|
//BEGIN FILE//
Transcript 104A, B-roll to "Inauguration History: The Dunkelzahn Story." No promo, trailer attached.
//(FRAMING NOTE: IRENA IN FRONT OF WATERGATE HOTEL, INSERT CROWD SCENE BEHIND)//
"This is Irena Naylor, reporting live from the nation's capitol. Inside the Watergate Hotel, the gestivities are in full swing at the Mrs. Grundland's Peanut Butter Cookie Inaugural Ball. The soon-to-be-President arrived here just a quater of an hour ago, making one of his many appearances at inauguration-night parties being thrown in his honor all over town. Washington FDC is in a party mood tonight - champagne and good will are flowing freely. The city seems reborn, brimming over with possibilities. As they say, there's 'something in the air' - perhaps the beating of silvery-blue dragon wings. Whatever the source of all this good cheer - Dunkelzahn's amazing triumph at the polls, relief that this long and bitter contest is finally over, or a little of both - the people of Washington FDC are welcoming it with open arms."
//CUT TO: MAN-ON-STREET CLIP 1 - DWARF CABBIE
"I've been livin' in this town a long time, and I've never seen so many smiles on people's faces. It's great. If things feel this good when the Prez ain't hardly been in office a day, then I say more power to the dragon." //CUT TO: MAN-ON-STREET CLIP 2 - Human, HOLLY-HAPPY-HOMEMAKER TYPE
"I was just a little nervous about him, you know - I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds dragons intimidating - but after seeing him at the swearing-in ceremony, I feel so much better. He looked like such a nice man. Distinguished, dignified...but friendly, too. I think he'll make a good President."
//CUT TO: MAN-ON-STREET CLIP 3 - YOUNG ELF MALE, STUDENT
"He's given us hope when we most needed it. This crazy world has got to change, and Dunkelzahn's the one to do it. God bless him."
//CUT TO: GRAND BALLROOM, WATERGATE HOTEL
"here in the Grand Ballroom, the good cheer is even more apparent. All the movers and shakers in Washington have turned out to honor Dunkelzahn being sworn in today as President of the UCAS and leader of the free world. A new-minted UCAS citizen, a great dragon, an entity who's lived longer and seen more than everyone in this room put together...and now he's embarking on a whole new benture, governing the bast and diverse nation of humans, metahumans and even stranger beings that all of us call home. The Presidency of the UCAS, the most powerful political office in the land, has been won in a free and fair election by a being that our grandparents wouldn't have believed existed. No doubt about it - this is one for the history books! //(CONTINUITY INTERRUPT)// Point the camera over left, Joe, there's something - Oh, they're clearing the dance floor. Hey, that's Lorelei Angel! Since when does she sing jazz?! Wait, I know this song...ohhh, beautiful! Lynn, how's your pickup? Can you sort out the lyrics from all the background noise? I've got an idea for the perfect touch - and with that voice, oo...Okay, Joe, roll it."
INTERNETAL EDIT MEMO: Play with the sound mix. Applause, happy babble, then Angel's alto HIGHLIGHTED over sax and following line: "This will be my shining hour/Warm and happy and bring..." Trail off, cut the voiceovers, insert dance-floor shot.
"The president has just led Nadja Daviar, his chief personal assistant, out onto the dance floor...and quite a handsome couple they make. It's somehow reassuring to know that a dragon can dance, even if only in human guise. Tomorrow, Dunkelzahn will take up the burden of governance that the voters of the UCAS have given him...but for one last night, he can enjoy himself. And he's making the most of the opportunity.
//HOLD CAMERA ON DANCE FLOOR TILL SONG ENDS. THEN INSERT WORKING-THE-ROOM FOOTAGE - GLADHANDING WILL-WISHERS, SIPPING CHAMPAGNE. FIND MOST FLATTERING THREE-QUATER PROFILE OF D'S SMILING FACE. VOICEOVER.
"Tired though he must be from the endless ceremonies of this long inauguration Day, the President seems to have a warm smile and a few kind words for every well-wisher. Whether sharing a dance with Nadja Daviar or quaffing champagne with the volunteer chairwoman of Poughkeepsie Orks for Dunkelzahn, the newly anointed leader of the UCAS looks like he's having a wonderful time. Tonight of all nights, no one is beneath his benevolent attention - not even a lowly journalist!"
//CUT TO: DUNKELZAHN INTERVIEW
NAYLOR: How does it feel to be President, sir?
DUNKELZAHN: (Big smile, empathic "thumbs-up" sign) Wonderful. Of course, I may not say that after a few sessions with Congress. I've noticed they ahve a tendency to turn Presidents' hair gray.
NAYLOR: On a more serious note...this hard-fought campaign exposed some deep divisions in this country. How do you plan to overcome them?
DUNKELZAHN: Healing is a long process, Irena. All we can do is take it a step at a tome. From the first day of my term to the last, I will do everything necessary to safeguard the rights and well-being of every UCAS citizen. Those who feel epprehensive now about being governed by a dragon will see by my actions that their fears are unfounded....once they do, our differences will cease to divide us.
NAYLOR: Do you have any message for the people of the UCAS as you begin your term of office?
DUNKELZAHN: What can I say but thank you? Thank you all for your trust in me. I assure you it is well placed.
//CUT TO: CROWD SHOT, IRENA FOREGROUND
"So there you have it, straight from the horse's - or should I say dragon's? - mouth. But what about the dragon's opponents? What other candidates doing? For the first of many answers, we go to Judy Kamura of KNUT-Toronto."
//CUT TO: TAPE FEED 1 - VOGEL CABIN, VOGEL SPLITTING WOOD IN FOREGROUND. JUDY VOICEOVER
"With the campaign finally behind him, Arthur Vogel has returned to his beloved woodland retreat to plan for the immediate future. He may be down, but he's definitely not out - especially not if the rumours are true that Sierra, Incorporated wants him to take over its helm."
//CUT TO: INTERVIEW, JUDY/VOGEL AT KITCHEN TABLE
VOGEL: It was quite a ride, I'll say that. Enjoyable, in its way. But I don't feel inclined to go through that again. To be honest, I think Dunkelzahn's election is a good thing for the issues that my supporters care about - he may not make the greening of the Earth the same priority I would have, but it's definitely high on his list. For myself, I can do more good operating on a smaller scale. After all, conservation begins in our own homes, our own backyards.
KAMURA: So you'll keep fighting the megacorps in court?
VOGEL: Oh, yes. But there's a lot more to be done. This election taught me that.
KAMURA: What about Sierra, Incorporated? Is it true they've approached you about taking over the leadership of that organization?
VOGEL: I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't comment on that right now. I can tell you what the One World Party will be doing. We'll focus our energies on local elections, buidling enviro-awareness at the grass roots until we've educated enough people so that every elected official - on every level of government - will have to listen to us. After all, Dunkelzahn won't be in office forever...and there's no guarantee that the next President of the UCAS, or any other powerful official, will understand the importance of preservation over short-term profit. The only way to really keep our leaders' feet to the fire is to make sure they can't afford to ifnore the Green vote.
KAMURA: You sound as if you're looking forward to the challenge.
VOGEL: Definitely. (Laughter) What lawyer doesn't relish the prospect of a good fight?
//CUT TO: EXTERIOR, BROWNSTONE BETWEEN 2 OFFICE BLOCKS, DOWNTOWN SEATTLE. VOICEOVER
"Arhtur Vogel isn't the only one looking forward to 'a good fight'. Anne Penchyk, who gave Dunkelzahn quite a run for the top spot after the shocking murder of Presidenial candidate Franklin Yeats, intends to keep her hands in things as well -"
//ZOOM IN ON BROWNSTONE FRONT DOOR: HIGHLIGHT "EMPOWERMENT COALITION" NAMEPLATE// " - and hopefully to keep women's rights on the front burner."
//CUT TO: PENCHYK WORKING AT DESK. PAN AROUND OFFICE - FIREPLACE, BAY WINDOW, GENERAL IMPRESSION OF UNDERSTATED GOOD TASTE. VOICEOVER
"Working out of a converted two-flat, Anne Penchyk and a small circle of like-minded friends have founded the Empowerment Coalition, an organization dedicated to raising funds for women candidates at all levels of government. These women have poured their own money into the Coalition, and are willing to work hard to achieve their agenda."
//CUT TO: PENCHYK INTERVIEW
PENCHYK: When Franklin chose me as his running mate for his campaign, he caught an incredible amount of flak. Some was race-based; certain parties saw an ork on the ticket as a definite drawback, I'd expected that, so it didn't bother me much. What bothered me was the oppoisition I got for being female. Quite a few prominent Republicans found it far easier to accept my race than my gender - in this day and age, when more than a few women have run strongly in races for the Presidency. Frankly, I was shocked. I'd always believed gender bias in the Republican Party was confined to a small remnant of the so-called 'Regligious Right' that got so much attention a generation ago. To find so many people against a woman Vice President - people whom I'd have sworn knew better - well, it opened my eyes. And I promised myself that somehow, some way, I'd do something about it.
NAYLOR: So you founded the Empowerment Coalition?
PENCHYK: (Nodding): Myself and a couple of friends, sitting around my kitchen table one night. It was just a few days after Franklin's death. I'd announced my intention to carry on with the campaign, and the party opposition was fierce. Whcih made me furious - it was a slap in the face, not just to me, but to Franklin and to the legions of women who'd given the Rupublican Party their loyalty for years. We decided that if the party refused to accept me as their Presidential candidate, or if I lost the election, all of us would turn our energies toward achieving real equality for women - int eh Republican Party and everywhere else.
NAYLOR: Many people regard women's rights as a settled issue. Aren't metahuman rights the real controversy of the twenty-first century, and are you bowing out of that fight?
PENCHYK: No, I'm not bowing out. It isn't a matter of metahuman right versus women's rights. It's a matter of equal rights for all whose voices remain unheard. Metahuman, female...it doesn't matter. We have a common interest in speaking out, in helping eachother get our share of the power to shape this nation. The Empowerment Coalition recognizes this common interest, which is why we plan to fund women candidates of all races. Ork, elf, human, dwarf or troll, our common experience as women has helped make us who we are. Now we offer that experience to the UCAS. (Light laugh) We'll see if they're smart enough to take it.
//CUT TO: EXTERIOR, UNIVERSITY CAMPUS. VOICEOVER
"And what of the other woman candidate for President? Dr. Rozilyn Hernandez declined our request for an interview, but the founding chapter of the New Century Party sent us the following press release. //INSERT PRESS RELEASE LOGO W/HIGHLIGHTED PORTION. CONTINUE VOICEOVER "The New Century Party, in accordance with the mandate given by the many UCAS citizens, intends to conduct seminars and teach-ins around the country for the purpose of educating the electorate-atlarge and building party membership. We believe in our issues, and will continue to be an active force in UCAS politics." //INSERT LEGAL-BRIEF LOGO W/HIGHTLIGHTED PORTION. CONTINUE VOICEOVER That may be easier said than done, however. KSAF recently learned of a lawsuit filed by the Ohio chapter of the New Century Party against the founding chapter, alleging violations of the party charter and misuse of funds."
//CUT TO: BRACKHAVEN CAMPAIGN HQ, KNOT OF SUPPORTERS WATCHING ELECTRONIC UCAS MAP. VOICEOVER AS LAST THREE STATES LIGHT UP BLUE, PUTTING DUNKELZAHN OVER THE TOP.
"Kenneth Brackhaven, Dunkelzahn's most vociferous opponent, has been remarkably quiet since Election Night. When I visited the Brackhaven estate in Snohomish, I found it uninhabited except by guard patrols and large dogs with healthy-looking teeth. When asked for Brakchaven's whereabouts, the gate guard replied "On vacation. Indefinitely," and slid back the safety on his high-powered rifle. In lieu of an interview, KSAF therefore offers the following ecverpt from Kenneth Brackhaven's last public statement: his concession speech." //INSERT CONCESSION-SPEECH CLIP
"It is said that the darkest hour comes just before dawn. This is that darkest hour, my friends...for us and for our nation. But teh dawn will come if we keep faith. We have lost this battle, but we have not lost the war. We will - we must - continue to fight for Truth and Right in any way we can. Keep faith - keep fighting - and we will prevail."
//CUT TO: LOBBY, WATERGATE HOTEL. FRAMING NOTE: IRENA FOREGROUND, WIDE NEOUGH SHOT TO CATH HAPPY PARTY-GOERS PASSING BEHIND.
"And finally, what about the Technocratic ticket - doomed from the start by association with the tainted election of 2056? VP candidate Brandon Ekimatsu has been demoted from his position with Mitsuhama, for unspecified reasons...and James Booth, never a quitter despite his drubbing at the polls, is still demainding a recount. //(CONTINUITY INTERRUPT)// The President's leaving already? Of course follow him, Jeo! I'll babble off-camera if I have to. You just follow that entourage. Winslow, dash upstairs a moment and see if Daviar's still there - maybe she can tell us why he's taking off. Late for another shindig, I guess. Okay, okay...time for my exit lines.
"As this festive evening draws toward its close, the President departs the Watergate for the next stop on his FDC victory tour...while the nation-at-large begins to come to terms with this most historic Inaugural Night in the long and checkered history of the Presidential office. It is impossible to overstate the significance of this night, and the significance of the election so recently held. The stunning victory of the being named Dunkelzahn, the first Awakened entity to be granted such wide acceptance by society, has the people of the uCAS reeling in amazement and happiness. It seems that democracy can once again say, along with Mark Twain, that reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated. One more time, the electoral system that has received so much attention in this contentious election has proven itself AAA.[.].85]//(CONTINUITY INTERRUPT)FILE CORRUPTION//
"Good God! Good God! Get the camera on that! Hurry! Oh, my God! Something terrible has happened! The dragon's limousine has vanished in a huge explosion! People are running in all directions...there's glass all over the street, some windows must have blwon out...I don't see the car anywhere! Joe, are you on this? Where's the fragging car? Good God. Look at the street. Was the car there!? We need to get over there - come on, KEEP THAT FRAGGING CAMERA ROLLING OR I'LL KILL YOU MYSELF!!//(FRAMING NOTE<"This is Irena Naylor, reporting from the capitol, where a major catastrophe has just ocurred. The President appears to have been...God, I can't believe I'm saying this!~...appears to have been assassinated as he was leaving the Watergate Hotel. We....we can't say for certain what's happened...there are no identifiable pieces of the Presidential limo anywhere - all the wreckage in the street is the twisted remains of the escort vehicles, and there is no sign of the dragon. The massive explosion occurred only moments ago, and even as we speak security personnel are surrounding the area. It's all happening so fast, no one knows anything yet, but we - //(CONTINUITY INTERRUPT)//HEY!! Hey, pal! We're press, get off him! We're shooting live here, you fragging goon, let go of//END FILE
//INTERNAL EDIT MEMO//Don't forget to access Bethany's records. This is beginning to look like a real fragging mess. Ought to net me an Eye Spy Award if I'm lucky. Or it may get me killed. Whichever...<<
//ATTACH FILES{} ENCRYPT ao;bnwerfg-923w8475t
Transcript 104B, No B-Roll, promo attached
"The preceding sounds and images are the best on-scene recordings fo the assassination of Dunkelzahn that have survived the governmental and corporate coverup. The killing of the President has been so thoroughly shrouded in mystery that no one is even entirely sure what happened, never mind why, or who ordered the assassination. This reporter has heard every kind of farce and fabrication surrounding the death of the dragon. Some people claim the explosion was an accident, a buildup of sewer gas. Others say Dunkelzahn died because of a corporate conspiracy aimed at seizing the Dragon's immense financial assets. One large cotingency has even declared that the dragon reached some kind of cosmic critical mass and, in the Biblical fashion, ascended into Godhood.
"Regardless of what you believe, the known facts are few and easily summed up.
"Fact: Dunkelzahn unexpectedly left a scheduled inaugural event at the Watergate Hotel, departing twenty-one minutes earlier than his staff had originally planned.
"Fact: Dunkelzahn received a phone call immediately before he left the Watergate.
"Fact: AS his limousine drove away from the hotel, a device apparently buried under the street exploded.
"Fact: The explosion destroyed the limousine, along with the security personnel escorting the vehicle. Their bodies were recovered; no trace of Dunkelzahn's body or the driver's body has yet turned up, nor has any other trace of him been found or reported.
"Fact: Above the site of the explosion there has appeared a mysterious magical phenomenon that has so far resisted all attempts at definition or analysis.
"And that, as they say, is that. Everything else - all the reams of information and speculation, all the hysterical accusations, are fabrications or dreams...or, possibly, pointers to the as-yet undiscovered truth.
"This reporter has come into the possession of exclusive secret datafiles, obtained at great cost by an associate of mine. My fellow reporter is to be commended for her courage and skill in obtaining the following information."
//INTERNAL EDIT MEMO// Go back over this and polish it up a bit. Work on timing and transitions, see about a score, look for more stock footage. Stay away from graphics. People will try to bury this anyway - why give them more ways to pick it apart?//END MEMO
|
