Future Darkly: Pandemic - Kate and the Free Man

We dont create a fantasy world to escape reality, we create it to be able to stay. Lynda Barry KATE AND THE FREE MAN SCENE OPENS on Kate Cherie DeVille in bed. She lays under freshly-bleached white sheets pulled up to her shoulders, wearing earplugs, shop glasses, and an oxygen mask. She takes a panicked breath, sitting up suddenly. CUT TO TITLE Kate looks at her to-do list on the kitchen counter, a list of all of the rituals she has developed as coping mechanisms for her agoraphobia. Kate reviews the list. But, looking at all of the individual items on the list, Kate quickly becomes overwhelmed. Finally, she slams her marker down on the counter. Suppressing her panic with controlled breathing, she disinfects her hands, puts on a pair of latex gloves, and walks briskly away. Determined, Kate goes down the list, meticulously cleaning and safe-guarding every corner of her home. Suddenly, her landline rings. She glances at the phone and decides to let the answering machine pick it up. On the answering machine, Kates sibling leaves what sounds like a frustrated, repeated message, reminding her to take care of some plants that she got Kate. The message hangs up, with a beep. On the