Character Dialogue – Marnie the Mall Cop ↓
Mall Cop Marnie in Lockdown City
Story Summary
An unexplained and abrupt lockdown order shuts the mall down at closing time, trapping the employees inside. Ex-army mall cop Marnie tries her best to keep the peace, but as their imprisonment stretches on, the other workers— from the food court corps to the luxury retail staff— start to wonder whether that peace is worth keeping.
- Marnie has been jogging laps around the top floor of the mall. As she comes to a halt in front of the giant powered-off Bloomingdale’s sign, Nina, a retail employee wearing an elegant tailored suit, is waiting for her by the emergency stairwell.
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Nina
Throw that terrible uniform away. You look wretched, darling. And you smell worse. - Marnie catches her breath.
-
Marnie
...Hello to you too, Nina. -
Nina
It’s been days. Wear something else, anything else. Have your pick of the palace! No one will care. -
Marnie
I'll care. IOUs are for essential items only. Otherwise it's— - Nina rolls her eyes.
-
Nina
“Stealing.” Of course. - They start walking down the emergency stairwell together, Nina in the lead.
-
Marnie
Your store? -
Nina
Locked. You worry too much, Miss Officer. -
Marnie
Well, yeah. It's my job. - Beat.
-
Nina
Is it? -
Marnie
Even if they're not... - Marnie shakes her head briefly.
-
Marnie
It's still my responsibility. - Nina stops and turns to look at her.
-
Nina
Not what? -
Nina
Not paying you anymore? Not answering the phones? Nowhere to be found? -
Marnie
It doesn't matter. We still have to keep everything secure, keep everyone safe. -
Marnie
Once all of this is over, we'll be judged by the decisions we made here. We have to— -
Nina
Judged? By whom? -
Nina
Your loyalty is wasted on those old goats. - Nina starts walking again. After a brief hesitation, Marnie follows.
-
Nina
They're probably all dead already. -
Marnie
We don't know that! -
Nina
We don't know anything. This will never be over. -
Nina
The only thing we should be worrying about is our own selves. - Marnie pauses on a step. Nina continues walking.
-
Marnie
Then why do you come up to wait for me every night? - Nina laughs a little, and flicks her hair.
-
Nina
What else is there for me to do? - Marnie starts walking again. They continue in silence for a few seconds.
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Marnie
You could make some other friends. - Nina pauses fractionally, but keeps moving.
-
Marnie
I know you don't get along well with the others. I see you eating alone a lot. - Nina stops. She turns and advances up a few steps, closing the distance, getting in Marnie’s face.
-
Nina
Oh? -
Nina
You want to tell me with whom I should spend my infinite time? -
Nina
Those bedazzled sugarbabies at Vuitton? You want to watch me choke on their cheap perfume? - Marnie sighs.
-
Marnie
Nina. -
Nina
You think I should go and make nice with the little anorexics at Gucci? -
Nina
Maybe I join them while they snort their amphetamines in the bathroom? -
Marnie
Nina. -
Nina
You know how they talk about you behind your back? -
Marnie
You still can't call them that. -
Nina
They call you a baby dyke. They say you're confused. They think you're tragic. -
Marnie
Stop. Stop, okay? - Nina gestures scornfully.
-
Nina
Perhaps you think I should search for bosom companionship at Michael Kors? -
Marnie
Look, Prada isn't paying you anymore, either! What makes you better than all of them? - They stare at each other.
-
Marnie
...Aren't you better than me? - Beat.
-
Nina
You are as dumb as you are sweet, Miss Officer. - Nina turns and starts walking downstairs again. After a moment, Marnie follows.
-
Nina
You think rescue is truly coming for us. -
Nina
You think that if we do good, if we keep order, we will be rewarded. -
Nina
You are so diligent. So proper. Equally kind to everyone. You think you will save all of us. - Nina extracts a silver case from her jacket, and takes out a cigarette.
-
Nina
Someone has to save you from yourself. - Nina stops at the landing, and yanks open the emergency door.
-
Marnie
Where are you going? -
Nina
To smoke my filthy cigarettes that you hate. And then to L'Occitane. -
Nina
I am getting you some soap. Good soap. You need it. -
Marnie
No, you won't! That's stea— -
Nina
I don't hear you. I'm going. I am gone.