CASTING PREREQUISITES; Young Adult, Female, North American Accent, Asian American.

NOTE; Script and budget are WIP, and as such are not listed at final values.

This is a long-term role, as the ARTIFICIAL FAULTS story will be told over multiple seasons. If you have any questions regarding the role or the project, just let me know!

Frida-097 is one of the lead characters in the ARTIFICIAL FAULTS story. Serving as one of the Petty Officers within supersoldier unit Zero Team, Frida is a playful, youthful, and caring member. A seeker of optimism in the otherwise serious tones her occupation places her in, she tries to keep energy on the up and up, when everyone around her is down.

Like her flawed compatriots, however, Frida's cheery nature is a mask for her true struggles. Afflicted with schizophrenia, Frida regularly suffers from episodes of delusion and hallucinations. During these moments, her feared thoughts of not truly existing, being forgotten, and her actions being ultimately worthless come to light.

Frida seeks a stronger bond with her fellow Spartans, despite her occasionally clashing personality with them. This ranges from her resisting routine maintenance work (given by her commanding officers Raimundo-035 and Valencia-086) in favor of finding an activity more stimulating, though in times of stress she does take matters more seriously. She also (usually without agreement) drags fellow Petty Officer Halbert-012 into a playful rivalry. 

These are the following audition scenes, you only have to read Frida's dialogue;

Frida-097 AUDITION SCENES;

SCENE 1: FRIDA AND FELLOW PETTY OFFICER HALBERT-012 DISCUSS THE STATE OF THEIR NEW BASE OF OPERATIONS, AS WELL AS RECONVENING AFTER AN EXTENDED SEPARATION PERIOD.

Meanwhile, Halbert and Frida explore the remainder of the facility, patrolling and getting familiar with their new base of operations. 

HALBERT (SCOFFING)

Look at this place. This is what the Marines were using? No wonder we were getting our ass kicked for three decades straight.

The two armor-clad soldiers come across an exposed wind turbine, its blades rusted by time and spinning rapidly as it emits an ear-piercing whine. Directly next to it is an observation tower. Halbert and Frida glare at the turbine blankly.

HALBERT (TURNING)

Yeah, this thing? Not gonna work out. I’ll have to ask the “Commander” if we can be transferred to a different facility, assuming whoever he talked to will let us. Then again, top brass usually seems to take care of stuff like that when we need it.

As Halbert rambles, Frida observes the turbine and the polluted, yet vibrant and strong gusts of wind produced by the blades.

HALBERT

I mean, we’re a Spartan unit, aren’t we? I’m not asking for the red carpet or anything, but this just isn’t standard protocol compared to what we’ve gotten in the past. That makes sense, right, Frida?

Halbert turns back around, waiting for a response from Frida, who is absent.

HALBERT (CURIOUS)

Frida?

Frida exerts herself as she jumps directly into the turbine’s path.

FRIDA (LAUNCHING)

Hup!

Suddenly, she is lifted high into the air from the polluted wind, and lands directly on top of the observation tower.

FRIDA (IN AWE)

Woah… Halbert… you gotta give that a try!

HALBERT (CALLING BACK)

I can think of a very long list of things I’d rather do. Can you come back down here?

FRIDA (LOW)

Heh, party pooper.

Swiftly, Frida pounces from the observation tower and lands with a powerful thud next to Halbert, her armor impacting the concrete below. A cloud of dust is kicked up, staining Halbert’s armor. As Frida recovers, he brushes it off in an annoyed fashion.

HALBERT

I couldn’t care less about you messing around, but don’t do it near me. You get caught and we’ll both be running laps for days. At least until the next mission, which doesn’t seem like it’ll be a long wait.

FRIDA

Yeah, they didn’t wait around to put us back in the saddle. What do you think they got us ready for?

HALBERT (SHRUGGING)

It’s just the same nonsense in a different time, Frida. We fight, go to sleep in the icebox, wake up, repeat. Just gotta do the mission better each time and get it over with. That’s all ONI and the UNSC care about, that’s why they’re keeping us around.

FRIDA

I wouldn’t say that. They’re keeping us around because what we do matters. We matter. Not everyone can say that.

HALBERT

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

FRIDA

You’ll come around sooner or later. In any case… it’s good to see all of us together like this. It’s… been a while, after all.

HALBERT (LOW)

Yeah.

A moment of silence between the two. Frida awkwardly looks around, before pointing out one of the nearby target practice boards on display in front of them. She begins to walk over.

FRIDA

Anyways, I saw some of the target practice boards this place has while I was up there, come take a look!

Halbert follows in suit, curious at what Frida is focused on. The target practice board is covered with the silhouette of a Brute solider, weapon raised in a battle stance.

FRIDA

Check it out, they’re life size! Up top we got some Jackal Sniper practice, and over here we got... wait a second...

HALBERT (CURIOUS)

The hell… a Brute?

FRIDA (CONCERNED)

...Why? I mean, I get it, know your enemy and all that, but they aren’t exactly hard to hit, being the size of a damn car. This should be… you know…

HALBERT

Them. It should definitely be them. 

FRIDA (CURIOUS)

I mean… do you think they’re not around anymore? What if something happened to them while we were under?

HALBERT

You and I both know something like that isn’t on our side of luck. Got a feeling this has to do with why we’re being kept around. Valencia is probably knee-deep in this facility’s archives by now, I’m going to ask her.

Halbert turns around swiftly, back across the ramp and towards the control center of the facility.

FRIDA (PLAYFUL)

Ah, ah, ah! You mean you’re going to ask the Lieutenant!

HALBERT (CALLING BACK)

Don’t get cute.

SCENE 2:  FRIDA AND FELLOW TEAMMATE VALENCIA-086 DISCUSS THEIR ULTIMATE PURPOSE AS SPARTANS, AS WELL AS SOLDIERS.

As Frida continues to bounce the grenade, footsteps approach on the level below. Another Zero Team member turns the corner of the parallel structure, revealed to be Valencia, curious on the disturbance.

VALENCIA (CALLING OUT)

097!

No response. Valencia shakes her head in frustration. She approaches Frida, seemingly focused entirely on the grenade’s impacts.

VALENCIA (REPEATING)

097!

Again, no response. Valencia approaches directly underneath Frida’s elevation, and calls out once more.

VALENCIA (LOUDER)

Frida!

Frida, suddenly alert, looks towards Valencia below, yet manages to catch the grenade in her hand one more time without her focus. 

FRIDA (DISTRACTED)

Oh, hey, Lieutenant.

VALENCIA

Do you mind telling me why you’re... occupying yourself with a fragmentation grenade?

FRIDA (LOW)

No reason. Just... thinking, I guess. 

VALENCIA

If you’re thinking, then I recommend thinking about completing your list of maintenance tasks. Petty Officer Halbert-012 has already started on his.

Valencia looks over her shoulder, turning back towards the raised platform facing the conversing, armored pair. On top rests Halbert, tucked away in a small corner onboard. 

In front of him are empty magazines, paired with ammunition rounds waiting to be interacted with. He sits idle by them, arms crossed as he slowly breathes in and out, dormant.

VALENCIA (CALLING OUT)

Isn’t that right, 012?

No response rises from Halbert.

VALENCIA (LOUDER)

I said, isn’t that right, 012?

Halbert briefly shakes himself awake to respond, groggily.

HALBERT (SLURRING)

Hm, yes, yes, Lieutenant, I’m working on it...

VALENCIA

Mhm, be sure to have all those magazines filled by the time I check in on you!

HALBERT

Yes, ma’am...

Halbert shakes his head as he returns to his slumber.

FRIDA (GROANS)

Ugh, isn’t there anything else we can do around here?

VALENCIA (TURNING BACK)

You can also continue combat exercises using the training boards. And without that grenade, you know the rules. Standard issue only. Put it back.

Frida throws her head back onto the platform she leans on, resting on it in defiance.

VALENCIA

Do you want me to get the commander? I don’t think he would take kindly to you ignoring your duties.

FRIDA (GROANS)

Ugh...

VALENCIA

Does that mean you’re going to get started?

FRIDA (SARCASTIC)

Yes, Lieutenant...

VALENCIA

Good. Now put that back. 

Valencia begins to turn around and walk away, before Frida speaks up while continuing to sit.

FRIDA (CURIOUS)

Lieutenant?

Valencia stops, looking over her shoulder.

VALENCIA

Yes?

FRIDA (SITTING UP)

Um... permission to speak freely?

VALENCIA (AFTER A MOMENT)

...Permission granted.

FRIDA

With all the other Spartans we know exist now... we still matter, right?

VALENCIA

I’m not sure what you mean.

FRIDA (BEFORE STUTTERING)

As in, the commander told us there’s generations of Spartans. Classes of soldiers we didn’t even know existed. But... even through all of that... we still exist, right?

Valencia to the side for a moment, pondering. Frida continues to look to her for a response, before Valencia looks back towards her.

VALENCIA

...Our duty as Spartans is to be the protectors Earth and all her colonies. We’ve known that for as long as I can remember. So... as we continue to do that, we do matter. We do exist.

FRIDA

Then why do I feel like ever since we came out of cryosleep, that hasn’t been the case?

VALENCIA (SCOFFS)

Where is this coming from, 097?

FRIDA (SOFT)

I know we’ve only been redeployed into active duty for a day or so, but our first mission after having Cyro join us... was a fight. Like it always is. It’s always a fight in front of us. I feel like soldiers... I feel like we... are supposed to be more than that.

VALENCIA (COLD)

We are exactly what we are ordered to be. That’s all.

Frida looks back towards the floor, giving no response.

VALENCIA

Now, please, put that ordnance away. You have work to do.

Frida stands up from her position, as she begins to walk deeper into the facility.

FRIDA (LOW)

Yes, Lieutenant.

As Frida walks away, Valencia watches for a brief moment before turning, beginning the return to her point of origin.

SCENE 3: FRIDA AND NEW ROSTER ADDITION CYRO 'HAZAM DISCUSS THE ROUGH TRANSITION TAKING PLACE, AND HOW THE TWO PARTIES CAN SEEK TO ALLEVIATE IT.

As he walks, Frida’s armored helmet immediately pops over the platform as she lays atop it, peering at Cyro ‘Hazam.

FRIDA (CHEERFUL)

Hey there.

Cyro’ Hazam stops in his tracks, silent.

FRIDA

Been looking for you, but wanted to give you some space to get comfortable first.

He gives a very slow response, glaring at Frida as she lays on her back, looking “up” towards him.

CYRO ‘HAZAM

Why? Have you come to threaten me as well, human?

FRIDA (CONFUSED)

What? No, why would I do that?

CYRO ‘HAZAM

That seems to be the only intent of this unit, ever since my arrival here. Your warriors have surrounded themselves with weaponry, aimed their sights directly upon me, and speak of an imminent attack on my safety. 

Frida turns her body over, laying on her armor’s frontal plating as she sways her arms below.

FRIDA

Hmm, I see. Well, have you tried taking them out to lunch? I’m sure a few Moa Burgers and some laughs would make all that blow over.

CYRO ‘HAZAM

I do not know what that is.

FRIDA (CURIOUS)

A Moa Burger or the idea of lunch?

Cyro ‘Hazam glares at Frida silently.

FRIDA

A Moa Burger. Got it. In any case, remind me to educate you one of these days.

CYRO ‘HAZAM (ANNOYED)

Is this the reason you wish to speak to me?

FRIDA (SERIOUS)

No.

Frida hops down to the same level as Cyro ‘Hazam, facing him directly.

FRIDA

I wanted to speak with you because I kind of figured everyone else would react that way. The tension back when we picked you up was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Or... sword. Whatever that thing you’re carrying is. I wanted to tell you to... have some patience with us. Have some patience for this alliance.

CYRO ‘HAZAM

Patience? Really?

FRIDA (LOW)

Listen. I’m willing to bet you’ve killed a lot of humans. And on the flipside, we’ve killed a lot of Covenant, especially Elites. That was war, that’s just what it was.

CYRO ‘HAZAM

Your point?

FRIDA

My point is that the war is over. The people above us want to put that all in the past, and we should give it a shot. This alliance is something that’s going to help both sides, even if not everyone sees it yet. This unit included. 

CYRO ‘HAZAM (HUFFS)

Hmph. Why do you feel this way as opposed to the others? What fuels your mind’s thoughts?

FRIDA

Well.. this is our chance to make things right. To do something that matters. And that’s just something I can get behind.

Cyro ‘Hazam takes a moment to ponder.

FRIDA

It’s gonna take some time for everyone to realize that. I know it won’t be easy, but your patience is all I ask of you.

CYRO ‘HAZAM

I will make an attempt to do so, human. That is all I shall pledge. 

FRIDA (NODS)

That’s good enough, for now. Thank you.

Cyro ‘Hazam begins to walk past Frida off on his own yet again, before stopping.

CYRO ‘HAZAM

However, I would suggest you inform your allies in the same manner you have done for me. A bridge only takes form when both destinations are met.

FRIDA

I’ll keep that in mind. And I’ll do my best.

Cyro ‘Hazam nods, before continuing in his exploration of The Pit. 

These are scenes that encapsulate the range of Frida's character and the expectations to set within her role! If you have any further questions or thoughts regarding this, please let me know!