The Food's Getting Cult

**The Food's Getting Cult** is the first episode of Season 1 of Totally Twenties.

## Synopsis

The Twenties Gang are visiting the little town of Yatoosa in the Appalachian Mountains. After a scenic but hunger-inducing hike to the waterfall and back, they explore town and eventually find the The Yumblebuzz Café, which is unlike anywhere they've ever been before. While they're waiting for their food, Harriet Peters thinks something seems off about the café, and learns with a quick internet search that it's run by a cult. After the meal, a staff member invites the Twenties Gang to a gathering at their commune the next night, and only Rick agrees, wanting to disprove to his friends that the café is run by a dangerous cult. Harriet and Freya bravely venture into the cult's commune to try to get Rick out before their train goes back to New York City the next day.

## Transcript

[Opens on the hiking trail down the valley to Yatoosa Falls]

[Some birds fly overhead]

[The Twenties Gang are walking down]

Katiella: So, Zhong, how much further to the waterfall now?

Zhong: Not far, Katiella.

Freya: I might be biased because I'm Scottish, but I bet it's not as beautiful as the Falls of Glomach!

Zhong: I've got no doubt they're amazing too, Freya, but are they this good?

[Camera zooms out to reveal Yatoosa Falls as Harriet, Katiella, Abhinav, Freya and Rick gasp in awe]

Freya: Well, that's quite something there, Zhong, but the Falls of Glomach are quite hard to beat.

Zhong: I thought you'd think so.

Abhinav: Thanks for taking us here, Zhong - this is amazing! Just look at that pristine, sparkling water.

Zhong: You know me, Abhinav! When it comes to nature, I'm always hungry for adventure!

Rick: Speaking of hungry, who brought lunch?

[Harriet, Katiella, Abhinav, Zhong and Freya are silent]

Rick: Well?

[Harriet, Katiella, Abhinav, Zhong and Freya are still silent]

Rick: Right, y'all - we're goin' back up the hill!

Zhong: But what about Yatoosa Falls?

Freya: At least we'll get to explore town now!

Back up the hill...

[Establishing shot of the town of Yatoosa]

Zhong: Isn't Yatoosa a beautiful mountain town?

Katiella: Totally - and it seems like there's 'mountains' of places to eat!

[Shows some cafes over the road]

Katiella (offscreen): But which to choose?

Katiella: Ooh, check it out - the Sweet Little Ponies store!

Harriet: I don't think that serves food, Katiella.

Katiella: I know, but I still wanna go in and check it out! Maybe after lunch.

Rick: How 'bout this here one with the bee - The Yumblebuzz Café!

Zhong: I've actually been meaning to try this place for ages!

Katiella: Then let's go in - looks like it'll 'bee' pretty good!

Inside the Yumblebuzz Café...

[The interior of the café has a hippie-like aesthetic with intricate woodwork]

[The Twenties Gang are walking to their table]

Freya: The woodwork in here must have taken months!

Zhong: Hey, here's a table!

[The Twenties Gang sit down at the table]

Lola the waitress (dazed, insincere voice): Welcome to the Yumblebuzz Café, friends! My name's Lola. Can I go grab you some menus?

Abhinav: Sure, that'd be awesome!

Lola: \*brings them each a menu\* Here you go - what's it gonna be?

Zhong: Hmm... let's see... I think I'll go for the garden burger. That looks like the best vegetarian choice.

Rick: And, uh, I'll go for the, uh... Reuben sandwich! That looks good!

Abhinav: And I'll have...

[Clock sound effects start playing to show the slow passage of time]

[Cuts to the time by which the Twenties Gang have ordered]

Zhong: Sorry we took so long to order.

Lola: That's okay. You know, these days, nearly everyone's stuck living in a society where haste and speed are prioritized over all else. Here at the Yumblebuzz Café, we follow a philosophy that favors things that take time, like friendship, hard work and dedication! Bye, guys! \*walks away\*

Later...

[The Twenties Gang are finishing their food]

Katiella: So guys, where do you wanna go next while we're in Yatoosa?

Harriet (whispering): I don't know, but something does not seem right about this place. Even that girl, she seemed a little... \*wiggles hand\*

Katiella: Well, I guess that stuff about their philosophy was a little out of nowhere.

Harriet: \*types on her phone\* Holy smokes!

Harriet (whispering): This place is run by a cult!

Rick: Give it here...

Harriet: \*passes Rick her phone\*

Rick: \*chuckles\* Come on, Harriet, this here's just some clickbait!

Harriet: Well, if you press 'back' and see the rest of the search results, you'll find out it's not the only one.

Rick: \*presses 'back'\* Aw, you know them clickbait headlines, always copyin' each other like that.

Freya: I shall have to have a wee read of this article if you don't mind.

Harriet: Yeah, Rick, let's see what Freya thinks!

Rick: \*passes Harriet's phone to Freya\*

Freya: Thanks, Rick. \*reads the article silently and makes a shocked face\* Och, as far as I can deduce, this looks legitimate.

Lola: Hey guys, you wanna come to our gathering this evening? There's going to be dancing, and singing, and all sorts!

Freya: We'd love to, but that's quite alright, Lola. We've got to get the train back to New York tomorrow and we want to get ourselves a good rest.

Lola: You know this is still New York, right?

Freya: New York City. This is regional New York State.

Rick: I'll come!

Lola: Oh, that's wonderful!

[The rest of the Twenties gang are shocked at Rick]

Lola: Meet you at 6pm. Here's the address. \*hands Rick a card with the address\*

Rick: Thanks, Lola! See you there! My name's Rick, by the way.

At the youth hostel at 5:30pm...

Rick: Right, y'all - I'd best be on my way.

Harriet: Hold your horses, Rick. You're not handing yourself over to that crazy cult on my watch!

Rick: They ain't crazy, Harriet! I'll be back tonight to tell y'all there was nothin' to be afraid of!

Harriet: You're not... really gonna do it, are you, Rick?

Rick: Y'all relax now.

Harriet: You're not going anywhere without us, Rick!

Rick: Hey - I promise I’ll be back for the train home tomorrow. What time’s it gonna be again?

Freya: 10am.

Rick: 10am, got it.

Freya: And remember, Rick, don’t believe a word they say.

Harriet: We’re depending on you making it to the station tomorrow in time to catch the 10am train, or else your luggage is going home without you.

Freya: And don’t let them know you’ve got to leave!

Rick: Well, a deal’s a deal, I guess, so y’all are gonna see me there! See y’all later! \*leaves\*

Freya: There he goes…

Harriet: Everybody after him!

[Harriet, Katiella, Zhong, Abhinav and Freya chase Rick]

[Sections of the chase through the town are shown until they almost reach the commune]

Rick: This is it, y'all! Don't be afraid! \*runs inside\*

Harriet: Okay, who's goin' in after him with me?

[The rest of the Twenties Gang are silent]

Harriet: Zhong! These guys pretend to be hippies, and you're an actual hippie! You can come!

Zhong: They don't seem like the kind of people who'd respect my they/them pronouns.

Harriet: How about you, Freya?

Freya: Well, I don't know...

Harriet: Oh come on, Freya. You know how to design websites, and you know all kinds of facts about Scotland and trains, but you don’t know if you’re gonna come in or not?

Freya: Actually, I will come. I've read the article, so I'll have an idea of what they're up to.

Harriet: Awesome! Now let's go get Rick back.

Freya: That cult may be sneaky, but something tells me their brainwashing tactics will be no match for how bored Rick will be.

Harriet: Only one way to find out. Come on, Freya. \*walks into the commune\*

Freya: \*follows Harriet calmly\*

Inside the commune...

Lola: \*gasps\* Hello, hello, welcome! I saw you two at the Yumblebuzz Café earlier! Weren't you with Rick?

[Harriet and Freya are silent in fear]

Rick: They sure were, Lola! I'd like you to meet my good friends Harriet Peters - she’s got the yellow shirt, and Freya Linton - she’s got the blue beanie and sweater vest.

Lola: Well, it's great to see you again, Harriet and Freya! You two are awfully quiet!

Freya: Aye, well,...

Lola: Anyway, you're just in time for the Weekly Beehive Throwing Ritual!

Freya: The what?

Lola: But first, a word from our leader, the Great Buzzulorf!

Great Buzzulorf: Greetings, folks! To mark the end of another week of our Buzzulorfian togetherness, I would like us all to do exactly as we always do - gather in a circle and throw our beehive to each other!

Freya: And why do you expect us all to engage in such a foolish and dangerous act?

Great Buzzulorf: Oh, looks like we got a couple of newcomers!

Harriet: Somebody could drop that beehive, you know! Then we’re all in real trouble, including the bees themselves!

Great Buzzulorf: Just make sure you're careful, and it'll go fine, trust me. Now, all you people, get in a circle!

[Everyone stands in a circle except for Harriet and Freya]

Great Buzzulorf: Come on, you two, don't be afraid!

Freya: \*rolls eyes\*

Harriet: \*looks angrily at the Great Buzzulorf\*

TBA