People

The Mess Hall

Title Episode 2: "The Mess Hall"

Scene 1: The Alien Mess Hall

INT. CONCENTRATION CAMP MESS HALL – LATE MORNING

The mess hall is a cold, sterile environment with long metal tables and dim lighting. Dozens of prisoners sit silently, consuming a meal that looks miserable and unnatural. The clatter of utensils against metal fills the air, creating a tense and oppressive atmosphere. The group consisting of Luca, Shawn, Dominic, Vaiolet, Joseph, and Cris sits at an isolated table, away from the guards. The expressions on their faces reflect fatigue and tension.

CLOSE-UP: LUCA
Luca takes a bite of the greenish, gelatinous food, chewing slowly. He grimaces but says nothing. Shawn, sitting next to him, looks at the plate with disdain.

SHAWN
(Sarcastic)
Ah, the delicious nectar of the gods. I wonder if they’re trying to slowly poison us or just disgust us to death.

DOMINIC
(With a cold laugh)
I wouldn’t be surprised. Maybe it’s one of their strategies to control us: make us too weak to rebel.

Vaiolet pushes her plate away with an evident look of disgust.

VAIOLET
(Sighing)
I can’t keep doing this. They’re making us rot from the inside.

CRIS
(Calmly, observing the plate without touching it)
The body adapts. The mind must do the same.

---

Scene 2: Discussing Escape

INT. MESS HALL – SAME MOMENT

Joseph leans forward, speaking in a low voice. His eyes dart between the others, ignited by a spark of anger and determination.

JOSEPH
(With a determined tone)
We need to find a way out of here. We can’t endure this torture every day. There has to be an escape route.

The others exchange brief glances, except for Shawn, who continues to stare at the food disinterestedly.

LUCA
(Nodding slowly)
There must be a possibility. They can’t keep us prisoners forever.

DOMINIC
(With a sarcastic and cold tone)
Oh, but they can. And they will. Unless you have a concrete plan, Luca, just wanting to escape won’t get us out of here alive.

Vaiolet moves closer to the table, whispering urgently.

VAIOLET
(Serious)
We need to understand how this place works first. Where are the weak points? Where do they take us when we’re not here?

CRIS
(Pragmatically)
Before talking about escape, we need to observe. Study. Only then can we act. Impulsiveness leads to failure.

Luca bites his lip, reflecting on Cris’s words.

---

Scene 3: The Structure of the Prison

INT. MESS HALL – CONVERSATION CONTINUES

Dominic leans towards the group, speaking even more quietly as an alien guard passes nearby. They wait for the guard to move away before continuing.

DOMINIC
(Calculating tone)
We need to know more. Not just where they keep us, but also about the other sections of this camp. Every building, every entrance. There must be rotations among the guards... maybe some shift changes.

SHAWN
(Scoffing)
Yeah, and maybe they’ll give us a map of the prison to help us find the exit.

JOSEPH
(Frowning, ignoring Shawn’s sarcasm)
We need to find someone who knows more. Maybe among the older prisoners... or those who work in the outer sections.

LUCA
(Echoing Joseph)
Right, there’s always someone who knows something. If we talk to them, maybe we can gather enough information.

---

Scene 4: How Much Do the Aliens Know About Us?

INT. MESS HALL – CONVERSATION DEEPENS

Vaiolet watches the guards patrolling the mess hall, then turns to the others.

VAIOLET
(Worried tone)
But how much do they know about us? About how we think, how we move? If they’re studying us... they could already predict our every move.

CRIS
(Serious, reflecting)
We must not underestimate them. If they keep us here, they’ve already studied our behavior. They have an advantage over us.

DOMINIC
(With a cold laugh)
They have the advantage of being stronger, more advanced, and more organized. We are just... human. And they don’t see us as a threat. That’s our only chance.

SHAWN
(Skeptical)
Sure, because why not exploit the fact that we’re insignificant? I bet if one of us disappears, they wouldn’t even notice. We’re numbers, not people.

---

Scene 5: Luca Wants to Get Everyone Out

INT. MESS HALL – MOMENT OF TENSION

Luca, with a determined look, leans towards the group, lowering his voice even further.

LUCA
(Courageous but naïve)
We can’t just think of ourselves. If we find a way out, we have to get everyone out. I can’t leave anyone behind.

Shawn rolls his eyes, shaking his head in exasperation.

SHAWN
(With a cutting tone)
Oh, sure. Let’s get a thousand people out. Why not wave a bright flag and tell the aliens to chase us? It’s already impossible to think we can escape, let alone liberate everyone.

Dominic nods, watching Luca with a cold, calculating gaze.

DOMINIC
(Sarcastically)
A noble intention, Luca, but completely unrealistic. We’re already weak enough as it is. Do you really want to drag every single person in this hell with you? It won’t work. Ever.

Luca pauses for a moment, trying to process Dominic and Shawn’s words. Vaiolet looks at Luca with some compassion but doesn’t seem convinced by his plan.

CRIS
(Calm and reflective)
Taking everyone with us isn’t a strategy. You want to help, but you can’t save those who aren’t ready. Some will be left behind; others will fight.

LUCA
(Defensively, but with a hint of insecurity)
But we can’t just abandon them. They’re people, just like us.

CRIS
(Cold but sincere)
We can’t afford to think that way. Not if we want to survive.

Joseph furrows his brow but says nothing, trying to control his anger. Vaiolet simply shakes her head, while Shawn chuckles weakly.

SHAWN
(Laughing lightly)
You should really listen to these two, Luca. Stoicism and manipulation: a great combination for not dying.

DOMINIC
(Concluding)
We can look for a way out, but we can’t save everyone. Choosing who to take with us will be our first tough decision.

---

Scene 6: The Decision

INT. MESS HALL – FINALE

The group sits in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. Luca, still shaken, seems to struggle with his sense of morality.

VAIOLET
(Cautious)
We need a concrete plan, and time is not on our side.

CRIS
(Nodding)
Let’s observe. We’ll learn more in the coming days. And then... we’ll decide our next step.

Shawn gets up from the table, casting a detached glance at the others.

SHAWN
(With a cutting tone)
Don’t expect miracles. But at least it’ll be interesting to see how it all ends.

The others watch him as he walks away.