META RUNNER - Season 1 Episode 1: Wrong Warp/Transcript

Unnamed Scientist (real name tbc): Video games are everything. Jobs, entertainment, lifestyle. It's the engine that powers society itself, and to make it in this society you need to win. A lot. Be it in FPS games, platformers, battle royales, you name it. There are gamers who train every waking moment of their life with the hopes of becoming the best. And at the top of the food chain, you have Meta Runners. People who are willing to replace their limbs just for a boost in accuray, dexterity and performance. With legions of fans who adore them, Meta Runners are the best of the best. That is: until the world sees what I have planned. Until the world sees you, Tari.

(Cut to a darkened lab. Tari wakes up, gasping. The camera cuts to various different abandoned lab equipment. Tari notices her cybernetic arm. She looks surprised. Through flashbacks we hear distorted voices:)

Unnamed Scientist: Y-yes! You beat the game in record time! I'm so proud of you, Tari.

(End flashback)

(Tari starts to walk around the abandoned lab.)

Tari: H-hello? Is anyone there?

(Another flashback begins)

Unnamed Scientist: We're going to ramp up the difficulty a bit... I want you to try your best.

(End flashback)

(Tari stumbles outside and into an alleyway.)

(Another flashback begins)

Unnamed Scientist: Oh god no. Oh no, no, no, no, no! Shut up! Shut up!

Woman (off screen, presumably the scientist's assistant.): Doctor! what's happening?

Unnamed Scientist: Just hang in there! (Both start screaming)

(End flashback)

(Tari manages to make it into the street, crawling on her hands and knees. There are screens promoting various products placed all around buildings. A few pedestrians are nearby. She begins to wander around as the camera provides cinematic shots of the city. Tari watches a few humans play video games.)

Man: Oh hey, did you want a turn?

Tari No, eh, s-sorry. Just looking.

(A man across the street is visibly annoyed about losing in a match 3 game.)

Man across street: God damn it. C'mon, ah! Hahaha! Yes. ... My bus! Damn it, wait! Wait, wait wait! Wait...

(Tari continues to walk around the street. A woman's drink is stuck in a vending machine.)

Woman: Dang it!

Tari: Ummm, is something wrong?

Woman: Rrrgh! My day's ruined!

(Tari smacks the side of the machine, very gently. The drink falls.)

Woman: Thank you so much!