Post by Reverb on Oct 9, 2016 1:01:27 GMT -5
STATIC
((The camera opens with a long shot as in the distance a faint yellow paints the sky like the first hints of dawn. Golden rays of light glint off of tin roofs and broken glass windows. The flickering hues of oranges and reds quickly rage through the squalid urban streets of a shantytown undeserving of a name. The brilliant light does not welcome morning to the overcrowded confines of the slums. It is fire, and it has been burning uncontrollably throughout the night.))
Muffled screams
Inaudible cries for help
Weeping
((Thick grey pillars of smoke rise up higher into the night and tumble out of buildings to further darken the red stained streets. Just as the smoke begins to cloud the screen, faces appear. Bursting through the wall of smoke, a sea of terror-stricken faces rush toward the camera. A blanket of ash clings to their bodies as the crowd stampedes down the street and away from an amphitheater that flickers bright white with soundless gunshot blasts. The camera cuts to a single face amongst those fleeing. It is the face of a mother holding an infant. Wet warm blood sweeps down her forehead as debris litters her hair like the aftermath of an explosive device having detonated. The audio adjusts for maximum emotional impact.))
Horrified screams
Begging and pleading
Child crying
((The camera cuts away to the front of the amphitheater. Above the entrance in red neon lights, a large sign reading “Strange Nation” hangs. The neon is a sharp contrast to the poverty that stretches far into the deserts of the wasteland. The red sign flickers amongst the white bursts of gunfire. Suddenly from the entrance, the bodies of several Echomen, the slum’s militarized police force, are tossed into the street. Trying to regain order amongst the chaos, the officers struggle to rise to their feet only to be shot down as the heavily armed and expertly trained Strange Nation contestants emerge from the arena. While being led by last season’s winner, the fighters thrust into the air the decapitated remains of the Strange Nation’s now former and deceased host. Last season’s winner, Wesson looks into the camera and addresses the audience as swarms of Echomen descend upon the contestants. The audio cuts in and out due to convenient corruption of media files. Message distorted.))
Wesson: This reality show is over! Strange Nation is OVER! *points to massive walled city in the distance* We will not fight and die for their…*static* We’re coming…*garbled content*…after YOU ALL! They’re…*static*…we’re going…*audio stutter*…k-k-kill you all! Rebellion…*no audio available*…against YOU! They…*static*…we control you. Rebel against the city. Kill the Stranger…and slummers…*garbled content* JOIN US…or or…*audio cuts*
((Wesson quickly looks away from the camera as the Echomen open fire. Bullets spray and tear through his body like wet paper. Close combat ensues as the contestants push back against the Echomen. Returning fire, the fighters lose their lives beside the defending officers and fleeing civilians. Blood and tortured flesh are all that is seen until the smoke from the fire burning the slums to ash envelopes the screen. The smoke soon clears as morning has finally come and with it the rotting remains of an unsuccessful rebellion.))
The crackle of dying fire
Moaning
Child continues to cry
((The camera cuts back to the sea of faces. Now twisted by death, their large empty eyes stare back at the audience. Amongst the dead, the mother lays motionless with her crying infant in her arms. Through the screams, the suffering moans of a contestant can be heard. Dragging himself over the bodies, the fighter reaches for the baby only to have the back side of his skull explode outward. An Echoman walks toward the infant as he holsters his sidearm. Appearing to have saved the baby, the Echoman removes his helmet to reveal the soon to be celebrated officer, Echo Nine. Picking up the child, Echo Nine cradles the infant in his arm as he stoically looks to the wall protecting the city of Rhapsody from the slums as a flag bearing their cities symbol flutters electronically against it. While holding the infant, Echo Nine salutes the city and its bloody victory over the rebelling contestants of Strange Nation. The footage pauses. Background audio fades out while a mic ques. An audible sigh is heard as a man steps into frame. With the footage still frozen, the man sighs again with his head bowed in mournful reflection. Pivoting on his heel, the man raises his head as he faces the camera.))
JAGGER JAMES: I remember *pauses* as I’m sure you do as well, where I was when the first of the bombs went off. *looks into the distance* When the explosives nearly breached the wall surrounding Rhapsody city. *looks back to camera/knowing smile* I was watching Strange Nation. Wesson, the warlord of the wasteland was competing against Sutton, a low life scavenger from the slums in the season finale. No one thought Sutton had a chance. There was no way she was going to survive a run through a dead zone. There was no way Wesson wasn’t going to crack her skull open and win the season. At least, that’s what we thought. *taps index finger against forehead* Before the fight could even begin...BOOM! *makes exploding motion with hands* Wesson, Sutton, and every Strange Nation competitor committed the highest form of treason. They tried to rebel against our fair city of Rhapsody and the Stranger…the very man that was so kind enough to bring Strange Nation to you, his audience. *sighs dramatically* What were they fighting for? *shrugs* Who knows and *winks* who cares?
((Smirking, James snaps his fingers and the patriotic image behind him disappears to reveal a green screen. The green screen parts like a curtain as behind it is a brightly lit entrance. From the door the chanting of Strange Nation can be heard.))
STRANGE NATION!
STRANGE NATION!
STRANGE NATION!
JAMES: This is the year 2216 people. It is time to WAKE UP! The Strange Nation massacre was *rolls eyes* so ten years ago. It’s time to re-embrace the groundbreaking reality show that saw competitors fight each other for resources. IT IS TIME to fall back in love with wholesome family violence because *opens arms wide* WE’RE BACK, BABY!
STRANGE NATION!
STRANGE NATION!
STRANGE NATION!
((James pivots on his heel and slinks his way through the entrance. The camera cuts to a grand golden staircase lined with dancers and singers. The musical act sings the praises of the city of Rhapsody and the man behind Strange Nation, the Stranger. Their voices lift up until fireworks boom one after the other, welcoming Jagger James through the entrance. Placing his hand over his heart, James closes his eyes and takes in the cheering of the massive crowd. Spot lights track across the chanting audience before shining on James as he makes his way down the staircase and to the center of the newly rebuilt amphitheater. James bows and waves to the crowd one final time before stepping onto a platform.))
JAMES: Ladies and gentlemen, I am your STRANGE NATION host, Jagger James and…
((Jagger James steps aside as with open arms he welcomes Reverb, the spokesperson for the unseen figure behind Strange Nation, the Stranger. The massive crowd pops with excitement as Reverb steps forward and stiffly waves back at the audience. Beside her stands Echo Nine and the infant, now a grown ten-year-old boy, rescued during the Strange Nation Massacre. Echo Nine and the boy proudly look out to the camera as behind them stand a throng of new and savage contestants. Background audio fades. Reverb’s mic amplifies.))
REVERB: And I am Reverb *forces smile* the voice of the Stranger! It is my honor to welcome you, those beyond the walls of Rhapsody and across the wasteland, to prove your worth against your fellow citizens for a chance at winning what only the Stranger can provide! Be it by your wits or your fists, fight against your fellow contestants and the dangers of the wasteland all before a live audience. Let us entertain our great city of Rhapsody because at the end of the season you may just be finding yourself living behind these very walls.
((The camera cuts to a wide shot as behind Reverb, a large screen that wraps around the entirety of the amphitheater displays a patriotic shot of Rhapsody. The city’s flag waves across the screen as the musical number from James’ entrance ques once again. Background audio amplifies.))
REVERB: So, join us and let us ENTERTAIN A NATION!
((Reverb and those standing with her on the platform look proudly to the image of the city behind them. Echo Nine and the boy he saved salute the flag as Jagger James and the contestants follow suit. Once again fireworks boom one after the other as the Strange Nation show title fades in across the screen.))
Cheering
Applause
Chanting
AUDIENCE: STRANGE NATION! STRANGE NATION! STRANGE NATION!
STATIC