Transcript created: 3rd September 2026

Last updated: 3rd September 2026

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[A small airplane engine whirring, the washing of waves in the sea. We get closer to the plane, hearing a propeller, then transition to the interior of the cabin. We hear sheets rustling.]

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NOOR: [Sleepy, grumpy mumbles]

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[A 90s-esque digital alarm clock beeping.]

 

NOOR: [Reacting, grumbling]

 

[A click, the alarm stops, we hear it topple over as the sheets rustle again.]

 

NOOR: [Stretching, yawning, not wanting to get up]

 

[The sheets rustle as Noor sits up. We hear her move, hear a seatbelt click.]

 

[Music comes in softly - a simple electronic melody of morse-code beeps, moving quickly and rhythmically.]

 

NOOR: (TO HERSELF, SOFT) Ok, let’s fucking do this

 

[Noor’s voice is a mid-pitch tone with an English, specifically London accent. A handheld radio being switched on]

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NOOR: This is Noor. The world ended. [Sigh] Welcome to the Bird Roads.

 

[A handheld radio being switched off.]

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[The music builds, swelling out to an orchestral theme, hopeful and major key, as the morse code melody continues beneath it.]

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[Whilst the music plays, we hear Noor flipping switches as she checks in on the plane, huffing and sighing to herself.]

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[Then we zoom out, back to the propeller and the exterior of the plane.]

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FERAH AHMET: The Bird Roads. Act One. Part One.

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[The music continues, swelling out into a lingering, bittersweet, nostalgic melody of synths and electric guitar, before fading out into the sound of rushing wind.]

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[Beep on the radio of an incoming transmission, click as Noor picks it up.]

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NOOR: Good morning sunshine

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[Jamal has a light voice with an American accent, specifically from Chicago. His voice is distorted by radio static throughout. Every time Noor or Jamal speaks, their line is followed by a bleep of the radios they’re using.]

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JAMAL: Noor, you’re going to die

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NOOR: (Smiling) Aren’t you dramatic? 

 

JAMAL: There is no way on this even bluer planet -

 

NOOR: Hey, I think I found the Q tile from your scrabble set

 

JAMAL:  - wait, really? Where?

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[Under Noor’s line, we hear the click of her handling the scrabble tile.]

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NOOR: Looks like it got stuck in my control column. That’ll teach me to drink and drive. I knew I was hearing something when I pitched.

 

[Whilst Jamal speaks, we hear Noor sigh and flick a lighter, lighting a cigarette.]

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JAMAL: Blackbird - we need to talk about this. There is no way that plane is surviving a trip into the giga-storm

 

[Noor takes a drag of her cigarette before answering.]

 

NOOR: They gave me that name. Blackbird. That’s why it’s my callsign. 

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[Noor takes another drag and then slowly exhales.]

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JAMAL: Surely Finn would want you later and alive than sooner and in pieces

 

NOOR: They probably would. But that’s the catch.

 

JAMAL: What?

 

NOOR: If I wait then I might lose them. [Sighs] I know it’s stupid. I know I’ve got a worse chance of getting out of this in tact than gasoline in a match factory. But if there is a chance - even a tiny, stupid chance that they’re alive in there on that boat and they need me, I can’t stay out here in the big blue sky and live with myself. I’m sorry, I just can’t. 

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[A LONG PAUSE. Eventually, the radio crackles.]

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JAMAL: Right

 

[We hear the sound of a plane engine flying closer, from left to right.]

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JAMAL: So. I’m coming with you.

 

NOOR: (A crack in the facade) Jamal, that’s suicide!

 

[Gentle music fades in, high pitched and slow, sweet and tender.]

 

JAMAL: I know a very stubborn woman who’d say that’s quitter’s talk

 

NOOR: Jamal I’m being serious

 

JAMAL: So am I. You’re the only person I’ve found alive since the world drowned. And as far as I see it, my choices are: wait for hunger, thirst or old age to get me and live with the fact that I let my only friend fly herself into that thing alone. Or go out a little quicker with some of my ego in tact. If nothing else, it’s going to be a hell of a ride. 

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[The music fades out.]

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NOOR: I wish I met you before the world ended

 

JAMAL: (Laughs) Don’t, honestly the apocalypse has done wonders for my character

 

NOOR: (Giggles) If you say so (Sighs)

 

[The music becomes an ominous, low drone in minor key. We hear rain hitting the planes and the rattling of turbulence.]

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JAMAL: (LOW WHISTLE)

 

NOOR: Never thought being up here would make me feel so small. 

 

JAMAL: (Nervous chuckle) Noor, are you sure about this?

 

NOOR: Doing something stupid for someone I love? Baby, I was born for this

 

[A terrible groaning of distant winds.]

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JAMAL: (Nervous) She’s moving fast. Either we fly into her or she hits us. What are we doing Noor?

 

NOOR: I always did like to be on top

 

JAMAL: (Annoyed sigh) Which means?

 

NOOR: Let’s go.

 

[We hear both planes zoom away from us. They’re immediately drowned out by the terrible thunder, rain and groaning of the storm.]

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CREDITS

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[The theme music plays as Ferah speaks.]

 

FERAH AHMET: The Bird Roads Act One, Part One, was written and directed by Ella Watts, with music and sound design by Amber Devereux.

Noor was played by Ferah Ahmet and Jamal was played by Edward Selvey.

Our script editor and production manager was Ross McFarlane. This podcast is a Tin Can Audio production. 

 

[The theme music swells for a final crescendo before fading out on the looping morse code melody.]