Transcript created: 3rd September 2026

Last updated: 3rd September 2026

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[We’re in the storm. It’s a terrible, all-encompassing thunder, as if the sky itself is devouring us. There’s an awful, massive groaning and howling wind. We zoom in on the plane - the turbulence is rattling its metal frame violently and the rain is driving. ]
 

NOOR: (Straining, wrestling with the control column) No you don’t
 

NOOR: [Huge effort sound as she forces the plane to fly level]
 

NOOR: (Fierce and frantic) Come on. You can do this. You can do this.
 

[Beep of the radio, Noor fumbles and picks it up with a rattle.]
 

JAMAL: (Straining and audibly stressed) You know how I said this was a terrible idea?
 

NOOR: You can say I told you so when we’re dead!
 

JAMAL: I can’t see a damn thing! (Sudden yell of fear or panic, reacting to something we can’t see) Where are you?

 

NOOR: (Through massive effort) Nine o’clock. Keep it steady. True course is seventy-two degrees, variation nine degrees west, deviation three degrees east.
 

JAMAL: (Huge effort, nervous chuckle) Tango seventy-two, victor nine, delta three. Got it. (Another yell of reaction, followed by strain) Do you think we should have had this conversation before we entered the giga-storm?
 

NOOR: It’s not too late to chicken out!
 

JAMAL: I’m not going to die with you thinking I’m a coward, Blackbird.
 

NOOR: (Laughing) Ok. Race you!
 

[The planes’ engines rush past us. The title music begins - first with a simple morse code melody, then a sweeping orchestral swell, fading into a nostalgic, slower tune and electric guitar.]
 

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

[The theme music fades.]
 

[We come back in on the plane engines. The storm sounds massive and the planes are rattling and groaning under the strain.]
 

JAMAL: (Laughing) I don’t know what i was worried about, this is therapeutic
 

NOOR: If they made me do this instead of therapy it would have worked!
 

[There’s a terrible howl from the storm.]
 

JAMAL: [Starts to laugh, then screams]
 

[Debris slams into Jamal’s aircraft and his radio cuts off abruptly.]
 

NOOR: Jamal?? Report, Jamal! Report NOW! (she hits the plane) You motherfucking bastard you are not allowed to die on me!
 

[JAMAL’s signal comes in, cutting across NOOR]
 

JAMAL: (In pain, frightened) MAYDAY, MAYDAY, Broadcasting on all channels, I’ve been hit! Blackbird, this plane just turned into cotton candy.
 

NOOR: Jamal, it’s ok, I can hear you. I'm coming to get you.
 

JAMAL: No, don’t!
 

NOOR: FUCK YOU!
 

[We hear Noor breathing heavily, frustrated and straining against the rattling plane. The engines whine and groan as she fights the storm.]
 

NOOR: I see you!
 

JAMAL: Go back! I’m not taking you down with me!
 

NOOR: That was the plan, remember? We die together or not at all. I’m shooting a tow line.
Wind of a metal gear, rattle of a chain. Noor reacts as the planes connect, jerking them together.
 

NOOR: Hey, Jamal?
 

[LONG BEAT, filled by the terrible storm]
 

NOOR: JAMAL!!
 

[More of the storm]
 

JAMAL: (Exhausted) It’s ok Blackbird. I'm with you.
 

NOOR: Hold on!
 

[We hear the plane engines, the storm groaning and crackling with thunder, the planes creaking and whining.]
 

[Anticipatory music comes in, beating a melody like a ticking clock as Noor and Jamal try to escape the storm.]
 

NOOR: We’re nearly there. Just stay with me.
 

[The music continues.]
 

NOOR: (Exhausted) Ok Jamal. Prepare to ditch.
 

[The storm fades. Noor reacts as her plane lands in the ocean, and the sound of the waves swell up around us. The music is still playing a ticking clock melody.]
 

[Noor switches off the engines, and rushes through the cabin, pulling on a lifejacket.]
 

NOOR: [Effort sounds: stopping plane, getting up, opening cupboards, putting on lifejacket, pulling aircraft door open.]
 

[NOOR opens the door in the side of her plane, and plunges into the open ocean.]
 

NOOR: [Effort sounds: jumping into ocean, swimming / tugging herself along the iron cable between their aircraft.]
 

[NOOR reaches the other aircraft, heaving herself up. There’s a heavy metal crashing sound.]
 

NOOR: [Effort sounds: clambering onto the plane, opening the cockpit and pulling Jamal out of his seat.]
 

JAMAL: [Half-conscious sound of pain]
 

[We’re inside the plane now, but there’s water dripping in all around us and the metal frame is creaking and whining.]
 

NOOR: Jamal. Hey. Hey. Come on. Wake up. You don’t get to die and leave me here. We’re dying together in a blaze of glory, right? Or…Or else I’m gonna introduce you to Finn and our cat. Remember our cat? You were so excited to meet her. Jamal. Come on. (Noor’s voice breaks)
 

[The music keeps playing.]
 

NOOR: Wake up.
 

[The music fades to a stop, replaced by the sound of dripping water.]
 

NOOR: (Starting to cry) Wake up.
 

[The episode fades out on the sound of dripping water.]

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CREDITS

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[The theme music plays as Ferah speaks.]
 

FERAH AHMET: The Bird Roads Act One, Part Two, 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 is 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.]