Entropy Part 9

DERRICK
Anyway, where were we?

GITTINS
Something strange happenned.

DERRICK
Ah yes. An entire supply of '4 had been doped with mind altering drugs. The effect on me was pretty bad. I was having conversations with people that didn't make sense.

GITTINS
Sorry, what didn't make sense? The conversations or the people?

DERRICK
It was both.

GITTINS
(Nodding) It sounds like Terranovacain, TNC for short. It was used by the Archie syndicate about 15 years ago. They didn't last long.

DERRICK
You knew of the Archie Sydnicate?

GITTINS
Sure do, I used to work for them. I think I may even have some TNC at home. A little helps the blackness.

DERRICK
Hmm.. the blackness

(They both nod knowingly)

GITTINS
Anyway, if someone's got a hold of some TNC it spells bad news for the whole food market. TNC is easily disguised and is virtually tasteless. Too much of it and the government may even begin to notice something going on. What do you want me to do?

DERRICK
I want you find out who did this and kill them.

GITTINS
I'm not an assassin Mr Derrick. But if you want me to kill them I will. But don't you want to know why they did it?

DERRICK
I suppose that will come in handy. Tell you what, I'll double your fee if you find out.

GITTINS
My fee is 50. 25 in advance, 25 when the job is completed and another 50 if I give you information as to why they did it.

DERRICK
You're certainly not a cheap man Mr Gittins. I certainly hope you're worth it. (opens desk and places small coins on the table, starts to count coins) And if I find you are taking me for a ride, I'll get someone else to kill you - someone cheap and nasty who won't do the job properly and cause you a bit too much pain. Agreed?

GITTINS
Agreed

(They shake hands. Gittins goes to the corner and picks up the garbage can lid and soup packet. Examines them carefully, then leaves).

DERRICK (V.O)
I had just taken the biggest risk of my life. Perhaps it was the drugs, or maybe I had simply gone mad, but I had entrusted one of my most pressing corporate problems in years to an outsourced unknown named Gittins. But something told me I could trust him, that he would never let me down. That's never happenned to me before. I suppose that's why I begun to hate him so much.

45. Inside Marjorie's apartment, view of Marjorie sleeping. The door pounds loudly. Majorie wakes up, gets her gun and goes to the door. She opens it. Gittins walks in. Marjorie keeps the gun trained on him.

GITTINS
We have a job.

46. Hospital ward. Gittins is walking along with his arm in a sling. Blood is seeping through the wound. Marjorie walks behind him in an agitated state, dried blood on her blouse.

MARJORIE
It was four o'clock in the morning. I was having a bad dream and then you showed up my doorstep!

GITTINS
You are a menace woman. You've tried to kill me twice in the last few days.

MARJORIE
It was your damn fault Gittins!

GITTINS
No, it was the government's fault for issuing you a weapon. At least you know how to point it now!

MARJORIE
I was asleep. You don't wake someone up when they're asleep. And you woke me up three times last night.

GITTINS
Guns and women don't mix. I should have followed the private gun ownership manual guidelines. Never mix a woman with a gun.

MARJORIE
Okay okay, let's just agree to disagree.

GITTINS
How the hell can you agree to disagree? Isn't that bordering on a paradox?

MARJORIE
Gittins! (She pulls him over to stop and faces him just a bit too close)

MARJORIE
What is our job?

GITTINS
We have to kill someone.

MARJORIE
I can do that.

GITTINS
(Pointedly) I Know! (Pulls away and keeps walking) Now look, we've wasted enough time already. Next time you decide to shoot me, do it during the day when the damn hospitals are open. (Stops walking, looking woozy. Talking to himself) I've had a bad night. I didn't sleep. I sprained my ankle. Got shot in the arm and spent the rest of the morning bleeding all over the front porch of the damn hospital which doesn't open until 10am. What happens next?

MARJORIE
We go kill someone.

GITTINS
I'm in no mood to kill anyone at the moment... well, there's one person I'd like to kill.

MARJORIE
Ha Ha (unfunny) that makes two of us. Look, why don't you just trust me on this one. Tell me what to do and I'll do it.

GITTINS
(To Himself) Women and guns don't mix (Normal voice). Okay. I need to you go to the corner of Yarjik Street and Harry Road in NW12. There is a haircutter shop there. Go to the counter and ask for Steve. When you see Steve, tell him you're looking for some TNC.

MARJORIE
TNC. What's that?

GITTINS
(Annoyed) It's that drug....

MARJORIE
Ah yes. The one in that vile drink.

GITTINS
It is not vile.

MARJORIE
Gittins, I tasted it. It tastes like floor cleaning fluid.

GITTINS
I'm not surprised. I think the guy who makes the drink also makes cleaning fluid.

MARJORIE
Alright. Okay. So I go to that street you told me about....

to be continued...

© 2006 Neil McKenzie Cameron, http://one-salient-oversight-entropy.blogspot.com/




This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Entropy Part 8

40. An oldish black man is sitting in the foyer looking up at Derrick.

DERRICK
Who are you?

YANDO
Yando.

DERRICK
You don't look like Yando.

YANDO
Well I am.

DERRICK
(Confused again) Come in.

41. Derrick and Yando enter the office. Derrick motions for Yando to sit down on a high stool. Derrick sits opposite him in a well used lounge chair. There is a marked difference in seating height, Derrick being smaller. Derrick pulls up a bottle.

DERRICK
Would you like a drink? This is classic '4. (Holding up bottle of alcoholic beverage #4).

YANDO
No thank you. There are rumors around that the '4 has been spiked with some sort of mind altering drug. The consumers of which are affected in the following ways:
1. They are unable to determine reality from fiction.
2. Conversations between people often end up in confusion, with the consumer unable to follow even the most basic of sentence structures.
3. Hallucegenia and related symptoms quickly follow, and
4. Eventual and irrevocable decay of one's pig.

DERRICK
Pig?

YANDO
(Nods)

DERRICK
I don't have a pig.

YANDO
Nor do I.

DERRICK
That's good.

YANDO
Yes.

DERRICK
(Pause) So, that is why you came?

YANDO
What?

DERRICK
Alcoholic beverage #4. (Waves bottle)

YANDO
Yes please. Stirred, not shaken.

DERRICK
What?

YANDO
(Pointing at the bottle) The '4. You are offering it aren't you?

DERRICK
(Realisation) Oh yes, of course. (pours drink. Looks up. Yando is gone). (Rather than looking surprised or spooked. Derrick is mildly annoyed. There is a knock at the door. Yando's face peers around the edge.)

YANDO
Excuse me, I let myself in. I need to talk.

DERRICK
Just leave me alone. I need to call someone.

(Yando leaves. Derrick goes to the phone, newspaper in hand. He begins to dial the numbers - one at a time, breathing the numbers as he looks at the ad. Just before he finishes dialling, a recorded tone a voice sound, stating "The number you have dialled has insufficient digits. Please pass the pig and dial again." Derrick swears.)

42. Gittins travelling in PTV. He is very badly dressed, unshaven and dirty. A large pimple is swelling on his left cheek. His eyes are bloodshot.

GITTINS (V.O)
I was excited. I was on my first case. I had received a phone call at 3.30am from a man raving about his pig. It had to be some form of code, someone from the secret police working undercover. Either that, or the guy was nuts. I tried to ring Marjorie, but all she did was swear at me when I told her the details. I tried calling her again, but the line was cut off. I think I need to keep Marjorie annoyed to work well together. If I don't keep prodding her, annoying her, insulting her or making fun of her, I'll lose her. She's valuable. Well, actually she's not, but she's useful... to a point. If I could somehow get her gun and use her to do all the dirty grotty stuff, it'll be good. After all, she used to be a cleaner didn't she?

43. Gittins knocks on door to unmarked apartment. He is carrying a garbage can lid and an open packet of instant soup.

GITTINS (V.O)
This was a part of the world I hadn't been to before - the central southern province. It was a haven for freelance drug addicts and street sweepers - each keeping the other in business. Tonight was a typical night. Just before I had knocked on the door I had encountered something strange. While I was.... Oh hang on....

(The door opens, interrupting VO. Derrick looks out).

DERRICK
Are you Githtens?

GITTINS
Gittins

DERRICK
Great, come in. (Gittins does so)

44. Inside Derrick's apartment. Same as 39-40. Gittins puts garbage can lid and soup packet carefully in a corner.

DERRICK
What are they?

GITTINS
(Turning towards Derrick and limping towards him) A garbage can lid and a packet of instant soup.

DERRICK
(Looking confused again) Oh, okay.

GITTINS
What do you want from me Mr Derrick? You interrupted a particularly nasty dream. I dreamt I was a man typing a story on a computer when I suddenly lost inspiration and decided to insert myself into the text.

DERRICK
What happened then?

GITTINS
I just continued the story as before. Now what do you want. You mentioned something about a pig?

DERRICK
I own a number of freelance businesses Mr Gihtens...

GITTINS
Gittins

DERRICK
yes, sorry... and one of my businesses produces a particularly profitable alcoholic beverage (hands bottle of #4 to Gittins).

GITTINS
(Impressed) You make the '4? I'm impressed.

DERRICK
Well, I make a lot of them. There are at least 5 other rival businesses who also make it.

GITTINS
Well at least it's only 5. Some branded goods and services are produced by up to 20 different businesses.

DERRICK
(shaking head) And most of them produce garbage.

GITTINS
Exactly. So what's your problem?

DERRICK
Someone came in and played around with the mix. They added some form of mind altering drug. I was sitting here earlier tonight drinking some of my '4....

GITTINS
Trying to keep the blackness away?

DERRICK
(nodding) exactly.. anyway, I was here with my.... one of my colleagues, when something strange happenned.

GITTINS
(Stands up, hobbles over to bar and pours himself a '3) So why are you hiring me? I'm just a man of medium height with a slight limp.

DERRICK
That's precisely the reason why. And I think you're the best.. at least that's what your ad said in the World news.

GITTINS
Ah ha. That explains why you keep calling me Gihtens. The moron who runs the newspaper can't spell.

DERRICK
Ah, but you have to admit he is doing pretty well for himself. He has the highest selling newspaper now that the editor of the Daily Information for Earth Distributer has D.E.Y.D.

GITTINS
That's a pity, it had a pretty good reputation. Do you think another corporate war is brewing?

DERRICK
We haven't had a corporate war for awhile, especially since the last one attracted the attention of the government. Too many dead bodies in prominent places led them to think something untoward was going on.

GITTINS
I remember. I was taken in.

DERRICK
(Suddenly interested) You were taken in? How did you get out?

GITTINS
(looking very uncomfortable) I managed to escape with some friends. It was a pretty painful time, painful memories you know?

DERRICK
(nodding) Hmm, the blackness.

(They both nod knowingly)

to be continued...

© 2006 Neil McKenzie Cameron, http://one-salient-oversight-entropy.blogspot.com/




This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Entropy Part 7

GITTINS
Well actually all I want to do is advertise. Have a few ads throughout each issue.

TERRANCE
Yeah sure, no problem. You got any money?

GITTINS
Umm, actually no.

TERRANCE
Oh that's a shame. It would be really good to have a detective person advertise in my paper, but I can't do it for free. I already get quite a bit from Jerry's dope store for all the ads he runs. I'd run out of money otherwise.

GITTINS
Okay, well how about a trade?

TERRANCE
Wow. A trade! You mean something that doesn't involve cash?

GITTINS
Exactly. As you know, I'll be privvy to some of the world's greatest secrets. I could pass on information about people, or give you reports about events that occur while I'm working. And so on.

TERRANCE
Wow, that would be great! Even more people would buy my paper then... then I'd be even richer.

GITTINS
Well that's what it's all about isn't it.... that and freedom.

TERRANCE
Yeah, freedom's good... but riches are even better. Okay Mr Guttins...

GITTINS
Gittins

TERRANCE
...Gittins, it's a deal! I'll give you three ads, one each on pages one, three and five. In return, you'll give me as much dirt as you can!

GITTINS
Agreed (they shake hands)

TERRANCE
You know Mr Gittins... I got it right... I think this is the start of a long and prosperous relationship. One that will span a long time and be mutually beneficial to us both.

GITTINS
(nodding, with a quizzical look on his face) Yeah, it will be. I'll get you a copy of the ad tomorrow. See you later Terrance.

TERRANCE
See you later.... Ross.

GITTINS
Russell (inhales cigarette, blows smoke out at an angle, smiles then leaves)

TERRANCE
(imitiating Gittins after he has left) "Russell"

(inhales cigarette, blows out smoke at an angle, then smiles. He then laughs hysterically, but this is cut short by protracted wet coughing. He spits out something, wipes his mouth.)

TERRANCE
I need to speak to Jerry about these (coughs again).

39. Closeup of Advertisement for Gittins. Saying "Do you want to have a graet detectve? )Then ring Rusel Gittinns opn 555-3426. Hell make things good fr you. Cash onluy excepted. Hes good and funny and he smokes fgood stuff." Pans back to reveal a man reading the paper at his desk. The desk is very messy and contains many empty bottles marked "Alcoholic beverage #4". Facing the desk is a mean looking man. Camera pans around to see man looking in the paper. He is in his early 40s, with short hair and a slight scar down his left cheek.

MAN BEHIND DESK
Well Derrick? What does it say?

DERRICK
(Looking frustrated, looks at man then looks back at paper.) I'm not impressed.

MAN BEHIND DESK
Why are you not impressed?

DERRICK
It's not right. It's not what you said.

MAN BEHIND DESK
I know. But it's still important. What does it say?

DERRICK
It says. (Reading very slowly, obviously he has great difficulty reading) Do... yow

MAN BEHIND DESK
You

DERRICK
You. Want... a... gray et.

MBD
Great.

DERRICK
No, it says Gray et.

MBD
It's a spelling mistake. Great.

DERRICK
Great. D.... D..et..schive.

MBD
Each letter Derrick.

DERRICK
Dee...te..c..t..ive (eye-veh)

MBD
ive

DERRICK
Ive

MBD
The whole word again.

DERRICK
Dee-tect-eye... ive. Detective.

MBD
Detective.. Very good. Next week I'll try and see if I can get you a copy of the government creed book. Do you know how to spell anti-homogenaic deificatic parathesis?

DERRICK
(Sarcastically) Of course I do, I just have trouble reading it. (Normal) No that'll be good. Reading the government creed book will be good. How much do I owe you?

MBD
One.

DERRICK
One? You're getting more expensive all the time. (Hands over a coin) Tell me. What's a detective?

MBD
Harry's dictionary defines a detective as a man of about medium height, with a slight limp.

DERRICK
Really? And why would he be advertising in a newspaper?

MBD
Perhaps he's looking for work. Good freelance detectives are hard to find these days.

DERRICK
Why?

MBD
Government tends to target them. A guy was taken in a few months ago, came out a government clone. All he does now is eat, sleep, work and go to the toilet.

DERRICK
(Looking confused) And why would the government do that?

MBD
One.

DERRICK
What?

MBD
One (holds out hand)

DERRICK
(looks even more confused. Then realises it is bribe. Gives him the money. MBD Does nothing.)

DERRICK
Well?

MBD
(Confused as well) Do you want me stay?

DERRICK
Look, I'm confused here. You were saying...

MBD
Ah yes. Read the second line.

DERRICK
(Confused, then turns to newspaper again) Th... Th... Theh..

MBD
Then

DERRICK
Then... rin-guh .. ring. Russ

MBD
Rus (Ruz)

DERRICK
Rus..el.. Gi..t...t....in...n...s

MBD
Which says

DERRICK
Gihtens.

MBD
Very good.

(Silence)

MBD
One.

DERRICK
(Looking even more confused) Um. What is a gihtens?

MBD
I've told you, a man of medium height with a slight limp. (Holds out hand) One.

DERRICK
I've already given you one. Twice.

MBD
Have you? (Feels pocket) Oh I'm sorry (hands back two).

DERRICK
Um... just go. Leave me. come back next week.

MBD
Okay boss. (Starts to walk away, then turns). Oh, by the way. Yando is here to see you.

DERRICK
Yando? He's dead isn't he? (Realises) Oh Yando! Send him in on your way out Harold.

MBD/HAROLD
Sure thing boss (exits door).

(Derrick sits behind his desk. Rearranging things. Looks up out door. Continues to clean. Looks up again. Continues to clean. Stops. Looks up out door again. Walks to door.)

to be continued...

© 2006 Neil McKenzie Cameron, http://one-salient-oversight-entropy.blogspot.com/




This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Entropy Part 6

HIERARCH XAVIER
You are pathetic! I call you in to tail someone and you lose him after 10 minutes.

OFFICER
Well, it was 15 minutes actually - and the guy had a light breakfast. I need to have a hot breakfast, and it takes longer...

HIERARCH XAVIER
I don't care what sort of breakfast you have.

OFFICER
But Hierarch Susan tells us that a big, healthy breakfast is necessary for a healthy lifestyle. You wouldn't want me to criticise her policies would you?

HIERARCH XAVIER
Do you have any idea how important this is? The man you were following is a Free-trader. If you had followed him, you would have been led to other free traders.

OFFICER
With all due respect Hierarch Xavier, I don't think you know how important breakfast is. I know that free-trade is bad and should be destroyed, but the health department has released information constantly about the rise in bowel cancer, and the need to eat high fibre food. Perhaps if you...

HIERARCH XAVIER
Get out and never come back. Feel happy that I have allowed you to go back and work with Hierarch Susan again. Do not speak to anyone about this.

(Officer leaves, Xavier puts his head in his hands, shaking his head sadly.)

OLD MAN (Off)
He went to a newspaper publisher.

(Xavier Looks up suddenly. An old man with a broom is in the corner. He had been sweeping the floor, but was now facing Xavier)

XAVIER
What?

OLD MAN
The man you wanted tailed went to see a newspaper publisher in the Northern province.

XAVIER
Who are you? How dare you speak!

OLD MAN
Forgive me Hierarch, but I am an old man and I have been sweeping this room every day for 25 years. I hear everything that goes on, but when I heard you wanted this free-trader followed, I decided to follow him as well.

XAVIER
(a look of interest comes over his face) What did he do with this "news paper publisher"?

OLD MAN
They were inside only 5 minutes or so, and they came out quickly. The woman he was with looked very sick, and was wiping blood off her hands. I decided to go inside, and I found the newspaper publisher dead on the floor. I got out just before other free-traders entered.

XAVIER
Wait a minute, you say he killed this, this publisher person?

OLD MAN
That's right sir. A bullet in the back of the head. Very messy.

XAVIER
(Trying to think) But... why? What reason would he have to kill another free-trader?

OLD MAN
I saw the way she was killed sir. It was professionally done. The way an assassin kills.

XAVIER
Assassin, I've heard that word before. What does it mean?

OLD MAN
It usually refers to a person who kills for money.

XAVIER
Money? You mean a free trader?

OLD MAN
Yes sir. Assassins are used regularly by the free traders.

XAVIER
So he's a hired killer. (Look of questioning on his face) Who are you? How come you know so much about the free traders?

OLD MAN
I have heard many things in this office over the years sir. The free traders have been around for a very long time, and your predecessors have worked very hard to get rid of them, but without success.

XAVIER
I have an idea. I want you to be an assassin. I want you to kill Russell Gittins.

OLD MAN
But sir, I am just an old man...

XAVIER
An old man who is able to follow someone without being followed. Kill Russell Gittins, and any free trader who is in his way, including that fat woman friend of his.

OLD MAN
I don't think she's that fat sir.

XAVIER
I don't care what you think. All I care about is having Russell Gittins dead. He is a known free-trader. His release from prison was unfortunate and baffling, and I intend to follow the letter of the law that states that free trade is illegal and that its exponents are to be executed forthwith.

OLD MAN
(Darkly) I will need weapons.

XAVIER
You have my promise that I will give you the best weapons our manufacturers can produce.

OLD MAN
With all due respect, hierarch, if I am to kill this man I will need weapons that are better than the best we make.

XAVIER
Why?

OLD MAN
The weapons made by the government are old and badly made. (thinks) I think I can procure weapons from the free traders themselves, but I will need something to bargain with.

XAVIER
(heating up) What? You even dare to contemplate dealing with the free traders!!??

OLD MAN
(faces the floor humbly, speaks quickly) Please forgive me hierarch, but I think it is necessary.

XAVIER
(Begins to cool, but still angry) You had better have a good explanation then.

OLD MAN
It is a well known fact that all the goods made by the free trade movement are of high quality, including weapons. If I was armed with their weapons, it would give me an advantage. (Smiles and laughs) It's funny isn't it, I would be using the weapons of the free trade movement to bring it down.

XAVIER
(Light dawns on him) What an amazing thought. We use the tools of the free traders in order to destroy them.

OLD MAN
They give us the rope that we hang them with.

XAVIER
(Smiles darkly) Agreed. You will procure these weapons. What will you need to do this?

OLD MAN
In normal circumstances, I would need money (confused look on xaviers face) - it is something the free traders use to procure goods and services. It has no intrinsic value in itself. Anyway, normally I would need money, but many free traders accept bartering.

XAVIER
And what is this "bartering" you speak of? It sounds very depraved.

OLD MAN
It is hierarch, a very depraved practice. I suggest you look in some of the files of Hierarch Fred, one of your predecessors - he had a good idea of what it was.

XAVIER
...and it is...

OLD MAN
Well, I just swap something they need for something I need - in this case, weapons.

XAVIER
And you need....

OLD MAN
Something valuable. Something that only hierarchs own that others don't, for example.

38. Close-up view of wax-filled ear. Camera pulls back, showing a man aged in his mid 20s. Every day is bad hair day for this guy. He also has a very puny physique. As the camera pans back he laughs, and continues to laugh much longer than is necessary. "World news" is emblazoned on a wall in the background in very crude letters. The laughing young person is Terrance. Terrance and Gittins are sitting opposite each other in chairs. They are both smoking.

GITTINS
So, Terrance, you find that funny?

TERRANCE
(Laughing) Absolutely Mr, Mr, (looks confused) what was your name again?

GITTINS
I'm sorry I never told you. Gittins, Russell Gittins.

TERRANCE
(laughs again, again for longer than is tolerable) Yeah, I certainly found that funny. (Brightens) I know, how would you like to write a column in my paper? A joke column? You could tell funny stories about people, poking fun at them and showing how dumb they are.

GITTINS
Well, I could, but that's not what I'm good at.

TERRANCE
And what are you good at Mr Gitlins?

GITTINS
Gittins. I'm a freelance detective.

TERRANCE
(In awe) Wow. A freelance detective. That must be pretty exciting.

GITTINS
Oh, it can be.

TERRANCE
What does a detective do?

GITTINS
We're sort of like private policemen. People hire us to find people, solve crimes, that sort of thing.

TERRANCE
Wow. That's great. How about having a detective column in my paper. People will love that.

to be continued...

© 2005 Neil McKenzie Cameron, http://one-salient-oversight-entropy.blogspot.com/




This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Entropy Part 5

GITTINS
Well, I'm better now.

MARJORIE
Not much. You speak and act like a free trader. You think I'm fat and, to top it all off, your breath stinks.

GITTINS
Only because I'm smoking.

MARJORIE
No, I noticed it the first time I met you. I had to try and keep myself from gagging every time you spoke.

GITTINS
Listen, it is a well established fact that you hate me and I hate you. This is the rock on which our partnership is built, so I suggest we just ignore it for the time being and get on with the detective work, okay?

MARJORIE
No, it is not okay Gittins. Do you think I can stand working with someone who makes me sick every time they talk to me?

GITTINS
Well, you'll just have to put up with it. Do you think I can stand working with you? Now just shut up and let me tell you what we're doing. As you are no doubt aware, we are in the northern province.

MARJORIE
I can read maps Gittins.

GITTINS
(Continuing) When I was sick, I used to read newspapers that originated from this section. I am here to make contact with the newspaper editor.

MARJORIE
So, what does this "editor" person do?

GITTINS
They make sure the words are spelt correctly, and make decisions about what to include in the newspaper. In the building behind us are the head offices for this newspaper.

MARJORIE
Okay, let's go in then.

27. Editor's office. A woman, aged in her late 40s, is sitting at the desk, reading a newspaper titled "World News". She is smoking.

EDITOR
(Look of amazement comes over her face, followed by protracted coughing, with smoke coming out. She eventually spits into the bin. She returns to reading the paper, then shakes her head.)

Who reads this sort of garbage anyway?

(She tosses the paper away and picks up another paper titled "The News". She opens it, and nods, a grudging respect on her face - the sort of look an editor gives when reading an article in a rival newspaper that she is impressed with.)

Pretty good. I wonder how much that reporter is getting?

(She presses a button on her desk and speaks into it)

Peter, can you try and get a.... (looks back into the paper) .... a Jerry Thomson on the line? He works at The News....... Peter, are you there? Peter, if you're reading books again I'm going to get very angry with you...... Peter?

(She releases the button. Look of frustration on her face.)

Moron.

(Knock on her door)

28. View of door. Cloudy window has "Editor" in reverse, with the ominous shadow of someone behind it.

29. Closeup of door. Door opens, revealing face of Gittins, cigarette hanging in his mouth.

GITTINS
How do you do Maam. My name is Russell Gittins, I'm a detective. (Indicates behind him) This is my partner, Marjorie Jones.

(Marjorie comes into view. She pushes Gittins away gently, raises the gun, and fires at the Editor.

30. View of Editor flung across the room. Blood streaming from her chest.

31. Close-up view of Editor's face as it hits the ground. Camera is focussed on her face, slightly covered with blood. Her mouth is opening and closing, blood frothing out of it. Her eyes are wide. Out-of-focus Gittins and Marjorie in background.

GITTINS
Why the hell did you do that for?

MARJORIE
Well you couldn't kill her, could you? I'm the one with the gun.

GITTINS
Marjorie, we didn't come here to kill her.

MARJORIE
(Pause) Then what were we doing here?

GITTINS
Have you any brain at all? I'm trying to make contacts within the world of free trade. I was going here to place an advertisement for my services.

MARJORIE
Well why didn't you tell me?

GITTINS
I didn't think it was necessary, besides I didn't expect you to shoot the first person we met.

MARJORIE
Gittins, I don't understand. Our job is to destroy the free-trade movement.

GITTINS
From the inside Marjorie, the inside! We don't murder every free trader we meet, we'll risk exposure and our cover will be blown. It's fortunate that the editor here was alone, otherwise it'll be a week before every free trader in the world will have our likenesses and names. Then we'll have to worry about being assassinated by them, as well as Hierarch Xavier.

(Pause, figure of Marjorie acts in manner associated with self-realised stupidity. Dying body of Editor in close up spasms suddenly.)

MARJORIE
I think she's still alive. Is that any consolation?

GITTINS
Not really, she knows who we are. You'll have to finish her off.

(Figure of Marjorie approaches Editor's body)

GITTINS
Place the gun at the base of the neck.

(Hand comes down with Gun in it, placed at base of Neck. Editor's eyes are rolling in fear. Mouth moving, no noise.)

GITTINS
When you fire, the blast will make a mess. Place your hand over the top of the gun to stop the splatter from getting onto you.

(Other hand comes down, palm downwards, to prevent splatter)

32. Total blackness. Gunshot sound.

33. Public convenience. Gittins standing outside entrance. "Female" sign in full view. Gittins smoking. Looks at time. Ashen-faced Marjorie, unsteady, exits.

GITTINS
Are you ready to continue now?

MARJORIE
(looking very sick) I didn't expect that.

GITTINS
What, the mess?

MARJORIE
Yes, sort of. I didn't expect to get sick though.

GITTINS
Hey, you were doing a service to the state. The woman was caught engaged in freelance activity. You put her out of her miserable existence. It was not murder, it was justice.

MARJORIE
I suppose so. But I still feel sick. What now?

GITTINS
I think you should go home, have a bath and watch TV all day.

MARJORIE
A bath would be nice, but it's not my allocated day for bathing. That comes tomorrow.

GITTINS
So have a cold bath, what do I care? I need to go to another newspaper, and I don't want you or your gun there.

34. Public Transit Vehicle (Interior). Gittins sitting in single dirty seat. 2-3 other people sitting in seats, as far away as possible from Gittins. Seats moving, showing movement of PTV.

GITTINS (V.O.)
I still couldn't believe the stunt that Marjorie pulled. Killing the editor of the Free-trader's most respectable newspaper would obviously make the front pages of the underground newspapers, but at least they won't suspect the secret police. I deliberately made Marjorie finish the editor off in a way reminiscent of a hired assassin. The secret police don't go round murdering people like that - at least not until Marjorie joined the force.

35. Gittins walking along lighted pathway.

GITTINS (V.O.)
I have to admit, though, that Marjorie impressed me with her enthusiasm, even if it was misplaced. She's handling her piece well now, and did not hesitate to finish the editor off. She may have reacted badly to it afterwards, but she'll learn to handle it in time. What disturbs me is that I may actually need her - a concept I am not very happy with.

36. Gittins standing beside wall, smoking cigarette in darkness.

GITTINS (V.O.)
It is quite fortunate that no one saw us kill the editor. The free traders would have killed us in no time, assuming they were able to identify the killers as a couple of freelance detectives making waves around the free-trade community, asking too many questions and snooping about.

37. Hierarch Xavier sitting at his desk, staring through his very thick glasses.

GITTINS (V.O.)
But what troubles me is Hierarch Xavier. The fact that a government hierarch has it in for me is disturbing, especially since I was now working for the secret police. This leads me to believe that the government is not very good in its ability to organise things. Since I was a member of the secret police, trying to destroy the free-trade network, why would my progress be subject to scrutiny and criticism by a free-trade hating hierach? Either the government is screwed up, or I am not actually working for the government. Either way, I'm not in a very good position.

HIERARCH XAVIER
What do you mean you lost him?

OFFICER
Well, as soon as he finished eating, he disappeared through the door and I didn't see where he was going.

HIERARCH XAVIER
Did it occur to you that you could possibly follow him?

OFFICER
Well, I hadn't finished eating yet.

to be continued...

© 2005 Neil McKenzie Cameron, http://one-salient-oversight-entropy.blogspot.com/




This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Entropy Part 4

(Gittins and Marjorie slump into the single chair together, unaware they have just made body contact. They are both drained.)

GITTINS
(Annoyed) Great. First my TV goes, and now there's blood on my carpet.

MARJORIE
(On verge of tears) He called me fat.

GITTINS
I promised myself when I was sick that I would try to learn a few more skills. "Multiskilling" it was called. I should be a carpet cleaner.

MARJORIE
First you call me fat, and then he does.

GITTINS
Carpet cleaners get a lot of cash in the free market world. No one knows how to clean them properly.

MARJORIE
I'm ugly. I'm fat. I'm useless.

GITTINS
A TV repairman also earns a lot of cash. If I knew how to repair them, I'd have my TV back in no time.

MARJORIE
You can't repair a smashed screen.

GITTINS
You're not fat.

(They look at each other, then realise their closeness. They move away from each other abruptly).

GITTINS
Good shooting.

MARJORIE
I was aiming at his head.

(They both begin to laugh)

GITTINS
Enough of this, we might get arrested by the secret police.

MARJORIE
We are the secret police. Are we going to arrest each other?

GITTINS
Tell me, what did they teach you when you became a member of the scret police.

MARJORIE
Why what did they teach you?

GITTINS
I only just joined yesterday. They didn't teach me anything.

MARJORIE
Well, they didn't teach me anything either.

GITTINS
Nothing? How did you become a member of the secret police?

MARJORIE
I only joined last week. I used to be a dish washer at a canteen in the western province. They reassigned me to the secret police.

GITTINS
Who else do you know in the secret police?

MARJORIE
Only you. And Hierarch Sam. That's it.

GITTINS
Do you realise we may be the only members of the secret police in the whole world?

MARJORIE
That can't be true. When I was a dish washer, I knew that there was many other dish washers around. It must be the same for the secret police, surely.

GITTINS
Maybe. (pauses) You used to wash dishes?

MARJORIE
Yes.

GITTINS
Can you wash carpets?

MARJORIE
(Pointedly) NO.

GITTINS
You shot Xavier, you should clean it up.

MARJORIE
I was a dish washer, not a floor washer. Besides, I was doing you a favour. YES, I was doing YOU a favour. You owe me Gittins.

GITTINS
Spoken like a true free trader. You provide goods and services, I pay you back with cash or, alternatively, other goods and services. (Looking at carpet forlornly, then at TV. Look of anguish over his face).

22. View of Gittins sitting in chair, writing.

GITTINS (V.O)
With no TV to keep me happy during my free time, I decided to do something I used to do when I was sick. I wrote. I used to write lots of big words, words I learned from some banned books I used to have. I used to write about freedom and happiness and all sorts of other subversive garbage. Now, however, I was trying to formulate a plan - a plan to try and infiltrate the underground.

MARJORIE
Gittins, what are you doing?

GITTINS
I'm trying to formulate a plan - a plan to try and infiltrate the underground.

MARJORIE
I'm going home now. It's getting late and I want to watch TV before going to bed.

GITTINS
(look of sadness comes across his face) Yes, well you do that. I'll call you tomorrow. What's your call number?

MARJORIE
555-3426.

GITTINS
Why do call numbers always start with 555?

MARJORIE
I don't know Gittins, and I don't really want to know. I'll see you tomorrow. happy planning. (goes out through door).

GITTINS (V.O.)
(Continues to write) When I was sick, I used to enjoy people's company. Fortunately I was now cured. Maybe I would have enjoyed Marjorie's company when I was sick, but she is quite repellent to me. Xavier was right, she is fat, but not so fat that it was very noticeable. She certainly won't be taken away by the government like people in years gone by.

23. Shot of very obese man trying to hide. Gittins is there, helps him away from searchers. He reassures the man. V.O. continues over this.

GITTINS (V.O.)
When I was sick I used to help people like that. I used to get them to the outskirts of the world, where some free traders would hide them. Free traders were like that, they had some mistaken belief that these very fat people had something to offer to society.

24. Shot of obese people being led away by police. Gittens watches, covertly from a window. V.O. continues.

GITTINS (V.O)
I remember being very sad seeing these obese people being led away, but I was sick, and the feelings I had were due to this sickness. Thinking about it now, I'm glad the government took these obese people away. They were very ugly and unsightly. Getting rid of them was good for society.

25. Back to Gittins sitting on couch.

GITTINS (V.O.)
One thing the free traders demand is something called "free press". It means reporting on events in a factual and objective manner, unbiased by government ideologies. The free traders have a number of publications they call "News Papers". They are a sheet on paper with words printed on them, reporting on events and publishing opinions.

26. Gittins standing in dark alleyway, smoking.

GITTINS (V.O.)
One of the best places to gather information about the underground was to contact a newspaper publisher. I needed to make friends with one of them. To initiate some form of mutual trust. I would then use this mutual trust to bring down the free traders.

(Marjorie turns up)

MARJORIE
Why are we here?

GITTINS
We're here to meet a newspaper man.

MARJORIE
A What?

GITTINS
It's sort of like TV, except it's writing. And it's written by free traders, for free traders.

MARJORIE
I see. What is that thing in your mouth? It's on fire.

GITTINS
It's called a cigarette. The free traders use them. You inhale the smoke like so (does so, then exhales), then blow it out.

MARJORIE
It smells terrible.

GITTINS
It tastes good, you should try it, you'll mix in with the free traders. No one would suspect us.

MARJORIE
Okay, give me a try.

(Marjorie takes the cigarette, inhales, then coughs violently, throwing the cigarette away)

MARJORIE
That is disgusting! It is the most vile thing I have ever tasted! (continues to splutter) If all free traders smoked, they won't live long enough for us to nail them.

GITTINS
Remember the irony. We are using the tools of the free traders in order to bring them down from the inside.

MARJORIE
I have no idea what you're saying. What the hell is irony? Is it some form of metal tool?

GITTINS
You didn't read my journals much did you?

MARJORIE
Enough to see that you are perfectly vile. Your whole existence was akin to that... thing.. you gave me. Disgusting.

to be continued...

© 2005 Neil McKenzie Cameron, http://one-salient-oversight-entropy.blogspot.com/




This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Entropy Part 3

MARJORIE
I don't know. But the prospect of working together as undercover... "freelance"... detectives is hardly what I find enjoyable.

GITTINS
Well, I suppose we share one thing in common then.

MARJORIE
What?

GITTINS
We don't like each other. At least it's a start. But let me put some rules down. I am the hierarch of this operation. You do what I tell you to do. Do you have any experience in detective work?

MARJORIE
Of course not, it's a forbidden activity. I don't even know what it is.

GITTINS
What? You mean you read all my notes, my journals, my confessions and you don't even know what sort of activities I was involved in?

MARJORIE
No. As I told you, it's a forbidden activity. They wouldn't let me know.

GITTINS
But reading my journals is just as forbidden. (sighs) The government has absolutely no idea how to run anything properly.

MARJORIE
What do you mean? The government loves us and cares for us. Without the government we...

GITTINS
.. wouldn't be able to live, yes I do know the creed. What I am saying is that the free-trade movement is far better at organisation and running things that the government is. It is because they are driven by the need for profit, and it is precisely this reason why the free-trade movement is so effective.

MARJORIE
What you're saying sounds very offensive. As a member of the secret police I could get you arrested for this.

GITTINS
It sounds bad I know, but the free-trade movement are a dangerous threat to our society for precisely those reasons. By offering a different, even superior, way of life, they are in effect destroying the world as we know it. We have to face the truth that the free-trade movement is very dangerous and highly organised. It is destroying our world. Because of my experience in the movement I can work as an undercover freelance detective and have the opportunity to bring the free trade movement down from the inside.

MARJORIE
(Silent for a moment, pondering) So what is it?

GITTINS
What?

MARJORIE
A detective, what is a detective?

GITTINS
We solve crimes. Follow people. Spy. Investigate.

MARJORIE
Sounds interesting. Do you kill people?

GITTINS
No, that's an assassin. Sometimes a detective is forced to kill someone.

MARJORIE
Have you killed anyone?

GITTINS
No.

MARJORIE
Neither have I. They gave me a gun and told me I might have to kill someone.

GITTINS
They didn't give me a gun.

MARJORIE
Well, you're a convicted freelancer aren't you. They don't want to take the risk.

GITTINS
That's not the reason. They didn't give me a gun probably because they lost the paperwork, or some clerk somewhere is "too busy" to fill out the forms. Do you know how to use it?

MARJORIE
Of course I do.

GITTINS
Have you ever fired it?

MARJORIE
No, they told me that I couldn't waste the bullets. They have a shortage at the moment.

GITTINS
So you have a gun, but you've never used one and never fired one?

MARJORIE
Yes... is that a problem?

GITTINS
Yeah, I'd say it is a problem. I think I might have some bullets stashed at home somewhere. Come with me, and I'll teach you how to use it.

20. Gittins and Marjories walking together, they are arguing, but the voice over prevents us from hearing what it is they are saying.

GITTINS (V.O.)
So I'd met my partner and her name was Marjorie. I probably would have enjoyed her company when I was sick, but now she was just a nuisance, a necessary evil in my quest to destroy the free trade movement. Hopefully she'll get bumped off soon by some free-trade psycho with a gun, and I would have free reign to destroy the free reign of others. How ironic.

21. View of TV set in Gittin's home. Gunshot blows TV up.

GITTINS
You idiot! Now I won't be able to watch TV! What am I supposed to do with my free time now?

MARJORIE
You didn't tell me it would be so loud, my ears are ringing.

GITTINS
Do you know how long it takes to get a new TV? 6 months by the time the stupid clerk fills out the necessary paperwork. Why didn't you shoot it when I was sick? I never watched TV when I was sick. I was too busy writing stupid things about freedom and talking to people.

MARJORIE
I don't give a damn about you or your TV! Why can't you teach me how to operate this thing right? It's not my fault that your TV blew up, it's your fault that you didn't teach me how to aim?

GITTINS
(imitating Marjorie) "I know how to aim", look at this thing (pointing at tin can). You've wasted two bullets, put a hole in my wall and blown up my TV. Women just can't get anything right!

MARJORIE
(Absolutely furious, takes aim at can and blows it away. Then looks up at Gittins with dark anger).

GITTINS
(Anger totally gone) Well done. Next time you need to use that thing, make sure you're really pissed off about something. I know, think of me! (Smiles)

MARJORIE
(Anger turns to confusion, then a small laugh escapes her lips. Suddenly she is confused). Did I just laugh?

GITTINS
You're fitting in very well Marjorie. One day you'll be a fine free trader.

22. Sweep to door opening. A man walks in with thick rimmed glasses and a slight moustache. He is accompanied by 2 heavily built men, carrying clubs.

HIERACH XAVIER
Ah, at last we meet Mr Gittins. May I introduce myself, I am Hierarch Xavier.

GITTINS
I know who you are. I saw you on television today.

HIERARCH XAVIER
(Smiles) That's good, (looks at smouldering TV, then frowns) then you must know why I am here?

GITTINS
No. Why are you here Hierarch?

HIERARCH XAVIER
(looking confused) You, are a free trader Mr Gittins. I am here to dispense justice.

GITTINS
With all due respect Hierach Xavier, I've been cured. I'm in the secret police now. I'm using my position as freelance detective to bring the free trade movement down from the inside.

HIERARCH XAVIER
Hah, a likely story. No, you were released either by some bureaucratic bungle or you were set free by the free traders. In any case, I am here to kill you.

GITTINS
Marjorie, give me the gun.

MARJORIE
No. It's mine. I was issued it.

HIERARCH XAVIER
Who are you?

MARJORIE
My name is Marjorie, I am with the secret police. This man is telling you the truth.

HIERARCH XAVIER
You're just another free trader. (To men) Get them.

(The men bring out their clubs, but before they approach, Marjorie brings the gun up. They hesitate.)

HIERARCH XAVIER
Get them you idiots. It's only a woman.

(Marjorie aims the gun at Xavier's leg and blows away his kneecap. Xavier falls to the ground, screaming.)

HIERARCH XAVIER
(Being picked up by the men) (Yelling) You're both dead! You don't know who you're dealing with here! I have contacts, I can make things very painful for you both.

GITTINS
With all due respect Hierarch, you have no business poking into internal security matters. I suggest you go and get your leg looked at, and never bother us again.

HIERARCH XAVIER
(in great pain) Oh you'll here from me again Gittins! I'm going to make things very painful for you both. I have contacts. You don't know who you're dealing with here!

GITTINS
(looking concerned) Do you normally repeat yourself? Perhaps it's because you're in pain. (To the men) Take him away, he's bleeding on my floor and it will take me 4 weeks to get someone to clean my carpet.

(Xavier is taken out screaming)

HIERARCH XAVIER
You'll pay for this Gittins, and you will too, you fat woman!

to be continued...

© 2005 Neil McKenzie Cameron, http://one-salient-oversight-entropy.blogspot.com/




This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Entropy Part 2

13. Gittins walking down lighted pathway.

GITTINS (V.O.)
I suppose I could have gone to another pharmacy, but I couldn't be bothered. Besides, if I missed out on one dose, it couldn't harm me much.

14. Gittins in bed. Screaming in agony - going through cold turkey.

15. Gittins sitting at table in public eatery. Eating unpalatable food on metal tray in front of him.

GITTINS (V.O.)
Fortunately I found out that the doctors had left me some tablets in a container I found in my jacket. Now I was here to meet someone. I had received a call in the morning that I was to meet my new partner here at the canteen near my apartment. I didn't like the idea of a partner - it's much better for me to work alone. Besides, I just don't like anyone - after all, I'm only human.

MARJORIE
Are you Gittins?

GITTINS
(Looks around, to see if the person is talking to him or not. Looks up at Marjorie) Yeah. Who are you?

MARJORIE
I'm Marjorie. I work with the secret police. I'm here to be your... your.. what's the word?

GITTINS
Partner?

MARJORIE
That's the word. What does it mean?

GITTINS
I think it means we work together.

MARJORIE
(looking annoyed and sick) That's what I was afraid of. Can we talk?

GITTINS
Isn't that what we're doing?

MARJORIE
Move over. We need to talk, and no one is to hear us.

16. View of eating booth from the side. We see that it is a single-person eating booth. Moreover, we see single eating booths occupied by everyone.

17. View from other side of table. Gittins and Marjorie squeezing in on one seat together. Both are looking very uncomfortable at having their personal space invaded.

18. View of others looking at them in total amazement. Some are openly staring, others are forcing themselves to ignore it.

19. View of table with Gittins and Marjories squeezed together.

GITTINS
It would be nice if they actually made eating booths for two people wouldn't it?

MARJORIE
(looking confused) Why on earth for?

GITTINS
So.... two people can..... have a meal.... together, I suppose.

MARJORIE
You're sick. Do you think I'm enjoying this?

GITTINS
No.

MARJORIE
Gittins, listen to me. I'm only doing this because I was ordered to do it. I've read your files, your notebooks, your confessions and, frankly, you sicken me. I find it very unusual that you are still alive - if it was up to me you'd be dead by now.

GITTINS
Well, fortunately it wasn't up to you.

MARJORIE
And what's that supposed to mean? Are you questioning my ability to do my job? If you are, then I'm just going to walk and never talk to you again. You'd hate that wouldn't you? You seem to need to someone around to talk to don't you.

GITTINS
Marjorie, listen, that was in the past. I'm cured now. I'm no threat to anyone except the free trade movement. I don't need to talk to anyone or be with anyone. I'm not sick anymore. Besides, you've been ordered to work with me, so you can't walk out can you?

MARJORIE
(Looking very uncomfortable). No.

GITTINS
I don't want you to work with me as much as you don't want to work with me. When I operated as a freelance (at this Marjorie grimaces) I worked by myself. I was my own boss. I was more effective. I don't need anyone, especially.... a woman... to work with me.

MARJORIE
Well you'll just have to get used to this won't you?


GITTINS
And so do you Marjorie. Now are you going to tell me what's going on?

MARJORIE
What do you mean?

GITTINS
You were sent here with information from the secret police. Something to tell me?

MARJORIE
No. I was just told to meet you here. I thought you had something to tell me?

GITTINS
Why the hell would I have anything to tell you?

MARJORIE
Well, you're in command of this stupid undercover operation, I thought you knew!

GITTINS
You mean, you have nothing to tell me at all?

MARJORIE
I've just told you....

GITTINS
(laughs very forcefully)

MARJORIE
What the hell was that?

GITTINS
It's called laughing. I did a lot of it when I was sick.

MARJORIE
You're sick now. I'm going... (begins to get up)

GITTINS
(Holds on to her arm) Marjorie wait.

MARJORIE
Don't touch me! Don't you ever touch me!

GITTINS
We were touching when we were sitting down.

MAJORIE
That's different... I... I

GITTINS
It's okay Marjorie. I'm not sick. I'm sorry I touched you, please don't go, we need to talk.

MARJORIE
(Looking confused. Slides back in. their bodies touch again, much to their discomfort). No one's ever said that to me.

GITTINS
What?

MARJORIE
No one's ever said sorry to me... for anything

GITTINS
I hate doing it, believe me. I just had to get you to sit down again.

MARJORIE
So you're not really sorry at all?

GITTINS
Marjorie please, all I'm doing...

MARJORIE
You're a damn liar aren't you? I can't even trust you to...

GITTINS
(Yells) SHUT UP YOU FAT WOMAN!

MARJORIE
(Shuts up. Period of silence follows) Am I really fat?

GITTINS
A bit.

MARJORIE
(looking depressed) I'm like one of those women you laugh at on the streets aren't I?

GITTINS
Marjorie...

MARJORIE
You know those ones with the fat hanging out everywhere. Enormous breasts, enormous hips.

GITTINS
They got rid of them years ago. They were a public eyesore.

MARJORIE
I'm going to turn into one aren't I? The government's going to get rid of me too aren't they?

GITTINS
Marjorie. You're not fat.

MARJORIE
But you said....

GITTINS
(softly) I was just trying to shut you up. You talk too much and don't listen, just like most women.

MARJORIE
.... I read in your notebook that you said that belief was wrong.

GITTINS
What do you mean?

MARJORIE
It was one of those little bits you wrote about "common misperceptions of reality" I think you called it.

GITTINS
Yes. I wrote that much of modern society is based on the degredation of women. That in reality, men and women are equal. I wrote that men are just as prone to talk first and listen later as women.

MARJORIE
Do you believe that?

GITTINS
Of course not. I was sick when I wrote it. Now, what are we going to do?

to be continued...

© 2005 Neil McKenzie Cameron, http://one-salient-oversight-entropy.blogspot.com/




This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Entropy Part 1

1 Close Camera looking into vacant eyes of Gittins. Panning back slowly during V.O. to reveal Gittins wearing dirty underwear, sitting on table. White walls, no other furniture visible. Sparse.

GITTINS (V.O.)
It was the happiest day of my life, if you could ever call anything about my life happy. I was finally cured of the disease, but the doctors told me I had to take some sort of drugs to keep me under control.

2. Gittins naked, shot from rear, being hose showered by orderlies.

GITTINS (V.O.)
That was fortunate. I don't think I could have lived with the disease - the doctors said they would have had to kill me had the treatment not worked, since the disease was so infectous.

3. Gittins slowly combing wet hair, looking into mirror. Eyes vacant.

GITTINS (V.O.)
If I didn't take the drugs, the doctors said I would contract the disease again. I think we're so fortunate to have such a good health department - they work very hard.

4. Gittins being led down a corridor by bored looking military guards. Look on his face continues to be vacant and unemotional. Fisheye lens?

GITTINS (V.O.)
The fact that I was cured made me very happy. But what I didn't expect was the interview with Politic Sam. Politic Sam was one of the hierarchs who ran the world, although I must say I'd never heard about him until I met him. He had an interesting proposal for me.

5. Gittins strapped in chair, military guards on either side of him. They are in a very messy and disorganised office. They are opposite a desk full of junk and paper. A man walks in - Politic Sam - and sits at the desk.

POLITIC SAM
Mr Gittins, you are now a member of the secret police. Your job is to expose criminal elements of society by working undercover as a freelance detective. Do you understand?

GITTINS
(Very Slowly) But I was sick. Freelance is wrong. If I freelance I will get sick.

POLITIC SAM
Freelancing is wrong. It does make you sick. But we need to protect our society from free trade. Free trade is causing a lot of problems for us Mr Gittins. You are in the perfect position to help our world. We want you to pretend to be a freelance detective.

GITTINS
(Awareness beginning to dawn on his face, still speaking slowly) So you want me to use the practice of free trade in order to bring it down? Are you aware of that irony?

POLITIC SAM
(Shaking his head) I don't know what irony is Mr Gittins, but I'm sure you read it somewhere in one of those books that made you sick. But yes, you're right, we will be using your agency as a front to destroy the free trade organisation.

GITTINS
(Blank) That's good. Free trade is destroying our world. I want to save our world and destroy free trade. I want to be a freelance detective again, and bring the movement down from the inside.

POLITIC SAM
(Smiling) That's very good Mr Gittins. Come see me later this afternoon when the drug has worn off. (looks at guards) Take him back to his cell, make sure he is fed and clothed and rested.

6. Gittins lying down in cell, his eyes flickering, no longer vacant.

GITTINS (V.O.)
I was feeling just great. But what I really needed to do was talk to Politic Sam about an idea that I had been having. When I was sick, I was operating as a freelance detective. I was arrested and sentenced to death, but somehow they made a cure, and I was free from the sickness. Now I wanted to repay my debt to them, to show them how much I appreciated their help.

7. Back in Politic Sam's office. This time, Gittins is sitting freely in the chair, looking far more "with it" than before.

POLITIC SAM
You wanted to see me Mr Gittins?

GITTINS
Yes, thankyou for seeing me.

POLITIC SAM
Not at all, what's on your mind?

GITTINS
Well, first I'd just like to say thanks for curing me.

POLITIC SAM
The cure is very hard, many people die during the process. But you were strong enough to handle it, so what is your proposal?

GITTINS
I'd like to work as a freelance detective again. But this time as an undercover agent, trying to bring the free-trade organisation down from the inside?

POLITIC SAM
How ironic.

GITTINS
Isn't it? Fortunately I was operating pretty much on the outside of the movement, and those in the movement who knew me are now dead.

POLITIC SAM
Thanks to your information, of course.

GITTINS
(Smiles) Whatever I can do to help. But, if I could maybe join the secret police I could work at exposing more free traders.

POLITIC SAM
That sounds like a very good idea Mr Gittins. I am very pleased that you want to do this. But don't you think this is dangerous? You might get sick again, and re-join the free trade movement.

GITTINS
(With practiced conviction) Free Trade is destroying our world. I want to save our world and destroy free trade. I want to be a freelance detective again, and bring the movement down from the inside.

POLITIC SAM
Very good Mr Gittins. You have done very well. I have not met someone who was cured so absolutely. Tell me, what do you remember about your former life.

GITTINS
(nonplussed) Absolutely everything.

POLITIC SAM
What about this (holding a notebook)? What about your little treatise on freedom?

GITTINS
What about it?

POLITIC SAM
Do you remember what you said here?

GITTINS
Yes I do.

POLITIC SAM
(Gestures for Gittins to continue)

GITTINS
Basically I argue that we are all controlled by the society around us, and that the government is making it impossible for people to think for themselves. We are being brainwashed by everything the government says. I argue that freedom is the natural condition of man, and that we should have the choice to do what we want, when we want. Free trade is an expression of this because it's economic concept is based on consumer choice - supply and demand.

POLITIC SAM
And what do you think of what you said now?

GITTINS
Well, I was sick when I wrote it. (practiced) The government and the hierarchs exist to serve us, and to make our society more orderly and happy. The free trade organisation is spreading discord in our world. It spreads chaos and disrespects what our society wants. I want to save our world and destroy free trade. I want to be a freelance detective again, and bring the movement down from the inside.

POLITIC SAM
Very good, Mr Gittins. You are free to return home. I will make arrangements with the secret police to inform you of your next move. We will give you a partner, a fellow secret policeman.

8. Gittins walking down lighted pathway, dressed in 1940s gear. People walk by, oblivious to him. He is looking vacant again, but more distracted than drugged.

GITTINS (V.O)
Politic Sam was the sort of guy who made you feel happier than you ever had before. I was happy that he agreed with my proposal. After all, Free trade was destroying our world. If I worked as an undercover freelance detective again, I would have the opportunity to bring the free trade movement down from the inside.

9. Gittens opens door to home. Goes to fridge and opens door. Stench overpowers him, and he closes it quickly. He turns TV on. It is a news report, the newscaster looking very dishevelled and bored.

NEWSREADER
...And hierarch Xavier spoke to us today about the growing problems with subversive groups in society. He spoke to our reporter, umm.... (looks around for something). He spoke to our reporter Mr Johnson about it.

10. View from TV. Reporter is talking to Hierarch Xavier.

MR JOHNSON
Hierarch Xavier. We all know that the government is there for our help and benefit. What possible reason would there be these subversive groups to exist?

POLITIC XAVIER
They are sick people. They are suffering from a disease that has no cure. We must put a stop to their activities as soon as possible.

MR JOHNSON
Thankyou Hierach, we trust you and know that the government will do its best. What can we do to help?

POLITIC XAVIER
(looking into camera) We can't trust anyone. Not even those who live next door. If you suspect anyone of free-trade activity, report it to the law-enforcers immediately.

11. View of Gittins sitting on couch. Flickering of Television on his face. Looks blank into the camera.

GITTINS (V.O)
I knew that was a mistake. The law enforcers were the most inept bunch of people I'd ever met. They never acted on any evidence they received anyway. In fact, I wondered if they would appreciate Xavier's call. They would be inundated with calls. I was greatly amused at this.

12. View of Gittins sitting on a couch elsewhere. Exactly the same expression on his face as previous scene. Light changed to be brighter.

GITTINS (V.O.)
The first thing I needed to do was to get my drugs. The doctors warned me that I needed a daily intake of specially prescribed drugs, otherwise I would become unstable again and begin to actually believe the garbage I wrote in my notebooks. So I went down to the pharmacy to get my drugs. After a short wait of only 45 minutes, I was told the news.

PHARMACIST
(off camera) Sorry. The drugs aren't in yet. Come back in a week.

to be continued...

© 2005 Neil McKenzie Cameron, http://one-salient-oversight-entropy.blogspot.com/




This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

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