON: [telepathically] This is a problem! She was supposed to clear out of the office after she activated the lockdown so I could grab the talisman and make a new card.

BRYNN: Well, that’s obviously not happening.

DEVON: You have to do something! Distract her. Make an illusion!

BRYNN: I’m holding down three complex illusions right now. Ungala disguise, a Brynn disguise for Jenna which I was not planning on needing, and a decoy Ellie. Wait, if you’re hiding in there and not Ellie, why do I need a decoy Ellie?

DEVON: You don’t! Lose it.

BRYNN: Okay, new plan, gonna lose… all of them. Well, not Jenna’s, she still needs that. Ugh this is gonna suck…

BRYNN DEAN: Investigator. We’ve found something. You have to come down to the gym right away!

MARINA: I don’t think so. Why don’t you come inside and tell me about it?

BRYNN DEAN: I don’t have time for that!

MARINA: Or you won’t step inside because you know this office is warded against photomancy, and I’ll see exactly who you really are.

BRYNN DEAN: You know, I have had enough of you acting like you’re in charge around here. This is still my school and I won’t be ordered around! You get out of there right now, or-

MARINA: Or what?

LEONARD: Veticar Mutica Delesees

BRYNN DEAN: Professor Sumner?

LEONARD: Veticar Mutica Delesees.

MARINA: So, the traitor returns to the scene of his crimes. You’re really trying to use sonomancy on me?

LEONARD: Well, I was trying, but I guess I’ll just have to go for this instead.

[gun cocks]

MARINA: You’d shoot me?

LEONARD: Magic is very fancy, but mundanes have had some pretty good ideas too.

MARINA: You don’t have the guts.

LEONARD: Don’t I?

[gunshot]

DEAN: Leonard- you? But- I always-

LEONARD: You’re next. Unless you give me that Talisman and that card.

MARINA: Fine, They’re no use without the code anyway, and you won’t get that. And as soon as anyone knows they’ve been compromised they’ll be useless.

LEONARD: Alright. C’mon.

BRYNN: [telepathically] Devon, get ready to run.

MARINA: Veticar Mutica-

[Devon bolts through the door and Leonard pulls it shut]

LEONARD: Can you-

DEVON: Mm- hm.

[cryomancy sound as Devon freezes the door.]

BRYNN: Now! Run!

MARINA: [trying to open door] Dammit! C’mon, open.

[chase music]

ROSARIO: C’mon, back to the dorm. You heard the Dean, we’ll reschedule the dance. Everyone back to the dorm.

BRYNN: Jenna, it’s me. We’re silenced. I’m swapping back in. You’re going to turn invisible in about five seconds. Run back to the Electromancy dorm.

JENNA: Thank the gods! You could have warned me I was gonna have to be you!

BRYNN: I did a lot of improvising tonight.

JENNA: Same! By the way, if Rosario asks, you were planning on a big dance number ending with streaking. Also you’re completely naked and your clothes are illusions sorry!

[swipe]

ELLIE: Jenna! You’re back!

JENNA: Ellie! [pause, whispering] Did it work?

ELLIE: I don’t know! Devon showed up and offered to do the “hide in the office” bit so I just disabled the cameras and high-tailed it back to the dance.

JENNA: Well, I guess we’ll find out. [beat] I hope Devon is okay. And… I hope this wasn’t all for nothing. I’m sorry I ruined your night.

ELLIE: Eh. The Dean said they’d reschedule… it’s gonna work Jenna. It has to work. After all that.

[swipe]

LEONARD: I think we’re safe. now. Good thinking freezing the lock like that. You can give those to me, I’ll make sure they get used before Marina can nullify them. I’ve got a blinker waiting for me just outside the grounds. You need to get back to your dorm.

DEVON: Dr. Sumner? Wait, you were real?

LEONARD: I was. The gun was an illusion, which is good since I had to shoot what I assume was Brynn with it.

DEVON: How did you-?

LEONARD: Our seer had a vision that things might not go to plan- I had to make sure you kids were alright. Did you get the code?

DEVON: 794497.

LEONARD: Brilliant! Best of luck Devon. I’m sorry you got caught up in this mess.

DEVON: Yeah, me too. That’s something Brynn and I are going to have to talk about.

[swipe]

BRUCE: What’s going on up here? Where have you been?

MARINA: Where have you been? I’ve been trying to get that door unstuck for ten minutes!

BRUCE: Worked fine for me. I was helping evacuate the gym in an orderly fashion, like you asked me too. And of course keeping an eye on Tessek-

MARINA: You had eyes on Tessek? The whole time? And you’re sure it wasn’t a decoy?

BRUCE: Flesh and blood. I turned her over to professor Rosario. Why?

MARINA: Because my office was just robbed by a photomancer. I need to see this “Tessek” for myself.

BRUCE: Ok, let’s go. I’m sure she’s back in her dorm by now.

CREDITS: Electromancy is written, produced and directed by Nathan Comstock. This episode was sound designed by Olanre Ojatayu with music by Thomas Dwyer and additional music by Aemyn Connelly. Both tracks played during the dance were from Aemyn’s new Album Z (blue) which you can purchase on their bandcamp page - there’s a link in the show notes. Script Editing was by Phoenix Bunke. It starred Azul Nova as Jenna, Austin Hendricks as Ellie, Sena Bryer as Pem, Leslie Gideon as Brynn, Tuesday Orion Ibert as Devon, Karim Kronfli as Dean Ventrassi, Greg Vinciguerra as Griffon, Aubrey Poppleton as Lucas, Tal Minear as Mel, Alex Lamaroux as Ezer, Joe Kearney as Bruce, Deja Scott as Marina, Leylan Collis as Dr. Ungala, Kira Apple as Katya Harper, Zachary Robb as Dr. Sumner, Emma Puranen as Professor Rosario, and Emily Buza as Sylvia. Thanks for listening, and thanks to everyone who contributed to our crowdfunding campaign to make this show happen.

DEAN: [telepathically] Ms. Donovan?

JENNA: [telepathically] Dean? Are you-

DEAN: [telepathically] Yes, sorry to butt in on you at such a late hour. It’s just- once we get all this sorted out, I’ll need to see you in my office. We need to chat about a few things I saw in your mind…