The Chosen

On their return trip from harvesting salt, Charles and Pet meet a sick couple whom they bring to the nearest community for help. There they find a military-like operation run by Max and Joy. The sick woman dies, and the sick man is shot. Charles complains of their domineering approach, though he proposes they conduct trade and form a federation. Joy invites Charles to present his proposal to the group, but then advises Max to order them to leave. Falsely tipped off by Joy that Max plans to have them shot during the night, the couple stays, and Charles gets to address the community, during which time Joy uses Max's supposed murder threat to depose him.