Pageant Rehearsal
The stage is set for the pageant. We see the
emcee, TROY MCDUFF, next to the podium. The stage is sparse and has not yet
been set up. Standing just off to stage left, is PETER SOUTH, MCDUFF's
executive assistant.
Troy Mcduff
Ok, we're going to do another run -through. This is taking
forever, but the livve broadcast is coming soon. (yawns) Peter go get my coffee.
Peter South
(runs off stage to get coffee)
TROY MCDUFF
(bored)
Ok, this time let's get it right. No tripping over your own
feet. Now we will introduce the contesters.
Bridget, walk over here. That's good.
Bridget
(enters, walks forward, turns around)
TROY MCDUFF
A little more twirl ladies. (a beat) Here comes Trish.
Trish
(enters, walks forward)
TROY MCDUFF
(aside to Trish)
Alright beautiful, not bad.
TROY MCDUFF
Come over here Riley, you're next.
Riley
(enters, walks forward)
TROY MCDUFF
Giana - step froward babe.
Giana
(enters, walks forward)
Troy is standing atop the UPC, Peter is off stage. All the
women are standing in a line.
Demand Video
The setting is in some sort of green forest area.
Ach Bon vermen
(angry)
I am ACH BON VERMEN of the Revolutionaries Against Tyrannical States and I have kidnapped your beautiful pageant contestants.
We are the RATS, and it is our belief that no state should
rule man. We will not stand to be silenced for the sake of political
convenience.
We now show that your beauty is fruitless. My country Pidubya has labored too
long under the
false framework of your imported government.
(yelling)
Listen to me people of Masonia! You cannot force your ideals
on us. You are evil of the highest order. While you espouse your so called
democratic ideals, you suppress the thought of anyone who disagrees with you
and force us to change our ways and our government because you believe it is
wrong. No more! The right that you have forgotten in your democracy is that of
self-determination. We should all be free to make our own decisions and to do
what we wish, but you would suppress that under your laws and so-called rights.
Every day you talk about democracy, but you help the pitiful "official"
government propped up. No one wants the Democracy Party in power! You enforce
your beliefs at the barrel of a gun.
VERMEN gestures wildly and paces back and forth, his face
contorting in anger.
ACH BON VERMEN
(very angry)
No more! We have taken your Universal Democracy pageant
members hostage. You have forty-eight hours to begin pulling your troops out of
our country. You must leave your weapons here so we can use them. You must
pledge to never interfere with the natural workings of our country again. If
you do not do this, We will kill the hostages, slowly, one at a time.
And I will make sure that the world sees them.
PRESS Conference - MASONIA Press Stage
The setting is the Masonia press stage, a special room within
the Masonia Green House, where the leadership can speak with the press. The
room is full, almost to bursting, of reporters, who are murmuring among
themselves, comparing notes, and thinking about questions. Suddenly the green
curtain parts and Masonia Secretary of State NAM DOAN steps up to the podium.
He clears his throat and the room quiets.
NAM DOAN
(calm, but with an undercurrent of anger.)
Hello everyone. As you may know, a group of performers,
including staff and contestants from the Miss Universal Democracy pageant, were
kidnapped early yesterday from their hotel in West Freedomia. At this point a
group known as the Revolutionaries Against Tyrannical States has taken credit
for the kidnapping. They've issued a set of demands. At this point however, we
have not confirmed that this group, known as RATS, was actually responsible. We
are planning action however, and reaching out to our allies in Freedomia and
Pidubya, the home state of the RATS. At this point we cannot release any more
information.
NAM DOAN leans back from the podium, making it clear that he
is ready to take questions.
REPORTER 1
(Yelling, but not attacking)
Secretary DOAN! Do you plan on considering the RATS demands?
NAM DOAN
(leaning forward)
While negotiation is always an option, you all know what our
policy is. Masonia does not cooperate with terrorists. Next question.
REPORTER 2
(yelling, but not attacking )
Do you believe that the RATS are really the ones responsible?
NAM DOAN
(considering)
At this point we are not ruling anything out. Next question.
Reporter 3
(yelling, but not attacking)
Do you have any plans to find or rescue the pageant members?
NAM DOAN
(calmly)
At this moment we cannot release anything. But be assured we
are taking all contingencies into account. I'm afraid that is all the time I
can take today.
NAM DOAN walks out of the room. Behind him a number of
reporters are mumbling loudly.
Hostage and Captives Video
The setting is outside, in a forested area. There is a
jumpsuit-ed RATS member (ACH BON VERMEN) standing in front of a group of tied
together and blindfolded pageant members.
VERMEN is obviously upset and is striding back and forth in
front of the hostages, yelling at the camera to the extent that he is
practically shaking.
ACH BON VERMEN
(angrily shouting)
You have any doubts about who we are or what we will do?
ACH BON VERMEN
(pointing at the hostages)
We will kill them! Do you see them to your satisfaction now?
Your corrupt sham-government will not play games with us. You will give us our
demands!
VERMEN strides back and forth, pointing at the hostages and
yelling.
ACH BON VERMEN
(angry, yelling)
We will bury the hostiges if you do not give us what we want.
You have law at the expense of freedom. You have no true citizens, only slaves.
We do not want to be slaves.
(emphasis)
We will not be slaves.
VERMEN turns and points at the hostages.
ACH BON VERMEN
(deadly angry)
You will free our country and our people. Otherwise, these
peoples' deaths will be your fault. All your fault!
Stop your attempts to spread your false and non-functional democracy to the
rest of us. Masonia, you're government is little more then a disease, spreading
itself as far as it can to weaken the rest of us.
Well, no more. You will be stopped here and now. And you will do it yourself,
otherwise I will kill these hostages.
Listen to my commands now, or the consequences will be dire!
VERMEN continues to angrily pace in front of the hostages. He
stops and turns to the camera.
ACH BON VERMEN
(angry)
You have less time now. I recommend you do not waste it.
Press Conference - CATS Press Room
The setting is the CATS press room. Here the colors are
gentle blues and whites, the room is designed in order to make whoever is
watching feel as calm and safe as possible. It is almost cocoon-like. In front
of the camera are Masonia Secretary of State NAM DOAN and CATS Supreme
Commander CHRIS CLARK in professional clothes. They are seated behind a desk
and attempting to radiate calm.
Behind the camera is a film crew and a small group of
carefully vetted reporters. Each reporter has been instructed so they know
exactly what questions are appropriate and what are not. They are sitting
quietly, waiting for their turn.
CHRIS CLARK
(officiously)
Thank you all for coming today. As many of you know we
currently have a developing situation in the country of Pidubya. At
Oh-Nine-Hundred hours yesterday members of the Miss Universal Democracy pageant
arrived in Centro Aquo, a town on the south border of West Freedomia. Later
that day, at Sixteen-Hundred hours, four contestants and two members of the
production team were kidnapped from their room. At Twenty-One Thirty, an
unconfirmed video of demands appeared on the website of the rouge group
Revolutionaries Against Tyrannical States. Three and a half hours ago, the RATS
possession of the hostages was confirmed. The location of the hostages is now
confirmed to be somewhere in Pidubya. At this point the Coalition is working
with its members to decide what is the best response to take. You will be
informed of any further developments. Any questions?
REPORTER 1
(yelling)
General, is it true that Masonia has been strongarming
Pidubya into cooperating with their military and intelligence forces?
CHRIS CLARK
(worriedly, this was obviously not in the official
questions list.)
Well...
NAM DOAN
I'll take this one. No, at no point does Masonia ever attempt
to coerce other nations into cooperation. As always, we are working with the
Coalition and any cooperation between Masonia and other countries is to pursue
our mutual cause of Democracy.
REPORTER 2
(yelling)
General CLARK, Secretary DOAN has already declared that his
country does not negotiate with terrorists. Where does that put CATS diplomatic
plans?
REPORTER 3
(yelling, quickly to sneak his questions in)
General CLARK, has Secretary DOAN preempted your authority?
Will the CATS diplomatic team be dispatched at all?
REPORTER 1
(yelling, quickly, now almost viscous)
Secretary DOAN, is it true that the coalition members without
citizens among the hostages have declined to work with Masonia because you've
ruled out the diplomatic option?
CHRIS CLARK
(worried)
Thank you all for your time, this conference is over.
CLARK and DOAN walk off the stage quickly as reporters yell
questions after them.
REPORTER 1
Have any of the hostages been killed?
REPORTER 2
Are you even considering any of the demands?
REPORTER 1
Is it true you attempted to shut down all network connections
to Pidubya?
REPORTER 3
Will the pageant be canceled?
At the last question, DOAN shoots an unbelieving look over
his shoulder and then disappears off stage with CLARK.