Fast Color

The world's gonna die.

I can feel it coming.

We knew this would happen,

that sooner or later, man's reckless behavior would catch up with us.

Eight years since the last drop of rain, and no one knows what to do,

except raise the price of water.

The wells dried up. We can't grow our own food anymore.

It's gotten harder for us to stay in hiding.

And I think about Ruth.

I always think about Ruth.

How did she survive out there on her own as broken as she is?

I wish she'd never left.

I wish I could have helped her, fixed her.

But I can't let myself think that.

I know better than anyone.

If something's broken...

it stays broken.

Anyone else?

Just me.

- Nights? - One.

Thirty-five for the room. Water?

Half is 26, full is 50.

Half.

- What... What's the name of this town? - View Park.

All right, that'll be...

Sorry, I... Just a second.

Hi, sorry, what was I...

Right. That'll be...

Seventy-two, with tax.

- I wanna play. - I understand.

What did I tell you?

- Angela will wait. - Wait.

It's okay.

Thank you. Thanks.

Hello.

Take your daughter and get under the desk.

- What are you talking about? - Stay away from the windows.

And cover her head.

Hello?

Are you there? What's going on? Are you okay?

We're okay. It's okay.

- She said this room called the office? - Yeah.

- Just one woman? - That's what the owner said.

I'll check the back.

This is the emergency broadcast system.

Please stand by for further information about water conservation.

Expecting someone?

Wow, this stuff is terrible, huh?

I don't even remember what a, uh, a proper cup of coffee tastes like.

If...

Uh, miss, can I...

- What? Oh, no. - Oh, come on.

Uh, I couldn't.

I'm on a business trip. Not like I'm paying for it.

Here you go, honey.

Thank you.

- Thank you. - All right.

I shouldn't have complained about it.

Uh...

No, you're right,

- it's terrible but so good. - Mm-hmm.

Where you headed?

Oh, uh, I'm just going.

What does, uh... what does that mean?

- Figuring some things out. - Hmm. I remember those days.

I'm married. Nine years, two kids.

So, my things are pretty much figured.

Oh, speaking of which, I should... I should probably get going here.

Well... it was nice talking to you.

Take care, and, uh, and good luck.

- Thanks. - Oh, I'm... I'm Bill.

Thanks, Bill.

All right. Thank you.

Honey?

I'm over here.

What did you do?

If you don't mind me asking.

Really, you can just pull over here

- and I'll... - Look, um...

my life is pretty boring.

Let me help you, all right?

Let me make my wife proud.

There should be a town about 20 miles from here.

If you drop me there, you can tell your wife you saved someone's life today.

- That's it? - That's it.

Okay.

It's just crazy, right? I mean...

Here we are, in the middle of nowhere,

and a cop shows up and heads right for your car just as you're walking out.

Yeah.

The world is a strange place these days, isn't it?

But I guess...

everyone always thinks they're living the end of the world.

I remember my, um, my grandmother...

telling me about, uh, getting under her desk

when they thought the bomb was gonna drop.

And we're still here.

Did you know there was an earthquake in View Park last night?

Since when are there earthquakes in this part of the country?

Heard about it on the radio. Headed this way.

Stopped at, uh, the motel there and talked to a little girl.

Heard all about this woman

who told her and her mother to seek cover right before the earthquake started.

You really thought that cop just showed up out of nowhere?

Who do you think called them?

Ruth?

Ruth... please.

Don't be scared. I'm a scientist.

I work for the government, and we've been looking for you for a very long time.

When... when Joe called and he said he finally found you...

I didn't quite believe him, but, uh...

he said he saw it with his own eyes and...

I needed to see it, too.

But, by the time I got there, you were gone.

And Joe was, uh...

You're hurting people, Ruth.

Is that really what you want? We can help you.

There are tests we can run.

Procedures.

So...

why don't you just...

Fuck! Fuck!

Twelve.

- Can I get the key to the... - It's open.

- Where am I? - A gas station.

- What town? - Garrison.

About three miles west and you'll hit it.

Are you all right?

Yeah, I'm, uh...

Have you seen a woman?

Hey!

Hey!

You serve food?

Yeah. What do you want?

I don't have any money.

I can do the dishes and clean up whatever you need in the back.

It's just you here?

A sandwich, some water. Washed clothes.

He's gone.

Not gone...

Grown up.

Where do people stay?

Valleys look shut down.

Are you from here?

Owners couldn't afford the upkeep.

You can still stay there, though.

Can't beat the price. Just...

Make sure you find a room that still has a door.

Lila, come back in here and help me.

Be right there.

- You fixed the record player? - Come on, I'll show you.

You can finish cleaning up first.

How'd you do it?

Some of the screws were stripped,

but I found a bigger screwdriver, so I was able to get them loose.

Inside, two of the wires were burnt so I had to replace them.

But it was much easier than a toaster.

It wasn't easier. You just got better.

Do you think... do you think I could try the truck next?

We can discuss it.

Can I take a bath tonight, Bo?

You took one last night. Did you finish your reading?

Yes.

Can I at least have enough to go to the bathroom?

- My teeth, too? - Lila...

- That's enough for both. - You are very proud.

Very.

Up.

Son of a bitch.

- You shouldn't smoke. - Shit!

Hi, Ruth.

Hi, Mom.

Look, I know you're angry.

Angry?

You told me to pretend you were dead.

There's nowhere else for me to go.

What is that supposed to mean?

I'm sober.

Eleven months.

I knew getting sober meant the seizures might come back.

I didn't think it could ever get worse.