Robotic Essences - SCENE 51 – “Uno and Other Emergencies”

INT. JASON’S CUBE – CONTINUOUS

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A clanky whirr–ding! rattles from the ancient fax machine wedged between a toolbox and a half‑dead air filter. Paper sputters out in jerky spurts.

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SD‑A (startled)

“The wall’s spitting!”

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SD‑K

“Relax. It’s the fax relic.”

(pulls out the freshly printed page)

“He’s using 22nd‑century tech in the 29th. Figures.”

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K squints at the paper, reading aloud in Jason’s scrawled font‑mimic:

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> JASON:

“Don’t watch too many cartoons—the electricity bill was probably fed by A’s binge time.

Try doing something else, like poker. Or UNO. They’re in the fridge (don’t ask why).

I’ll find an easier way to connect with you guys.

K, take care of A for me. Tysm. –J”

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SD‑A

“Board games in the fridge?”

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SD‑K (folds the note, pockets it with zero ceremony)

“With Jason, nothing surprises me.”

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He strides to the mini‑fridge labeled “KEVIN” (complete with googly eyes). Opens it. Inside:

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Condensation‑frosted UNO deck in a zipper bag.

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A battered poker set stuffed into an old lunchbox.

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Three suspicious glow‑sticks.

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One jar of… something—better left unmentioned.

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SD‑K (pulling the games out)

“Well. At least they’re chilled.”

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SD‑A (grabs UNO excitedly)

“I call dibs on the red cards!”

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SD‑K

“You can’t dibs colors. That’s not—”

(sighs)

“Fine. But no house rules like Draw‑Twenty‑Seven nonsense.”

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They clear a spot on the floor, sweeping aside cigarette boxes and stray bolts. A spreads the colorful UNO cards, humming. K stacks poker chips with military precision.

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SD‑A

“So the fax machine—Jason’s been messaging all day?”

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SD‑K

“Yeah. Earlier note said: ‘Cadets louder than proximity alarms. Send help. Also coffee.’”

(smirks)

“He’s suffering.”

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SD‑A (chuckles)

“Poor Jason.”

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K deals out cards. A sits cross‑legged in the brown trench coat, practically glowing with child‑bot glee. K, leather jacket collar high, studies his hand like it’s state secrets.

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SD‑K

“Ready?”

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SD‑A

“Ready!”

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They slam down cards—Skip, Reverse, Draw Four!—the cube filling with playful rivalry rather than cartoon explosions.

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SD‑A (gleeful)

“Uno!”

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SD‑K

“I will bury you with wild cards.”

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(beat, then softer)

“…and keep you out of trouble. Per Jason’s orders.”

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SD‑A (smiles over his cards)

“Thanks, Mom.”

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SD‑K

“Play.”

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Camera pulls back: two fugitives in thrift‑store fashion, bonding over a fridge‑chilled UNO deck—while the spoon‑king watches in silent judgment.

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