INT. A DARK, FINISHED BASEMENT ILLUMINATED BY A TV SCREEN - DUSK
VERONICA (18) sits in front of the television screen, bouncing excitedly as the clock counts down to midnight. She is speaking with her two close friends via FaceTime on her phone: ROBIN (16) and TRISTAN (17).
VERONICA
(grinning widely)
One more minute!
ROBIN
Man, we’ve been waiting so long for this. It better live
up to the hype!
TRISTAN
Are you kidding? This is going to be amazing. I have yet
to be disappointed by an Animal Crossing game.
VERONICA
Yeah, the trailers make it look really fun. I can’t wait
to try out all the new features!
The three sit in silence, each one quietly disturbed at the state of the world. The pandemic had thrown a wrench into their tight-knit friend group, forcing them to remain in their homes and thus “hang out” virtually. They were each going through their own processes of adjusting to the anxiety-inducing chaos just beyond their houses. Each second seems to drone on forever as the friends impatiently await their gaming experience. At long last, the clock strikes midnight!
VERONICA
(checking the time excitedly)
Oh, would you look at that! It’s midnight on-the-dot!
Whooo, gaming o’clock!
TRISTAN
Oh man, this is it. Let’s all start at the same time.
Veronica hears two clicks synchronized with her own as she and her friends attempt to access the game. Yet instead of jubilant cheers, confused silence follows.
TRISTAN
Uh...is this some kind of joke?
ROBIN
I’m getting this error message that says the game
cannot be played yet. This is the same one I’ve been
seeing for weeks. But it’s midnight on March 20th...
right?
VERONICA
This doesn’t make any sense...
TRISTAN
Ohh crap. I just Googled it and apparently the game
will be playable starting at 1 a.m.
VERONICA
Wait, what? We stayed up for this?!
ROBIN
But it’s midnight; it should be playable now...
TRISTAN
I guess we’ve gotta wait it out for another hour.
ROBIN
Well, that’s disappointing. I’m gonna take a nap
until then. I’ll see you guys in an hour!
TRISTAN
Catch you later, Robin.
Robin exits the FaceTime group, leaving Veronica and Tristan, who exchange knowing glances. Robin is probably the heaviest sleeper out there; he’ll have to enjoy the game tomorrow (or, later today).
VERONICA
Welp, guess it’s just you and me now.
TRISTAN
(feigning annoyance)
Joy.
VERONICA
Hey, I’m going to get a little bit of homework done,
and then we can reconvene at, say, 12:55?
TRISTAN
Sounds like a plan. Good luck with everything.
VERONICA
Why thank you, sir.
Veronica leaves the FaceTime call and flips open her notebook to finish some calculus problems. She regrets enrolling in such a difficult class during these uneasy times, but she thought she might as well stay productive for the time being. Also, this is a class that she has to take for her newly-declared major. The hour passes quickly and Veronica finishes up one last problem before calling Tristan.
TRISTAN
Hey, did you hear anything from Robin?
VERONICA
Nope. You and I both know he’s dead asleep, so we
can play with him tomorrow. So, are you ready now?
TRISTAN
Of course. Let’s do this.
The two friends click on the game icon and are both let in immediately. Veronica stifles her ecstatic shrieks so she does not wake her sleeping family upstairs as the loading screen appears. She had never played an Animal Crossing game before, but they were a huge part of Tristan’s childhood, so she decided that she would give it a try. From the footage she had seen in the trailers, the game looked very aesthetically cute and fun.
VERONICA
Oh my gosh, this is sooo adorable! Who are these
little raccoon guys?
TRISTAN
Ok, first of all, they’re tanukis, a type of
Japanese raccoon dog. Their names are Timmy and
Tommy, and they’re Tom Nook’s nephews.
VERONICA
(giggling at Tristan’s passion)
Who’s Tom Nook?
Tristan sighs before diving into an in-depth explanation of the game’s lore. Veronica is soaking up every word.
VERONICA
(deep in thought)
...And so ‘Labelle’ is really ‘Label,’ and she left
her two sisters behind after their parents’ death?
TRISTAN
That’s right. Kind of dark for a game where the
objective is to befriend your animal neighbors.
VERONICA
No kidding.
The two play in happy silence for a while, content to be together experiencing this grand new thing that has been so highly anticipated. They finish all of the necessary tasks that need to be completed before they can visit one another’s islands. Veronica asks for Tristan’s Dodo Code and then flies to his island.
VERONICA
Wow, nice place you’ve got here!
TRISTAN
Meh, not really. I mean, it’s super late, so all of
the shops are closed, and my villagers are asleep.
It’s a little boring at this hour.
VERONICA
Well, I think it’s amazing. It’s just so relaxing
listening to the realistic nature ambience along
with that subtle music, and the visuals are just
gorgeous...man, those little characters don’t have
to worry about calculus, or a freakin’ pandemic...
TRISTAN
Right? How nice would it be if we could just leave
everything behind and live inside a video game?
This is something I think about a lot, actually.
VERONICA
Hmm, I’ve never thought about that. I guess I’ve
thought about what it would be like to live in
certain movies or books, but it’s never really
reached the point of fantasizing, you know?
Just sort of pondering. And I think a huge part of
what naturally draws my mind down that path is
that so many of my favorite movies don’t include
the realistic struggles and downsides of everyday
life; we’re only shown the romanticized life of
the main characters. And that seems to be what
makes fantasy worlds so dang desirable.
TRISTAN
Bruh, you hit the nail on the head with that one.
Except I do fantasize; I often lose myself in these
universes that will never be real, until I pass the
initial awe and excitement and graduate on to the
tragic hollowness of accepting this reality...
Veronica ruminates on Tristan’s musings. His speeches tended to be quite poignant, but this one is impacting Veronica more than usual. She is experiencing a strange longing to join the small virtual animals within the game--though they are merely programmed with a limited number of dialogue responses--and begin a new and relaxing life on a gorgeous, impossible island.
VERONICA
That’s, uh...kind of a depressing mindset...
Quite easy to get lost in, though...
TRISTAN
Yeah, welcome to my life. Hey, at least we have
dreams, right? That’s better than nothing.
VERONICA
(thoughtfully)
Yeah, I guess you’re right. Dreams can be pretty
cool. Hey, uh, I was doing homework literally all
day, so if I spontaneously conk out, I just wanted
to say thank you for staying up to play with me,
I had a really fun time, and I look forward to
playing more tomorrow.
TRISTAN
Understandable. And no worries, you know I’m a
night owl.
Veronica promptly collapses into a deep slumber on the couch. But little does she know that this is no ordinary slumber, but one that would impact her for years to come...
FADE OUT
INT. A DARK ROOM, RAYS OF SUNLIGHT PEEKING THROUGH THE BLINDS - DAWN
Veronica stretches on the couch, her energy restored from her much-needed sleep. She glances around, noting a difference in her surroundings but she could not put her finger on it. She stands up and heads for the door. As soon as she steps through, she cannot believe her eyes: she is on her island. Her Animal Crossing island. She passes by happy, quaint houses and quietly cascading rivers as she meanders through the small town, gazing in awe at her newfound surroundings. She halts in place and watches as a small white butterfly floats into her open palm. There’s no way...but this all feels so real. Suddenly, one of her villagers, a purple rabbit named LILAC, approaches her.
LILAC
Hello Veronica! I hope you had a restful night.
How odd...Lilac is still speaking ‘Animalese,’ the incomprehensible in-game language, but Veronica is able to understand her due to the large, English-translated text box that has just appeared before her.
VERONICA
Wh-What’s going on? Where’s Tristan?
LILAC
(blinks in confusion)
Tristan? I’m not familiar... Could you remind me who
that is again?
VERONICA
Um...he was here last night? Wait, maybe you were
sleeping...uh, Lilac, I’ll talk to you later, I’ve
got to go.
LILAC
Ok, have a lovely day!
A slightly alarmed and slightly stoked Veronica makes a dash for the airport on the dock, where she is quickly able to board a sea plane to Tristan’s island. Once she arrives at her destination, she finds her friend fishing in the river near his house.
VERONICA
Tristan?
Tristan turns around, a rare ear-to-ear grin plastered on his face.
TRISTAN
Veronica! Can you believe it? Our dream came true!
Literally! Look around us! We’re here!
VERONICA
(stuttering)
Wh...I...No...No, this isn’t real. As-As much as I
want this to be real, this can’t be real. How the
hell are we inside a video game? I mean, this has to
be some weird synced lucid dream or something, right?
TRISTAN
(reeling in a yellow perch)
Believe it, sister. This is our life now.
Veronica isn’t sure whether to scream from panic or excitement, because boy, does she feel quite the intense mix of both, and it is electrifying, unpleasantly pleasant. She paces around, thinking...she’s left her family behind! But not willingly. Right? No, definitely willingly.
TRISTAN
(sensing Veronica’s unrest)
Hey, hey, take it easy. That’s, like, the whole
purpose of the game.
VERONICA
Yeah, yeah, but-but that’s it. That’s just it. It’s
just a game. Not life. This isn’t life. It’s...I
just don’t get it! But...at the same time, I’m so
excited...this is all so sudden...
TRISTAN
Hey, do you think Robin ended up logging on?
Almost as if on-cue, Robin dashes into the scene from the direction of the airport.
ROBIN
Yo! What the hell is going on?!
VERONICA
I don’t know, but don’t panic--
ROBIN
Panic? Are you kidding? We get to leave that crappy
world behind and live in this perfect paradise instead!
This is, like, the best thing ever!
TRISTAN
(laughing)
I’m surprised you guys are so chill about this. I
mean, this is something I’ve been dreaming about
for years...
ROBIN
Yeah man, I could get used to this.
Smiling giddily, Robin rushes over to a beach chair positioned in the sand overlooking the endless sea.
VERONICA
(to Tristan)
So, uh, what exactly do we do around here? Like,
are there jobs? Or...
TRISTAN
Honey, the only job you have around here is to
relax. Go pick some fresh fruit, take a walk in
the woods, hang out with my neighbors.
With that, the three friends went their own ways on the island, enjoying their newly-virtual lives to the fullest. They rejoice in their newfound togetherness, basking in the tranquility of the island. Each interaction is pleasant and leaves the friends with a warm feeling inside. They decide to spend the majority of their time on Tristan’s island--dubbed TRISTANLAND, in honor of his first Animal Crossing town’s name--since he spent the most time sculpting his so it is therefore the most developed. Before long, they have made good friends with all of Tristanland’s inhabitants, including JESSIE, an orange horse, SHEA, a blue dog, and ALEX, a mint green cat.
FADE OUT
INT. TRISTAN’S HOUSE - DUSK
Several weeks have passed, and the three friends are simply thriving. Tristan, Veronica, Robin, and Alex are gathered around the TV, which is displaying some singing competition program, but no one is paying attention. They are conversing with one another, each of them enjoying the company of their new friends.
ALEX
So Tristan, you moved here from Michigan?
TRISTAN
That’s right. We all did.
ALEX
How cool! Michigan...I’d like to visit that island
someday.
ROBIN
Oh, Michigan’s not--
Veronica grabs Robin’s arm, stopping him in his tracks. She believes it’s better to not discuss the details of their past lives so as to not confuse or frighten the villagers. Plus, they likely wouldn’t even understand, due to their limited ‘intelligence.’
VERONICA
Oh yes, Michigan’s great. It’s got lots of cherries.
ALEX
Wow, cherries! We should go cherry-picking sometime.
Then I could make some delicious pie!
Robin stifles a laugh as a heart floats above Alex’s head. The friends are still growing accustomed to visual reactions as such. Suddenly, Alex closes his eyes and grows incredibly still, a strange, noticeable difference from the characters’ usual light bouncy animation. He then reopens his eyes to reveal a frightening sight: his pupils are gone. Alex turns to Tristan.
ALEX
Hey Tristan, have you heard about the plan?
TRISTAN
(glancing at his friends, unnerved)
Uh...what plan?
ALEX
(chuckling)
Well, the others and I have decided that things
have gotten a bit dull lately here on Tristanland.
So, with the assistance of funding from Nook, Inc.,
we have successfully built a spaceship. Our plan is
to explore beyond the island, where no villager has
gone before.
The friends exchange alarmed glances as it seems that Alex has broken through his dialogue constraints.
ALEX
Would you like to see our creation?
Tristan blinks at his friends, trying to communicate with them nonverbally, trying to figure out what to do next.
ALEX
(in the exact same tone)
Would you like to see our creation?
TRISTAN
(wide-eyed)
Um...sure, yeah, let’s see it.
Alex stands and swiftly leaves the house. The three friends follow cautiously, baffled at the bizarre situation. They are led to a large, flat rock on the coast behind the main part of the island, one that is rarely visited by any of the inhabitants...or so they thought. Sure enough, a fully-built rocket, gleaming in the moonlight, is positioned atop the rock.
ALEX
(smiling warmly)
Come with us. We’ll have a nice time together.
Tristan glances back and forth between Veronica, who looks guarded and hesitant, and Robin, who looks uneasy but determined to see what lies ahead. He then recalls the tragic reality from which the three had miraculously escaped weeks before. Tristan decides to go forth and take on whatever challenges the game world has to offer.
TRISTAN
(returning the smile)
Alright Alex, lead the way.
Alex grins, his blank eyes twinkling briefly before he turns and ascends the stairs leading to the ship’s door, which promptly opens with a whoosh. The three follow Alex into the vessel, gawking at the vastness of its interior. Taking in the unfamiliar surroundings of the ship’s seating quarters, they quickly notice several familiar faces, including Jessie, Shea, and even Lilac, each one displaying the same eerie blank-eyed stare. As Alex goes to retrieve spacesuits for the friends, Tristan approaches Shea.
TRISTAN
(voice lowered)
Hey, Shea. How-How are you doing?
SHEA
Hi there! How are you on this fine day? I’m just
dandy, soaking up the rays!
Tristan’s heart leaps upon hearing Shea speak a preset phrase in her usual peppy tone.
TRISTAN
(voice lowered)
Do you, um, know where we’re going?
SHEA
I think I’m going to do some shopping today. The
Able Sisters have got the cutest spring sweaters!
Shea appears to be taking cues from Tristan’s speech and then responding with more of her preset phrases. Tristan returns to his position beside his friends.
ROBIN
(whispering to Tristan)
This is really creepy...
TRISTAN
Hey, hey, it’s ok. We’re gonna be fine, ok? Let’s
just stay together, alright?
Alex has returned with three spacesuits: red for Tristan, yellow for Veronica, and pink for Robin.
ALEX
(to everyone)
Prepare for liftoff!
TRISTAN
Whoa, uh, hold on, let us get strapped in first.
The three friends scramble to available seats, fastening their seatbelts and exchanging bewildered glances, still in shock at the current situation.
ALEX
Good luck, everyone.
ROBIN
(whispering to friends)
Huh? What does he mean, ‘Good luck’?
Before anyone can answer, the lights go out in the spacecraft. A booming noise rattles the interior as six bold words flash brightly in everyone’s vision: ‘THERE ARE 2 IMPOSTORS AMONG US.’ The ship has taken off, and once the lights come back on, the villagers spring into action, entering deeper within the ship with driven strides.
VERONICA
What? Where are they going?
ROBIN
What did that message mean? Two impostors among us?
I’m a little scared...
TRISTAN
Look, guys, I’m just as confused as you are, but I
think our best bet right now is to blend in with
everyone else. Ok? Just act natural. We’ll be fine.
Follow me.
ROBIN
Huh? But what do we do?
TRISTAN
(shrugging)
It looks like everyone is completing tasks around
the ship. If you see something that needs
maintenance, then fix it and then move on to the
next available task. Ok?
VERONICA
Wow, you’re adjusting to all of this so quickly.
I’m impressed.
TRISTAN
Yeah, I know, I’m so impressive. Now let’s get a
move on.
The three friends make their way into the cafeteria. Tristan advises Veronica to fix the wiring in electrical, and Robin to check on the status of the reactor, while he himself would keep an eye on the others via the security cameras. Veronica found herself in the electrical center, attempting to sort out a mess of multicolored wires, when she hears footsteps behind her.
VERONICA
(startled)
Oh! Hello, Lilac. Do you have any idea how to do
this? I’m a bit confused.
Lilac approaches the wire box, but at the last second turns and lowers the lights in the room, all while maintaining Veronica’s gaze. Veronica’s heart sinks.
VERONICA
(squinting in the dark)
Um...Lilac? Wh-What are you doing? Are you going to
help me?
LILAC
It’s a lovely day, isn’t it? I just love this kind
of weather.
Veronica eyes Lilac, disheartened at her apparent inability to communicate. Lilac takes a step toward Veronica, backing her into a corner. Veronica realizes that she could be in grave danger.
VERONICA
(panicked)
No! No! Lilac, come on, it’s me. You know me. We’re
friends! I promise I won’t report you. Just, please,
let me go.
Lilac stares hard at Veronica, who is trying to decipher what’s going on behind those wide black eyes.
LILAC
Veronica? I’m not familiar...Could you remind me who
that is again?
Veronica watches in horror, her fear rendering her immobile as Lilac’s jaw unhinges, revealing a gaping, soulless hole filled with gruesome tentacles surrounding a long, sharp spike. Before she has finished processing the scene and has time to react, the spike darts forward and impales Veronica through the head. It happened so fast that she did not feel a thing, but is suddenly overcome with gripping fatigue. Veronica sees the words ‘DEAD BODY REPORTED’ plastered boldly in front of her vision, and then the lights fade out. The remaining six shipmates have gathered in the cafeteria to discuss.
ROBIN
What’s going on? Wait, who’s not here?
Robin scans each individual, and then the realization hits.
ROBIN
Oh no...oh no, oh no, oh no...Veronica! No!
TRISTAN
(angrily)
Who did this?
ALEX
Where was she last seen?
SHEA
Tristan, did you see on the cameras?
TRISTAN
No, I didn’t see anything. Maybe she was in a
hallway?
LILAC
I was realigning the ship’s direction in navigation.
TRISTAN
Ok, so Lilac is safe. I think it could’ve been...
Jessie. He’s been acting a bit suspicious.
JESSIE
What? How so?
TRISTAN
You’ve been quiet this entire meeting. You haven’t
told us where you were.
JESSIE
Neither has Shea. Or Robin. It’s not me.
LILAC
My money’s on Jessie.
TRISTAN
Same here.
Robin recalls what Tristan had said and decides to stick with his friend, despite his confusion and the lack of evidence.
ROBIN
Sorry, Jessie, but if you did this, I can’t
forgive you.
TRISTAN
Then it’s settled.
What happens next is abrupt and disturbing: Jessie’s seat falls out from beneath him, revealing a gaping hole on the ship’s floor. Jessie slips out and is sent careening into the depths of outer space. The lights go out, and another message is broadcast to the crew: ‘JESSIE WAS NOT AN IMPOSTOR.’ The lights come back on and everyone goes back to work.
ROBIN
(whispering to Tristan)
Um...what just happened? Where’s Veronica? I’m
scared.
TRISTAN
I...I don’t know. I’m confused. I could’ve sworn
it was Jessie... Let’s just keep going.
Robin follows close behind Tristan, who is moving quite quickly, attempting to complete as many tasks as possible so as not to cause suspicion. At one point, Robin loses sight of Tristan and panics briefly before composing himself and continuing on. He turns a corner and nearly trips over the unmoving body of Shea. Startled, he starts to run, desperately searching for Tristan.
ROBIN
(shouting)
Uh, Tristan? Tristan! I-I found Shea, um...I think
she was...um...I think she was killed! Tristan!
Robin stops in front of the communications center, where Alex is messing with the radio, attempting to send out a distress signal to anyone listening. Robin arrives just in time to catch sight of Tristan hopping out of a vent in the corner. Perplexed, he watches as Tristan quietly approaches Alex from behind.
ROBIN
(startled)
Hey!
Tristan and Alex both jump, turning to face Robin tensely.
ALEX
Tristan! I didn’t see you there.
Tristan’s sharp gaze is nearly cutting through Robin.
ROBIN
(uneasily)
Uh...hello, guys. What’s up, Tristan?
Tristan does not say a word. He is trying to figure out what Robin is thinking. Before anyone can say anything, Robin turns and sprints in the direction of the cafeteria to call an emergency meeting. He glances behind him and catches a glimpse of Tristan hot on his trail. Robin barely makes it to the meeting button in time, slamming it with all his might. The four remaining players have centered around the main table.
ROBIN
(out of breath, pointing at Tristan)
Y-...You.
TRISTAN
What? Me?
ROBIN
It’s...It’s you. I know it.
TRISTAN
Why do you think that? I was helping Alex in comms.
ROBIN
(frantic)
But I saw you! I saw you sneaking up on Alex!
TRISTAN
Sneaking up? What? I was helping him try to fix
the busted radio. Right, Alex?
ALEX
Uh...yeah, yeah I think so. I didn’t hear you come
in the room; I just turned around and saw you and
Robin standing there.
TRISTAN
Wow, Robin, how sad...how sad that you would accuse
one of your best friends of something so...unthinkable.
You know, it almost sounds like you’re trying to
deflect the attention off of yourself.
ROBIN
(tearing up)
Wh-What? You’re joking.
TRISTAN
Not at all. And you know what else? On our way here,
we passed by the deceased body of Shea in the hallway.
There was no one nearby, so one could only imagine
who did it...
All eyes turn to Robin, who is near his breaking point, desperate for anyone to believe the truth.
ROBIN
Hold on. Lilac, where were you? What do you think?
LILAC
Actually, I was in security, watching on the cameras.
I, uh, saw what happened.
ROBIN
(sighing in relief)
Well?
LILAC
(keeping her gaze cast down)
Um...it was you, Robin.
ROBIN
(struggling for words)
I...What? No! It-It wasn’t me! I swear! How can I
prove it?
TRISTAN
It seems we have all the proof we need. Is everyone
ready to vote?
ROBIN
What? No! Hold on! Alex, you believe me, right?
I was looking out for you! He was gonna get you!
ALEX
(avoiding eye contact)
I’m sorry, man.
TRISTAN
(smiling deviously)
Then it’s unanimous.
Robin’s heart skips a beat. Frenzied, he looks into Tristan’s eyes, hoping for a last-minute change of heart. Instead, he is met with a disturbing sight: Tristan blinks, and when his eyes reopen, his pupils have disappeared, leaving the same unsettling blank white stare as the villagers’.
TRISTAN
Catch you later, Robin.
Robin’s seat gives out beneath him, and he is cast out into the cold vacuum beyond. He watches as the spaceship grows smaller and smaller until it is completely gone from view. And so the friendship that had once been strengthened by the unity of acceptance and amiability crumbled under the pressure of mistrust. Of course, this bizarre tale occurred in the wild, unconscious mind of a sleep-deprived Veronica, yet this series of events reflects the progression of socialization throughout the year 2020. It is ironic how we can use the same form of media for such a wide variety of interactions, and how malleable friendships can become under situations of high stress... Yet we can overcome any difficulty with the help of a supportive social group. We only must remember to be mindful and watch our backs.
THE END
VERONICA (18) sits in front of the television screen, bouncing excitedly as the clock counts down to midnight. She is speaking with her two close friends via FaceTime on her phone: ROBIN (16) and TRISTAN (17).
VERONICA
(grinning widely)
One more minute!
ROBIN
Man, we’ve been waiting so long for this. It better live
up to the hype!
TRISTAN
Are you kidding? This is going to be amazing. I have yet
to be disappointed by an Animal Crossing game.
VERONICA
Yeah, the trailers make it look really fun. I can’t wait
to try out all the new features!
The three sit in silence, each one quietly disturbed at the state of the world. The pandemic had thrown a wrench into their tight-knit friend group, forcing them to remain in their homes and thus “hang out” virtually. They were each going through their own processes of adjusting to the anxiety-inducing chaos just beyond their houses. Each second seems to drone on forever as the friends impatiently await their gaming experience. At long last, the clock strikes midnight!
VERONICA
(checking the time excitedly)
Oh, would you look at that! It’s midnight on-the-dot!
Whooo, gaming o’clock!
TRISTAN
Oh man, this is it. Let’s all start at the same time.
Veronica hears two clicks synchronized with her own as she and her friends attempt to access the game. Yet instead of jubilant cheers, confused silence follows.
TRISTAN
Uh...is this some kind of joke?
ROBIN
I’m getting this error message that says the game
cannot be played yet. This is the same one I’ve been
seeing for weeks. But it’s midnight on March 20th...
right?
VERONICA
This doesn’t make any sense...
TRISTAN
Ohh crap. I just Googled it and apparently the game
will be playable starting at 1 a.m.
VERONICA
Wait, what? We stayed up for this?!
ROBIN
But it’s midnight; it should be playable now...
TRISTAN
I guess we’ve gotta wait it out for another hour.
ROBIN
Well, that’s disappointing. I’m gonna take a nap
until then. I’ll see you guys in an hour!
TRISTAN
Catch you later, Robin.
Robin exits the FaceTime group, leaving Veronica and Tristan, who exchange knowing glances. Robin is probably the heaviest sleeper out there; he’ll have to enjoy the game tomorrow (or, later today).
VERONICA
Welp, guess it’s just you and me now.
TRISTAN
(feigning annoyance)
Joy.
VERONICA
Hey, I’m going to get a little bit of homework done,
and then we can reconvene at, say, 12:55?
TRISTAN
Sounds like a plan. Good luck with everything.
VERONICA
Why thank you, sir.
Veronica leaves the FaceTime call and flips open her notebook to finish some calculus problems. She regrets enrolling in such a difficult class during these uneasy times, but she thought she might as well stay productive for the time being. Also, this is a class that she has to take for her newly-declared major. The hour passes quickly and Veronica finishes up one last problem before calling Tristan.
TRISTAN
Hey, did you hear anything from Robin?
VERONICA
Nope. You and I both know he’s dead asleep, so we
can play with him tomorrow. So, are you ready now?
TRISTAN
Of course. Let’s do this.
The two friends click on the game icon and are both let in immediately. Veronica stifles her ecstatic shrieks so she does not wake her sleeping family upstairs as the loading screen appears. She had never played an Animal Crossing game before, but they were a huge part of Tristan’s childhood, so she decided that she would give it a try. From the footage she had seen in the trailers, the game looked very aesthetically cute and fun.
VERONICA
Oh my gosh, this is sooo adorable! Who are these
little raccoon guys?
TRISTAN
Ok, first of all, they’re tanukis, a type of
Japanese raccoon dog. Their names are Timmy and
Tommy, and they’re Tom Nook’s nephews.
VERONICA
(giggling at Tristan’s passion)
Who’s Tom Nook?
Tristan sighs before diving into an in-depth explanation of the game’s lore. Veronica is soaking up every word.
VERONICA
(deep in thought)
...And so ‘Labelle’ is really ‘Label,’ and she left
her two sisters behind after their parents’ death?
TRISTAN
That’s right. Kind of dark for a game where the
objective is to befriend your animal neighbors.
VERONICA
No kidding.
The two play in happy silence for a while, content to be together experiencing this grand new thing that has been so highly anticipated. They finish all of the necessary tasks that need to be completed before they can visit one another’s islands. Veronica asks for Tristan’s Dodo Code and then flies to his island.
VERONICA
Wow, nice place you’ve got here!
TRISTAN
Meh, not really. I mean, it’s super late, so all of
the shops are closed, and my villagers are asleep.
It’s a little boring at this hour.
VERONICA
Well, I think it’s amazing. It’s just so relaxing
listening to the realistic nature ambience along
with that subtle music, and the visuals are just
gorgeous...man, those little characters don’t have
to worry about calculus, or a freakin’ pandemic...
TRISTAN
Right? How nice would it be if we could just leave
everything behind and live inside a video game?
This is something I think about a lot, actually.
VERONICA
Hmm, I’ve never thought about that. I guess I’ve
thought about what it would be like to live in
certain movies or books, but it’s never really
reached the point of fantasizing, you know?
Just sort of pondering. And I think a huge part of
what naturally draws my mind down that path is
that so many of my favorite movies don’t include
the realistic struggles and downsides of everyday
life; we’re only shown the romanticized life of
the main characters. And that seems to be what
makes fantasy worlds so dang desirable.
TRISTAN
Bruh, you hit the nail on the head with that one.
Except I do fantasize; I often lose myself in these
universes that will never be real, until I pass the
initial awe and excitement and graduate on to the
tragic hollowness of accepting this reality...
Veronica ruminates on Tristan’s musings. His speeches tended to be quite poignant, but this one is impacting Veronica more than usual. She is experiencing a strange longing to join the small virtual animals within the game--though they are merely programmed with a limited number of dialogue responses--and begin a new and relaxing life on a gorgeous, impossible island.
VERONICA
That’s, uh...kind of a depressing mindset...
Quite easy to get lost in, though...
TRISTAN
Yeah, welcome to my life. Hey, at least we have
dreams, right? That’s better than nothing.
VERONICA
(thoughtfully)
Yeah, I guess you’re right. Dreams can be pretty
cool. Hey, uh, I was doing homework literally all
day, so if I spontaneously conk out, I just wanted
to say thank you for staying up to play with me,
I had a really fun time, and I look forward to
playing more tomorrow.
TRISTAN
Understandable. And no worries, you know I’m a
night owl.
Veronica promptly collapses into a deep slumber on the couch. But little does she know that this is no ordinary slumber, but one that would impact her for years to come...
FADE OUT
INT. A DARK ROOM, RAYS OF SUNLIGHT PEEKING THROUGH THE BLINDS - DAWN
Veronica stretches on the couch, her energy restored from her much-needed sleep. She glances around, noting a difference in her surroundings but she could not put her finger on it. She stands up and heads for the door. As soon as she steps through, she cannot believe her eyes: she is on her island. Her Animal Crossing island. She passes by happy, quaint houses and quietly cascading rivers as she meanders through the small town, gazing in awe at her newfound surroundings. She halts in place and watches as a small white butterfly floats into her open palm. There’s no way...but this all feels so real. Suddenly, one of her villagers, a purple rabbit named LILAC, approaches her.
LILAC
Hello Veronica! I hope you had a restful night.
How odd...Lilac is still speaking ‘Animalese,’ the incomprehensible in-game language, but Veronica is able to understand her due to the large, English-translated text box that has just appeared before her.
VERONICA
Wh-What’s going on? Where’s Tristan?
LILAC
(blinks in confusion)
Tristan? I’m not familiar... Could you remind me who
that is again?
VERONICA
Um...he was here last night? Wait, maybe you were
sleeping...uh, Lilac, I’ll talk to you later, I’ve
got to go.
LILAC
Ok, have a lovely day!
A slightly alarmed and slightly stoked Veronica makes a dash for the airport on the dock, where she is quickly able to board a sea plane to Tristan’s island. Once she arrives at her destination, she finds her friend fishing in the river near his house.
VERONICA
Tristan?
Tristan turns around, a rare ear-to-ear grin plastered on his face.
TRISTAN
Veronica! Can you believe it? Our dream came true!
Literally! Look around us! We’re here!
VERONICA
(stuttering)
Wh...I...No...No, this isn’t real. As-As much as I
want this to be real, this can’t be real. How the
hell are we inside a video game? I mean, this has to
be some weird synced lucid dream or something, right?
TRISTAN
(reeling in a yellow perch)
Believe it, sister. This is our life now.
Veronica isn’t sure whether to scream from panic or excitement, because boy, does she feel quite the intense mix of both, and it is electrifying, unpleasantly pleasant. She paces around, thinking...she’s left her family behind! But not willingly. Right? No, definitely willingly.
TRISTAN
(sensing Veronica’s unrest)
Hey, hey, take it easy. That’s, like, the whole
purpose of the game.
VERONICA
Yeah, yeah, but-but that’s it. That’s just it. It’s
just a game. Not life. This isn’t life. It’s...I
just don’t get it! But...at the same time, I’m so
excited...this is all so sudden...
TRISTAN
Hey, do you think Robin ended up logging on?
Almost as if on-cue, Robin dashes into the scene from the direction of the airport.
ROBIN
Yo! What the hell is going on?!
VERONICA
I don’t know, but don’t panic--
ROBIN
Panic? Are you kidding? We get to leave that crappy
world behind and live in this perfect paradise instead!
This is, like, the best thing ever!
TRISTAN
(laughing)
I’m surprised you guys are so chill about this. I
mean, this is something I’ve been dreaming about
for years...
ROBIN
Yeah man, I could get used to this.
Smiling giddily, Robin rushes over to a beach chair positioned in the sand overlooking the endless sea.
VERONICA
(to Tristan)
So, uh, what exactly do we do around here? Like,
are there jobs? Or...
TRISTAN
Honey, the only job you have around here is to
relax. Go pick some fresh fruit, take a walk in
the woods, hang out with my neighbors.
With that, the three friends went their own ways on the island, enjoying their newly-virtual lives to the fullest. They rejoice in their newfound togetherness, basking in the tranquility of the island. Each interaction is pleasant and leaves the friends with a warm feeling inside. They decide to spend the majority of their time on Tristan’s island--dubbed TRISTANLAND, in honor of his first Animal Crossing town’s name--since he spent the most time sculpting his so it is therefore the most developed. Before long, they have made good friends with all of Tristanland’s inhabitants, including JESSIE, an orange horse, SHEA, a blue dog, and ALEX, a mint green cat.
FADE OUT
INT. TRISTAN’S HOUSE - DUSK
Several weeks have passed, and the three friends are simply thriving. Tristan, Veronica, Robin, and Alex are gathered around the TV, which is displaying some singing competition program, but no one is paying attention. They are conversing with one another, each of them enjoying the company of their new friends.
ALEX
So Tristan, you moved here from Michigan?
TRISTAN
That’s right. We all did.
ALEX
How cool! Michigan...I’d like to visit that island
someday.
ROBIN
Oh, Michigan’s not--
Veronica grabs Robin’s arm, stopping him in his tracks. She believes it’s better to not discuss the details of their past lives so as to not confuse or frighten the villagers. Plus, they likely wouldn’t even understand, due to their limited ‘intelligence.’
VERONICA
Oh yes, Michigan’s great. It’s got lots of cherries.
ALEX
Wow, cherries! We should go cherry-picking sometime.
Then I could make some delicious pie!
Robin stifles a laugh as a heart floats above Alex’s head. The friends are still growing accustomed to visual reactions as such. Suddenly, Alex closes his eyes and grows incredibly still, a strange, noticeable difference from the characters’ usual light bouncy animation. He then reopens his eyes to reveal a frightening sight: his pupils are gone. Alex turns to Tristan.
ALEX
Hey Tristan, have you heard about the plan?
TRISTAN
(glancing at his friends, unnerved)
Uh...what plan?
ALEX
(chuckling)
Well, the others and I have decided that things
have gotten a bit dull lately here on Tristanland.
So, with the assistance of funding from Nook, Inc.,
we have successfully built a spaceship. Our plan is
to explore beyond the island, where no villager has
gone before.
The friends exchange alarmed glances as it seems that Alex has broken through his dialogue constraints.
ALEX
Would you like to see our creation?
Tristan blinks at his friends, trying to communicate with them nonverbally, trying to figure out what to do next.
ALEX
(in the exact same tone)
Would you like to see our creation?
TRISTAN
(wide-eyed)
Um...sure, yeah, let’s see it.
Alex stands and swiftly leaves the house. The three friends follow cautiously, baffled at the bizarre situation. They are led to a large, flat rock on the coast behind the main part of the island, one that is rarely visited by any of the inhabitants...or so they thought. Sure enough, a fully-built rocket, gleaming in the moonlight, is positioned atop the rock.
ALEX
(smiling warmly)
Come with us. We’ll have a nice time together.
Tristan glances back and forth between Veronica, who looks guarded and hesitant, and Robin, who looks uneasy but determined to see what lies ahead. He then recalls the tragic reality from which the three had miraculously escaped weeks before. Tristan decides to go forth and take on whatever challenges the game world has to offer.
TRISTAN
(returning the smile)
Alright Alex, lead the way.
Alex grins, his blank eyes twinkling briefly before he turns and ascends the stairs leading to the ship’s door, which promptly opens with a whoosh. The three follow Alex into the vessel, gawking at the vastness of its interior. Taking in the unfamiliar surroundings of the ship’s seating quarters, they quickly notice several familiar faces, including Jessie, Shea, and even Lilac, each one displaying the same eerie blank-eyed stare. As Alex goes to retrieve spacesuits for the friends, Tristan approaches Shea.
TRISTAN
(voice lowered)
Hey, Shea. How-How are you doing?
SHEA
Hi there! How are you on this fine day? I’m just
dandy, soaking up the rays!
Tristan’s heart leaps upon hearing Shea speak a preset phrase in her usual peppy tone.
TRISTAN
(voice lowered)
Do you, um, know where we’re going?
SHEA
I think I’m going to do some shopping today. The
Able Sisters have got the cutest spring sweaters!
Shea appears to be taking cues from Tristan’s speech and then responding with more of her preset phrases. Tristan returns to his position beside his friends.
ROBIN
(whispering to Tristan)
This is really creepy...
TRISTAN
Hey, hey, it’s ok. We’re gonna be fine, ok? Let’s
just stay together, alright?
Alex has returned with three spacesuits: red for Tristan, yellow for Veronica, and pink for Robin.
ALEX
(to everyone)
Prepare for liftoff!
TRISTAN
Whoa, uh, hold on, let us get strapped in first.
The three friends scramble to available seats, fastening their seatbelts and exchanging bewildered glances, still in shock at the current situation.
ALEX
Good luck, everyone.
ROBIN
(whispering to friends)
Huh? What does he mean, ‘Good luck’?
Before anyone can answer, the lights go out in the spacecraft. A booming noise rattles the interior as six bold words flash brightly in everyone’s vision: ‘THERE ARE 2 IMPOSTORS AMONG US.’ The ship has taken off, and once the lights come back on, the villagers spring into action, entering deeper within the ship with driven strides.
VERONICA
What? Where are they going?
ROBIN
What did that message mean? Two impostors among us?
I’m a little scared...
TRISTAN
Look, guys, I’m just as confused as you are, but I
think our best bet right now is to blend in with
everyone else. Ok? Just act natural. We’ll be fine.
Follow me.
ROBIN
Huh? But what do we do?
TRISTAN
(shrugging)
It looks like everyone is completing tasks around
the ship. If you see something that needs
maintenance, then fix it and then move on to the
next available task. Ok?
VERONICA
Wow, you’re adjusting to all of this so quickly.
I’m impressed.
TRISTAN
Yeah, I know, I’m so impressive. Now let’s get a
move on.
The three friends make their way into the cafeteria. Tristan advises Veronica to fix the wiring in electrical, and Robin to check on the status of the reactor, while he himself would keep an eye on the others via the security cameras. Veronica found herself in the electrical center, attempting to sort out a mess of multicolored wires, when she hears footsteps behind her.
VERONICA
(startled)
Oh! Hello, Lilac. Do you have any idea how to do
this? I’m a bit confused.
Lilac approaches the wire box, but at the last second turns and lowers the lights in the room, all while maintaining Veronica’s gaze. Veronica’s heart sinks.
VERONICA
(squinting in the dark)
Um...Lilac? Wh-What are you doing? Are you going to
help me?
LILAC
It’s a lovely day, isn’t it? I just love this kind
of weather.
Veronica eyes Lilac, disheartened at her apparent inability to communicate. Lilac takes a step toward Veronica, backing her into a corner. Veronica realizes that she could be in grave danger.
VERONICA
(panicked)
No! No! Lilac, come on, it’s me. You know me. We’re
friends! I promise I won’t report you. Just, please,
let me go.
Lilac stares hard at Veronica, who is trying to decipher what’s going on behind those wide black eyes.
LILAC
Veronica? I’m not familiar...Could you remind me who
that is again?
Veronica watches in horror, her fear rendering her immobile as Lilac’s jaw unhinges, revealing a gaping, soulless hole filled with gruesome tentacles surrounding a long, sharp spike. Before she has finished processing the scene and has time to react, the spike darts forward and impales Veronica through the head. It happened so fast that she did not feel a thing, but is suddenly overcome with gripping fatigue. Veronica sees the words ‘DEAD BODY REPORTED’ plastered boldly in front of her vision, and then the lights fade out. The remaining six shipmates have gathered in the cafeteria to discuss.
ROBIN
What’s going on? Wait, who’s not here?
Robin scans each individual, and then the realization hits.
ROBIN
Oh no...oh no, oh no, oh no...Veronica! No!
TRISTAN
(angrily)
Who did this?
ALEX
Where was she last seen?
SHEA
Tristan, did you see on the cameras?
TRISTAN
No, I didn’t see anything. Maybe she was in a
hallway?
LILAC
I was realigning the ship’s direction in navigation.
TRISTAN
Ok, so Lilac is safe. I think it could’ve been...
Jessie. He’s been acting a bit suspicious.
JESSIE
What? How so?
TRISTAN
You’ve been quiet this entire meeting. You haven’t
told us where you were.
JESSIE
Neither has Shea. Or Robin. It’s not me.
LILAC
My money’s on Jessie.
TRISTAN
Same here.
Robin recalls what Tristan had said and decides to stick with his friend, despite his confusion and the lack of evidence.
ROBIN
Sorry, Jessie, but if you did this, I can’t
forgive you.
TRISTAN
Then it’s settled.
What happens next is abrupt and disturbing: Jessie’s seat falls out from beneath him, revealing a gaping hole on the ship’s floor. Jessie slips out and is sent careening into the depths of outer space. The lights go out, and another message is broadcast to the crew: ‘JESSIE WAS NOT AN IMPOSTOR.’ The lights come back on and everyone goes back to work.
ROBIN
(whispering to Tristan)
Um...what just happened? Where’s Veronica? I’m
scared.
TRISTAN
I...I don’t know. I’m confused. I could’ve sworn
it was Jessie... Let’s just keep going.
Robin follows close behind Tristan, who is moving quite quickly, attempting to complete as many tasks as possible so as not to cause suspicion. At one point, Robin loses sight of Tristan and panics briefly before composing himself and continuing on. He turns a corner and nearly trips over the unmoving body of Shea. Startled, he starts to run, desperately searching for Tristan.
ROBIN
(shouting)
Uh, Tristan? Tristan! I-I found Shea, um...I think
she was...um...I think she was killed! Tristan!
Robin stops in front of the communications center, where Alex is messing with the radio, attempting to send out a distress signal to anyone listening. Robin arrives just in time to catch sight of Tristan hopping out of a vent in the corner. Perplexed, he watches as Tristan quietly approaches Alex from behind.
ROBIN
(startled)
Hey!
Tristan and Alex both jump, turning to face Robin tensely.
ALEX
Tristan! I didn’t see you there.
Tristan’s sharp gaze is nearly cutting through Robin.
ROBIN
(uneasily)
Uh...hello, guys. What’s up, Tristan?
Tristan does not say a word. He is trying to figure out what Robin is thinking. Before anyone can say anything, Robin turns and sprints in the direction of the cafeteria to call an emergency meeting. He glances behind him and catches a glimpse of Tristan hot on his trail. Robin barely makes it to the meeting button in time, slamming it with all his might. The four remaining players have centered around the main table.
ROBIN
(out of breath, pointing at Tristan)
Y-...You.
TRISTAN
What? Me?
ROBIN
It’s...It’s you. I know it.
TRISTAN
Why do you think that? I was helping Alex in comms.
ROBIN
(frantic)
But I saw you! I saw you sneaking up on Alex!
TRISTAN
Sneaking up? What? I was helping him try to fix
the busted radio. Right, Alex?
ALEX
Uh...yeah, yeah I think so. I didn’t hear you come
in the room; I just turned around and saw you and
Robin standing there.
TRISTAN
Wow, Robin, how sad...how sad that you would accuse
one of your best friends of something so...unthinkable.
You know, it almost sounds like you’re trying to
deflect the attention off of yourself.
ROBIN
(tearing up)
Wh-What? You’re joking.
TRISTAN
Not at all. And you know what else? On our way here,
we passed by the deceased body of Shea in the hallway.
There was no one nearby, so one could only imagine
who did it...
All eyes turn to Robin, who is near his breaking point, desperate for anyone to believe the truth.
ROBIN
Hold on. Lilac, where were you? What do you think?
LILAC
Actually, I was in security, watching on the cameras.
I, uh, saw what happened.
ROBIN
(sighing in relief)
Well?
LILAC
(keeping her gaze cast down)
Um...it was you, Robin.
ROBIN
(struggling for words)
I...What? No! It-It wasn’t me! I swear! How can I
prove it?
TRISTAN
It seems we have all the proof we need. Is everyone
ready to vote?
ROBIN
What? No! Hold on! Alex, you believe me, right?
I was looking out for you! He was gonna get you!
ALEX
(avoiding eye contact)
I’m sorry, man.
TRISTAN
(smiling deviously)
Then it’s unanimous.
Robin’s heart skips a beat. Frenzied, he looks into Tristan’s eyes, hoping for a last-minute change of heart. Instead, he is met with a disturbing sight: Tristan blinks, and when his eyes reopen, his pupils have disappeared, leaving the same unsettling blank white stare as the villagers’.
TRISTAN
Catch you later, Robin.
Robin’s seat gives out beneath him, and he is cast out into the cold vacuum beyond. He watches as the spaceship grows smaller and smaller until it is completely gone from view. And so the friendship that had once been strengthened by the unity of acceptance and amiability crumbled under the pressure of mistrust. Of course, this bizarre tale occurred in the wild, unconscious mind of a sleep-deprived Veronica, yet this series of events reflects the progression of socialization throughout the year 2020. It is ironic how we can use the same form of media for such a wide variety of interactions, and how malleable friendships can become under situations of high stress... Yet we can overcome any difficulty with the help of a supportive social group. We only must remember to be mindful and watch our backs.
THE END