- 3 hours ago
The Last Rose of the Scorched Apocalypse
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:02Year 3 of the Extreme Heat Apocalypse
00:05The ozone layer is gone
00:07All of humanity has been forced underground
00:09My husband and I live on level 2
00:12We funded most of this place
00:14One day
00:17Allura
00:18Conditions on level 3 are brutal
00:20Aurora won't survive down there
00:21I couldn't just let her die
00:24You know level 2 has strict population limits
00:26Every household has a fixed head count
00:29I know
00:30That's why you're gonna take her place on level 3
00:33Once she's better I'll bring you back
00:35I freeze
00:36I don't move for a long time
00:38Finally I step outside
00:40I steady my voice and make a call
00:42I've made my decision
00:43I'm joining the endgame initiative on level 1
00:46Allura
00:47That's great news
00:48Level 1 needs someone like you
00:52The underground city has 3 levels
00:54Level 1 is the research and tech restricted zone
00:58Level 2 is for the people who helped build the city
01:01Level 3 has become the darkest
01:03Most lawless place in the entire complex
01:09Allura is really sick
01:11She needs medical supplies
01:14What are you gonna do about it?
01:16Whatever it takes
01:18I already called the doctor
01:19It's year 3 of the apocalypse
01:21Medical supplies are worth more than gold
01:23Each household gets one doctor visit per year
01:26A month ago
01:27I had a 104 degree fever
01:29I gritted my teeth and didn't call anyone
01:31Now Caleb is using that one visit
01:33On a girl he just met
01:35Allura
01:37I already arranged it
01:38Someone is coming in 3 days
01:40To take you to level 3
01:41You'll take Aurora's place
01:44Caleb
01:45Did you even think about how this would affect me?
01:48Allura
01:49You know I can't just let someone die
01:51There are so many people who need saving
01:56Why her?
01:57I passed through level 3 the other day
01:59Aurora was singing to the slum children
02:01Like an angel, Alara
02:03How could I let something so beautiful just fade away?
02:11So you're sacrificing me?
02:13Sending me to level 3?
02:15Don't make this worse than it is
02:16It's not a sacrifice
02:17It's temporary
02:22I see the girl in our bed
02:24She looks like she's wasting away
02:26A cough echoes through the apartment
02:29Caleb pulls the doctor in
02:31Racing toward her
02:32He doesn't even look at me
02:33There's no wind down here
02:35But I've never been so cold
02:37The doctor doesn't leave until late
02:39Caleb finally finds time to talk to me
02:42You saw her
02:42She needs rest
02:43You have to go to level 3 in 3 days
02:46If you don't
02:47The guards will do a head count
02:48And we'll all be in trouble
02:52One new message
02:53Ms. Alara Vance
02:55A specialist from level 1
02:56Will arrive in 3 days to escort you
02:58Fine
02:59I'll leave
03:05I knew you'd understand, Alarda
03:06I'll bring you back as soon as I can
03:08I wipe my forehead after he turns away
03:11That night
03:11Caleb stays by Aurora's bedside
03:13He doesn't leave her once
03:16I sit on the couch
03:17I don't sleep
03:19I let the memories tear me apart
03:21Caleb was a scholarship kid
03:23My father sponsored him
03:25Back then
03:26He would drive across half of New York
03:28To buy me my favorite cake
03:29He would wait outside my building
03:31Every night with takeout
03:32Because I hated the cafeteria food
03:33Now he talks about Aurora
03:35Like she's some white jasmine
03:36He has to save from being crushed in the ruins
03:38He forgot something
03:39The Vance rose would never wither
03:41When my father was dying
03:43Caleb stood at his bedside
03:44And swore he would protect me forever
03:46That was before the apocalypse
03:48Back when his promises meant something
03:50Now those promises feel like thorns
03:52And they are digging into my chest
03:54Deeper and deeper
03:55I don't understand how someone who loved me so much
03:58Could change like this
03:59But I understand one thing clearly
04:01I don't need him anymore
04:05The next morning
04:06Caleb is in the kitchen
04:07He never cooks
04:09He is making an omelet for Aurora
04:11I walk past him without a word
04:13And go pack my suitcase
04:14She looks at me from the bed
04:16Then she suddenly crawls to the floor
04:18Please don't hit me
04:19I'll be good
04:20I'll be so good
04:22Just please don't hit me
04:24Aurora
04:25What are you doing?
04:27Caleb rushes in
04:28Grabs her
04:29Holds her against his chest
04:30His eyes are red
04:32He never loses control like this
04:34When our daughter died in the evacuation
04:36He stayed stone faced then
04:38But this girl he just met
04:39Has him ready to fight me
04:40Please don't
04:42Send me back to level 3
04:44I can
04:46Sing for you
04:47I'll sing anything
04:50You're safe now
04:51I've got you
04:54She went through hell on level 3
04:56Don't you dare try to scare her
04:58Caleb I thought you were blind
05:00But now I see
05:02I am the one who is blind
05:04Something flickers in his eyes
05:05Regret
05:09In the study
05:10I open my locket
05:11Inside is a photo of the three of us
05:14My eyes sting
05:15The day of the evacuation
05:16Our daughter Lily fell into a fissure
05:18When the brown split opened
05:19We could not save her
05:21She was just gone
05:22I cried until I had nothing left
05:25Caleb showed up hours later
05:27Alara
05:28By then
05:29It was too late
05:31I close the locket
05:32My chest aches
05:34It was an accident
05:36If Lily were here
05:38She would not want you to be this sad
05:40Eat something
05:41Your stomach has been bothering you
05:43I don't want what Aurora didn't finish
05:45His face hardens
05:47Alara
05:47It is a few months in the slums
05:49You are acting like I am sending you to die
05:51Aurora survived three years down there
05:53She is fragile
05:54And she made it
05:56You are stronger than her
05:57Why are you making this such a big deal
05:59Then you go
06:00He does not catch it at first
06:03Then his face goes pale
06:05Someone has to keep this family together Alaya
06:07That is me
06:10And let me be clear
06:12If you make one move against that girl
06:14I will not bring you back
06:18He slams the door on his way out
06:20I walk to the bookshelf and let out a cold laugh
06:23Three years into the apocalypse
06:25And Caleb still does not get it
06:27Without me
06:28He would not even be on level 2
06:30Before the end came
06:31I was a lead researcher at the institute
06:33I could have gone to level 1
06:35But I chose level 2
06:37Because Caleb could not come with me otherwise
06:38My family funded this whole city
06:41Without me
06:42He would not have made it into level 3
06:44Two nights before I am supposed to leave
06:46Then I hear it
06:47Aurora
06:49Have a baby for me
06:50Let's have a baby together
06:54After Lily died
06:55The underground city gave us one reproductive permit
06:58One chance to have another child
07:00Caleb refused
07:01He said he could never replace Lily
07:04He would never want another child
07:06Now I realize
07:07He did not refuse to have more kids
07:09He just wanted to use that permit on Aurora instead
07:15Aloda
07:15I hope we did not keep you up last night
07:18Get out
07:19I am sorry
07:21Do you want me to sing for you?
07:23I used to sing for Caleb all the time
07:26He loved it
07:28I shoved her out
07:30As she stumbles
07:31Something falls from her pocket
07:32A photo
07:33I pick it up
07:34Do you want my autograph too?
07:36Caleb used to come to all my shows
07:38I turn the photo over
07:40To Caleb
07:41Always yours
07:42Aurora
07:43March 21st, 2061
07:46That is the day Lily died
07:47That is the day Caleb said he was working
07:49He was not working
07:51He was at Aurora's show
07:52Lily was calling for him when the ground opened
07:55She was waiting for her dad to save her
07:57I cannot breathe
07:59My hand shakes so hard the photo rattles
08:01Caleb walks in
08:03Aurora, time for your meds
08:05I spin around
08:07What?
08:07What is wrong with you?
08:09Why are you looking at me like that?
08:10I straighten up
08:11Where were you?
08:12The day Lily died!
08:18I, I
08:19You said you were working
08:20You said you were busy
08:21But you were at her show
08:23Alara, let me explain
08:24I was just, just
08:25Please don't fight
08:26Please
08:27I can't handle it
08:29She collapses
08:30Faints right on cue
08:32Caleb picks her up without a second thought
08:35If you walk out that door
08:37Right now
08:38You will regret it
08:39Alaya, you are hysterical
08:41We will talk when you calm down
08:43I stand in the empty room
08:45Until I hear my own tears hit the floor
08:47He did not change suddenly
08:48He was always like this
08:50I just did not want to see it
08:52When the tears finally stop
08:54I wipe my face
08:55I pick up the phone
08:58Hello
08:59Level 2 security
09:00I am reporting an illegal resident from level 3
09:03By evening
09:04He comes to the study
09:05Alara
09:06The transport from level 3 is almost here
09:08Are you packed?
09:09I am stuffing files into my suitcase
09:10He does not notice
09:12But he sees something else
09:17What is this supposed to mean?
09:18When we got married
09:19He did not have money
09:21I did not care
09:23I just wanted him
09:25He never bought me anything special after that
09:27I told myself he was not romantic
09:31Then I found Aurora's fan page
09:33Every anniversary of her debut
09:35Caleb sent her designer bags
09:38Jewelry
09:39Expensive things I never got
09:41I don't want it anymore
09:42Alara, don't be dramatic
09:44You are not a teenager
09:45I keep packing
09:47When I bring you back
09:48I will buy you a diamond ring, okay?
09:50Save it for your singer
09:52His face goes red
09:53I grab my suitcase and walk out
09:55Outside
09:56Waiting for the transport
09:58Alara, I feel so bad
10:00You have to go
10:01Be careful down there
10:02Don't go into the red light district
10:03I ignore her
10:05She holds up something I recognize
10:07My locket
10:08Give that back
10:10Now
10:10She hides behind Caleb
10:12Twirls the locket around her finger like a toy
10:14It is just a locket
10:15You don't need it down there
10:16Let her have it
10:18That is the last thing I have of Lily
10:21Are you really taking that away too?
10:23Alara pretends to trip
10:25The locket's life
10:26A military truck runs it over
10:28Crashed
10:29Lily's face is gone
10:31A horn honks
10:32Come on
10:32Stop making a scene
10:34That is not my ride
10:36Get away from me
10:37Suddenly
10:40We received a report of an illegal level 3 resident
10:43Step aside for inspection
10:47Alara Vance
10:48Director Ethan Hart sent me
10:50I am here to take you to level 1
10:51You reported us?
10:53Yes
10:53And
10:55You think you can break the rules
10:57And there won't be consequences?
10:59Illegal
10:59They pull out handcuffs
11:01Don't let them take me
11:03You promised
11:04You promised
11:05Caleb looks at her
11:07For a moment
11:08He hesitates
11:09Then he shoves her off
11:12Where are you going?
11:13You can't leave
11:14I point to the car's logo
11:16Level 1
11:18Can't you read?
11:20You are going to Ethan
11:22You have been talking to him this whole time
11:24Ethan Hart
11:25My old research partner
11:27The one Caleb was always jealous of
11:30I don't answer
11:32I get in the car
11:33Oh and Caleb
11:34You should pack your things
11:35That apartment on level 2 belongs to my family
11:38I am taking it back
11:41Ethan is waiting at the level 1 entrance
11:43He is in his lab coat
11:45Smiling like he did back in grad school
11:47Long time no see
11:48Caltech's sharpest eye
11:49I shake his hand
11:50He's still using that old nickname
11:53Some things don't change
11:55Neither does greatness
11:56In college
11:57I was the star
11:58The one everyone thought would change the world
12:01Then I met Caleb
12:02I gave up my edge to be soft for him
12:04To be what he needed
12:06He did not want the sharp girl
12:08He wanted the easy one
12:09Ethan introduces me to the team
12:11Everyone
12:12This is Dr. Alarka Vance
12:14PhD in astrophysics
12:16She led the atmospheric modeling project at Caltech
12:19Ozon remontation research
12:20They call her the eagle eye
12:22One of the best minds of her generation
12:23She is going to lead the ozon restorative project
12:25We are bringing this world back
12:27I don't need a man to validate me
12:29I need purpose
12:30Six months pass
12:32We make a breakthrough
12:33The lather rucks
12:35We did it
12:35Everyone is crying
12:37Hugging
12:40Alara
12:40You did it
12:41The eagle eye strikes again
12:43Two more months and we can all go home
12:45You seem tired
12:46Everything okay
12:48I was just thinking about how much time I wasted
12:50He is the one who wasted it
12:52Not you
12:54Alara
12:56What about me
12:57I know
12:58Terrible timing
12:59But I have waited a long time to say this
13:01I have liked you since Caltech
13:03I don't want to wait anymore
13:04Ethan
13:06It is the apocalypse
13:07So
13:07If anything that makes it more important to be with the people you care about
13:11I will wait
13:12Until you are ready
13:14Caleb
13:14How did you get in here
13:16Alara
13:17I am your husband
13:18Did you really think I would not find you
13:22You could not wait
13:24You moved on that fast
13:25We are divorced
13:26I never agreed to that
13:28Level one residents have priority rights
13:30I filed
13:30It is done
13:31No
13:32No this is bust
13:34Alara you can't do this
13:36What about everything we had
13:37What about when you were sick and I took care of you
13:39What about
13:40Stop
13:41I don't remember those things the way you think I do
13:43I remember them and I feel nothing but regret
13:46Alara
13:47Don't send me back
13:48Level three is not a place you survive
13:49I almost died
13:52Please
13:52I am sorry
13:53I am so sorry
14:25Alara survived down there for three years
14:25She died waiting for you
14:26Take him back to level three
14:31Two months later
14:32The ozone layer is fully restored
14:34We can go back to the surface
14:35The whole underground city celebrates
14:38People are crying
14:39Laughing
14:39Hugging
14:40I finish my final reports and walk outside to see the sky for the first time in three years
14:45There he is
14:46Caleb
14:46He is worse than before
14:48But his eyes light up when he sees me
14:50Alara
14:50I knew you would come out
14:52Don't
14:53Alara
14:53The apocalypse is over
14:55Can't we start over Lily
14:57I know I failed her
14:58I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you
15:00Just please
15:01Please come back
15:02No
15:03What you did is not something you can make up for
15:05You let our daughter die
15:06You betrayed me
15:08We are done
15:08Aurora is dead
15:09She got killed over a piece of bread on level three
15:12You don't have to worry about her anymore
15:14The only person I am not worried about anymore is you
15:17Alara
15:17Please
15:18I regret everything
15:19Everything
15:22What is your regret worth Caleb
15:24Can it bring Lily back
15:26Can it give me back the years I wasted on you
15:29It was Aurora
15:31She made me go to that show
15:33She said it was important
15:34I did not know the evacuation would
15:37I hold up my phone
15:38You were obsessed with her for six years Caleb
15:41Six
15:41He has nothing to say
15:43I turn away
15:44Ethan rolls down the window
15:45I don't look back
15:47I get in the car
15:50A few days later
15:51New York gets snow
15:52The first winter since the end of the apocalypse
15:55I wrap myself in my winter coat
15:57I carry a bouquet of white lilies
15:59I walk through the snow
16:00At the corner
16:01Something huddles against a wall
16:03Curled up like a stray dog
16:05I look closer
16:06It is Caleb
16:07When he sees me
16:08His eyes flare with light
16:09He stumbles to his feet
16:11Elora
16:15I knew you would come
16:17You remember this place
16:19I frown
16:20I follow his gaze to a faded street sign
16:22It says Elm Street
16:23This is where we used to come in college
16:27Elora
16:28Can't we go back to that
16:29Look
16:29You came to this street
16:31We still have that connection
16:32Let's start over
16:33I will make up for everything
16:34I will
16:35Caleb
16:36Not every road I walk is for you
16:38You just happen to be standing on mine
16:40And I don't need you anymore
16:42I look up
16:42Ethan is waiting
16:43The road is long
16:45There are people worth waiting for
16:48Elora, wait
16:49I have something for you
16:50You will see it
16:51And you will forgive me
16:52I searched the whole city
16:54I found a craftsman to remake it
16:56I gave him the photo
16:57He made it exactly the same
16:59Elora, look
17:00Our family
17:00Like it used to be
17:01We look happy
17:02But that happiness is gone
17:11Caleb
17:11You don't belong here anymore
17:13You don't get to mention Lily
17:15Her world doesn't have you in it
17:17His hands drop
17:19The locket falls
17:20Hope drains from his face
17:21Despair takes its place
17:23Elora
17:24Walk with me one more time
17:26Just once
17:28Like before
17:29No
17:29The girl at 20 would hold his hand in the dark
17:32Would believe every word
17:33Would think love was everything
17:35The woman at 30 knows better
17:36She walks her own dark roads
17:38She carries her own cold winters
17:40She doesn't need anyone
17:41She doesn't believe in promises anymore
17:43Mrs. Vant
17:44Shall we?
17:46We smile at each other
17:48We walk into the snow
17:49We are going to the intersection where the evacuation happened
17:52The fissure is sealed now
17:54New concrete covers it
17:56People walk across
17:57At the curb
17:58There are white lilies
17:59There are bags of chips
18:01Cans of soda
18:02Toys
18:03Things children like
18:04The apocalypse took from everyone
18:06Lily
18:07Mommy came to see you
18:12The apocalypse is over
18:14We can go home now
18:16Mommy is going to live
18:18For both of us
18:19I am going to live a good life
18:21For you
18:22Be happy up there
18:23Okay?
18:24Ethan tells me Caleb sat at that intersection all night
18:26He held the broken locket
18:28He talked to himself
18:30About me
18:31About Lily
18:32About before
18:33The snow kept falling
18:34The temperature dropped below zero
18:36In the morning
18:37They found him frozen
18:38His body was curled up
18:40His arms were wrapped around his chest like he was holding something
18:43A child
18:44Maybe
18:45His regret came too late
18:46It was worth nothing
18:48It does not bring back my daughter
18:49It does not give me back my years
18:51The past is buried under snow
18:53After the apocalypse
18:54There is new life
18:55And I am new too
18:57I will carry Lily's hope with me
18:59I will walk with Ethan
19:00I will live
19:02I will live
19:02I will live
19:03I will live
19:03I will live
19:03I will live
19:04I will live
19:04I will live
19:04I will live
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