INT. VAULT 4 – DECONTAMINATION ROOM
The trio sits in a brightly lit chamber sealed with thick steel doors. A steady, low hum fills the space — the decontamination process in progress.
MAXIMUS sits stiffly on a bench, arm in a sling, shoulder patched but still aching. A spot of dried blood clings to the torn collar of his shirt.
DR. EDMUNDSON finishes cleaning up at a nearby tray. He clicks his tongue disapprovingly.
DR. EDMUNDSON
(sucks his teeth)
Using teeth for ammunition... Always finding new ways to kill each other up there, aren't they?
He turns, holding a small vial and injector.
DR. EDMUNDSON (CONT'D)
We'll need an antibiotic. Might've nicked the joint.
Nasty little infection brewing if we leave it alone.
MAXIMUS
(grumbling)
I'm fine. I've had worse.
DR. EDMUNDSON
You had a rotten human tooth lodged in your shoulder.
You're not fine.
LUCY
Titus. This is a Vault doctor. We should listen to his advice.
Maximus scowls but doesn't argue.
Doctor Edmundson steps away. Lucy walks to the reinforced glass window and presses a button on the intercom. On the other side stands BIRDIE — late 20s, calm, collected, and watchful.
LUCY (CONT'D)
We can't thank you enough for letting us in and taking care of us.
BIRDIE
(smiling)
It's what we do here.
Oh, and we found your friend's armor. Our surface foragers are bringing it back now.
LUCY
(relieved)
That's great, thank you.
It's not ideal for us to stay put, but… God, it's good to be behind a sealed door.
I don't know if you've been up there — the surface?
It's not good.
BIRDIE
I was born on the surface.
Lucy blinks, caught off guard.
LUCY
Oh, uh... you just seem so—
BIRDIE
Normal?
(smiles gently)
My mother was a courier.
We made it to Filly when I was eleven — three days' walk from here.
I could still feel the heat from the blast.
LUCY
You're from Shady Sands?
BIRDIE
Many of us are.
We were lucky to find a community like Vault 4.
LUCY
(quietly)
So were we.
BIRDIE
We just need you to stay in the decontamination room a bit longer.
Final radiation sweep. After that, you'll be cleared for residency — if you want it.
LUCY
Thank you again, truly.
The intercom clicks off. Birdie turns and walks down the hall.
A quiet settles in again.
MAXIMUS closes his eyes and leans back, jaw tight with pain.
Lucy sits beside JUNO, who has his Pip-Boy dimmed in his lap — just idly messing with it.
JUNO
(low, to Lucy)
Was your vault like this?
LUCY
Mine's similar... kinda.
She glances across at Maximus, then back at Juno.
LUCY (CONT'D)
You okay?
JUNO
It's just... I'm here in a vault filled with people,
and it makes me wonder —
I'm closer to answers, but it's weird.
Why was mine abandoned? Left for dead?
LUCY
Maybe something just went wrong in your vault, Juno.
She nudges his shoulder lightly.
LUCY (CONT'D)
But you made it. You're here.
And that means something.
We'll find answers. Don't worry.
JUNO glances at her. Her voice is soft, but sincere.
JUNO
(quietly)
Thanks, Lucy.
Their eyes meet again — longer this time.
The low hum of the chamber fills the space around them.
LUCY
You don't have to figure it all out tonight.
For now… we're safe. That's enough.
He nods, barely.
Minutes pass. Juno leans back against the wall — his stomach audibly growls. He winces.
JUNO
(grumbling)
I'd kill for a burger right now.
LUCY
(turns to him, confused)
What's a burger?
JUNO straightens, visibly shocked.
JUNO
(half-laughs)
Wait — are you serious?
LUCY
(deadpan)
I'm from a vault, remember?
Juno runs a hand through his messy hair, suddenly animated.
JUNO
Okay, okay — imagine this:
A warm, toasted bun. Soft but with a little crunch.
Then there's this thick, juicy patty — beef, mostly — sizzling hot.
Melted cheese oozing over the sides.
Crispy lettuce, tomato, onions if you're into it. Maybe pickles.
And sauce — like real, tangy sauce to compliment.
Lucy chuckles at his enthusiasm.
LUCY
Sounds... messy.
JUNO
(leaning forward, grinning)
It's a glorious mess. A perfect one, in fact.
You bite into it and for like five seconds, nothing else matters.
It's science and poetry between bread.
LUCY laughs now, genuinely amused.
LUCY
You make it sound like religion.
JUNO
(half-smirking)
To some of us, it was.
He pauses, a glint of nostalgia in his eye.
JUNO
If we ever get the chance, I'll try to make one.
No promises on taste, though — haven't heard of beef around these times.
Lucy leans back beside him, smiling softly.
LUCY
I think I'd like a messy miracle burger.
A beat. Then—
A soft chime sounds from the ceiling.
VAULT SYSTEM (V.O.)
Decontamination complete.
Welcome to Vault 4.
The heavy doors hiss and begin to slide open.
END