Scene 12: Burned Out

Aaron finds Spencen sitting at a bar.

AARON: I thought you had 

sworn off places like this.

SPENCEN: Things change

when you're burned out

of home and purpose.

AARON: How many have

you had already?

SPENCEN: Don't even think

about trying to catch up.

This is my pity party.

Go start your own.

AARON: Never occurred to

me to pity you, doc.

SPENCEN: Oh, don't start that.

AARON: Not once.

SPENCEN: I'm no damn doctor.

AARON: Then what are you?

SPENCEN: Sitting on a hell hole

so hellish that I could never do

any more harm to it.  At least

that's what I thought.  

But I never saved anybody.

AARON: Well that's a lie.

SPENCEN: Did you hear what

I just said?  No one here has

any place to go.  They're just

going to keep on hurting one

another and there's not a

thing that I can do about it.

I've just prolonged it all.

AARON: You really think

you haven't saved anybody?

SPENCEN: Stop it.

AARON: What about that

Noclysis today?  That's a

harrowing last patient if

you're putting up the apron.

SPENCEN: He could have done

like the rest of you and at 

least tried not to get shot.

Ahhh, probably couldn't 

help it.  I don't think his

kind can see too well.

They either don't see a

threat or feel threatened 

too easily and get into fights.

AARON: Ok, what about me?

SPENCEN: What about you?

AARON: Didn't you save me?

SPENCEN: You wound up

here didn't you?

AARON: Come on.

SPENCEN: Ok, ok.  I guess...

if I don't outlive you it counts.

Deal?

AARON: I like to think

we've both gone on

to do a lot of good.

SPENCEN: Oh, you do

do you?

AARON: Yeah.  And I actually

didn't have to do anything to

show you.  I just thought you

might like to know that

you're keeping us waiting?

SPENCEN: Keeping who waiting?

Unshaven and unkempt, outside Spencen's glassy eyes are met with a packed street of friendly faces.  All manner of species, some still freshly bandaged and recovering, others completely healthy.  They all chatter their approval at seeing Dr. Spencen emerge and clap an ovation.

Several of the older women approach with pouting faces to express compassion over his slightly drunken state.  They take hold of him and make to lead him away.

SPENCEN: I guess I have a

house and clinic anywhere

in the refugee sector.

Aaron leaves his friend far behind him in a much happier state and goes to join the crew at the shuttle parked a short distance away.  He smiles with unabashed pride and turns back to see his friend get swallowed by the crowd.  But then he sees Spencen fighting against them.  The doctor takes a young boy by the shoulder and puts something in his hand before sending him on his way.

The boy obediently runs at full speed across the distance between the shuttle and celebration.  He reaches Aaron and breathlessly hands over the piece of paper.  When Aaron takes it he leaves again.  Aaron reads it and turns to the crew.

AARON: We have a job.

You up for it?

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