INT. BUNK ROOM - DAY
LONNIE (12), a skinny boy in worn mittens, pulls at a frozen metal drawer knob.
The drawer remains stuck.
Lonnie braces his boots against the bunk frame and yanks.
A sharp CRACK of ice. The drawer screeches open.
Inside: empty ration wrappers and a bent nail.
Lonnie reaches into the back corner and pulls out a sliver of ice.
It is a bird, wings swept back, carved with microscopic detail.
Lonnie tucks the bird into his pocket.
He wraps a thin scarf twice around his neck.
EXT. FROST STREETS - DAY
Gray sky hangs over gray buildings. People shuffle past with heads down.
Lonnie walks past a ration depot where a long line waits in the cold.
He stops at a fence of twisted rebar.
A carved ice fish hangs from a metal spike, tail curved as if swimming.
Lonnie looks toward the frozen river.
EXT. GLIMMER TRENCHES - DAY
Ice-heavy buildings groan. Broken pipes form frozen sculptures.
Lonnie finds a five-pointed ice star on a shattered window sill.
A heavy hand clamps onto Lonnie's shoulder.
JESSE (45), gaunt with rat-like eyes, looms over him in a scavenged coat.
What are you looking for, mouse?
Lonnie tries to pull away. Jesse's grip tightens.
Jesse pries Lonnie's fingers open, revealing the melting star.
Your brother make this?
Lonnie stands perfectly still.
Where is he?
Laying low. The Warden's busy.
Jesse rubs his hands together.
Guiding is hungry work.
EXT. GLIMMER TRENCHES - MOMENTS LATER
Lonnie pulls a ration bar from his coat.
Jesse snatches it and chews with his mouth open.
The other one, too.
Lonnie hesitates, hand hovering over his pocket.
Jesse turns to walk away.
Lonnie holds out the second bar. Jesse stuffs it into his pocket.
Let's go find him.
INT. DERELICT FACTORY - NIGHT
The factory floor is a graveyard of frozen machinery.
High above, an ice key hangs from a steel beam, glittering.
The last clue.
Lonnie looks up, a smile breaking across his face.
Behind him, the massive metal door SLAMS shut.
The SCREECH of a bolt sliding home.
Four ENFORCERS (30s), tall and broad in dark uniforms, emerge from the shadows.
Jesse, run!
Jesse stands by a machine, watching the Enforcers advance.
A good day's work, Jesse.
Jesse pockets a small pouch handed to him by an Enforcer.
Where's Jay?
There is no code, kid. I made that key this morning.
Jesse walks toward a side exit.
The Enforcers spread out, their boots CRUNCHING on the frost.
Lonnie reaches into his pocket and pulls out a wet, shapeless lump of ice.