[As the credits roll, various newscast soundbytes bleed into one another.]

Clip: The number of confirmed deaths has passed two hundred. The governor has called a state of emergency...

Clip: There were hundreds and hundreds of bodies lining the streets.

Clip: Panic spread worldwide after a leaked report from the World Health Organization showed that the latest vaccination tests have failed.

Clip: ...with the bureaucrats out of power we can finally take the necessary steps to...

Clip: Los Angeles is now the latest city to be placed under martial law. All residents are required to report to their designated quarantine--

Clip: Riots have continued for a third consecutive day and winter rations are at an all-time low.

Clip: A group calling themselves the Fireflies have claimed responsibility for both attacks.

Clip: Their public charter calls for the return of all branches of government.

Clip: Demonstrations broke out following the execution of six more alleged Fireflies.

Clip: You can still rise with us. Remember, when you're lost in the darkness... look for the light. Believe in the Fireflies.

[A knocking on Joel's door wakes him from a deep sleep.]

20 YEARS LATER
Joel: I'm coming.

[A woman walks in and quickly pours herself a drink.]

Tess: How was your morning? Want one?

Joel: No, I don't...want one.

Tess: Well, I have some interesting news for you.

Joel: Where were you, Tess?

Tess: West End district. Hey, we had a drop to make.

Joel: We. We had a drop to make.

Tess: Yeah, well, you wanted to be left alone, remember?

[Joel looks at her face's wound as she dabs it with a rag.]

Joel: So, I'll take one guess. The whole deal went south, and the client made off with our pills. Is that about right?

Tess: Deal went off without a hitch. Enough ration cards to last us a couple of months -- easy.

Joel: You want to explain this?
Tess: I was on my way back here, and I got jumped by these two assholes, alright? Yeah, they got a few good hits in. But... Look, I managed.

Joel: Gimme that.

[He starts cleaning the wound.]

Joel: Are these assholes still with us?

Tess: Now that's funny.

Joel: Did you find out who they were?

Tess: Yeah, look, they were a couple of nobodies -- they don't matter. What matters is that Robert fucking sent them.

Joel: Our Robert?

Tess: He knows that we're after him. He figures he's gonna get us first.

Joel: That son of a bitch, he's smart.

Tess: No. He's not smart enough. I know where he's hiding.

Joel: Like hell you do.

Tess: Old warehouse in Area 5 -- can't say for how long, though.
Joel: Well, I'm ready now. Yeah?

Tess: Oh, I can do now.

[They walk outside.]

Tess: The checkpoint's still open.

Joel: Only got a few hours left until curfew.

Tess: We better hurry up then.

[They walk onto the street.]

Loudspeaker: Attention. Citizens are required to carry a current ID at all times. Compliance with all city personnel is mandatory.

Tess: Look at that. Ration line hasn't opened yet. Must be running low again.

[They pass by the ration line and some citizens getting arrested.]

Tess: Seems like more people are gettin' infected.

Joel: That just means more people are sneakin' out.

[Joel sees an acquaintance nearby.]

Man: S'up, Joel?

Joel: Nothin'.

Man: Hear they took Marianne?

Woman: What happened?

Man: Snatched her in the middle of the night. Said she was a Firefly. Can you believe that shit?

Woman: Better not mention the Fireflies too loudly. You don't want the wrong person hearing you.

Man: Yeah...yeah, you're probably right.

[They reach the checkpoint.]

Tess: I got us all new papers. They shouldn't give us any static up there. Just play it cool.

Guard: Let me see your IDs.

Joel: There you go.

Guard: What's your business here?

Joel: Got the day off. Visiting a friend.

Guard: Alright, move on through.

Joel: Thanks.

[A sudden explosion occurs.]

Tess: Oh shit.

Guard: Get outta here! Go!

Guard 2: Close it up!

[They shut the checkpoint gate.]

Guard: Fireflies!

Guard 2: Fuckin' shoot 'em!

Guard: They're running! Call for backup!

Tess: Joel, come on. Let's get outta here. Let's go. C'mon.

Guard: Goddamn Fireflies.

Loudspeaker: Attention. Checkpoint 5 is now closed until further notice. All civilians must clear the surrounding area immediately.

Tess: Looks like the coast is clear. C'mon.

[They take refuge in an apartment.]

Tess: Fuck...so much for the easy route. Patch yourself up, alright?

[Joel nurses his minor injuries.]

Tess: They're gonna close all the checkpoints. We're gonna have to go around the outside.

Joel: Outside the wall?

Tess: Or we could just let Robert go.

Joel: Cute.

Man: Hey Tess, you see that shit?

Tess: I was there. Hey, how's the east tunnel looking?

Man: It's clear. I just used it. No patrols. Where you off to?

Tess: Gonna pay Robert a visit.

Man: You too?

Tess: Who else is looking for him?

Man: Uh, Marlene. She's been asking around, trying to find him.

Tess: Marlene? What do the Fireflies need with Robert?

Man: You think she'd tell me?

Tess: Well, what did you tell her?

Man: The truth. I got no idea where he's hiding.

Tess: Good man. Hey, you stay outta trouble, alright? Military's gonna be out in force soon.

Man: Yeah -- see you around.

Tess: Marlene lookin' for Robert? What do you make of that?

Joel: I don't like it. We better find him before the Fireflies do.

[They enter a far apartment.]

Tess: This is us.

Man: Hey guys. How's it going?

Tess: Shit's stirring up out there? How we lookin' over here?

Man: Ah, it's been quiet. No signs of military or infected.

Tess: That's what I like to hear. Joel, give me a hand with this.

[They move an entertainment center that hides tunnel access.]

Man: Y'all take it easy out there.

[They jump down.]

Tess: Agh, this place reeks. They need to watch what they throw away down here.

[She turns on the generator.]

Tess: Let there be light. Let's grab our gear. Our backpacks are still here from last time.

[They loot the workbench.]

Joel: Not a lot of ammo.

Tess: Well, make your shots count. Alright, Texas. Boost me up. You ready?

Joel: Yes, ma'am.

Tess: C'mon.

[She pulls him up over the wall. They exit into an old shop.]

Joel: Go on.

Tess: Got it.

[They put the cover over the hidden exit.]

Joel: Be careful.

Tess: When am I not?

Joel: That a trick question?

[They walk out into the overgrown, abandoned suburb.]

Joel: Ain't been out here in awhile.

Tess: It's like we're on a date.

Joel: Well I'm the romantic type.

Tess: You got your ways. Where's the ladder?

Joel: It's gotta be around here somewhere. Got it.

Tess: Great. Bring it over.

Joel: Ladies first.

Tess: Lady? You must be thinking of someone else.

Joel: It's all relative.

[They climb into the old apartment complex.]

Tess: This way. Down through here. You think Robert's still got our guns?

Joel: For his sake...he better.

Tess: Look, once we get our merchandise back, it should be easy to unload.

Joel: Speaking of merchandise, when's the next shipment due?

Tess: Well, we're meeting Bill next month, more pills, lots of ammo,
supposedly.

Joel: Yeah, well he always shows up with somethin'. Should keep us busy for a while.

[They find a passage filled with fungal spores. They put their gas masks on.]

Tess: Hold up. Spores.

Joel: Where the hell are all these comin' from? Place was clear last time.

Tess: They're coming outta somethin'. Stay alert.

[They find an infected corpse in a far corner.]

Joel: There's our culprit.

Tess: Body's not that old. Better keep your eyes and ears open.

Joel: We should be able to fit through here. Oh, shit.

[He moves a vertical support and the roof partially collapses.]

Tess: You okay?

Joel: Yeah. Damn ceiling's falling apart. Be careful. This way. Easy...

[They find an infected person trapped by the rubble. He reaches out to them.]

Joel: Jesus. Watch it. Watch it.

Infected: Help me... My mask broke. Don't...don't leave me to turn. Please.

Tess: What you want to do?

[If Joel puts him out of his misery:]

Tess: Poor bastard.

[If Joel leaves him be:]

Infected: Come back... Don't leave me like this. Come back.

[They hear a noise further on.]

Tess: Up ahead. You hear that?

Joel: Shh, shh, shh.

System: Hold R2 to focus Joel's hearing.

Tess: How you wanna handle it?

[The duo ends up killing the infected enemies.]

Tess: Alright, that's all of 'em.

Joel: Let's hope so.

Tess: Let's head back into the city.

[They exit the spore-filled building back into the sunlight.]

Tess: Ahhh...some fresh air. That's the one thing I love about the outside. Fuckin' hate the smell of the city.

Joel: Why don't you ask Bill to get you some of them air fresheners?

Tess: Hey, if they weren't expired, that'd be a good idea. Through here.

[They pass through a false wall.]

Tess: Cover the entrance.

Joel: I got it.

[Their makeshift bridge from before is...]

Tess: Damn it. Plank fell down. Be a dear, would you?

Joel: I'll get it.

Tess: Here. Pass it to me.

Joel: It's a bit heavy.

Tess: I think I can handle it.

Joel: Alright.

Tess: Get your ass up here. Let's move.

Joel: Bossy today.

[They reach a street near their destination.]

Joel: Let's make sure there aren't any soldiers around.

Tess: It's clear. Come on.

[They enter a corner apartment.]

Tess: Shut it. Pick up that ammo. I'm sure we'll need it.

[She knocks on a far door. A child acting as a lookout approaches.]

Tess: Hey, little man. Make sure the coast is clear. No soldiers. None of Robert's men. Yeah?

[She pays him with a ration card.]

Joel: You know he's expecting us.

Tess: Well, that'll make it more interesting.

[The lookout signals them.]

Tess: Good to go. C'mon.

[They enter a more civilized part of town. An acquaintance accosts her.]

Man: Hey Tess, hey Tess. Hey, pretty lady, how you doin' today?

Tess: Not right now, Terence.

Man: No, no, it's good.

Tess: Not...now. You hear me?

Terence: Okay. I can do that. Don't get all huffy-puffy about it.

[They continue on.]

Man: Tess, it's been awhile. You don't visit us any more.

Woman: Who the hell is that?

Man: None of your damn business.

[They need to pass through an old bus to continue.]

Man: Where do you think you're goin'?

Tess: Malick. Sit back down.

Malick: Oh sorry, Tess. Didn't realize you two were together. Go ahead.

Joel: Who's that?

Tess: An old headache. Don't ask.

[They go up to a man standing near a gate. She hands him a ration card.]

Tess: I'm lookin' for Robert. He come through here?

Man: Half hour ago. He went back to the wharf. He's there now.

[They soon encounter some of Robert's goons.]

Joel: Here we go.

Tess: Let us through.

Goon: You guys need to turn around and head back if you know what's good for you.

Tess: Our beef isn't with you. We just want Robert. You don't want to do this.

Goon: Turn the fuck around and leave now.

Tess: I'm not going anywhere without Robert.

Goon: Bitch, I will bash your skull unless you turn around and get your dumb ass outta here.

Tess: Fuck this.

[She shoots him in the face.]

Goon 2: Take cover!

Tess: You ready?

Joel: Yeah.

Goon 3: I'm gonna fuckin' kill you!

Tess: I'll cover you. Get the angle on them.

[They slaughter the remaining foes.]

Tess: Nicely done, Texas.

Joel: You too. How the hell did he get all these guys?

Tess: If Robert's good at one thing, it's writing blank checks. Let's go put an end to that. Shit. Not goin' through here. Hey. Boost me up.

Joel: Alright, c'mon...

Tess: Gimme your hand. There you go.

Joel: Alright.

Tess: Over here, Joel.

[They get past the locked stairway and find more sentries.]

Tess: More of Robert's guys.

Joel: Shit, I see them.

Sentry: How do you know they're comin'?

Sentry 2: Two of our guys died trying to take Tess out. I guarantee that she and Joel are on their way, right now, to get Robert.

Sentry: Jesus, we shouldn't have taken this job.

Sentry 2: Not our call. Let's spread out and make sure no one's creeping around here.

Tess: Nice and quiet, Texas.

[She silently eliminates one of them.]

Tess: Move up, move up.

[They move closer to the remaining sentries.]

Sentry 3: I meant to tell you, I was down on Jordan Street, and all these soldiers showed up with a group of about five civs, all in handcuffs.

Sentry 4: Let me guess, Fireflies?

Sentry 3: Yup, they lined 'em up against the wall and bang, bang, bang, they just executed all of 'em.

Sentry 4: Holy shit.

Sentry 3: Yeah, I hear it's like that all over the city. They're cracking down on 'em hard.

Sentry 4: I got a cousin with 'em.

Sentry 3: Seriously?

Sentry 4: Yeah. Idiot thinks he's gonna save the world. Hope he's alright.

Tess: You take one out, I'll take the other.

[They silently eliminate both.]

Tess: Good to have you around. Let's search the area.

[They enter the far garage, also occupied by enemies.]

Guard: Hey, we consolidated the crates in the south warehouse. Supplies are locked up.

Guard 2: Good, let's do another once-over and then head out. It's getting too close to curfew.

Guard: What about Robert? Who's he holing up with tonight? Guy's too paranoid to stay here by himself.

Guard 2: Fuck if I know. We'll check in with the others and come up with something.

Guard: Okay.

[They kill all the guards.]

Tess: We shoulda brought more people.

Joel: They'd just slow us down.

Tess: Yeah, you're right. C'mon, the docks are this way. Let's do this.

[They enter the wharf area and see Robert.]

Tess: There's our boy. That cocky son of a bitch.

Joel: Let's go wrap this up.

Sentry: Shipments have been dry for a long time.

Sentry 2: Yeah, well we lost our contacts in the North, lost our contacts in the South. Shit. I don't know who's left out there to sell us stuff. Guess this is why we're taking shitty protection jobs.

Sentry: Fucking Robert. This rat better be good for it.

Sentry 2: Even if he is, then what? I'm telling you, this zone is done for. We better think of an exit strategy.

Sentry: You're insane. Going outside the wall is suicide.

Sentry 2: Plenty of other smugglers do it. What do you think's gonna happen here once supplies run out?

Sentry: I'd still take my chances in here.

Tess: That office. Robert must've run in there. Let's not wait around.

[They dispatch the lackeys and enter Robert's office.]

Robert: Oh shit! Get back! Get the fuck back!

Tess: We just wanna talk Robert.

Robert: We ain't go fuckin' nothin' to talk about.

Tess: Put your gun down!

Robert: Go fuck yourself!

[He throws his empty gun and takes off.]

Tess: He's running!

Joel: Robert!

Robert: Screw you, Joel!

Tess: Joel, this way! C'mon, he ran in here!

[Joel takes off after him.]

Tess: We almost got him.

Joel: C'mon, c'mon.

Tess: Joel, he's right there.

[They corner Robert near a fence he can't jump.]

Robert: Come on.

Tess: Hello, Robert.

Robert: Tess. Joel. No hard feelings, right?

Tess: None at all.

[Tess clubs his kneecap as he tries to bolt past her.]

Robert: Ahh...goddammit!

Tess: We missed you.

Robert: Look, whatever it is you heard, it ain't true, okay? I just want to say--

Tess: The guns. You wanna tell us where the guns are?

Robert: Yeah, sure, but...it's complicated. Alright? Look, alright, just hear me out on this. I gotta--

[Joel kicks him in the face and stands poised to break his arm.]

Robert: Fuck... Ah, stop, stop, stop!

Tess: Quit your squirmin'. You were saying?

Robert: I sold 'em.

Tess: Excuse me?

Robert: I didn't have much of a choice. I owed someone.

Tess: You owed us. I say you bet on the wrong horse.

Robert: I just need more time. Just gimme a week.

Tess: You know, I might've done that if you hadn't tried to fucking kill me.

Robert: C'mon, it wasn't like--

Tess: Who has our guns?

Robert: I can't. Just gimme a couple days--

[Joel breaks his arm.]

Robert: Fucking...

Tess: Who has our guns?

Robert: It's the Fireflies. I owed the Fireflies.

Tess: What?

Robert: Look, they're basically all dead. We can just-- Just go in there, finish 'em off. We get the guns. Whaddya say? C'mon. Fuck those Fireflies. Let's go get 'em.

Tess: That is a stupid idea.

[She shoots him in the head.]

Joel: Well, now what?

Tess: We go get our merchandise back.

Joel: How?

Tess: I don't know. We explain it to them. Look, let's go find a Firefly.

Voice: You won't have to look very far.

[A woman from the wanted posters shows up, wounded.]

Joel: There you go: queen Firefly.

Marlene: Why are you here?

Tess: Business. You aren't looking so hot.

Marlene: Where's Robert?

[Tess steps back to reveal his corpse.]

Marlene: I needed him alive.

Tess: The guns he gave you, they weren't his to sell. I want them back.

Marlene: Doesn't work like that, Tess.

Tess: The hell it doesn't.

Marlene: I paid for those guns. You want 'em back? You're gonna have to earn'em.

Tess: How many cards are we talking about?

Marlene: I don't give a damn about ration cards. I need something smuggled out of the city. You do that...I'll give you your guns and then some.

Joel: How do we know you got 'em? Way I hear it, the military been wiping you guys out.

Marlene: You're right about that. I'll show you the weapons.

Voice: Search the area.

Voice 2: Yes, sir.

Marlene: I gotta move. What's it gonna be?

Tess: I wanna see those guns.

Marlene: Follow me.

Tess: We gotta get out of here -- now!

Voice 1: Find the door!

Voice 2: They locked it!

Marlene: You want this deal, we gotta move. Through here. I know a way around this. C'mon.

[She leads them onto the rooftops. They hear an explosion a few blocks away.]

Tess: Holy shit. Is that your people?

Marlene: What's left of them. Why do you think I'm turning to you guys? This way.

Joel: So why now?

Marlene: We've been quiet. Been planning on leaving the city, but they need a scapegoat. They've been trying to rile us up.

Joel: Looks like they did.

Marlene: We're trying to defend ourselves.

[They hop into a warehouse.]

Marlene: Joel, give me a hand with this.

Tess: Hey, how you holding up?

Marlene: I'll live.

[They approach a guarded bridge.]

Marlene: Hold up. Soldiers. That's the way out. The door under the bridge.

Joel: Ain't a big fan of these odds.

Marlene: We can sneak by them, even though I know that's not your style.

Tess: We'll see how it goes. Let's get moving.

[They come across some guards.]

Guard: Damn, we missed all the action.

Guard 2: Justice waits for no one, private.

Guard: Ah, whatever.

Tess: I'll get this one. Go around and get the other.

[They neutralize the guards.]

Marlene: Good, stay quiet.

[They approach the far guards.]

Marlene: Okay, watch yourselves.

Tess: They're out in numbers today.

[They eliminate the foes and enter the room beneath the bridge.]

Marlene: Go on. Get inside.

Tess: Where are we going, Marlene?

Marlene: This way. It's not far now.

Tess: How you holding up?

Marlene: I'm running on fumes -- but I'll make it. The place is right up ahead.

Loudspeaker: Attention. Curfew is now in full effect. Anyone caught outside without the proper authorization will be arrested and prosecuted.

Tess: Shit. We need to hurry.

Joel: What the hell are we smuggling?

Marlene: I'll show you. Joel, give me a hand with this.

[They enter a back room of a warehouse. Marlene stumbles.]

Joel: Whoa, whoa, whoa... Come on now, get up.

Girl: Get the fuck away from her!

[A girl appears with a knife, but Tess catches her before anything happens.]

Tess: Hey, hey, hey.

Marlene: Let her go.

Joel: You're recruitin' kind of young, aren't ya?

Marlene: She's not one of mine.

[The girl sees her wound.]

Girl: Shit. What happened?

Marlene: Don't worry. This is fixable. I got us help...but I can't come with you.

Girl: Well then I'm staying.

Marlene: Ellie, we won't get another shot at this.

Joel: Hey -- we're smuggling her?

Marlene: There's a crew of Fireflies that'll meet you at the Capitol Building.

Tess: That's not exactly close.

Marlene: You're capable. You hand her off, come back, the weapon are yours. Double what Robert sold me.

Tess: Speaking of which, where are they?

Marlene: Back in our camp.

Tess: We're not smuggling shit until I see them.

Marlene: You'll follow me. You can verify the weapons, I can get patched up. But she's not crossing to that part of town. I want Joel to watch over her.

Joel: Whoa, whoa. I don't think that's the best idea.

Ellie: Bullshit! I'm not going with him.

Marlene: Ellie...

Ellie: How do you know them?

Marlene: I was close with his brother, Tommy. Said if I was ever in a jam I could rely on him.

Joel: Was that before or after he left your little militia group?

Marlene: He left you too. He was a good man.

Tess: Look, just take her to the north tunnel and wait for me there.

Joel: Jesus Christ.

Tess: She's just cargo, Joel.

Ellie: Marlene...

Marlene: No more talking. You'll be fine. Now go with him.

Joel: Don't take long. And you -- stay close. Let's go.

[Ellie and Joel set off together. They immediately find Firefly corpses.]

Ellie: Whoa...I heard all the shooting, but... What happened?

Joel: The Fireflies. Same thing's gonna happen to us if we don't get off the street.

Ellie: You're the pro. I'm just following you.

Loudspeaker: Attention. Harboring or aiding wanted criminals is punishable by death. Do not place yourself at risk. Report any suspicious activity immediately.

Joel: Down here.

[They take a small stairway next to the street.]

Joel: C'mon, keep up.

Ellie: I am.

[They enter a deserted apartment yard.]

Ellie: Where are we going?

Joel: Up there, that'll get us to the north tunnel.

Ellie: How are we supposed to reach that?

Joel: Just gimme a minute.

[He uses a dumpster as a makeshift stepping stone.]

Ellie: This tunnel...you use it to smuggle things?

Joel: Yep.

Ellie: Like illegal things?

Joel: Sometimes.

Ellie: You ever smuggle a kid before?

Joel: No. That's a first. So what's the deal with you and Marlene, anyways?

Ellie: I don't know. She's my friend, I guess.

Joel: Your friend, huh? You're friends with the leader of the Fireflies. What're you, like twelve?

Ellie: She knew my mom, and she's been looking after me. And I'm fourteen, not that that has anything to do with anything.

Joel: So where are your parents?

Ellie: Where are anyone's parents? They've been gone a long, long time.

Joel: Hm. So instead of just staying in school, you decide to run off and join the Fireflies, is that it?

Ellie: Look, I'm not supposed to tell you why you're smuggling me, if that's what you're getting at.

Joel: You wanna know the best thing about my job? I don't gotta know why. Be honest with you, I could give two shits about what you're up to.

Ellie: Well great.

Joel: Good.

[They make it to the apartment rendezvous point.]

Joel: This is it.

[He reclines on the couch and closes his eyes.]

Ellie: What are you doing?

Joel: Killing time.

Ellie: Well, what am I supposed to do?

Joel: I am sure you will figure that out.

Ellie: Your watch is broken.

[Joel wakes up later. It's nighttime and raining. Ellie looks out a window.]

Ellie: You mumble in your sleep. I hate bad dreams.

Joel: Yeah, me too.

Ellie: You know, I've never been this close. To the outside. Look how dark it is. Can't be any worse out there. Can it?

Joel: What on earth do the Fireflies want with you?

[Tess arrives.]

Tess: Hey. Sorry it took so long. Soldiers fuckin' everywhere.

Ellie: How's Marlene?

Tess: She'll make it. I saw the merchandise. It's a lot. Wanna do this?

Joel: Yeah.

Tess: Let's go.

Joel: Don't you think it's a bit strange that they're askin' us to do their smuggling?

Tess: Marlene wanted to do it herself. We weren't the first choice, or the second for that matter. She's lost a lot of men. Beggars can't be choosers.

Joel: Yeah, let's just hope there's someone alive to pay us.

Tess: Someone'll be around. Come on.

[They start up a small elevator.]

Joel: Who's waitin' for us at the drop-off?

Tess: She said there's some Fireflies that have traveled all the way from another city. Girl must be important. What is the deal with you? You some bigwig's daughter or something?

Ellie: Something like that. How long is this all gonna take?

Tess: If everything goes as planned, we should get you to them in a few hours. Ellie, once we get out there, I need you to follow our lead and stay close.

Ellie: Yeah, of course.

[They make it to the Outskirts entrance.]

Tess: Climb up and check if the coast is clear.