by Jaime Savage
LUKE
'Ava?did you see that disgraceful'-
Luke sees that Ava is distraught.
LUKE
'What's happened'?
AVA
'The flight has been cancelled'.
LUKE
'Delayed you mean? Look at the bright side; at least we don't have a four thirty wakeup call now'.
AVA
'No?it's been cancelled'.
LUKE
'What do you mean'?
AVA
'The airport's closed'.
LUKE
'Can't we rebook? Surely there are flights to Europe departing from other airports'-
AVA
'No. The President has called a nationwide lockdown on all commercial airlines; nothings coming in, nothing's going out for the rest of the weekend'.
Luke is not surprised.
LUKE
'He's probably trying to make himself look good. He's already at historically low approval ratings. He will see this as his saving grace'.
Ava is frantically typing on her phone in a mad panic.
AVA
'Time was always going to be of the essence with the civil war brewing over there but this is going to drive the final nail into the coffin'.
LUKE
'You don't know that'.
AVA
'Perkins is going to pull the pin now. It will be over before it even started; my one and only chance to further my career is gone'.
LUKE
'There will be other opportunities surely? It's probably for the best anyway'?
Luke's attempts to comfort her fall on deaf ears.
AVA
'You don't know how it works out west. This was my once in a lifetime break. It was my one and only chance to prove my worth. It was going to define my career. It was going to set me apart from all my colleagues. It was going to propel my career to new found heights, but it's all gone now'.
She sinks to the corner of the bed and burrows her head into her knees defeated. Luke feels helpless; he had never imagined it possible to see this strong willed woman break down like this.
LUKE
'There is seemingly nothing anyone can do. The infamy of this attack and the necessitated responses that are being put in place are beyond anyone's control or jurisdiction'.
SCENE: AVA'S HOTEL ROOM - LATER
Ava is typing frantically on her phone.
AVA
'Well that's it then'.
LUKE
'What now'?
AVA
'I'm the fifth. Perkins has called the trip off provided the President doesn't change his mind and revoke the no fly zone'.
LUKE (quietly)
'He won't'.
AVA
'It was nice knowing you I guess'.
LUKE
'Canada! What if we drive'-
AVA
'There's no time to get the paperwork. Perkins is not going to authorise any adjustments to the schedule'.
LUKE
'What if we wait it out? There's no way they can ground flights later than Sunday evening at the absolute latest'!
AVA
'It's off. He's not taking any chances with the civil war brewing in Africa'.
LUKE
'Bastard'.
Ava lies back on her bed defeated. Luke's heart sinks for a second but as he watches a loop of the attack footage playing from the television he realizes things could be worse. He watches the massive airship sink downward, deep into the Hudson, a blazing fireball of death and destruction.
REPORTER ON NEWS BROADCAST
'Maybe the world should be cleansed Jen. If people somewhere can conspire and scheme such despicable acts against other human beings then maybe the human race should be ridden of and forgotten'.
Another news report begins playing.
REPORTER
'You could very well make a case for that tonight Oliver. In related news, the safety of the candidates of the Presidential election suddenly comes back into focus in the wake of tonight's attack. The Presidential candidates were tonight scattered across the boroughs of New York addressing their respective supporters and have understandably increased their security in the hours that have followed. Earlier this evening, independent candidate, Ricardo Stensnan, was addressing supporters at a political rally out in The Bronx'.
The broadcast cuts to coverage of an outdoor rally. An animated crowd of boorish supporters are circled around their idol, Stensnan, set against the backdrop of fast food restaurants and gas stations. The riled up crowd carry signs that read: 'The spokesman for the little man, Ricardo Stensnan'. The clean cut, middle aged man, with his ridiculously oversized boot camp styled glasses speaks with intent in his deep, forceful voice.
RICARDO
'In recent times we have heard over and over about the bad omens associated with the Year of the Snake. I wish to put an end to this talk once and for all as it is no longer the Year of the Snake. This is the year of the underdog! Ricardo Stensnan aided by the people has risen to bring about the death of two Mad Hatter parties. The revolution is here. The alliance of the little men and woman will triumph and finally, after all these years, these two parties that have held an iron hold over our great nation, that have led us so far off track to such unprecedented lows will finally be relinquished. In their place will step common sense, the interests of the working man and finally after decades, progress! Lincoln broke the mould and so will I. I, Ricardo Stensnan, will go down in history as the man responsible for the demise of the Democratic and Republican parties'!
Luke stares at Stensnan's face dominated by his oversized glasses. In the background, Ava is a desolate figure. Luke concentrates so hard on the vile man's face that he strains his eyes in the process. It is in this moment, out of nowhere at all that Luke has a eureka moment. Dawning upon him is the reality that only two men were powerful enough to get them over to Europe tonight. One of these men was the duplicitous Ricardo Stensnan who unofficially presided over every facet of the Big Apple, but then again there was more to New York than what initially met the eye. Anyone who set foot in New York saw the towering skyscrapers and the countless number of advertising balloons that flew overhead. They saw Times Square, The Statue of Liberty, the enigmatic Whalen hot air balloon and-until tonight-the Luftballoon Zeppelin. However, there was an unseen, rarely acknowledged part of New York which harboured a burgeoning underclass. Underneath the well trodden streets lived a class of people that few lay eyes upon. One of those forgotten people that lived their lives in the darkness and ruins of New York's sewers and abandoned subway stations happened to be powerful enough to oversee any command he so wished and this man who stood in power and respect on a pedestal equal perhaps to only Stensnan was a man Luke had taken a bullet for. He was a man who had pledged his indebtedness to Luke and a man who would get them out of New York tonight.
LUKE
'Who in New York is powerful enough to get you across the Atlantic tonight with the city in total lockdown'?
AVA (muffled)
'No one'.
LUKE (making a game show buzzer sound)
'Wrong (He points to the television). Try again'.
AVA
'I'm not in the mood for this, and I sure as hell am not in the mood to be discussing that asshole'.
LUKE
'Ricardo Stensnan is one'.
He pauses.
LUKE
'Mickey McKay is the only other'.
AVA
'What the hell is your point'?
LUKE
'Mickey could get you on a plane across the Atlantic'.
AVA
'So? What the fuck is your point? What am I supposed to do with this useless information'?
LUKE
'I can find him for you'.
AVA
'You're barking mad'.
LUKE
'No I'm not'.
AVA
'The man is either six feet under or hiding
in some warehouse in Sao Paulo. How in God's name are you supposed to find him? I'm dying to know'.
LUKE
'I know exactly where to find him'.
AVA
'I don't even want to entertain this conversation anymore. Stop wasting both your time and mine'.
LUKE
'He owes me one. I will find him tonight and this time tomorrow we will be on another continent'.
AVA
'What the fuck is wrong with you? Is everyone out here mentally insane or something? The pollution must have messed with your brains. I mean I thought at least you were slightly normal'-
Luke is running on emotion now. He is completely set on the idea.
LUKE
'I will find him'.
Luke has never been surer about anything in his life. With his deteriorating health he is not only fearless but also eager to take what could be his last opportunity to see his old friend again.
MICKEY
'Mickey McKay is the man I took a bullet for. He is an immensely powerful man. He can conjure up anything and everything at a snap of his fingers. He runs the underground of New York. If I can get in there and seek him out he will get us out of here. He owes me a favour-he said it straight to my face- and he will go through with it; he's a good man'.
Ava is unimpressed.
AVA
'This is ridiculous. That man used to run New York. He's yesterday's news; he's nothing. There's a warrant out for his arrest last time I checked. For all you know he's probably lying at the bottom of the Hudson right now'.
LUKE
'He runs the underground'.
AVA
'The sewer people do not exist. Luke, you have to know that this; you're not that gullible. It's a nightmare bedtime fable that was created to scare little kids from straying away from their parents'.
LUKE
'It's true. I will find him'.
AVA
'This is the ramblings of a madman. Luke you're smarter than this'-
LUKE
'He was extradited down there by the corporate blood suckers who screwed him over and he's building something under there-he has been for years. At first there were a few stray rumours here and there, a few sightings every so often and over time the legend has grown. The evidence has since become overwhelming and it's gotten to the point now where it has almost become common knowledge. The mayor, Marvin Yeo, pretends like they don't exist down there, he wipes his hands of them. The police do not dare go down there through fear of opening Pandora's Box. The thing is though, they're getting stronger with every day and soon they may rise up and take back this city'.
She looks at him weary eyed.
AVA
'This can't be true'.
LUKE
'I'll prove it to you. In an hour's time you'll have two tickets to Europe'.
Luke doesn't know what he's saying or where he is going with this. He is simply running on the adrenaline and emotion that this peculiar night emanated with.
AVA
'You can't be serious'.
LUKE
'I'm deadly serious'.
He takes his coat and opens the door.
AVA
'Luke, think about what you're doing'?
LUKE
'Trust me'.
AVA
'Please Luke I'm begging you'.
It is a rare moment of empathy from her.
LUKE
'You can thank me when we're in Ocean City waiting for our flight to Africa in a couple of days'.
AVA
'In a couple of days I'll be asking myself why I didn't do more to stop you from ending up in a body bag'.
They are outside Ava's room now in the hallway.
AVA
'Luke please don't do this'.
They reach the elevator. Ava suddenly changes her tactics.
AVA
'Well that's it then; I'll have to come along with you'.
LUKE
'Ok. I'll show you a side of New York few have seen'.
AVA
'So you-a bodyguard-are going to lead me into one of the most dangerous places in America'.
LUKE
'I'm leading you to your ticket out of here'.
AVA
'One phone call from me and you'll be fired. You are supposed to protect me and you're leading me down into a fucking sewer'.
LUKE
'Ring. I don't care anymore'.
The elevator door opens and they enter the lobby. They pass the reception desk where staff and a number of guests are fixated on a live broadcast of the evening's calamity. Not a single person notices them leave even despite Ava's pleas booming across the lobby.
Outside the hotel, it is an unnaturally, silent New York night. The street is now completely devoid of people. A slight fog has descended since their arrival back at the hotel. The fog has the effect of blurring the skyline and merely contributes to the foreboding mood. Even now, out on the sidewalk, Ava is still begging him to return to her hotel room. Luke's concentration is focused on flagging down an oncoming taxi cab. His fist attempt to flag down the cab is in vain.
LUKE
'Sluck'.
AVA
'You're doing it all wrong. You have to be more assertive. Watch me do it'.
LUKE
'What do you know about hailing down New York cabs'?
AVA
'You'll soon find out'.
At the end of the street she gets her chance. She confidently strolls onto the street and flaps her arms in full extension like some great bird. The driver clearly taken aback in the frenzy of the night hit his breaks hard and gestures in a hostile fashion towards them. They ignore his gestures and approach the window.
DRIVER
'What the hell are you playing at? Are you trying to add to the death toll tonight or something? Jesus enough people have been killed in the last few hours without you two maniacs adding to the list'.
AVA
'We need a ride'.
DRIVER
'We're only taking emergency's tonight; I don't think we're even supposed to be on the roads'.
LUKE
'We need a ride to the Unnamed District'
DRIVER
'The Unnamed District? You must be kidding? No taxi driver in New York goes there. You punks better go home to Mommy now'.
AVA
'You'll be the first then'.
Ava confidently steps into the cab. Luke stares on in disbelieve.
DRIVER
'Tell me where you're actually going and if it's on my way I'll drop you off. That's my best and absolute final offer'-
AVA
'We already told you'.
DRIVER
'Don't fuck with me kid or I'll kick you out and good luck finding anyone else that stops tonight'.
AVA
'We're not kidding. We need to get to the Unnamed District'.
DRIVER
'You're pushing me to the edge kid. Tell me where you're going or get the fuck out now'!
Luke opens up his wallet and takes all the cash from inside.
LUKE
'Here?I always pay my tips up front'.
The driver looks at the cash for a few moments weighing up his options. Finally he collects the money and shakes his head in disbelief.
DRIVER
'I thought I was going to have at least one more day on earth; maybe not anymore'.
LUKE
'You're a good man'.
DRIVER
'No good man ever walked out of the Unnamed District alive, I promise you that. You two are as good as dead. You do realize that'?
LUKE
'We'll be fine'.
DRIVER
'I mean there's a damn Gautenberg under there. You want to stare death in the face'?
LUKE
'You don't even know what a Gautenberg is'.
DRIVER
'Oh you'll find out soon enough'.
After thi
s harrowing statement there is silence as the driver processes everything.
DRIVER
'The Unnamed District? I mean have you not seen the news and the death toll? Fuck?rapture right around the corner, balloons exploding in the sky faster than the economy goes to shit. Comet ready to fuck us all over. People celebrating the end of the world over in Europe; shit's fucked up right now'.
SCENE: WORKING CLASS NEW YORK
As the taxi etches closer and closer to the Unnamed District the surrounding area becomes noticeably seedier and desolate. Onwards they drive past sordid tenements situated in damp, squalid streets decorated by row after row of Ricardo Stensnan campaign posters. Out here, in the heart of working class New York, the epicentre point where the full force of the economic crisis had been felt, this was very much Stensnan's heartland. These were his biggest supporters, the little men and woman Stensnan so often referred to them as, the American underdogs; people who would do anything for their man.
As they wait at an intersection, Luke notices two young children playing unsupervised with Duncan Strepfield, Mateus McClure & Jesse Johns' action figures on the flooded sidewalks the unforgiving rain had produced.
LUKE (mumbling to himself)
'The innocence of youth'.
Chapter 9
SCENE: ALLEYWAY
The alleyway lies darkened and deserted. The only sound is the incessant howl of dogs in the surrounding neighbourhood.
