This is final scene (posted on Monday, January 12, 2009.)
We touched back on terra firma once again with100% Earth gravity. I tried a step or two, then staggered after Jody, who had no trouble keeping her balance and called to her as she walked toward the tram. When she turned around, she looked slightly annoyed but smiled when she saw it was me. I asked her to dinner. The smile faded and she gave me some vague excuse about not dating her coworkers. This was going to take a little work. I was tempted to believe we’d be seeing each other again, even though neither one of us knew if we still had jobs. But this time, I would have to act. I would have to do something besides thinking about it and waiting for something to happen. I called to her again.
Sara sat on the edge of the couch in the living room, watching the Visi-screen. The C&P holiday episode was airing and her scene was coming up. Jarod was also there, also on the edge of his seat, anxiously awaiting his daughter’s Visi-tainment debut. He hoped she would be good, for her sake and not that he particularly wanted an acting career for his daughter. She was so good at math and science, surely she would want to follow in his footsteps. Too bad that disaster on the Moon exposed what could happen when pure scientific research was corrupted by the corporate bottom line. It sure didn't do anything to bolster his case for the nobility of lab work.
Too bad his wife Rita wasn’t here for their daughter’s debut. Sara really needed the support of both parents just now, but Rita was away, seeking that all-illusive “space” she claimed she needed. Jarod was tired of space in either sense of the word.
Thom also watched, trying to look bored, like having his sister on an actual C&P episode was nothing new to him. Been there. Done that.
The scene was over way too quickly, but Sara flushed with pleasure. She was actually good!
Thom spoke first. “Not bad. You coulda done more with the cigarette.”
Jarod said, “Honey, you were wonderful!” and gave her a hug.
Just then, an ad came on for a new reality show. Auditions were being held for a show originating from Eagle’s Landing. Moon Idol. Sara knew what she was going to be doing this summer.
Jarod would stay on Earth, divorce his wife, get a new job with a small environmental company researching how to make fuel from garbage, and marry someone he met on the job.
Medusa sat alone in the WWC conference room, waiting for Roger Shoreline, Bubb-ya’s handler. He came, his personal PA at the ready, to take notes. She indicated a seat across from her. He sat but did not relax.
“You have several holograms from your mother,” said Roger frowning. Car-ith sighed, resigned.
“Show me the worst one,” she said. The worst one could only be more of the usual harangue, accusing Car-ith of neglecting her, “putting her out to pasture” is how Dottie would put it.
Car-ith cued up the Visi and Dottie appeared in full makeup, her hands trembling in what could be old age palsy or just excitement of getting to tell Car-ith off once again. What she said was a surprise.
With a smirk, Dottie held the anticipatory moment, letting the suspense build. “You probably think I want to tell you again that you failed to show for the dinner party I planned and that I am upset with you for once again ruining my social life. I am upset with you for that, of course. But this time, you have gone too far.”
Car-ith reached for the Visi to turn it off. Same old, same old. But something in Dottie’s smirk held her attention. Dottie continued. “I have granted an interview with Katy Murren. You know, the news diva of your WWC’s rival broadcaster. And in it, I have kept my promise to you, just as I have told you I someday would, of your monstrous experiments upon my person.”
“They have kept you young, you stupid cow,” but Car-ith knew her mother couldn’t hear her.
“So it is all up with you and those corporate thugs. I am pulling the plug!” whatever that meant. “I told you not to miss my dinner party! I warned you, you ungrateful thing! I told you to respect your mother and I have finally followed through on my threats. You…” Car-ith tuned Dottie out. She thought of hiring a psychiatrist to declare Dottie dotty. She also thought of hiring an assassin. Instead, she thought she better call the CABEL members. This dam leak had to be stopped.
Dottie had a parting shot. “I’m sure if you turn on your Visi-broadcast, I will be on every station! Gotta run! Time for my closeup!”
Color was slowly returning to Roger’s blanched face. He watched Dottie’s youngish face smiling back at him in a rictus grin. Medusa was already making a call that would bring the disaster to a head. She knew if she did nothing it would prompt a very public investigation of both her and her company CABEL. She would take care of her mother. Then she would take care of Hawk’s mishandling of Eagle’s Landing. But first, she must get away from public scrutiny and very public sanctions. She headed to CABEL’s safehouse in Dirttown. No one ever went to Dirttown. There was no reason to since nothing ever happened in Dirttown. Perfect. She would hole up there and wait for the fallout to dissipate, make new plans, and come back stronger than ever!
She said into her Visi-phone, “Take care of the old bag. Oh, and make it look like a suicide of a demented old lady who has outlived her usefulness.” A pause. “Yes, that is exactly what I mean.”
Medusa turned her attention back to Roger.
“I want Bubb-ya, the new Bubb-ya when he’s cured and ready, to issue a statement condemning the mess on Eagle’s Landing. He should place the blame directly on mismanagement and call for an immediate influx of a Military presence. Further, WWC will declare they have taken over the management of the labs and will continue with the space expansion plans.”
She tapped her too-long nails and said, “That should do it.”
Roger squirmed. “What about Dr. Hawks?”
“Hawks?” She let out a snort that passed for a laugh. “Oh, whatever. He is still in charge. It was his quick thinking that brought the perpetrator… what was his name? Guido Something?… to light.”
She snorted again. Hawks owed her and she had him right where she wanted him. He would be doing her bidding into the next millenium. Besides, it would take too long to find someone else she could control. Hawks would do. “I wonder if Dr. Hawks likes tea.”
Extra:
Moon Mayhem!
“Now see? Ah told y’all!” Bubb-ya beamed at the live feeds zooming in on the screen over his head as he gave a press conference in reaction to the disastrous events that took place on the Moon.
“Ah told y’all we needed to have a Military base on the Moon! Got to keep out the unpatriotic, criminal elements that could upset World Peace. We need to stay strong! Keep those damned aliens out!” He beamed and the press beamed back at him.
He went on. He promised to get to the bottom of what was going on in that secret lab on the Moon. He finished with, “Eagle’s Landing will close temporarily while the Military establishes a Moon and a galaxy presence.” Bubb-ya had it all under control. And now on to welcoming in the New Year.
Ken Quinlin, sitting in the front row, leaned over to the guy next to him and whispered loudly, “Where the hell did Bubb-ya get that full white beard? Wasn’t he clean-shaven a few days ago? Think it’s makeup?”
End of Moon Mayhem.
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