[ WP ] Life confronts Death . Death has been a little too trigger happy this year . Life wants to know why .

FADE IN: 
 
 INT. A SMOKY TAVERN - NIGHT 
 
 *A sparse crowd of world-weary patrons all sit in near silence, each of them nursing a drink of some variety. They barely glance up at the sound of a loud clatter, which heralds the arrival of a tall, stunningly beautiful woman in a white dress. This is SERA, a supernatural being. * 
 
 **SERA: ** I'm looking for a man in black. 
 
 *Nobody answers her for a moment. Eventually, one of the PATRONS raises his hand. * 
 
 **PATRON: ** I'm wearing black socks? 
 
 *Sera scoffs to herself, then struts through the tavern. She peers into every booth that she passes, clearly looking for something. * 
 
 **PATRON: ** ( *O.S. * ) ( *CONT'D* ) Is that a no, then? I have a black shirt at home that I can change into. 
 
 *Sera rolls her eyes and looks back at the man. * 
 
 **SERA: ** You are wasting what precious time you have by sitting alone and drinking cheap bear. 
 
 *The woman's eyes flash, and the patron's face adopts an expression of fearful awe. He rushes from the tavern without another word. * 
 
 **VIDAL: ** ( *O.S. * ) Now, that was n't very nice. 
 
 *Sera turns to see a tall, gaunt man sitting in the booth at the back corner of the tavern. Without waiting for an invitation, she storms over and sits down opposite him. * 
 
 **SERA: ** Vidal. 
 **VIDAL: ** Sera. 
 **SERA: ** Let's cut to the chase, shall we? 
 
 *Vidal grins, causing his dark eyes to sparkle. * 
 
 **VIDAL: ** Why? Are you on a *deadline? * 
 **SERA: ** ( *Rolling her eyes* ) Yes, you're very clever. 
 **VIDAL: ** Oh, come on, Sera. You're *killing* me! 
 **SERA: ** Cut it out. 
 **VIDAL: ** Sounds like you have a *bone* to pick! 
 **SERA: ** Now you're just reaching. 
 
 *Vidal shrugs and takes a sip from a copper mug, the contents of which appear to be steaming. * 
 
 **VIDAL: ** So, what did you want... 
 **SERA: ** ( *Interrupting* ) Spare me. We both know why I'm here. 
 **VIDAL: ** Enlighten me. 
 **SERA: ** `` The brightest souls of Earth are being culled with far too much frequency.'' Does that sound familiar? 
 **VIDAL: ** It sounds a bit pretentious when you say it like that. 
 
 *Sera does her best to hide a scowl. * 
 
 **SERA: ** Will you take this seriously?! 
 **VIDAL: ** Oh, dear. Are we in for a *grave* discussion? 
 **SERA: ** Puns are literally the lowest form of humor, you know. 
 **VIDAL: ** Are you saying you do n't get them? 
 **SERA: ** I get them. 
 **VIDAL: ** Gotcha. Death just is n't funny. 
 
 *Vidal giggles to himself as he takes another sip of his drink. Sera looks on with seething fury. * 
 
 **SERA: ** You do know that it's not just my time you're wasting here, right? I want you to explain yourself. 
 **VIDAL: ** Oh, fine, whatever. Look, Sera, there's been far too much... well, of this. 
 
 *Vidal waves a hand, gesturing at the other denizens of the pub. * 
 
 **VIDAL: ** ( *CONT'D* ) There's supposed to be a certain balance to things. 
 **SERA: ** Who went and made you the supreme dictator of that balance? 
 **VIDAL: ** I like to think of it as a majority shareholder's decision. After all, without my work, yours would be pretty meaningless. 
 **SERA: ** Now who sounds pretentious? Anyway, enough stalling. Explain yourself. 
 
 *Vidal sighs and shakes his head. * 
 
 **VIDAL: ** Just look at the state of the world today. Did you know that we're scheduled to hit eight billion humans by 2024? 
 **SERA: ** Oh, we're expected to hit them, are we? 
 **VIDAL: ** Hey, nice! I did n't even intend that one! 
 **SERA: ** What's your point, Vidal? 
 **VIDAL: ** My point is that it's getting too crowded, and you're the one to blame. 
 
 *A moment of silence passes. * 
 
 **SERA: ** Sorry, would you care to explain that? 
 **VIDAL: ** Think about it. When a beloved celebrity dies, people go back and review their work. They share it with loved ones. It leads to feelings of closeness, which leads to *physical* closeness, if you take my meaning. 
 **SERA: ** Oh, right, *now* you decide to be subtle. 
 **VIDAL: ** Humans sad, humans go boink-boink. More humans! Better? 
 **SERA: ** And you think that's my fault. 
 **VIDAL: ** It is. Provably. Every person you take indirectly leads to thousands more being born... so ease up on the reaping a bit, will you? 
 
 *Sera contemplates this. * 
 
 **SERA: ** Well, like you said, it's getting too crowded. 
 **VIDAL: ** Yeah, but you do n't put out a fire by dumping gasoline on it. 
 **SERA: ** Fine. I'll ease up... and I suppose that leaves my evening free. 
 
 *Another copper mug appears on the table. Sera reaches out and takes it. * 
 
 **VIDAL: ** While we're on the subject, though... who's next? 
 **SERA: ** Suffice to say that he's been a recognizable voice for a while, even if he ca n't stand up for his ideas. 
 **VIDAL: ** Ugh. Why do you do that? 
 
 *A shy grin finally cracks Sera's face. * 
 
 **SERA: ** What can I say? I guess Death is a mystery. 
 
 FADE OUT.
