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All use is encouraged. You can edit. You can paywall. You can monetize. You can give this script contraband so it breaks out of containment! Go nuts! Credit SplashiestPig.

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Key:

( ) = Verbal Sound Effect

[ ] = Added Sound Effect

* * = Silent Insert

{ } = Line Delivery

Rooted In Love

[hydraulics whir]

{raging}

-I don’t care! I’ll take what I can get. Now, I have a patient to interview, we both know they prefer it when I meet them alone!

*listener twitches*

(deep breath)

Thank you. Have a great evening, Captain.

[footsteps recede]

*small pause*

Hey there, Buttercup! How ya’ feeling?

*listener groans*

That bad, huh? Don’t worry. Tonight’s going to be nice and easy. Just a few routine tests.

*small pause*

God, I hate that we’ve been through this long enough to have a routine. I wish they weren’t keeping you down here, honey. But I suppose that’s something to look forward to, right?

*listener grunts*

Yeah, me too Buttercup. Me too.

*small pause*

Alright! Let’s see what we’re looking at here.

*small pause*

Looks like you haven’t had any episodes lately. That’s good!

*small pause*

You got into… just about two liters of your water supply. Glad to see you’re hydrating.

*small pause*

And… yep, no progress on the solid food.

*small pause*

I’m going to put on my gear and give you your check-up! Is there still a path through the foliage in there?

*listener murmurs*

Great! Wouldn’t want to be stomping on your leaves!

[rubber flexes]

[zipper moves]

The doctor is in! Let’s just seal the outer doors real quick and…

[hydraulics whir]

*small pause*

[doors open]

Hey honey. Feeling a little under the weather?

*listener moans*

Yeah, that might have be a bit of an understatement. But, I know you’re on the path to recovery! You just gotta stay strong a little longer, babe. We’ll make it through this together.

*small pause*

Can you close your eyes for me?

*listener obeys*

Thanks, Buttercup. I know how much you hate needles, but I need the samples if I’m going to help you.

*small pause*

All done! Bet you barely even felt a pinch, right?

*listener groans*

I’ll take that as a yes. Now, head back.

*small pause*

Good. Just hold still, we’ll get these pills in you yet.

*small pause*

Think you can swallow for me?

*listener gulps*

Great job, honey. Now, why don’t we take a look at the growth?

*small pause*

Yep, it’s still there all right. Looks like your roots have gotten a bit longer if anything. But at least your skin isn’t green anymore! I mean, that shade of yellow isn’t much better but, progress is progress!

(sigh)

Do you think I’ll believe that if I keep saying it?

*listener mutters*

You’re right. That’s a loaded question. I just…

*small pause*

It’s been hard, without you. The clinic seems a little more full every day. The scouts have been having problems with the Overgrown. A whole bunch of them got their roots down a click North, and for some reason, the powers that be have decided to make that our problem.

*small pause*

Pierre is doing well. Little bastard’s been slipping out more and more, but against all odds, he hasn’t gotten hurt. Leave it to a cat to take the apocalypse in stride.

*small pause*

(sigh)

The Captain popped in to visit and uh… had some interesting news to break to me.

*small pause*

Apparently… the Bastion can’t afford to keep funding you. Too much water and power or something like that. I called bullshit but that didn’t do much. I’ve got eight days to prove that you’re making some real progress against the infection, otherwise, they’re gonna send a squad to dispose of you.

*small pause*

(deflated chuckle)

I’m not gonna lie, sweetheart. I’m not liking those odds. Ever since we locked you up down here, you… well, your condition hasn’t been improving.

*small pause*

I keep petitioning to get you a black light or something, but Requisitions won’t go for it. People are worried if you got some light, you might get enough strength to break out. Then they turn around and demand you stave off an incurable infection without the energy to even move.

*small pause*

I just-!

(frustrated groan)

I just wish they cared. Even for a second. I wish half of these assholes remembered all the times you saved their lives. On the operating table, and out in the field. But no… one little spore makes its way through your pulmonary and that’s all out the window.

*small pause*

I shouldn’t think about that, should I? I’m sure that’s what you’d say if you actually had the health to speak. I’d bet my optimistic little Buttercup would tell me to stay strong. To have faith. That we’d… make it through this together…

*small pause*

(quick exhale)

Almost started crying there. Probably wouldn’t be for the best if I walked out of this chamber sniffling through bloodshot eyes, doncha’ think?

*listener grunts*

Right! At the very least, I’ve got to keep up appearances. Plus, we’ve still got a ringer. That weird enzyme in your blood is keeping you from going full plant! All I’ve got to do is figure out how to synthesize it. And then how to get your body to produce it. In eight days. With desktops from 2008 and supplies raided from a shopping mall…

*small pause*

But we can do it, can’t we darling? Me and you, against the world. No matter what it throws at us.

*listener moans*

Right. Just got to keep my chin up, and my gloves on. You know who taught me that, honey?

*listener murmurs.*

That’s right! It’s you. Boop!

*small pause*

I’m out of time. See you soon, honey. I promise.

[door closes]

[retreating footsteps]

*long pause*

[hydraulics whir]

[footsteps approach]

{happy}

Buttercup! I have a surprise for you! I think I may have-!

*small pause*

(gasp)

Buttercup! What’s wrong?!

*listener mutters*

You’ve withering! I know it’s been a few days but what-!

*small pause*

No… no no no! They couldn’t have!

*small pause*

Shit, they definitely did. Don’t worry, honey! I’ll be right in there!

*small pause*

Please, please, please, don’t be dead.

[zipper moves]

Seal the gates… hurry up… come on..!

[hydraulics whir]

Finally! Hold on, darling! Water’s on its way!

[door opens]

This is my fault. I should have been checking in. I should have known the fucking clean staff wouldn’t actually do their job and fill up your tank!

[water splashes]

There! And I’ll pour the rest on your leaves, just please, honey, stay with me! I think I did it! It took a few nights of no sleep and a lot of meal-trading for extra coffee, but I think I got the formula! So try not to die on me now!

*small pause*

Buttercup? Can you please make a leaf flutter or twitch a finger, or even just open your eyes? For me?

*listener groans*

Oh, thank fuck! You’re not dead! Yes!

(whoop)

Great job, darling! You did it. You did your part, now let me do mine.

*small pause*

Clearly, you haven’t had any episodes, you didn’t eat the food, and over the course of five days, you went through the whole five-liter tank. So… roughly a fifty percent decrease in water consumption, but I think we can omit that anomaly for obvious reasons.

*small pause*

Besides the clear breach of work safety that I will definitely be leaving a very pointed complaint about, you have been operating within normal standards, which means, I, your primary caretaker am signing off for advanced trials! Congratulations!

*small pause*

Now, normally, I would want to give you a moment to come off the shock of nearly suffering death via dehydration, but I’m not technically supposed to be here right now, so I’ve got to make this quick.

*small pause*

Plus, I’m pretty excited about this. This dose isn’t going to cure you outright, but it should make some sizeable progress. At the very least, it’ll get your heart pumping again, and then maybe you’ll be able to break down sugars instead of relying on photosynthesis from these shitty lights.

*small pause*

Okay, ready Buttercup?

*listener moans*

Great. Grit your teeth babe, this one’s gonna hurt.

[syringe injects]

*small pause*

Oh my God! I can already see the color coming back to your chest! I can’t believe it! You’re actually gonna get better! I’m gonna get to hold you again! And we’ll go back to the clinic, and Pierre! He’s going to be so happy to see you, I-!

*listener groans*

Wait… wait, no!

[plants grow]

No! This can’t be happening! It was working! I did it! I…

*small pause*

I…

*small pause*

Fuck… it’s… you’re…

*listener murmurs*

Baby, I’m… I’m so sorry. I don’t know what went wrong! I swear all my math was right! I prepared for everything! The samples they…

*small pause*

Where did it go wrong? This worked flawlessly on the Petri dishes! Your cells were so good at fighting it, they just needed a little shove! There’s no way this could happen! Unless…

*small pause*

Unless you don’t have anything to fight with. But… the only way that could happen is if… if it got to you. If your body stopped…

*small pause*

Which is exactly what would happen if someone left you without water for a few days straight…

*small pause*

Those fucking idiots! If they had just done their job, you’d be better! You’d be back in my arms! But…

*small pause*

But they didn’t. And now… it’s got to you. Down to the genetic level. It must have. Which means… I… I can’t save you. You’re infected. Whenever my cure kickstarts your cell’s division, it duplicates the spores all the same. I can’t…

*small pause*

I don’t know what to do… we were… we were so close! At least, I think we were! I think it… would have worked, right? If they hadn’t…

*listener mutters*

You’re… you’re right! I can’t think about that! It would have worked, but they fucked it up. No worries. I just have to push through. Get a new sample, isolate the problem. Let me just…

*small pause*

Oh, I probably shouldn’t draw blood right now, should I?

*small pause*

Here, let me take a vine. We’re trying to get rid of them anyway, so it’s probably fine, right?

*small pause*

I’m so sorry, if this hurts.

[plant rips]

I’ll be back! Soon! Sure, I’ve got half the time to do twice the work but… I’ll find a way! I’ll report those assholes, I’ll make sure you get what you need, and I’ll figure out how to fix this! I promise!

[door closes]

I am going to see you again. The real you. And the second we get all of these stupid leaves off, I’m going to finish what I should have done and take you down to the chapel. Consider this my second proposal, Buttercup! And this time, it’s gonna work!

*small pause*

It has to…

[retreating footsteps]

*long pause*

[hydraulic whir]

*small pause*

Hey, Buttercup.

*listener moans*

Oh, you’re looking… greener. It’s nice to see you a little more alive but… that’s not exactly the right direction of healing.

*small pause*

We’re uh… we’re out of time. They’re gonna come check on you tomorrow morning. And something tells me your leaves perking up isn’t going to be enough for them.

[door opens]

*small pause*

I’m sorry I haven’t been visiting. ‘Cept to make sure the janitors give you your fucking water. I’ve uh… I’ve been pretty sad lately. I hit a wall with reverse synthesis. My poor excuse for a computer system conked out and replacements are a week out at best.

*small pause*

(sigh)

I should have been better. Kept a closer eye on you. Maybe even told you not to go on that expedition. Nipped all this in the bud. You’re… you’re gonna die, and it’s all my fault. The love of my life… gone cause I wasn’t enough.

*listener grunts*

(chuckle)

I bet that’s your way of saying I shouldn’t be so hard on myself, isn’t it? You were always so nice to me. Better than I deserved. I’m sorry I couldn’t return the favor.

*small pause*

We’re skipping the medical check-in. I’m not here as your doctor right now. I’m your next of kin. Supposed to make my peace in case they kill you tomorrow.

(forced laugh)

Like there’s any chance they won’t.

*small pause*

Pierre hasn’t come back in a couple days. I keep telling myself he’ll reappear because… I don’t know if I could take losing him too.

*small pause*

God, I’m really about to lose you, aren’t I?

*listener moans*

I… I’ve got one last hope. My hail Mary. I um… leaned on Amy. Remember her? Scout girl, maybe twenty? I reminded her about the time she took a shotgun trap to the stomach. Reminded her of the wonderful Buttercup who spent nine hours on her operation table. And lucky for us, she had the heart to smuggle something in here for you.

[cloth unwraps]

It’s a little spotlight. Halogen bulb. It’s not much, but it’s a helluva lot more UV than you’re getting through this tinted glass.

*small pause*

I’m just gonna… turn it on… and set it under your leaves here. Hopefully, I can get it far enough in to hide the glow without lighting a fire under ya’.

[plants rustle]

There. That’s… just about the best I can do. I…

*small pause*

No. There’s nothing left for me to say. I love you, Buttercup. I’ll always love you. I… I’ll see you again soon, okay? In the next life. Don’t worry. I don’t think you’ll be waiting for very long.

[door closes]

*long pause*

[plants growing]

{half-asleep}

Huh? What’s…

*small pause*

Pierre, I just want five more minutes, then we’ll…

*small pause*

Oh my God! Is this what I think it is?

*small pause*

Baby, is this you?

*small pause*

Oh my God! It must be! But… how could you? Fuck it! You must be okay! The murder squad should have been in and out by now, so if this vine is here…

*small pause*

Shit, did you kill them? Do I care? Should I care if my fiancé murdered multiple armed guards? Fuck, focus! Where did this vine come from?

*small pause*

My door? Wait, not a vent? How far do you go, Buttercup?

[footsteps]

Okay… right here… down this hall… up the stairs? But your unit isn’t… wait…

*small pause*

You’re not leading me to your cell. We’re headed straight to…

*small pause*

The main gate. Oh my God, Buttercup! You’re here! Outside! I can’t believe it, you made it out!

*small pause*

Wow, that’s a lot of blood. Like… a lot. And… you’re…

*small pause*

Hey, Buttercup? Why are you uh… standing in the sunlight… perfectly still… like you’re a final boss waiting to start?

*small pause*

Shit, those vines look thick. I guess you did just need some light. But uh… Darling? Are you in there? Please, tell me I didn’t aid the escape of some super strong Overgrown monster.

*listener responds*

Oh my God. You spoke! Honey, I haven’t heard you voice in so long! I can’t believe it! Come here!

*listener hugs*

Ooh… now I’m covered in blood. Right. But… honestly, I don’t care! You’re up! And walking! And talking! This is everything I could have hoped for!

*listener alludes*

Well… thank you for the compliment but no, I’m pretty sure you did most of the heavy lifting here. You beat the infection. Or… seemingly learned to control it! That’s incredible, honey! We can do so much good now! You can be with me again! We can-!

*listener interrupts*

Wait, what?

*listener repeats*

Buttercup… you can’t be serious! You’re better! You’re finally alive again, like really alive, not just in a cell not dying! We can be together again!

*listener denies*

Here! The clinic! With Pierre and every numbskull that walks through our door! You and me!

*listener speaks*

No! They’d… they’d accept you! Why wouldn’t they? You’re you again! You’re not a monster!

*listener gestures*

Right… that…

*small pause*

Fine! Then let’s go! We can set up a camp somewhere and-!

*listener disagrees*

Why not?

*listener asserts*

I won’t be safe? Darling, what are you talking about? We can handle this, together! Nothing’s gonna hurt me!

*listener alludes*

You would never hurt me.

*listener denies*

Intent be damned! We can do this together! You’re… probably not infectious. And even with you are… I’d rather be a mindless husk with you than myself alone. Please, let’s talk about this!

*listener states*

Buttercup!

*listener apologizes*

Sorry for wha-?

[plants grow]

Wait. No! Buttercup! You can’t do this!

*listener calms*

Please! I can’t lose you again!

*listener assures*

No. Don’t say that. Don’t say you’re coming back! Just take me with you!

*listener denies*

Buttercup! You-

(kiss interrupts)

*small pause*

Please. I love you.

*listener responds*

[plants grow]

{fading out}

No! Buttercup! Don’t-

(sound of exertion)

Don’t go!

(frustrated yell)

Don’t leave me!