CaldwellProfessor Caldwell is arguing with the drug store clerk over a late delivery that his company had ordered. There are a few people around the store who have stopped what they are doing to stare and watch the conversation; most notable of them all are the two large men in suits who just walked through the door.
What do you mean it’s not in yet? We ordered the shipment two weeks ago!
The clerk has nervous look on his face because the Professor is clearly more than upset. He can tell he is in for more when the Professor opens his mouth again.JamesI’m s-sorry, sir b-but I don’t know what to tell you. The shipment simply hasn’t arrived yet.
The men in suits walk over to Caldwell and tap him on the shoulder, knocking him off his tangent for a moment.CaldwellWell then, I demand –
Caldwell turns his attention to the men. The one who’s talking is taller than his counterpart with dark black hair, snow white teeth, and sunglasses that hide his eyes. Both of the men are wearing midnight black suits which seemed to assist the sense of mystery that surrounded them.SaundersMr. Caldwell?
Caldwell is curious, if not nervous, to know why these men are looking for him. However, the professor is almost sure that it involves the company. The suited man points to his partner to introduce him.CaldwellYes, that’s me. What do you want?
Bennett is an African-American man who is about six feet tall with broad shoulders. He’s bald and has a constantly stern look on his face; he is obviously the strong silent type.SaundersThis is Agent Bennett...
Saunders...and I’m Agent Saunders. We work for the government. Now if you don’t mind, there are some questions we wish to ask you. We hope you make this easy for us.
CaldwellAnd what, may I ask, do you need to know?
The professor lets out a deep sigh and looks over his shoulder with one final annoyed glance at the scrawny clerk standing behind him at the desk.SaundersThis is a private matter and not something we can discuss in such an open place. We apologize for the inconvenience, but if you will come with us we can explain the situation...
As he finishes talking he turns his attention back to the agents, snickering at the sound of James gulping nervously behind him.CaldwellI will be back tomorrow, James, and the order had best be in when I return.
The three men walk to the exit where agent Bennett holds the door for his partner and guest. He slams the door behind him as the trio begins their walk to the black Vector, well-known to be one of the fastest vehicles available, which is parked in the center of the lot. The men pause, however, when they hear the roar of an engine and two bright beams of light cut into their lines of vision. A yellow Archan, an equally speedy vehicle with a more rounded frame, shoots towards them as a figure sticks its head out the window hollering something. At first it is incomprehensible, but as the vehicle draws near it becomes clear the man is yelling.CaldwellOkay, let’s go then.
When the agents realize what is happening they exchange concerned looks and quickly try to push the professor out of the way, but it is too late. The unmistakable sound of a gun being fired cuts through the otherwise silent night, and a bullet finds its place in Caldwell’s forehead. The professor begins to fall back, not stopping until he hits the floor; his blood soaking into the pavement as the assassin’s triumphant laugh echoes in the parking lot as he drives away.AssassinHey, Caldwell!
Saunders turns towards the Archan and with a single shot of near-perfect aim, he blows out the rear right tire of the car before it can leave the parking lot. It starts sliding into frenzy until the driver can’t control it anymore and crashes into a nearby warehouse. The agents sprint to the building in chase of the assassin who has already gotten out of his car and rushed inside for a moment to regain his senses.SaundersDamn it!
The agents cautiously enter the warehouse, slowly advancing as they look all around them for the assassin. They stop about fifteen feet in and try to get a better look through the darkness which they find themselves immersed in. Sensing the agents to be vulnerable, the assassin jumps out of his hiding place behind a stack of crates in the back of the building and takes a shot at Saunders, hitting the agent in the shoulder. Saunders falls to the floor and without looking back, Agent Bennett begins to charge forward towards the assassin. Now in fear, the mystery man takes a shot at the agent, hitting him dead center in the chest, but he continues without so much as a flinch. Confused, the assassin pulls the trigger again. Another chest shot, but this time, Agent Bennett stalls for a moment before continuing his rampage, now nearly at his target. The assassin knows it’s now or never and takes his last shot, planting it again in the chest of the agent who finally falls backward onto the ground, now covered in his own blood.
The assassin, thinking his job to be done, begins to turn and run for the second exit, not noticing that Saunders has finally stumbled to his feet. Saunders again takes hold of his handgun, looks at his target, and sends a shot into the assassin’s back, ending the man’s life. Saunders marches to his downed partner who looks up at him as he comes closer.
BennettDid you get him?
SaundersI always get them.
BennettI have an idea. ARGH!
SaundersYou idiot! You know you shouldn’t be running into bullets like that.
Bennett can barely speak at this point and coughs up blood.BennettDamn it! I’ll tell you later.
SaundersAlright, go ahead and die already then.
BennettBring the Protester, too.
SaundersDamn...my car is really going to stink after this. You owe me though.
Bennett’s head drops as his eyes close and he slowly stops breathing.BennettFine...
Adam’s wife is sitting across the room packing clothes into a suitcase for their vacation. She is wearing a green dress with her brown hair tied up and a single misplaced strand crosses in front of her glasses.AdamHoney, where’s my blue shirt?
Lisa has a guilty smirk on her face, and Adam smiles as he looks at his wife, now knowing she hid it. Adam is wearing blue jeans and a flower print shirt, which was already more than enough out of style clothing for Lisa’s taste. He has short brown, neatly combed hair, which gives him a nerdy look.LisaOh, you know I hate that shirt.
AdamSo that means you won’t tell me where it is then?
Lisa packs away a blue top and a white pair of pants .LisaNot a chance.
AdamLisa, I think a scientist should wear whatever nerdy shirt he wants to wear.
She puts the last pair of socks in the suitcase and slowly raises her eyes to meet her husband’s. She can tell he is worried.LisaUnless that nerdy scientist is married and retired, in which case he has no choice.
Adam’s eyes are heavy and filled with concern. Lisa stops what she is doing and looks out the window for a moment. The wind outside is slowly shaking the branches of the maple tree that sits about ten feet away. Birds are flying in and out of her vision; a robin and a blue jay land on opposing branches and begin watching her as if they are also waiting for her response. She lets out a breath and turns to Adam.AdamDo you think I made the right choice by leaving the company?
LisaYes dear, I do. Those threats were simply getting too serious.
His head hangs down low, giving him a somewhat shameful appearance for being scared out of assisting his friends and co-workers in achieving their goals. Lisa tries to find words to comfort her husband.AdamYes, I know they were... but I still feel like I have so much more to offer them and that I’m letting my co-workers down.
A small smile grows on Adam’s face. He really does love his family, and it has been a long time since they have had a chance to all be together and even longer since he has had a chance to relax.LisaAdam, there are plenty of brilliant minds at the company. I’m sure they’ll do fine without you. Let’s just relax and focus on our family now.
Lisa, happy that Adam is beginning to feel better, turns to him as she zips up the suitcase and stands up.AdamSpeaking of which, I think I’d like to get some coffee before we go pick up Ryan.
Adam does the same and rises to his feet. A wide smile crosses Adam’s face as he bends over and picks up a plaid blue button-up shirt with a small pocket over the left side of its chest.LisaSure, I just finished packing.
He throws the shirt on the chair he has just gotten off of as they walk out the door.AdamI think I’ll just leave this here.
The car shakes as Lisa drives over the pothole on the center of Fell Street, causing Adam to spill some of his coffee. He usually prefers to drive because he is a better driver and he feels as though her glasses have the wrong prescription, but today Lisa is in the mood to take the wheel and he could never say no to her.
Adam starts to wipe the coffee off of his jeans with a paper towel that he takes out of the glove box.AdamHow long until we have to pick up Ryan?
LisaAbout two hours. We’ll pick him up right after he’s finished school and go home so he can finish packing. Then we will have to hurry to the airport.
AdamDo you think we will have time to go to LifeSource? I just need to quickly grab some things I forgot about.
Lisa tries not to let Adam see that she doesn’t want to go to Lifesource because she knows he is thinking about going back. Her thoughts, however, are interrupted by a familiar voice from her youth coming from the satellite radio she has just activated.LisaWell, that depends on how long Ryan takes to finish packing. Play radio.
Adam isn’t in the mood for music.LisaI really can’t believe that Justin Beiber is still making music.
Almost instantly the station changes to the local news station. It starts playing mid-sentence.AdamPlay news.
Adam’s face is cold and upset in hearing what the news has to say.Radio...agreeing to talks, but the President says that the chance of making an international deal for the use of the technology is unlikely...
Adam is unable to finish because of what he is hearing on the radio as the host continued.AdamCan you believe that? I know LifeSource would gladly give the Pods to other countries if the government wasn’t preventing them. Sometimes I think...
The tension in the car seemed to grow with each word the announcer said.RadioSpeaking of LifeSource, police have identified the body of a man killed in a drive-by shooting downtown yesterday. The man is George Caldwell, a scientist at LifeSource Technologies and Pharmaceuticals. He has been with the company since its beginning thirteen years ago...
Lisa looks to her husband, at a loss for words. He is in shock, looking at his shoes, unable to think clearly or face his wife.LisaOh my God...
He is not completely sure of what he has just heard. All he can do is silently listen to the radio.AdamGeorge is...dead?
Adam is shaken by these words, becoming more annoyed with each syllable until he can’t contain himself any longer.Radio...What is even more shocking is this news comes just days after founder and CEO of LifeSource, Adam Fields, stepped down due to threats made against him, his family, and the company. Police believe the suspect may be someone who possibly could have made those threats or is involved with parties wishing harm on the employees at LifeSource. The group of individuals against the use of the Pods, who usually refer to their organization as ‘The Protesters’, are notoriously known for being non-violent individuals who are mostly of strong religious backgrounds. The organization was big in the early years of LifeSource but has died down to a small number ever since laws were put in place regarding the use of the Pods. This incident is the first time that an act of violence was made by a Protester. Other Protesters have come forward expressing their disgust in the suspect. We interviewed one individual who talked to police. ‘I didn’t see the shooting, but I was nearby and heard the shots. It is very disturbing to think this man claims to be a Protester and then does this. We already have a bad image from the public and this just makes things worse. We try to voice our message without violence. Some people think we are anti-life; that’s far from true. We believe it is not up to us, the government, or LifeSource, to play God. It is up to God. People die when it is their time to do so. These machines defy the work of God.’ The remaining few core Protesters believe the 24 hour law is not good enough. ‘It makes you think, what are we doing to their souls? Or do they still have souls when they are revived? When you say your goodbyes, it might not be to the same person you knew your whole life...’
AdamOh, come on! I can’t believe these idiots! How could anyone believe this?
The couple exchange looks, unsure of what to think or what to do. Suddenly, Lisa snaps back into reality and notices the red light in front of her just fast enough to slam on the breaks, bringing the car to a screeching halt. She lowered the radio so she could speak to Adam without the distractions.RadioTwo FBI agents were seen talking to Mr. Caldwell before he was killed. They reportedly chased down the man, but he escaped. The two agents declined to comment except to remind everyone to be on the lookout for a dark-haired Caucasian, about five foot nine with a cross tattooed on his forearm. Lionel Sabatelli, the new CEO taking the place of his close friend Adam Fields, released a statement an hour ago. ‘I just learned about what happened to George. He is a very dear friend of mine and he will be missed. I am still in shock over this and so are my fellow employees. I am taking immediate action on this to provide the safest work environment for my employees, and we are going to be offering grief counselling. I will help the police with the investigation as much as I can and encourage everyone at LifeSource to be extra cautious when leaving their homes or their work. I also wish anyone working at a hospital where the Pods are active to do the same.’
She waits for Adam to answer for what seems like hours, and just like at her home, she once again looks outside the window. Finally, when she can’t wait any longer. she once again speaks.LisaNow do you think you made the right choice in leaving the company?
Her voice is coarse and filled with fear.LisaDo...do you think we are safe?
Adam answers as comfortingly as he can.AdamYes, of course.
He tries to sound as assuring as he can, but he knows there is no guarantee. Another silence, but this one doesn’t last as long. The streetlight, as if reading the mood of the car, changes from foreboding red to a gracious green. Lisa slowly lets out a sigh as she lets her foot lightly drop onto the gas pedal.AdamWhat good am I to the Protesters now that I left LifeSource? I don’t think we’re on their radar anymore. I’m just worried for everyone at the company.
Adam looks at his wife, trying to make his brown eyes sparkle with reassurance. He reaches out for Lisa’s right hand, which is resting on the stick shift, as he speaks in a soft voice.LisaWell, we should be cautious just in case.
He is cut off, but this time not by the radio. A truck, traveling at full speed, collides with the driver’s side door of the car.AdamHoney relax, there’s nothing to –
To be continued...
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