The Passage

Clara is washing vigorously, a worried look on her face. Finally she sits

back on her haunches, facing Martha.

Do you think we'll ever see them again?

Martha glances quickly over her shoulder, seeing her children playing along

the creek bed behind them, out of ear shot.

Big Tom knows this area and Len knows how to talk to

them.

54

Martha hasn't answered the question, but it is apparent by her face that she

too is worried and just trying to keep a calm front. Suddenly Tammy shouts.

Dad!

Tammy is running and Billy jumps to his feet to follow her. Big Tom and

Colonel Cage walk out of the woods, followed by the three remaining soldiers.

The women have risen to their feet as Big Tom walks up to Martha with a grim

look in his face. Martha is anxious, glancing over his shoulder and flitting

her eyes back to meet his quickly.

Where's the others?

The grim look on his face is her answer, and she flutters a hand quickly to

her mouth, and utters quietly.

Oh, no!

Clara is next, standing just behind Martha where we can see her anxious face.

Where's Len? Where are they! In God's name tell me

what happened!

Big Tom puts his left hand on her shoulder.

They're fine, fine, don't get excited. They stayed

behind and they're all fine.

Martha is leaning her face into her husband's shoulder, biting her trembling

lower lip and fighting tears, trying to use an embrace and joy over seeing her

husband again to disguise her grief from the rest of the women and her

children.

55

-On the Move-

Danny is explaining to Mark and a restless Brian about the pole shift,

relaying what he can remember from Professor Isaac's rambling dissertation.

It happens ever few thousand years, and what's left of

mankind starts over again. I guess we're lucky to be

alive.

Brian is moving continuously but in a slow manner, pausing after each move for

a moment, first raising partially up and then sitting down again, crossing one

leg and then uncrossing and crossing the other leg, putting his hands on his

knees and then crossing his arms, swatting behind his neck and looking at his

hand for a bug that isn't there, moving his head from side to side as though

looking in every direction - restless and a bit paranoid.

Mark is in denial about what has happened, the pole shift, even though he has

experienced it.

Yeah, well, I don't believe any of it. If something

like that was going to happen the government would

have told us. I think is was just an earthquake.

A look of relief crosses Mark’s face as he sees Big Tom and the women

approaching.

Hey, there they are.

Mark starts to rise from his seat to greet the group coming back from the

creek. Danny turns also, a smile on his face, but the smile slowly disappears

as he sees missing members. Brian has bolted into the tents at the sight of

the military men. Big Tom sets the tone and takes charge of the big lie.

They're waiting for us and we have to pack up and join

them.

Happy to hear this news, Danny starts nodding his head and muttering.

Cool, we're out'a here.

Daisy comes up to him, immediately starting her whining mode again as she

thinks things are back to normal again.

I'll need to see the hair stylist right away, my

hair's a mess!

She is tugging at her pants and blouse, trying to straighten up and adjust

back into appearance expectations she had put aside.

Big Tom crawls into the tent where a sleepy Frank is just waking up from a

nap.

Come on, guy, time to move out.

Frank blinks and says,

You're back? Where's Jane?

56

Big Tom keeps up the big lie, speaking calmly.

We're going to meet them. Hurry up, grab your things.

_______________________________

Martha is sorting items to take, putting most aside after a moment’s

hesitation on some items, as though she has regrets about leaving them,

selecting only a few. She signs, sits back from being on her knees in the tent

to sitting on her butt with her legs tucked under her. She looks up from the

items she has been sorting. A Zeta has come to sit across from her, long thin

legs folded Yoga style and elbows on each knee, hands held out in the center

as though a dialog were going on. Martha says,

I’m going to miss you. ..