Severance (2022) s02e02 Episode Script

[MARK] Devon! Devon!
[HELLY] No, no, no. Listen,
we're not happy, we're miserable.
Burt!
- They torture us down there!
- [MARK] Devon!
- [GROANS]
- [HELLY] We're prisoners!
[IRVING] Burt!
She's alive!
[CHATTERING]
- [PATTON] Yeah. Okay.
- Mmm. Okay.
Mark?
Here. Will you take her for a second?
- [RICKEN] It's okay. I got her. Yeah.
- [DEVON] Be careful with her.
- Don't go far though.
- Mm-hmm. I won't. [GRUNTS]
Mark.
So, this is you now?
Yeah.
Are you okay?
[MARK] Yeah.
- Are you sure?
- Yeah.
What's my name?
Persephone.
Can you spell that?
- Never.
- [CHUCKLES] Okay.
- [ELEANOR CRYING]
- [RICKEN] Babe
- Okay.
- need help with this diaper.
Oh, boy.
- I think she wants mommy.
- [SNIFFLES]
Fetid moppet.
Father.
We'll have someone
from the floor liaise with the outies.
We need to find out
who they talked to. Promptly.
[SIGHS]
[DOOR OPENS]
[HELLY] I need you
to go see all of them.
Find out every word they said
and who they said it to.
And shall I fire them?
[HELLY] Let Kier guide your hand.
[MR. MILCHICK] Of course.
Please, sit.
We've commandeered the footage
taken by guests.
Natalie is already
doing outreach to media.
And the severed employees
who were involved are being dealt with.
[SIGHS]
Thank you for acting so quickly.
You saved us from disaster.
Will Mr. Eagan be joining?
Just me.
I personally owe you
a debt of gratitude.
It cost me dearly.
It did.
And still,
you proved your loyalty tonight.
Which is why we'd like to ask you back.
An apology is warranted.
I apologize.
My father apologizes.
The Board apologizes.
We've treated you poorly.
I'm sorry.
[MS. COBEL BREATHES HEAVILY]
I welcome your contrition.
I'm so glad.
There's much damage to control.
I recommend we start
by scouring the feed,
and I need to interview Dylan G.
to see how he gained access to the
We have something else in mind.
We'd like to offer you a promotion.
Severance Advisory Council.
[CLICKS TONGUE]
I never heard of such a thing.
[HELLY] It's a brand-new initiative.
You'd be spearheading its formation.
Your expertise is greatly valued.
Which is why
I should be running the severed floor.
Mr. Milchick
has been promoted to floor manager.
You don't value me.
[ENGINE RATTLES]
You fear me.
We fear no one.
[HELLY] And if we didn't hold you
in such high esteem,
we wouldn't be making
this generous offer.
I'll put some thought to it.
Thank you for coming in, Harmony.
Mr. Drummond will see you out.
[MS. COBEL] I don't need an escort.
[BREATHES SHAKILY]
[NATALIE] Ready?
Earlier this evening,
at an event where I was excited
to share my status
as a severed individual
with a group of friends and allies,
I made the poor decision
to consume alcohol
while on a non-Lumon medication
for an arm rash.
This had an inebriating effect,
which caused me
to say some deeply regrettable things.
- Ah, Mr. Milchick.
- Apologies for the hour.
Is everything all right?
How's your night been
[SIGHS] Mr. Bailiff?
Fine. Uh, they're showing
Barber of Seville on TV.
[CHUCKLES] So I've just been here.
Wonderful. And you're feeling well?
Oh, God. What did I eat in there?
[CHUCKLES] We just need to know
if anything of note occurred.
Anything at all.
W-Why don't you tell me
what's going on, Mr. Milchick?
[HELLY] In the moment,
I thought I was being funny.
But in the hours since this outburst,
I've been reminded
just how seriously my family's company
affects the lives of real people
around the world.
You know,
your innie is a friend of mine.
I feel confident
he'd approve of me saying so.
And he's a man of principle,
which is rare.
Which is what makes this so difficult.
You're firing me?
When Lumon falters,
it's our cherished workers
and their families who suffer first.
[ENGINE HUMMING]
So for the fear and insecurity
this has caused, I must sincerely atone.
[MR. MILCHICK] You were involved
in a physical altercation
with another employee this evening.
It was brief but violent.
And I regret to say
that you were the aggressor.
- Wait [BREATHES HEAVILY]
- As such,
I'm afraid we've no choice
but to terminate your employment,
effective immediately.
Distrust of Lumon has been
sadly endemic since its founding.
My words provided more fuel
for a pernicious hate and derision.
You can't just do that.
What What happened?
Did I break something? Or I-I can
I can pay. I-I have cash upstairs.
When I said my innie
was being tortured
[SIGHS]
What am I supposed to tell my wife?
This was a joke and a lie.
I'm sorry.
I'm committed to this company
with every part of me.
[ENGINE STARTS]
But I'm also human.
Just like my innie
and just like you.
[RICKEN] Well,
that was more drama than I planned.
[REBECK] I guess so.
I'll let you know if we do
another reading.
[REBECK] Yes, please do.
And don't punish the baby, Ricken.
This wasn't its fault.
Of course. Good night, Rebeck.
I'm not the only one
who heard you say it.
- It's not like I made this up.
- Right. You know, I'm just
[RICKEN] We can reschedule
the reading to next month. It's fine.
I just have to decide
if I'm going to restart
- with chapter 1.
- So what?
So you said, "She's alive."
- [RICKEN] If I may
- [DEVON] I'm trying to help you.
If I may, I really did feel it was clear
you were referencing the baby.
[STAMMERS] Patton had just saved her.
[DEVON] Well, he found her, yeah.
And I think that your
workie was excited.
I have to say, Mark,
he really is a jewel.
Guys,
obviously I was referencing the baby.
Yeah.
- Okay?
- Yes.
No [STAMMERS]
Yeah. I agre I think Ricken is right.
I agree.
[DEVON] I Babe,
will you take her for a second?
- [RICKEN] Uh, yep.
- [SIGHS]
[DEVON] So let's [SIGHS]
Occam's razor this shit.
You're looking for Eleanor,
you find this picture,
which obviously is of interest to you,
- so you pick it up.
- Right.
And then when Patton found Eleanor
- Saved her, I'd still say.
- Okay, whatever, yes.
- You still had it with you.
- [EXHALES] Yeah.
Yeah. I think it's the only thing
that makes sense.
Okay. And Eleanor
was in the study because
Because Mrs. Selvig left her in there.
- Or Cobel, whatever the fuck.
- Right.
Perhaps "Cobelvig"
would be a helpful nomenclature.
And assuming that "She's alive"
really was about the baby
I mean, you don't think it was?
- I do think it was.
- Then why are you saying it like that?
I don't Sorry, I'm just exhausted.
- It's been a weird fucking night, Mark.
- Oh, my God.
Why are you getting aggressive
- with me right now?
- Oh, my God! Th
- Okay, guys. Okay, okay.
- Whatever.
Let's deal with what we know to be true,
all right?
Mark's workie went to great lengths
to awaken himself
to alert us to abuses.
Um, he was inspired by my book.
He found great meaning in it.
Profundity.
- [DOORBELL CHIMES]
- Um
Oh, goddamn it, Rebeck.
- Honey, can Got her?
- Yeah.
What the fuck are you even saying?
Why are you being a dick to me?
I'm trying to help you.
- I'm just trying to get
- [MR. MILCHICK] Good evening, Dr. Hale.
- [RICKEN] Good evening.
- Seth Milchick from Lumon.
Is Mark Scout here by chance?
Uh, yes, he is.
Um, come in.
[MR. MILCHICK] Thank you.
Mr. Scout.
I imagine you have a few questions.
- Oh, you could say that.
- [CHUCKLES]
May I sit with you?
Right this way.
[CHUCKLES]
You must be Devon.
[SCOFFS]
[MR. MILCHICK] Okay. So
That is a magnificent helmet.
Thank you.
What happened tonight is what we call
the "overtime contingency."
It's a safeguard we employ
if we ever need to access
your work personage off company grounds.
Yeah, you never told me about this.
OTC disclosure can be found
in your start paperwork.
It seems the tech was commandeered
by one of your office mates,
allowing him to wake the rest of you
for a period of 39 minutes.
Innie Mark was here in this house.
I know. I talked to him.
What did he say to you?
If I tell you,
are you gonna punish him for it?
[MR. MILCHICK]
We have no punishments at Lumon.
Uh-huh.
We're more concerned
about how you're doing, Mr. Scout.
I can only imagine how violated
you feel by his actions.
- [DEVON] Yes, speaking of violations
- You
just wondering how common it is
for your managers to commit
fucking lactation fraud
against their employees' families.
Pretty common?
Ms. Cobel.
[DEVON] Yeah.
What we learned tonight
is that she is quite severely unwell.
- Uh, yeah. She lives next door to me.
- [DEVON CHUCKLES]
I, like, know her.
And her behavior at Lumon
seems to be the source
of your innie's distress.
She will never descend
to that floor again.
Nor bedevil you out here any further.
You have my word.
But we do need to know
what we're dealing with.
Is there anything?
Anything you can tell me?
I mean
No
[STAMMERS] I mean, we're very tired.
Yes, we are.
I think, uh,
we've just said all there is to say.
Okay. Of course. I'll circle back.
In the meantime,
I hope to see you Monday.
Yeah. I don't know, man.
What your innie did tonight
was completely unauthorized.
It was also very brave.
I'd hate to reward his courage
with nonexistence.
[DOG GROANING]
[DOG WHINES]
[GRUNTS]
[ENGINE HUMMING]
[CLICKING]
[KNOCKING]
[HELLY] You think we're
about to meet our spouses?
[MARK] Uh, maybe.
[HELLY] Maybe it's each other.
That'd be a hoot.
Yeah. Yeah, like, uh,
mid-argument over car wash coupons.
[CHUCKLES]
"Honey, you're cutting them wrong!"
[CHUCKLES]
- Okay.
- All right.
[HELLY BREATHING HEAVILY ON DEVICE]
[KISSES, BREATHES DEEPLY]
In case we don't come back.
Or, I don't know, in case we do?
[SIGHS]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
In case we don't come back.
Or, I don't know, in case we do?
[PHONE CHIMES]
[DYLAN SIGHS]
[SIGHS] You got this.
No pressure. [SIGHS] Be cool.
You are so awesome. Smile.
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
May I, um, ask about benefits?
[INTERVIEWER] There's a coffee maker.
I meant, uh, health care benefits.
Oh, sure. Yes, of course.
For you. Your family.
Okay. Okay, great. Yeah, you know,
I I think this is gonna be
a really great fit for me, Mr. Saliba.
You know [STAMMERS]
ever since I was a kid,
- I've always felt like doors had
- How old?
Sorry?
How old were you
when you knew you loved doors?
- Five.
- Mm-hmm.
If you could be any kind of door,
what would it be?
Uh
pocket.
- Interesting. Tell me more.
- Yes.
Well, you're, you know,
doing your door thing and then,
uh, when you're not needed,
you can just
Just tuck yourself away.
[CHUCKLES]
Flat finish or eggshell?
- Semi-gloss.
- Oh.
Hmm. That's hot.
[CHUCKLES] You remind me of me, Dylan.
You like kickball?
As a skill? Or, like,
do I follow it professionally? I
Yeah.
We play on Fridays.
There's a fun prize if you win.
You mean a door prize.
Sorry.
A lot of short-term employment.
And then Lumon.
- Yes.
- And they make their doors in-house.
It's fucking hubris.
Uh [BREATHES DEEPLY] yeah.
Um, I was a severed employee, so
You're a severed?
Yes. Yeah, I was. Um, but you know,
it's just me here and, um
Well, Mr. George, thanks for coming in.
What?
We'll consider
your application thoroughly.
That's it?
Just because I'm severed? [STAMMERS]
Like I said, we'll consider
your application thoroughly.
Okay. You're not considering me at all.
That's discrimination.
We need a certain kind of person here,
Mr. George,
not a certain kind of two people.
What do you think this is?
A carpet factory?
- What?
- You want to circumcise your brain,
that's your business.
But it doesn't mean I have to hire you.
And personally, I think it's abhorrent.
[PHONE BUZZING]
[BUZZING STOPS]
[SIGHS]
[PHONE BUZZING]
Read the room.
I would have picked up the phone
if it was good news.
[GRETCHEN]
Oh, I'm sorry. You'll get the next one.
Stop being nice.
[SIGHS]
Hey, do we need, um
Do we need more baby wipeys?
I don't think so.
You know what? I'll get some anyway.
I'll be home soon.
Okay. Bye, hon.
[DEVON] So, he's your boss?
And what about "Cobelvig"?
Have you heard from her?
I went by there.
No one answered the door though.
Fuck. Well, I was just thinking,
maybe there was a way we could confirm
what your innie meant.
Devon. Jesus Christ. Are you serious?
I know we're not supposed to contact him
but Danise is a
lawyer and apparently,
- you can petition
- I'm quitting.
- You're quitting?
- Yeah.
Okay. Have you
Have you called them already?
No, I was gonna do it tonight.
Uh-huh.
I'm sorry. [STAMMERS]
Haven't you been trying to get me
to quit that place since I got there?
I thought
I was finally doing what you want.
No. Yes, but don't you think
that was strange last night?
I mean
[STAMMERS] why was he so curious?
Devon, what are you doing?
You remember I identified her, right?
- Yes, Mark.
- I saw her body.
Yeah, I know.
My thing is, if we could just get, like,
a half-step more confirmation,
then it's not gonna be something
that continues to haunt us.
- Do you know what I mean?
- Us?
Yes. She was my family too, Mark. Fuck.
Yeah. But she was my wife.
I know, but you're not the only one
her death affected.
- Oh, really? It affected you?
- Yes.
Did you have to tell her parents
that she was dead?
How about her students?
How about this.
Did your sheets smell like her
for weeks afterwards?
You know what? Honestly,
if Ricken died and his body burned,
- I'd be sad for you.
- Wow.
But I wouldn't be affected.
This is obscene.
I just want to be sure.
I am sure!
- I'll talk to you later.
- Mark.
Mark.
[SIGHS]
[COIN CLATTERS]
[SIGHS]
- [VEHICLE APPROACHING]
- [IRVING] Okay.
You're not picking up. I get it.
I want you to know
my innie got the message.
- [DOORBELL RINGS]
- [KNOCKING]
Mr. Milchick?
Compliments of the company.
We got off on the wrong foot last night.
- Hmm.
- Okay to talk a minute?
Uh, yeah. Come on in.
[MR. MILCHICK] Thank you.
So, Mr. Scout, I know you're still
weighing whether to return to Lumon.
[STAMMERS] Yeah.
[CHUCKLES]
I'd like to ask you a few questions
that may inform your decision.
Is that all right?
[SIGHS] Okay.
Terrific.
First, how happy are you with
your current financial compensation?
Uh [SIGHS]
I ask because our endearment to you
is such that a 20% bump is on the table,
should you return.
Oh, 20%. Um. Wow.
My second question is whether a full
investigation
into your innie's claims,
and regular wellness checks
from independent orgs,
would help you
feel more excited to return?
Well, I [STAMMERS] I don't know.
Is that what they're doing?
It's the first step of many.
[MARK SIGHS]
My third question
concerns your late wife, Gemma.
What about her?
In your intake interview,
you cited her death
as a primary motivator for severing.
Do you remember what you said?
No.
You said since she died,
every day feels like a year.
That you felt like
you were choking on her ghost.
Do you still feel that way, Mr. Scout?
The Mark I've come to know
at Lumon is happy.
He cares for people and he's funny.
He knows nothing of the pain
I see in you right now.
He's found love.
Love?
With who?
The solace you have given him down there
will make its way to you.
It just takes time.
I hope you'll give us that time,
Mr. Scout.
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
Are you satisfied with this?
The sister seems more uppity than he is.
So, who are you bringing into MDR?
I've got a floater from overseas
and a pair who were laid off from 5X.
5X?
Really?
[MR. MILCHICK]
I had 48 hours to pull this together.
Hopefully there will be some chemistry.
[HELLY] We don't need chemistry.
We need Mark S. back to work.
Go on ahead.
Long enough to complete Cold Harbor.
- See you tonight.
- All right.
[BEEPS]
- Good night, Mr. Scout.
- Good night, Judd.
[JUDD] Good morning, Mr. Scout.
Morning, Judd.
- Good night, Mr. Scout.
- Night, Judd.
Good morning, Mr. Scout.
Good morning, Judd.
[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]
[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]
- Mr. Scout.
- Good night, Judd.
[MARK] Hello? Is anyone there?
Is the Board on?
It's Mark S. from Macrodata Refinement.
[BREATHES HEAVILY]
Okay. Well [STAMMERS]
if you're there, please listen.
Now, I know that you want to
do the right thing for severed people,
which is why I need
to see my team again.
[MR. MILCHICK] Mark!
[MARK] If we truly are the face
of severance reform, as you say,
- then they deserve a chance.
- [MR. MILCHICK] Mark!
[MARK] Please. They're my friends!
You can't just make them disappear!
Of course, I bear full responsibility.
The Board's gonna
give him what he wants,
including Helly R.
He won't finish without them.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
Mr. Milchick?
Mr. George.
[MARK W.] This is unheard of.
- [GUARD] I'm sorry, Mr. Wilkins.
- Three days of work.
I broke a fucking lease in Grand Rapids.
Fucking touch me.
Give me another reason to sue.
Fuck you, Lumon!
- Hey, Judd.
- Mm-hmm.
[SCANNER BEEPS]
[EXHALES]
[DINGS]
[SCANNER BEEPS]
[DINGS]
[SCANNER BEEPS]
[DINGS]
Morning, Judd.
[BEEPS]
Hey!
[SIGHS]
Hello, Mark. Just back from work?
Where do you think you're going?
What do you care?
What do I care? [SCOFFS]
What do I c
Who are you?
I thought you were quitting.
I trusted you.
I told you what I'd gone through
these past two years.
You
You were in my house. You [STAMMERS]
I ate your shitty fucking cookies.
They convinced you to stay?
Was a pineapple involved?
You're so easy to sway.
What? So that's it? You're just
You're le You're leaving?
[ENGINE STARTS]
- Are you fucking kid
- [ENGINE REVS]
Why did you do this?
What the fuck is this all about?
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
Do you know something about Gemma?
[BREATHES SHAKILY]
[BREATHES SHAKILY]
- [HORN HONKING]
- [SCREAMS]
[MARK] Whoa!
[BREATHES HEAVILY]